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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44503 ***
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Half way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near
+him.]
+
+
+
+
+                                  THE
+
+                          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS
+
+                             ON THE PACIFIC
+
+                                   BY
+
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+      AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES,” “THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS’
+        SERIES,” “THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC,” “THE
+          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER,” “THE OCEAN
+               WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICEBERG PATROL,” “THE
+                OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE,”
+                                  ETC.
+
+                             ILLUSTRATED BY
+                            ARTHUR O. SCOTT
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1916,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+                     I. On the Broad Pacific             5
+                    II. The Ocean in a Rage             14
+                   III. A Long Night                    20
+                    IV. The Derelict                    26
+                     V. The “Centurion”                 33
+                    VI. A Mystery of the Seas           39
+                   VII. An Old Enemy Oddly Met          49
+                  VIII. “Land, Ho!”                     56
+                    IX. Through Hidden Dangers          64
+                     X. Chumming with Savages           72
+                    XI. The Cave of the Pearls          78
+                   XII. A Trap!                         84
+                  XIII. On the Reef                     90
+                   XIV. Battling Man-eating Sharks      97
+                    XV. A Message from the Deep        104
+                   XVI. Alive on the Sea               113
+                  XVII. An Encounter at Bomobori       119
+                 XVIII. Donald Judson Again            126
+                   XIX. He Tells a Strange Story       132
+                    XX. A Traitor in Camp              143
+                   XXI. A Memorable Night              153
+                  XXII. Into the Jungle                164
+                 XXIII. A Dangerous Tree               171
+                  XXIV. Wireless at Work               178
+                   XXV. A Jungle Hotel                 186
+                  XXVI. Prisoners of “Bully” Broom     195
+                 XXVII. At the Old Fort                203
+                XXVIII. The Free-booter’s Demands      209
+                  XXIX. The Rescue Party               216
+                   XXX. In the Coils of a Python       224
+                  XXXI. The Journey Resumed            236
+                 XXXII. A Storm in the Jungle          245
+                XXXIII. The Giant Spiders              260
+                 XXXIV. A Fight with a Hornbill        272
+                  XXXV. The Heart of New Guinea        280
+                 XXXVI. Found at Last!                 292
+
+
+
+
+                        The Ocean Wireless Boys
+                            on the Pacific.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER I.—ON THE BROAD PACIFIC.
+
+
+Twenty days out from San Francisco in the vast, heaving desert of the
+sea, twenty days of storm, sunshine and calm, the _Sea Gypsy_, the great
+white yacht of Jacob Jukes, head of the big Atlantic and Pacific
+Shipping Combine, was making her way lazily through the dreamy South
+Seas. The vessel was capable of great speed, being known as one of the
+fastest craft of her kind. But she was bound on a mission which might
+take a long time to consummate, and economy of coal, which was piled
+even on her decks, to re-enforce the supply in the bunkers, was
+necessary.
+
+What this mission was remained, so far, a mystery to every one on board
+except Mr. Jukes himself, the iron-jawed and impenetrable organizer of
+the expedition. Up to this time he had shown no inclination to unburden
+himself of his secret, and although the craft was equipped with powerful
+wireless of the most modern type, the yacht had received no messages,
+nor had she sent any, under orders from Mr. Jukes.
+
+On this particular evening Jack Ready leaned against the door of the
+wireless-room, a converted deck cabin, and covertly watched the
+heavy-shouldered, bull-necked form of the millionaire shipping man as
+the latter gazed over the rail across the vacant waters at the gorgeous
+sunset.
+
+It was a true pageant of the heavens, such as is only to be seen in the
+Southern ocean. Great cloud-masses rose in wondrous forms, like
+glorified castle walls and turrets, glowing with purple and gold and
+red. Jack found himself following Mr. Jukes’ gaze. Although such
+spectacles had been almost nightly ones since they had steamed into the
+tropics, there was something wild and sinister about the present one
+that thrilled him.
+
+Captain Septimus Sparhawk, the brown, gaunt captain of the yacht, whose
+thin face was decorated by two little dabs of grayish whiskers forward
+of each ear, passed by.
+
+“Nothing to do but to look at the sky, eh?” he asked Jack, as a
+suspicion of a smile crept over his face.
+
+“That’s about all, sir,” rejoined Jack, with a laugh. “I expect to see
+spiders spinning webs on my instruments every day. I haven’t touched the
+key since we sailed.”
+
+The captain shook his head. He was an old and loyal employee of the
+shipping man, and not much given to words. But, apparently, now he felt
+called upon to express himself.
+
+“It’s a queer business, lad,” he said, “and it may get queerer still
+before we find out what it’s all about. I’m as much in the dark as you
+or the cabin boy. But right now that sunset worries me more than
+anything else.”
+
+“You’re on the look-out for a storm?” asked Jack, noting a sudden look
+of anxiety in the captain’s pale blue eyes, surrounded by a network of
+tiny wrinkles, due to long gazing into salty gales.
+
+“Worse than that, Ready,” was the rejoinder. “This is the hurricane
+season in these parts and the glass,—I’ve just taken a squint at
+it,—is dropping as if it never meant to stop.”
+
+“If I could use the wireless——” began Jack.
+
+“We could probably get a weather reading from some other ship,”
+interrupted the captain, starting off, “but as it is, we might as well
+not have it on board at all. The thing’s got me stumped.”
+
+He carried himself off on his long, thin legs but paused to speak to Mr.
+Jukes. The ship-owner, although Jack could not hear what was said,
+appeared to be agitated somewhat by the captain’s words, for he began
+puffing rapidly at his after-dinner cigar, sending out smoke like the
+exhaust of a locomotive funnel, a sure sign, as Jack had observed, that
+he was disturbed.
+
+“I’ll make all snug, sir,” the boy heard the captain say, as he turned
+away, “and then we will be prepared for whatever happens.”
+
+“Very well, Sparhawk,” answered Mr. Jukes, in a somewhat louder voice
+than he had used hitherto, “and be sure to see to it that the deck load
+of coal is secured safely. They tell me the bunkers are running low.”
+
+As has been stated, the _Sea Gypsy’s_ decks were piled high fore and aft
+with coal, kept in place by wooden bulkheads, which did not add to the
+appearance of the ship and encumbered progress from bow to stern. Only
+amidships, where the cabins were situated, was the deck clear. As the
+captain ascended the bridge he turned and gave an order to a petty
+officer and presently the crew could be seen at work lashing big
+tarpaulins down over the coal which was so important to keep the _Sea
+Gypsy_ moving on her mysterious mission.
+
+The news that the coal supply was running low in the bunkers was a
+surprise to Jack. He made for Billy Raynor’s cabin where the young chief
+engineer of the yacht was writing up his “log.”
+
+“Yes, it’s right,” he rejoined to Jack’s question, “the loss of that
+deck load would be a serious matter. We’re a good many hundred miles
+from land and will have to tap the supply before long.”
+
+“Billy, what on earth do you suppose is the object of this voyage?”
+demanded Jack abruptly.
+
+“Blessed if I know, but I’m well satisfied with my promotion and job,”
+declared Raynor. “Cruising these wonderful seas in a yacht that’s a
+beauty, even if her decks are all littered up like a cattle boat’s, just
+about suits me.”
+
+“That’s all right, you’ve got something to do,” complained Jack. “But
+look at my case. I have to polish up my instruments every day to keep
+them from getting rusty.”
+
+“Serves you right for not stopping ashore and enjoying yourself,”
+chuckled Raynor teasingly. “Since you sold that ‘Universal Detector’ of
+yours to the government you could surely afford to.”
+
+“Just as if I could kick my heels on shore doing nothing,” was Jack’s
+indignant reply, “but it does seem as if it’s about time we knew
+something of what this voyage is for.”
+
+“Maybe it’s just a pleasure cruise to allow Mr. Jukes to get away from
+his business troubles,” hazarded Raynor.
+
+Jack shook his head in decided negative.
+
+“There’s more in it than that,” he declared positively. “Mr. Jukes is
+first of all a man of business. He wouldn’t come skylarking across the
+Pacific for three weeks if he was just out for a cruise. He’d go where
+he could keep in touch with the market and Wall Street.”
+
+“That’s so,” Raynor was compelled to agree. “Well, I suppose when he
+gets ready to spill some information he’ll do it. In the meantime my job
+just suits me. But what made you ask about the deck coal?”
+
+“Because Captain Sparhawk says we’re in for a bad blow, maybe a
+hurricane.”
+
+Raynor’s usually cheerful face became suddenly serious.
+
+“When did he say that?” he asked.
+
+“Just now. They’re putting tarpaulins over it now. If we dropped it,
+we’d be in a bad fix, eh, Billy?”
+
+“We’d have about coal enough left for two or three days,” rejoined
+Raynor.
+
+“And after that——?”
+
+“It would be a case of ‘merrily we drift along.’”
+
+The door gave a sudden sharp slam. A puff of wind, sweeping suddenly
+over the hitherto breathless sea, had banged it shut.
+
+Jack jumped up and swung it quickly open again.
+
+“Here she comes,” he cried excitedly.
+
+At the same instant the _Sea Gypsy_ gave a sidelong lurch that sent both
+lads helter-skelter across the cabin. Outside came a sudden bawling of
+voices and a distant, disquieting roar that grew louder every second.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER II.—THE OCEAN IN A RAGE.
+
+
+Directly they recovered their sea legs, both lads made for the cabin
+door. A wonderful but alarming spectacle met their eyes. The sunset had
+been blotted out as if by magic. In its place was a ragged, inky-black
+cloud curtain that was being swept across the sky as if invisible,
+titanic hands were swiftly pulling it.
+
+The sea immediately about them was heaving wildly in great swells that
+tumbled the _Sea Gypsy_, rendered less stable by her top-heavy load,
+from side to side. Far off, under the rushing black cloud, the forefront
+of which was almost over them by this time, was a jagged line of white.
+
+Mr. Booth, the second mate, bundled up in oilskins, ran past the boys on
+his way to the bridge.
+
+“Better get under cover,” he advised as he passed. “This is going to be
+a hummer.”
+
+But, fascinated by the majestic sight, both boys stood still, clutching
+the rail and bracing themselves for the shock they felt was coming, for
+both had guessed that the jagged white line in the distance was a giant
+wave. Like a cliff of water it grew as it swept toward them, accompanied
+by a howling of the wind that sounded like a witches’ carnival. So swift
+was its advance that the boys had hardly time to run toward the cabin
+when it broke upon them.
+
+The _Sea Gypsy_ heeled like a ship that had been struck a mortal blow.
+For one instant she hung balanced as if she was about to capsize. The
+door of the cabin in which the boys had taken refuge was ripped from its
+hinges by the terrific force of the impact as if it had been matchwood.
+
+The next moment both lads were struggling for their lives in a surging,
+sweeping smother of water that filled the cabin to the roof. Jack felt
+himself clutched by the hands of his chum. Fighting to keep himself
+above water, Jack saw that Raynor had been hurled against some object
+and been wounded. There was a jagged cut in his forehead.
+
+He had hardly noticed this, when the _Sea Gypsy_ staggered back to an
+even keel. As she did so the water swept out of the cabin like a
+millrace, carrying both boys helplessly with it.
+
+Jack felt Raynor torn from his arms, and the next thing he realized he
+was struggling for his life in the waves that reared and roared above
+the floundering yacht.
+
+A month before the events we are describing took place, Jack Ready, the
+young wireless operator of the _Sea Gypsy_, and his inseparable chum,
+Billy Raynor, had been summoned to Mr. Jukes’ New York office and told
+that they were detached from duty on the big _Columbia_, the crack liner
+of the Jukes’ ships, and ordered to pack their things forthwith and meet
+the ship-owner at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco within a week.
+Neither had demurred, supposing some interest of the ship-owners called
+for their presence there. But, much to their bewilderment, they had each
+been handed a substantial check by Mr. Jukes on his arrival in the
+western metropolis, told to outfit themselves for a long voyage, and
+nothing more. Two days later the _Sea Gypsy_ cleared the harbor.
+
+The acquaintance of Jack and Mr. Jukes had its beginning in certain
+events which took place near Jack’s quaint home, which he shared with an
+eccentric uncle on an old schooner in the Erie Basin in New York. The
+rescue by Jack of Mr. Jukes’ little daughter, and the result on his
+affairs, were fully detailed in the first volume of this series, which
+was called “The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic.” This is not the
+place to re-tell all the exciting adventures that befell Jack and young
+Raynor, who was third engineer on the steamer to which Jack was
+assigned, in fulfillment of his ambition to be a “wireless man.”
+
+Nor can we do more here than to hint at the contents of the second
+volume. This was called “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner,”
+and set forth the fate of the _Tropic Queen_. In this book we found Jack
+and his inseparable chum steadily progressing in their chosen
+professions, and also met several other characters, all of whom had an
+important bearing on the events of the boys’ lives. Mr. Jukes took
+formal recognition of the part Jack played in the disaster that overtook
+the _Tropic Queen_, and inwardly resolved that his heroism and devotion
+to duty had made him a lad worth watching.
+
+Still a third volume followed, describing the boys’ further adventures.
+In the “Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol,” much interesting
+information about the manner in which the ocean lanes are guarded from
+the white menace of the north, was given. The boys shared in many
+thrilling adventures also, and ended by discovering something that an
+expedition, at the head of which was Jack’s Uncle Toby, had almost lost
+through the tricks of a band of hard characters.
+
+The fourth book setting forth their doings was called “The Ocean
+Wireless Boys and the Naval Code.” Captain Simms of the U. S. N., after
+devising a novel code for the use of this government, through the
+machinations of a band of daring rascals, found himself robbed of it.
+Wireless played a big part in the recovery of the documents in the long
+run, Jack acquitting himself to the delight of the naval officials and
+the government by his work in this connection. Some of the miscreants,
+whose tricks Jack had helped to frustrate, were sent to prison but
+others got free. These latter the boys, though they little suspected it,
+were destined to meet again.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER III.—A LONG NIGHT.
+
+
+Blinded, choked and with a red mist before his eyes, and in his ears the
+roar of waters, Jack fought the undertow of the retreat of the giant
+wave with all his strength. All at once he felt some heavy object hurled
+against him.
+
+The force of the collision almost knocked what little breath remained in
+his body out of his lungs. Instinctively he reached out for whatever it
+was that had struck him.
+
+It was a human body.
+
+The boy had hardly realized this before he found himself flung, panting
+and gasping, down upon the deck. Thanks to the stays of the foremost of
+the _Sea Gypsy’s_ two masts, against which the retreating wave had
+pitched him, he had not been drawn overboard. Instead, as the pressure
+of water relaxed, it had dropped him and the mute burden he had clasped,
+to the deck.
+
+For a few minutes Jack lay there panting, too much exhausted to exert a
+muscle or limb. The unconscious form hurtled against him by the swirling
+waters lay at his side. It was too dark for Jack to see then who it was,
+or if life remained in the motionless figure. By-and-by, as his strength
+came back, he got to his feet and dragged the limp form to a cabin. It
+proved to be the one which the great wave had swept from Jack so
+unceremoniously. Luckily, although the seas were thundering mountains
+high about the laboring yacht, none like that first terrific comber
+assailed her.
+
+Steadying himself on the rocking floor with much difficulty, Jack
+fumbled for the electric switch. He found it at last and let on a flood
+of light. The radiance shed itself on a pale face with a deeply slashed
+forehead that lay at the boy’s feet.
+
+“It’s Billy,” choked the boy. He got on his knees by Raynor’s
+unconscious form and gently raised his chum’s head. It fell back limply.
+A blood-chilling thought surged through Jack and he grew as white as the
+lad he held.
+
+He put his hand hastily over Raynor’s heart and a great wave of relief
+went through him. His chum’s heart was beating, although feebly. It was
+not too late to save him. It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across
+that bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor,
+but at last he managed to accomplish it, and deposited the injured young
+engineer in the bunk that occupied one side of the latter’s cabin. Then
+he washed and dressed the injury as best he could.
+
+“Now I’ll have to get help,” said the boy to himself. “The captain’s got
+a medicine chest and bandages, but we have no doctor. I’ll go and find
+the skipper.”
+
+[Illustration: It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across that
+bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor.]
+
+Out upon the dripping decks, over which a wave crest would every now and
+then curl, with a roar like that of a waterfall, Jack once more emerged.
+Clawing at hand-holds and desperately clinging on now and then when a
+wave threatened to tear loose his grip, he wormed his way forward. As he
+reached the bridge deck, he heard a thunderous roar forward, and the
+_Sea Gypsy_, as if she had been freed of a burden, made a sudden plunge
+skyward, with her bow pointing almost straight at the obscured heavens.
+
+“There goes the fore-deck load of coal,” thought Jack, as he made his
+way to where, in the lee of the pilot house some obscure figures stood
+huddled. Ten minutes later he and the gaunt form of Captain Sparhawk
+were bending over Raynor, as he lay white and still, in his bunk. With
+rough skill the captain dressed the wound.
+
+“It’s a wonder that Mr. Jukes wouldn’t have brought a doctor along,” he
+muttered. “He’s carrying a rapid-fire gun, so why not sawbones, too?”
+
+“Where is Mr. Jukes?” demanded Jack suddenly.
+
+“In his cabin, I guess. I haven’t seen him since this ocean tantrum
+broke out.”
+
+“The—the rapid-fire gun you spoke about?” asked Jack.
+
+The other looked at him in some confusion.
+
+“Confound my habit of talking to myself,” he exclaimed. “Did you hear
+that?”
+
+“I couldn’t help it,” apologised Jack. “Are we going to fight any one?”
+
+“You must ask Mr. Jukes that,” answered the captain, non-committally.
+“It’s up to him to tell what he wants to. All I know is that there is
+one on board. Maybe he brought it along to shoot clay pigeons with.
+Maybe not. I don’t know.”
+
+“Well,” he added, “I’ve got to get for’ard again. I guess our young
+ship-mate will do now. He had a nasty crack though. Both of you are
+lucky you’re not in Davy Jones’ locker.”
+
+All through the rest of that tempestuous night Jack sat by his chum,
+dozing off at times and then waking with a start to hear the uproar of
+the hurricane as they struggled through it. The dawn showed a troubled
+sea, leaping at the yacht as though to engulf her. The wind almost
+flattened Jack against the deck house as, Raynor having sunk into a deep
+sleep after an interval of consciousness, the young wireless man set out
+to see what chance there was for breakfast.
+
+The companionway to the dining saloon on the deck below was in the after
+part of the ship. As he was about to descend an unusually big wave
+lifted the _Sea Gypsy_ dizzily skyward, and then rushed her downward.
+There was a heave and a crash from the stern and Jack saw the after deck
+load of coal vanish like a black avalanche, to be swallowed up in the
+maw of the sea.
+
+“Worse, and more of it,” he muttered, as some of the crew who had
+narrowly escaped being overwhelmed, set up a shout; “this will be bad
+news to give poor old Billy.”
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER IV.—THE DERELICT.
+
+
+Two days later the hurricane had blown itself out. The storm-stressed
+crew were set to work putting things to rights and the yacht put on more
+of her normal appearance. But she had been sadly battered for all that.
+Two boats were stove in, ventilators smashed and stanchions bent and
+twisted by the fury of the waves.
+
+The flat, oily sea that succeeded the wild turmoil of the hurricane,
+heaved gently without a ripple as Jack and Raynor, the latter recovered
+but still wearing a bandage round his head, stood looking over the rail
+into the glassy waters.
+
+So transparent was the ocean that, under them, they could see great fish
+swimming about slowly and lazily, as if life held no hurry for them. Now
+and then a great shark glided by, nosing about the ship for scraps. His
+sharp, triangular dorsal fin stuck from his back like a blue steel knife
+cutting the surface and glistening like a thing of metal. About these
+great tigers of the deep, two smaller fish usually hovered. These were
+pilot fish, the strange sea-creatures that invariably accompany sharks,
+and are supposed by sailors to pilot them to their prey.
+
+Then there were queer-looking “gonies,” with their flat heads winging
+their way above the water and every now and then dropping, with a scream
+and a splash, in a group of a dozen to fight furiously over some
+drifting morsel. After these tussles they appeared to “run” over the
+water to give their heavy, awkward bodies a good start upward. Then,
+having attained a certain height, down they would flop again, like
+weights shooting through the air, hitting the water with a heavy splash
+and sliding, with a white wake behind them, for some feet.
+
+Schools of nautilus, too, gave them something to look at as the delicate
+little creatures, with their thin, membranous sails set, drifted by
+under the gentle breeze that hardly ruffled the water.
+
+“Doesn’t look much as if this ocean could ever have kicked up the
+ructions it did, eh, Billy?” remarked Jack, after a long silence.
+
+“It does not,” replied Raynor, with a rueful grin, “but I owe it this
+crack on the head.”
+
+“And the loss of that coal,” chimed in Jack. “No wonder you look glum,
+old fellow. We’ll never make port on what’s below.”
+
+“Not a chance of it,” was the rejoinder, “about all we can do is to use
+the sails if the worst comes to the worst.”
+
+“Well, as we don’t appear to have any port in view, and nothing to do
+but to keep on drifting about like another Flying Dutchman, I don’t see
+that it much matters where we fetch up,” commented Jack, with some
+irritation.
+
+It was at that instant that there came an interruption. The voice of the
+sea-man at the look-out forward broke the spell.
+
+“Steamer, ho!” he shouted.
+
+“Where away?” came a hoarse voice from the bridge, that of Mr. Jolliffe,
+the first officer.
+
+“Three p’ints on the starbo’d bow.”
+
+“Let’s go forward and have a look,” suggested Jack. “You’re not on watch
+for some time yet.”
+
+“I’m with you,” agreed Raynor. “Anything for variety’s sake. Wonder what
+ship it is?”
+
+“Too far off to make out yet,” said Jack, as, far off, they could just
+about see, by straining their eyes, a small dark speck on the distant
+horizon.
+
+“I don’t see any smoke,” said Raynor. “Perhaps it’s a sailing ship after
+all.”
+
+“We’ll know before long,” was Jack’s reply.
+
+During an interval in which the _Sea Gypsy_ drew steadily toward the
+craft that had, by this time, excited the attention of all on board, the
+boys saw Mr. Jukes emerge from his cabin and take his place on the
+bridge beside Captain Sparhawk. That bronzed mariner handed the
+millionaire his glasses and Mr. Jukes’ rather fat, pallid face took on
+an unwonted hue of excitement as he handed them back.
+
+The boys standing on the main deck just below the bridge heard the owner
+of the yacht putting sharp questions. He showed more animation than he
+had at any time during the voyage. The sight of the other craft appeared
+to affect him curiously.
+
+“She’s a schooner, Sparhawk.”
+
+“Undoubtedly, sir.”
+
+“But although she has her canvas set she is making no way.”
+
+“That appears to be correct. But there is little wind. Odd though that
+she doesn’t signal us.”
+
+Mr. Jukes snatched up the glasses again from the shelf where he had laid
+them down.
+
+“Blessed if I can make out a soul on board her, Sparhawk,” he exclaimed
+presently. “Here, try what you can do.”
+
+He handed the binoculars over to the master of the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain
+Sparhawk took a prolonged observation. When he, in turn, laid the
+glasses down his thin, mahogany-hued face bore a puzzled look.
+
+“It’s queer, sir, but I don’t seem to be able to make out a living soul
+either.”
+
+“A derelict, perhaps?”
+
+“Possibly,” assented the captain, and no more was said as, with all eyes
+fixed on the strange schooner, the _Sea Gypsy_ drew nearer. The boys
+could now make out every detail of the other craft. She was a
+trig-looking schooner, painted black, with a flush deck except for her
+after house and a small structure astern of the fore-mast. Her canvas
+was set but it flapped idly in the light breeze as she swung to and fro
+on the Pacific swells. No guiding hand could be seen at her wheel. Not a
+soul was visible on her deserted decks.
+
+There is no more melancholy sight than a sea derelict, the aimless prey
+of winds and currents, drifting sometimes for years over the trackless
+wastes of the ocean. The boys felt something of this as all doubt as to
+human occupancy of the schooner vanished.
+
+“Deserted, I reckon,” hazarded Jack. “Although her canvas appears
+perfect, her hull sound and——”
+
+He broke off sharply. From the abandoned ship there had suddenly come a
+sound which, under the circumstances, was particularly depressing and
+even startling.
+
+It was the measured tolling of a bell, like a funeral knell.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER V.—THE “CENTURION.”
+
+
+“Hark!” cried Raynor, as the two boys exchanged glances.
+
+“I have it,” exclaimed Jack the next instant. “That’s only the tolling
+of the ship’s bell as the schooner rolls on the sea.”
+
+“My, it gave me a jump though,” admitted Raynor. “Hullo, they are
+slowing down. Must be going to board her.”
+
+“Evidently,” agreed Jack, as the _Sea Gypsy’s_ propeller revolved more
+and more slowly.
+
+Captain Sparhawk descended from the bridge. The ponderous form of Mr.
+Jukes followed him. The millionaire’s face bore a look of strange
+excitement.
+
+“Of course that can’t be the schooner,” the boys heard him say to the
+captain, “but still I can’t pass it unsearched.”
+
+His eye fell on the boys.
+
+“Lads, we are going to board that schooner and try to find out something
+about her,” he said. “Do you want to go along?”
+
+These were the first words the boys had had with their employer in some
+days. Of course both jumped at the chance, and before many minutes
+passed, one of the yacht’s remaining boats was being sent over the sea
+at a fast clip toward the derelict. Close inspection showed the
+schooner’s condition not to be as good as it had seemed at a distance.
+Her paint was blistered and the oakum calking was spewing out of her
+sun-dried seams like Spanish moss on an aged tree. Her sails were
+mildewed and torn in many places and her ropes bleached and frayed.
+Mingling now with the incessant, melancholy tolling of the bell, came
+the monotonous creak of her booms and gaffs as they swung rhythmically
+to and fro.
+
+No name appeared on her bow, although blurred tracings of white paint
+showed that one had once been inscribed there. But there was a
+yellow-painted figurehead; a stern, Roman-nosed bust of a man,
+apparently intended for an emperor or a warrior.
+
+“We’ll row round the stern and take a look at her name,” decided Captain
+Sparhawk. “We’ll have to climb aboard from the other side anyway. There
+is no means of scrambling up from this.”
+
+The boat was turned and rowed under the graceful stern of the derelict.
+On it, in bold, raised letters, surrounded by a fanciful design, stood
+out, in fading colors, the lost craft’s name.
+
+“_Centurion_, San Francisco,” read out Jack, with an odd thrill. There
+was a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes, who had not yet been able to
+make out more than the first few letters.
+
+“What’s that?” he exclaimed, in a voice so sharp and tense that the boys
+turned and stared at him, as did the boat’s crew and Captain Sparhawk.
+
+Jack repeated his answer and, to his astonishment, Mr. Jukes, the
+iron-jawed, self-possessed business man, who had never shown signs of
+possessing any more emotion than a stone, suddenly sunk his head in his
+hands with a groan.
+
+“Too late after all,” they heard him mutter unsteadily. But when he
+again raised his face, although it was ashy pale, he appeared to have
+mastered himself.
+
+“Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey, Sparhawk,” he remarked in a
+voice that he rendered steady by an apparent effort. “Let us go on
+board, however, and see if we can find some trace of the unfortunates of
+the _Centurion_.”
+
+The captain looked as if he would have liked to ask a great many
+questions, but something in Mr. Jukes’ face rendered him silent. He gave
+the necessary orders and the boat was pulled round to the other side of
+the schooner. Here they were glad to find some dilapidated ropes
+dangling which afforded a means of getting on board. Two sailors, after
+first testing their weight-bearing qualities, scrambled up them like
+monkeys, and, under the captain’s orders, went hunting for a Jacob’s
+ladder which would support Mr. Jukes’ ponderous weight. One was found
+and lowered, and soon all stood on the silent decks which for so long
+had not echoed the footsteps of a human being.
+
+“Away forward and muzzle that bell, some of you,” ordered the captain
+briskly. “The sound of the thing gets on my nerves.”
+
+“Send them all forward,” supplemented Mr. Jukes. “Tell them to search
+the forecastle, anything to keep them busy. We will examine the cabins
+and officers’ quarters.”
+
+“Are we to accompany you, sir?” asked Jack hesitatingly.
+
+For a fraction of a second the millionaire seemed plunged in thought.
+Then he arrived at one of his characteristic quick decisions.
+
+“Why not?” he asked, half to himself it seemed. “Later I shall have
+something to say to all of you. You have wondered at the object of this
+cruise, no doubt?”
+
+Captain Sparhawk nodded gravely.
+
+“I have guessed you had some great end to serve in it, Mr. Jukes,” he
+said.
+
+“An end which has now been reached, I fear,” said the millionaire
+solemnly. “But come, let us proceed with our examination.”
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER VI.—A MYSTERY OF THE SEAS.
+
+
+At first glance Jack saw that the main cabin of the _Centurion_ was
+fitted up with a luxuriousness not common to mere trading schooners. A
+silver hanging lamp of elaborate design, silk curtains at the stern
+ports, book-cases filled with handsomely bound volumes and the thick
+carpets on the floor, clearly indicated that whoever had occupied it had
+been above the class of the rough and ready South Sea trader.
+
+In one corner stood a desk as handsome in its appointments as the rest
+of the furniture. But it had been roughly dealt with. The front had been
+smashed in, drawers pulled out and papers and documents scattered about
+all over the cabin floor. The door to a sleeping cabin leading off the
+main apartment was open. Within was the same disorder. Even mattresses
+had been ripped open in a hunt for something, the nature of which the
+boys could not guess.
+
+Mr. Jukes hastily rummaged through the contents of the desk, selecting
+some papers, casting aside others as worthless, and gathered up on his
+hands and knees those on the floor. Then every cabin was searched and in
+each the millionaire took a few papers, but the look of anxiety on his
+face did not change, and the boys judged he had not found what he was in
+search of.
+
+“Not a solitary clue,” he exclaimed with a heavy sigh as, dust-covered
+and perspiring from his exertions, he sank down at the long dining table
+in the main cabin. For a time he appeared lost in thought and the others
+stood about silently. To Jack it was almost awe-inspiring, to see this
+over-mastering man of affairs, who bullied whole corporations into his
+way of thinking, sitting there in the cabin of the derelict schooner
+utterly at a loss, and apparently defeated. At length Mr. Jukes spoke.
+His first words were a surprise:
+
+“I suppose you all have heard of my brother, Jerushah Jukes?” he asked.
+
+“The traveler and explorer?” asked Captain Sparhawk. “I guess every one
+in America knows of him, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+Paying no attention to the captain’s reply, the millionaire went on.
+
+“The papers reported some months ago that he had set out for Central
+Africa.”
+
+“I read the account,” said Jack, “but——”
+
+Mr. Jukes waved his hand. The boy fell into an abashed silence; in a
+second the millionaire had changed once more from a crushed, defeated
+human being into Jacob Jukes, millionaire and king of commerce.
+
+“He did not go to Africa,” he said. “Instead, his destination was the
+South Pacific. He chartered this schooner, the _Centurion_, and the last
+I heard of him was when he set sail from San Francisco. If no news of
+him was received within a certain time I promised him to come in search
+of him. You see,” he added with a simplicity new from him, “he was my
+younger brother and I promised my mother on her death-bed always to look
+after him.”
+
+There was a pause. In the silence of the long-deserted cabin they could
+hear the dismal creak of the neglected rudder and the bang-banging of
+the swinging spars above.
+
+“We were poor then, miserably poor, and my mother never lived to see the
+rise of our fortunes, for as I advanced in business I helped my brother
+up, too. But his bent was not for finance. He had a streak of the
+adventurous in him. But I put it to paying purpose. I seldom lose on any
+venture.” Unconsciously as it seemed, the hard vein in Jacob Jukes had
+cropped out again. “I decided to put my brother on a paying basis. The
+results were good. Concessions in South America, gold mines in Alaska,
+and certain South African enterprises were put through, largely through
+his instrumentality.
+
+“And now, to get down to the present time. The _Centurion_ was chartered
+to obtain for Mrs. Jukes, who has a craze for expensive and rare
+jewelry, the ‘Tear of the Sea,’ the most famous pearl of the South Seas.
+I had obtained information of its whereabouts in the Pomoutou
+Archipelago through means which are not important to relate here. I
+thought that an expedition to purchase the ‘Tear of the Sea’ and,
+incidentally, other pearls, would be a good investment and keep my
+brother, who was getting restless, in occupation.
+
+“In the meantime, however, a dishonest employee managed to get wind of
+what was about to take place and furnished the information to a firm of
+European jewelers with agents in New York and all over the world. From
+that moment, I rushed through the _Centurion’s_ expedition with all
+possible speed, for I knew the conditions of competition in the Pacific.
+There is little more law among pearl traders than there is north of
+fifty-three. My brother knew this as well as I did and realised the
+necessity for haste. Moreover, we knew that the European firm was
+anxious to obtain, for a royal customer, the very pearl that I was
+after. In addition, this firm was known as one of the most unscrupulous
+in gaining its ends, and maintained, in the South Pacific, a system of
+spies and bullies which brought most of the pearl hunters’ prizes into
+their hands. Ugly stories have been told of their methods of gaining
+their ends—and—and I am afraid the fate of the _Centurion_ will have
+to be added to the black list.”
+
+“There is nothing in the papers to show what happened to your brother,
+sir?” asked Captain Sparhawk presently.
+
+“Nothing. They are merely formal documents, ship’s papers, clearance
+bills and so forth. There is no memorandum relating to the pearl in any
+way.”
+
+Captain Sparhawk knitted his brows. For a minute he appeared lost in
+deep thought.
+
+“Do you mind telling us the name of that firm, sir?” he asked at last.
+
+“There is nothing we can prove against them,” said the millionaire.
+“They work without their hands showing in any of their ugly
+transactions. Their name, however, is F—— & Freres.”
+
+“Of Amsterdam?” queried the captain.
+
+“The same. They have practically a monopoly of the pearl trade of
+Europe.”
+
+“I know that, sir,” said the captain, clenching his hands. “They tried
+to work their tricks on a ship-mate of mine who went a-pearl trading.
+But, sir, to change the subject, did you ever hear of ‘Bully’ Broom?”
+
+The millionaire shook his head.
+
+“I have; and have good cause to remember him,” said the captain. “But
+none of that at this time. Sir,” he continued earnestly, “your brother
+may be as safe and sound as we are. He may have the pearl. But if
+neither of these things have happened, Bully Broom is the man to look
+for if we have to hunt him all over the Pacific. I’ve sailed these seas
+and know that ‘Bully’ Broom did F—— & Co.’s dirty work for them. He
+calls himself a trader, but, like lots of others doing business under
+that name in these waters, ‘Pirate’ would be a sight better name for
+him.”
+
+“And you think that this man ‘Bully’ Broom, as you call him, has
+something to do with this mysterious disappearance of my brother?” asked
+Mr. Jukes, who had listened with deep attention, willing to hear of any
+clue, however slight.
+
+“I ain’t dead sure,” said the captain, “but it’s my impression that if
+the firm you spoke of was after this ‘Tear of the Sea,’ then ‘Bully’
+Broom knows where Jerushah Jukes is,” and he brought his lean, gnarled
+fist down with a thump on the table.
+
+The old ginger came back into Mr. Jukes’ eyes, the wonted crisp
+authority into his voice as he snapped out:
+
+“That being the case, we’ll find ‘Bully’ Broom.”
+
+“No matter where we have to go?” asked Captain Sparhawk, raising his
+eyebrows.
+
+“We’ll scour the whole Pacific if necessary. But nobody of the _Sea
+Gypsy’s_ crew need accompany her against his will. All I ask is that
+they remain till we can touch at some civilised port, such as Papeiti or
+Honolulu and ship a man in his place. Do you boys wish to stick?”
+
+“To the finish,” came from Jack, and Raynor, standing beside him, nodded
+his assent.
+
+As for Captain Sparhawk, he simply reached out one of his brown hands
+toward the millionaire, who clasped it, and said:
+
+“I’m with you till the bottom drops out of the ship.”
+
+“Thank you, Sparhawk. It’s what I expected of you all,” said Mr. Jukes
+quietly, but his voice shook.
+
+Thus, in the desolated cabin of the derelict _Centurion_, there was
+ratified a bargain that was to lead the boys into strange seas and
+stranger adventures.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER VII.—AN OLD ENEMY ODDLY MET.
+
+
+The lads stood on the stern deck of the _Sea Gypsy_, gazing behind them.
+On the horizon hovered a tall, black column of smoke. It marked the last
+resting place of the _Centurion_, for Mr. Jukes, after ransacking the
+cabin of everything associated with his brother, had decided to burn the
+derelict, which, if she had drifted into the paths of navigation, might
+have proved a dangerous menace.
+
+“Well, Billy, the mystery is solved at last,” said Jack.
+
+“Yes, and in a way I’d never have guessed in a thousand years. Mr. Jukes
+must be very fond of his brother. It’s a new side of his character to
+me.”
+
+“Same here,” agreed Jack. “While he has always been just and kind, I
+thought him a regular man of business, with ice-water instead of red
+blood in his veins, and his heart in his enterprises only.”
+
+“Just goes to show that you are liable to run up against a streak of
+sentiment when you least expect it,” said Raynor.
+
+“I see now why an embargo was put on the wireless,” said Jack presently.
+
+“I can’t figure it out. I should have thought he would have used it to
+try and locate the _Centurion_.”
+
+“I guess he figured that if he did so, some ship might pick up the
+message and it would reach the ears of that Amsterdam firm and they
+would find out about this expedition in search of Jerushah Jukes.”
+
+“Perhaps that’s it. But there’s one thing sure and certain, Jack.”
+
+“And that is——?”
+
+“That we can’t do much without coal.”
+
+“Jove, that’s true; I’d forgotten that. What rotten luck! Where is the
+nearest coaling place?”
+
+“Papeiti, in Tahiti, I reckon.”
+
+“How close are we to that port now?”
+
+“Well, to-day’s reckoning puts us in Latitude 29 degrees, 49 minutes.”
+
+“I’ll have to look at the map, but that makes it quite a run.” The
+second mate came bustling up to Raynor.
+
+“The skipper and Mr. Jukes want to see you in the captain’s cabin,” he
+said.
+
+“Do you know what about?” asked Raynor.
+
+“Coal, I think. How much have you got to keep those old tea-kettles of
+yours chugging?”
+
+“Precious little since your gang on deck let that deck-load be washed
+overboard,” grinned Raynor, as he hurried off.
+
+The consultation lasted a long time. But at length Raynor returned with
+the news that, for as long as possible, full speed was to be made with
+the coal in hand, and that then canvas would be spread, for the _Sea
+Gypsy_ was schooner rigged and in addition carried a big square sail on
+her foremast.
+
+For two days good time was made, but when Raynor, with a rueful face,
+announced that only a few shovelfuls more coal remained in the bunkers,
+they were still many weary sea-miles from their destination. However,
+sailors are proverbially inclined to make the best of things. The _Sea
+Gypsy’s_ canvas was bent, and under a spanking breeze they glided, at a
+fair speed, over the sparkling waters, while in the engine room the
+fires were drawn and the engines grew cold.
+
+But a steam vessel, while she will behave fairly well under canvas, is
+not designed for sail and makes an astonishing amount of what sailors
+call “lee-way,” that is, the wind, if it blows a’beam, constantly drives
+her side-ways, or crab-fashion, of a direct course, so that for every
+mile she makes in a forward direction a considerable amount of lee-way
+has to be deducted. For this reason all hands looked forward to a long
+and tedious voyage before the highlands of Tahiti were sighted.
+
+Now that there was no doubt as to the fate of the _Centurion_, and no
+danger of her being captured, the _Sea Gypsy’s_ wireless was set to work
+again. But they were traveling a lonely tract of the Pacific, and no
+answer came to Jack’s messages, nor did he “listen in” on any outside
+conversations.
+
+Captain Sparhawk was in hopes of encountering an English, French or
+German cruiser, for all those nations keep war craft in these Pacific
+waters to watch out for pearl pirates and other law-breakers, but the
+wireless failed to pick any up, although Jack worked it assiduously.
+
+For two days the favoring breeze that was helping the crippled _Sea
+Gypsy_ along held. Then there fell a flat calm, and the glass began to
+drop ominously. Captain Sparhawk went about with a grave face. Jack
+gathered from a few remarks the reserved seaman had let fall, that he
+expected another hurricane. Situated as she was, the _Sea Gypsy’s_
+predicament would be a serious one if such a tornado as the one she had
+safely weathered were to strike her now. The sailors stood about in
+little knots discussing the situation and casting anxious glances at the
+horizon. Mr. Jukes and the captain and officers spent long hours on the
+bridge in careful consultation.
+
+Before the sun set, the question as to whether or no the _Sea Gypsy_ was
+in for a second fight with the elements was definitely settled. Thunder
+and lightning deafened and blinded the voyagers. Rain descended as only
+tropical rain can, flooding the decks and blinding the look-outs and the
+officers on the bridge. The _Sea Gypsy’s_ canvas was reduced, only
+enough being kept on to keep her from literally rolling her hull under
+the towering water mountains.
+
+The crew clawed their way about the decks by holding fast to life-lines
+which Captain Sparhawk had ordered stretched when the storm broke.
+Raynor, coming on deck to report that all was well below, met Jack on
+his way back to the lower regions of the ship.
+
+“Well, old fellow, this is a corker and no mistake,” he observed,
+raising his voice in order to make it audible above the frantic battle
+noises of the storm.
+
+“It’s the worst yet,” Jack agreed.
+
+“And it will be worse than ever before it gets better, according to the
+way Captain Sparhawk put it when I reported to him,” said the young
+engineer.
+
+“Hullo, what’s that?” exclaimed Jack suddenly.
+
+“We hit something,” shouted Raynor. “Look at the watch running forward.”
+
+“Storm or no storm, I’m going forward to see what’s up,” ejaculated
+Jack, and, followed by Raynor, he hurried toward the bow where several
+of the oil-skin coated crew were already clustered.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER VIII.—“LAND, HO!”
+
+
+It was a fight every inch of the way, but at last they reached the bow
+and found the sailors bending over the recumbent form of a youth.
+
+“What has happened? What did we strike?” asked Jack of one of the
+sailors.
+
+“Struck a small boat,” was the reply. “How it ever lived in this sea is
+a wonder. This fellow was in it.”
+
+“Is he all right?”
+
+“No; about half dead,” rejoined the third mate. “Carry him aft, men, and
+put him in one of the spare cabins. With care he may pull through. I’m
+going to notify the captain,” and he hurried off.
+
+Several men picked up the form of the rescued one. Jack suddenly saw his
+face, pale as death, with his wet hair hanging over his forehead.
+
+“Great guns, Billy!” he gasped.
+
+“What is it? What’s the matter? Do you know him?” queried Raynor.
+
+“Know him? I should say so. So do you. It’s Harvey Thurman.”
+
+“Impossible.”
+
+“Not at all. Take a look at him yourself.”
+
+“By George, you are right. What a strange happening,” declared Raynor,
+after taking one glance at the youth the crew were bearing off.
+
+“What in the world can he be doing in this part of the ocean in a small
+boat?” wondered Jack.
+
+“I’ve no idea. We’ll have to wait till he comes to, if he ever does. I
+remember hearing now that he had got a job on a Pacific steamer. Perhaps
+it had been wrecked and he was a castaway.”
+
+“Possibly,” agreed Jack. “I’m glad we saved him, although he has made a
+lot of trouble for us in the past.”
+
+As readers of “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code” will recall,
+it was Harvey Thurman who was assistant wireless man on the _Columbia_
+and whose dislike of Jack and Billy resulted in his joining their
+enemies in an effort to discredit them. After the stolen code was
+recovered, Thurman was not, like the rest engaged in the rascally
+business, sent to prison, but was allowed to go free at the boys’
+behest, as they believed he had been badly influenced more than anything
+else.
+
+“So you know him?” said Captain Sparhawk, as they all stood in the cabin
+to which Thurman had been taken and restoratives were administered to
+the unfortunate youth.
+
+“Indeed we do,” said both boys, and they told the captain something of
+their experiences.
+
+“He is not a desirable character then?” said the captain.
+
+“I wouldn’t say that,” said Jack. “We thought he was influenced by bad
+companions. But at any rate he had no liking for us. Is he going to get
+better?”
+
+“I think so. See, he is opening his eyes.”
+
+Thurman’s face, under the influence of the restoratives, had become
+suffused by a faint flush of color. He looked wildly about him. As his
+gaze rested first on Jack and then on Raynor he looked like a sleeper
+newly awakened from a night-mare.
+
+“Gracious, am I dreaming?” he gasped.
+
+“No, my lad,” said the captain, “but you had a close call from going
+into a sleep from which you never would have awakened.”
+
+“But Ready and Raynor! What are they doing here?”
+
+“Oh, we’re solid enough. Nothing ghostly about us,” Jack assured him,
+extending his hand. “Congratulations on your narrow escape from death,
+and—and we’ll let bygones be bygones.”
+
+“I never meant to be really bad,” said Thurman weakly.
+
+“Say no more about it,” advised Billy. “But tell us how you came to be
+adrift in such a fearful storm in that dinky little boat.”
+
+“Better let him eat some soup first,” said the captain, taking a
+steaming bowl from the steward, from whom he had ordered it for the
+relief of the castaway, “he’s half starved.”
+
+The way in which Thurman gulped down the grateful food showed that this
+statement was no exaggeration.
+
+“That’s the first food I’ve had in two days,” he declared. “You see,
+when the _Galilee_, that was the schooner I was on board of, sank in the
+storm some days ago, I escaped in the boat. We launched two altogether,
+but I guess the other one was lost.”
+
+“Begin at the beginning,” suggested Jack.
+
+“All right then. It was this way, Ready: After my—er—my little trouble
+with you I came west. I got a job as assistant wireless man at a lonely
+station on one of the Caroline Islands. But I couldn’t stand the life
+and resigned. No regular steamers touch there, so I got passage on the
+_Galilee_, a little trading schooner for Papeiti. She sprang a leak and
+sank, and there was only a loaf of bread and a few cans of meat in the
+boat when I shoved off from the sinking hulk. It was all I had time to
+put in. What happened after that till you bumped into me and saved me is
+like a bad dream. I guess I was crazy most of the time. I never expected
+to be saved, and—and I guess it has been a good lesson to me.”
+
+“If it has made you resolve to reform, it will not have been wasted,”
+said Jack. And he then told Thurman something about themselves. Captain
+Sparhawk promised that as soon as Thurman was stronger he would find a
+job for him, for the boys’ old enemy was penniless, having left his
+wallet behind him in his haste at fleeing from the sinking schooner.
+
+All that night the tempest raged with unabated fury. At times it seemed
+as if the yacht must go to pieces, so sadly was she wrenched and
+buffeted by the giant combers. There was little sleep for any on board
+that night and the day broke wildly on a worried, harried-looking crew.
+Shortly before noon the foresail tore away from the bolt ropes, and
+split with a noise like the explosion of a cannon. This accident was
+almost immediately followed by a shout from the lookout.
+
+“Land, ho!”
+
+This cry, ordinarily one hailed with delight by sailors, was not thus
+received on the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain Sparhawk had been unable to get an
+observation during the days of storm, and what with this, and the heavy
+lee drift made by the yacht, he had no idea of his whereabouts.
+
+At the shout all hands clambered to points of vantage to see what
+islands they could be approaching. As the _Sea Gypsy_ rose dizzily on
+the top of a great wave Jack saw, with a flash of alarm, that they were
+headed straight for a large island dotted with tropical verdure and
+tall, wind-bent palms about which rocks bristled menacingly like hungry
+fangs awaiting to penetrate the _Sea Gypsy’s_ stout hull.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER IX.—THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.
+
+
+Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk navigated the _Sea Gypsy_
+among the rocks with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a shout of
+dismay went up from the sailors as the yacht almost grazed some huge
+black rock or scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated with
+safety, and finally the sea-battered yacht lay snug and safe in the lee
+of the island and all hands drew a long breath of relief.
+
+“Let go the anchor,” came the command, and the cable roared out of the
+hawser holes with a savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship’s delivery.
+
+“Where under the sun are we?” asked Mr. Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as
+soon as these maneuvers had been completed.
+
+“I have no more idea than you, sir,” was the reply. “But it looks to me
+as if this island must be one of the Pamatous.”
+
+“One of the pearl islands?” asked the millionaire.
+
+“The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands are sown pretty thickly in
+this part of the Pacific.”
+
+“Are the Pamatou people cannibals?” asked Jack.
+
+“I don’t think so,” said the captain, “but before I send a boat ashore I
+am going to deal out arms to the landing party. We want to run no risks.
+I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these savages are great
+thieves and they might see a chance for some piratical tricks in our
+dilemma.”
+
+“The machine gun will come in handy then,” said Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Yes, indeed, sir. I’ll give orders to have it mounted at once in a
+conspicuous place so if any of the gentry ashore have any rascally
+designs they can see we’re ready for them with a dose of cold lead.”
+
+Jack, after some difficulty, secured permission for himself and Raynor
+to go ashore with the landing party. Mr. Jukes, who remained on board,
+was unwilling that they take the risk of a hostile attack, but at last
+he yielded, and the boys, in high glee, buckled on cartridge belts and
+selected rifles from the ship’s armory.
+
+“Keep the rifles in the bottom of the boat,” ordered the captain, as
+they shoved off, “and don’t use them unless you absolutely have to.”
+
+Although the place where they lay was sheltered, the storm was still
+howling and shrieking above the island and the sea ran rather high. The
+inclement weather, no doubt, explained why no natives had so far been
+seen.
+
+A landing was successfully made in the surf, the men leaping from the
+boat and dragging her ashore, waist-deep in water. Dense foliage, among
+which could be seen the huge fronds of the banana, and broad-leaved
+breadfruit trees grew almost down to the dazzlingly white beach. Further
+back great palms, laden with cocoanuts, towered majestically above the
+tropic growth.
+
+“There seems to be no sign of a village here,” said the captain.
+
+“Perhaps it is on the other side of the island,” suggested Jack.
+
+“Well, we’ll tramp along the beach and see what we can find,” decided
+the man in command of the “expedition.”
+
+Four men were told off to guard the boat, with orders to fire three
+shots if anything out of the way occurred. The party in search of the
+village was to signal in the same way if anything untoward happened and
+they needed help.
+
+“Shall we carry the rifles?” asked Jack.
+
+“Yes; but try to conceal them as much as possible,” counseled the
+captain.
+
+They set off along the beach, walking briskly, for the sand was firm and
+hard. Looking back at the anchored yacht, they could see the glitter of
+the machine-gun with a man stationed beside it. The gun was trained on
+the shore ready for instant use against any possible attack. After
+traversing a short distance they came in sight of what appeared to be a
+pathway. The condition of it showed that it was much traveled and
+probably it formed the high road to the village.
+
+Captain Sparhawk decided to follow it. In single file the adventurers
+advanced along the track which wound in and out, dodging trees and rocks
+in a manner peculiar to most savage trails whose makers would rather go
+round an obstacle than clear it out of the way. There was a gloomy sky
+overhead and the wind boomed dolefully among the palms, making a noise
+like sheets of rain falling as their big fan-like leaves rustled and
+scraped against each other.
+
+A hundred rods or so from the coast they found themselves in a ravine
+which towered up steeply on each side of the track. This canyon appeared
+to penetrate the centre of the island, the interior of which was hilly.
+
+“I guess the village, if there is one, must be clear round the other
+side of the island,” said Billy Raynor, between bites at a banana he had
+picked from a bush at the side of the trail. Others of the party were
+munching on oranges and a fruit the captain called a “custard apple,”
+the latter a large, brown-colored “apple,” filled with a yellow paste
+that looked and tasted like custard.
+
+“There’s one thing certain, the high cost of living need never worry
+these fellows,” remarked Jack.
+
+“Not if they’re content to be vegetarians,” said Billy.
+
+“They don’t need to be that,” said the captain, “the seas hereabouts
+teem with fish—and look there!”
+
+There was a rush and a clatter of falling stones just ahead of them as a
+flock of goats, half-wild creatures, with wonderfully agile legs, leaped
+up the sides of the canyon and then, at a safe height, stood gazing down
+at the invaders of the island.
+
+“These South Sea islanders prefer goat’s meat to anything except pork,”
+said the captain; “in fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment to
+human flesh of calling it 'long pig.’”
+
+This mention of cannibalism made the boys feel rather uncomfortable.
+Although the captain reassured them and they knew that the horrible
+practice of eating human flesh had all but died out in the South Seas,
+except in some remote islands, they did not know but the one they were
+exploring might prove to be one of the latter. It was just as their
+minds were busy with these disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp
+exclamation and came to a halt.
+
+The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly in front of the lad who
+was in advance of the party.
+
+Between the green leaves a hideous face, daubed with red and white
+paint, suddenly glared out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER X.—CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.
+
+
+So quickly had this happened that none of the others had seen it. But
+Jack quickly apprised them of his discovery.
+
+“If the man’s face was painted, would that mean he was on the war-path?”
+asked Billy rather nervously.
+
+“Not necessarily,” rejoined the captain, “but still, he might be
+hostile. On feast days the natives paint themselves up and that may have
+been the reason for his decorations.”
+
+“Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a clock or scare a locomotive off
+the track,” exclaimed Jack.
+
+“The village must be near at hand,” said the captain presently. “Let us
+press on.”
+
+They had reached the end of the ravine now, having crossed almost the
+entire island. The path widened and others branched off from it. But
+they stuck to the main thoroughfare and in a few moments came in sight
+of a native village lying not far back from the shore and amidst a grove
+of magnificent palms.
+
+The rhythmical throbbing of tom-toms reached their ears and they could
+see natives dancing in their peculiar swaying manner to the sound of the
+skin drums. Suddenly the dancing ceased. The natives in a swarm, among
+them the man with the painted face, descended on the travelers. Many
+wore flowers in their hair and others added to these decorations by
+brass rings in their noses and ear-rings composed of old china door
+knobs. The men were remarkably handsome and the women pretty.
+
+After the first uncertainty as to their reception, there was no doubt of
+their friendliness as they pressed about. Several of them could talk
+English and the captain soon learned that they were indeed on one of the
+Pamatou group, as he had surmised. The village, which was celebrating a
+feast day, was one of two on the island occupied by pearl fishers. The
+natives were civilized; schooners and ships frequently touching there.
+To the south of them they said were “bad men,” meaning cannibals, and
+the boys were glad they had not landed on one of them.
+
+Nothing would do but that the white men must sit down and partake of the
+feast which was just ready. The boys stuffed themselves with roast pork,
+goat-meat, sweet potatoes, yams, roasted bread-fruit, fish and fruit.
+They washed this down with cocoanut milk. During the meal, a young
+Pamatouan attached himself to each of the boys. Each of these lads was
+about sixteen and wore, like most of the rest, a single white garment,
+although some of the natives sported trousers, and a few even had
+shoes—which they carried in their hands!
+
+The two lads, who had thrust their services on Jack and Billy, informed
+them that they were their friends and would be so all the time the _Sea
+Gypsy_ lay at the island. They waited on the amused boys hand and foot,
+not letting them do anything. Jack’s acquisition was called Bolabola;
+Billy’s savage servitor was called, so he said, Anai. Each could speak a
+little English and they informed the boys that they were “their friends
+for always.” From the captain the lads learned that this is a common
+custom among the islanders who value the friendship of a white man
+highly, and think it an honor and a credit to wait on him. He suggested
+giving them some little presents. Jack presented Bolabola with a
+pocket-knife and Billy gave Anai a fountain pen, having nothing else
+with him. Anai promptly stuck the pen through a big hole bored in the
+lobe of his ear and capered about delighted with his new ornament.
+
+When it came time to go back to the ship, the friendly natives could not
+hear of the adventurers trudging back on foot. A great war canoe was
+launched and paddled by fifty strapping natives, singing musically, and
+so they were paddled round the island in state. On their arrival at the
+ship, the boat which had been left under guard was signalled to return,
+and presents of calico, straw hats, cheap cutlery and glass beads and
+fish-hooks and lines,—the latter highly prized,—were dealt out from
+the yacht’s stores. The natives swarmed all over the ship and it was
+hard to induce them to leave at all. As for Bolabola and Anai, they
+refused to go till they had extracted promises from their “friends,”
+Jack and Billy, to visit them ashore and visit a pearl cave they knew of
+along the coast.
+
+This exactly suited the boys, and their delight, when Mr. Jukes decided
+to stay at the island for some days, was unbounded. The reason for the
+decision to remain there was arrived at after the millionaire had held a
+consultation with Captain Sparhawk. Tahiti was not far off, and that
+night Jack was ordered to raise the wireless station on the French
+island and find out if a small vessel could not be despatched at once
+with coal to replenish the _Sea Gypsy’s_ exhausted bunkers.
+
+The next morning Jack had the satisfaction of informing Mr. Jukes that
+the details had been arranged and that a small tramp steamer might be
+expected to come to their relief in a few days. The expense was
+considerable, but this did not appear to bother Mr. Jukes, who chafed at
+the delay in his search for the survivors, if any there were, of the
+_Centurion_.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XI.—THE CAVE OF THE PEARLS.
+
+
+Two days later, following the arrival at the island of the coal ship—a
+small, rusty tramp steamer—the boys set out for the village to meet
+their friends, who had swum out to the ship almost daily, despite the
+sharks, to see the white youths. As they left the yacht they saw
+Thurman, who had been put to work in the crew, laboring with the other
+blackened “hands” at getting the fuel on board.
+
+“He doesn’t look as if he liked his job much,” said Jack.
+
+“He ought to be glad he’s alive,” supplemented Billy Raynor. “I wonder
+if he has really mended his ways or if it was just the effect of his
+scare that made him promise to reform.”
+
+“Impossible to say,” replied Jack, “but time will show, I guess.”
+
+The boys found their friends on the beach with a long, cranky-looking
+canoe, paddled with wonderfully carved paddles. In the canoe were
+bananas, roast pork and other delicacies; also several empty cocoanut
+shells.
+
+“What are those for?” asked Jack, looking at the latter.
+
+“We put um pearl in them if so be we get any,” grinned Anai.
+
+“Do you really think we’ll get any?” asked Billy.
+
+“No can say. Think cave good place. You ready?”
+
+“Whenever you are,” said Jack, taking his place in the canoe, while
+Billy followed his example. The two native lads shoved off and sprang on
+board with wonderful agility, driving the canoe through the surf and up
+onto the summit of a huge wave, where it hung poised for an instant like
+a bird. The next moment they had shot with powerful strokes through the
+rollers and were out beyond the danger line of the surf.
+
+They passed through a noisy fleet of fishers, all of whom greeted them,
+and then the canoe was headed for a green headland some distance down
+the coast. The sun glowed fiercely overhead, the surf boomed unceasingly
+on the beach and the reef beyond, the water hissed along the sides of
+the canoe as the two athletic young natives urged forward amid shouts.
+
+Looking over the side, Jack could see the coral bottom as clearly as if
+an inch instead of many feet of water separated it from the frail canoe.
+It was almost as if they were floating in the air. Fish of brilliant
+colors darted about and once a dark, sinister shade appeared beneath the
+canoe. The Kanaka boys shouted and beat the water with their paddles.
+The dark shadow melted away.
+
+“Him very bad shark,” said Anai. “White men call him tiger shark. Worst
+kind of all shark.”
+
+“I’d hate to bathe around here,” observed Jack.
+
+“Oh, him all right, most generally scare him away, kick, splash, makee
+big noise, he go 'way.”
+
+“Yes, but suppose he refused to be scared,” objected Billy.
+
+“Then maybe he takee off leg, arm, maybe swallow you all up.”
+
+The long, curved point soon hid the fishers in front of the village from
+view. Rounding it, they found themselves skimming along a coast of
+surpassing beauty. Steep, majestic cliffs arose from the clear water and
+long green creepers from the forest above trailed over them.
+
+At last the prow of the canoe was turned and the boys saw that the
+furious paddlers were heading at top speed for the cliffs.
+
+“Hey, stop that, you’ll smash the canoe!” cried Jack, as, without any
+diminution of speed, the canoe was urged with wild shouts from the
+paddlers right at the rocky escarpment.
+
+“They’ve gone crazy,” exclaimed Billy, “they——”
+
+He did not conclude what he was going to say. Instead, he set up a cry
+of alarm as the prow of the canoe was hurled at the cliff at a spot
+where a regular curtain of lianas and other forest trailers depended
+from above.
+
+Swish, whoosh, went the canoe, as it shot through the parasites and
+creepers. The boys instinctively ducked their heads. Instead of being
+dashed to destruction against the cliff, the frail craft had been guided
+into this singular cave, one of many along the coast, through the
+greenery portal. Both the Kanaka boys set up a shout of laughter at the
+expense of Jack and Billy, who looked rather sheepish at their late
+alarm.
+
+They were in a dark passage that led into an inner water cave filled
+with an eternal sunless twilight that was very refreshing to them after
+the heat and glare outside. The canoe shot through the passage and into
+the cave itself, the boys uttering a shout of admiration the while.
+
+“Look,” said Anai, pointing upward.
+
+Overhead was a marvelously perfect, natural dome, with a large hole in
+the centre through which shafts of sunlight fell into the cave and were
+reflected from the water with a greenish light.
+
+“Look,” ordered the Kanaka boy again.
+
+The boys obeyed and gazed over the side of the canoe. Below them,
+through several feet of crystal-clear water, they could see bowers of
+coral, white and pink, with fish darting in and out of the chinks and
+crossing prismatically, while others hung motionless as if suspended,
+fanning the water incessantly with their gauzy fins. It was the most
+wonderful water picture the boys had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+                          CHAPTER XII.—A TRAP!
+
+
+“We eat. Then we go get pearls,” decided Anai.
+
+The boys, whose appetites had been sharpened by the trip, were not
+averse to this, and they made a hearty meal. After it the two native
+boys produced leaves in which betel nuts had been carefully wrapped up
+and offered them to Jack and Billy, both of whom declined them. But Anai
+and his friend began chewing the spicy nuts with great zest.
+
+A canoe-length from where they floated a clear rill of water stole
+noiselessly down from above, mingling its sweet waters with the sea.
+After demolishing their betel nuts, the chewing of which is a well-nigh
+universal custom in the South Seas, the two native boys stood erect and
+then bound their long black hair in knots on the top of their heads.
+
+Then, with a shout, they balanced gracefully for a second on the edge of
+the canoe and plunged over. They floated for a minute or two and then
+dived, after inhaling immense breaths. To the boys, watching the divers
+through the clear water, it looked as if they were literally climbing
+down, head first, through the pellucid depths.
+
+Then they saw both the Kanaka lads wrenching oyster shells from their
+hold on the coral with furious energy. It seemed impossible that they
+could stay under water as long as they did, but at length, even their
+wonderful endurance gave out and, laden with shells, they shot back to
+the surface.
+
+Reaching the canoe, the two divers hung almost exhausted on the
+outrigger, regaining their breath after they had thrown several oysters
+into the canoe, which the boys opened eagerly, but only two small pearls
+rewarded them. The two Kanaka boys showed plainly the stress of the long
+time they had stayed down. Their eyes were bloodshot and their faces
+suffused. Their veins stood out on their bodies like cords.
+
+The boys begged them not to go down again, but they insisted.
+
+“How often do you mean to dive?” asked Billy.
+
+“One, maybe two, three time,” said Anai.
+
+“Nobody can dive more than three time,” declared the other. “Him bad if
+dive too many time. Makee much sick.”
+
+“I should think so,” said Jack. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible for
+any one to stay down so long. It’s wonderful.”
+
+The next two dives yielded three more pearls from a dozen or more
+oysters. None of them were of any great value but the two divers
+insisted on presenting them to the boys.
+
+“Me try get you very good pearl some udder day,” promised Anai, and his
+companion nodded to show that he meant to help in the enterprise.
+
+“Hullo, what’s that?” asked Jack suddenly, after they had chatted and
+rested for some time and began to think about returning. There was a
+booming sound in the air and the waters of the cave began to become
+agitated, rocking the canoe dangerously.
+
+Overhead, through the dome, they could see that the sky had darkened.
+
+“Me think storm come. Better get out of here,” said Anai, looking
+troubled. “Him bad time of year for storms.”
+
+“Goodness, I should say so,” declared Jack. “We’ve been in two bad ones
+already.”
+
+“That’s how we got blown here,” added Billy.
+
+“We thinkee that good storm blow you here, white boys,” said Anai.
+
+The sky grew darker, and every now and then a big roller entirely filled
+the mouth of the cavern, blinding them with spray. Having spent its
+fury, these great waves retired with a concussion that was deafening,
+dragging the canoe with fearful velocity toward the mouth of the cave by
+its suction. At such times they only saved themselves from being swept
+out to sea by grasping the hanging curtain of creepers and vines. Anai
+and his companion baled the canoe with a big shell, but the boys felt
+that their position was an awkward and even a dangerous one.
+
+Another great wave burst, sealing up the cave as if it was an air-tight
+compartment, and making the waters of the cavern boil and seethe
+furiously. The pressure of air caused by the sudden rush of water
+affected the boys’ ears as if they had been suddenly placed in a
+caisson.
+
+“This is terrible,” cried Jack.
+
+“Something will have to be done,” said Billy. “We can’t last in here
+much longer.”
+
+“Are we in danger, Anai?” asked Jack.
+
+“We in very bad fix; but we getee out all right,” the Kanaka assured
+him, stopping his bailing.
+
+“They’ve got some plan in their head,” decided Jack, and sat down in the
+bottom of the cranky, frail canoe to see what the next move was to be.
+It was a startling one. The two youths seized their paddles and then, as
+the next wave receded, they shot out of the mouth of the cave like a
+bomb from a mortar, before either Jack or Billy could guess their
+intention or stop what seemed sheer madness on the Kanakas’ part, and
+placed all their lives in grave danger. Outside they found themselves in
+the teeth of a howling gale. Spray blinded them, flying over them in
+sheets.
+
+Nothing more was said, nothing seen. The air was darkened with flying
+spume. It seemed impossible that the canoe could live a minute.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER XIII.—ON THE REEF.
+
+
+The two lads crouched, drenched through, on the bottom of the canoe,
+while the Kanaka boys paddled furiously. Giant waves, true mountains of
+water, hung above them threatening to engulf them, but the canoe rode
+them with what appeared incredible buoyancy.
+
+How long this kept up, neither Jack nor Billy ever knew. It seemed like
+years. Dizzy and sick from the riotous motions of the canoe as it swung
+wildly between sea and sky, they lost all count of everything. But the
+struggle was nearing its end.
+
+Suddenly a giant comber caught up the dugout, turtled it skyward and
+then rushed it sickeningly down. It lifted the craft over the reef and
+into the open sea. For one instant it hesitated and then spun round in
+the trough of the sea. The next moment it was smashed into slivers
+against the reef while an avalanche of waters carried all its occupants
+down into the depths before they had time to even shout their
+consternation. More dead than alive, Jack shot back to the surface
+again. Not far from him was a projecting point of the reef. He managed
+somehow to crawl to it, but as he made his progress along the lower
+lying portions of the coral wall he was swept time and again by waves
+and compelled to exert all his strength to avoid being dashed off. At
+length, with hands cut and bleeding from the rough coral, and his
+clothing in shreds, he reached his refuge and was almost immediately
+joined there, to his great relief, by Anai and his comrade, who had
+rescued Billy Raynor.
+
+But it was a miserable refuge they had found. The projecting point of
+rock hardly gave room for all of them, and frequently waves swept over
+it. At all times they were choked and blinded with spray.
+
+“Well, this is the limit,” declared Billy. “Never again for me so far as
+pearl hunting is concerned.”
+
+“Nor for me either,” said Jack. “Still, it was our fault for not
+watching the weather.”
+
+“How long will the storm last, Anai, do you think?” inquired Billy, a
+little later.
+
+The Kanaka boy looked at the weather with a practiced eye.
+
+“Him get better soon,” he said. “Him not bad storm.”
+
+“Not a bad storm!” exclaimed Jack. “Well, if this isn’t one, I never
+want to see one.”
+
+“Sometimes hurricane season come blow whole village away,” Anai assured
+him.
+
+“I hope this won’t be a hurricane,” said Jack.
+
+The Kanaka shook his head.
+
+“Bimeby him go way,” he assured them. “Look blue sky way off there now.”
+
+Sure enough, in the far north-west, from whence the hurricane had come,
+a shaft of sunlight was striking the sea. Behind them they could see the
+storm retreating. Before long the sea had quieted down and the wind
+dropped almost completely.
+
+“Well, we are better off in one respect,” said Jack, as they lay about
+on the reef, basking in the hot sun and drying their wet garments, “but
+how are we to get ashore?”
+
+The question was answered by Anai.
+
+“Me swim, get canoe. Soon back,” he said.
+
+The next moment his lithe brown form was in the water. To protect
+himself against sharks, he carried a long knife, fashioned out of iron
+wood, which was slung round his neck by a lanyard. It was as tough and
+hard as steel, and he appeared to have no doubt that he could protect
+himself with it against the great fish.
+
+Half-way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near him and the
+boys dreaded to see a tragic end to their island friend. But Anai set up
+diabolical yells and kicked up a great splashing in the water and the
+sea monster sheered off again.
+
+“Shark him big coward,” said Anai’s friend, who had remained behind with
+the boys. Directly Anai landed he turned and waved and then set off at a
+sharp run along the beach. Before they expected him he was back again
+with a canoe, and thus an adventure which might have had disastrous
+consequences ended safely. But it was a long time before the boys ever
+forgot it.
+
+The next morning Jack and Billy were leaning over the rail of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, chatting and watching the sharks that swum around the ship
+eagerly watching for scraps from the galley. The coal was nearly all
+unloaded from the small, rusty tramp that had brought it, and all hands
+were looking forward to a resumption of the journey.
+
+In the meantime, Mr. Jukes had been investigating ashore and learned,
+from some natives, that the “Tear of the Sea” had actually been bought
+by his brother, and that just after the purchase, the _Centurion_ had
+sailed away. Not long after, ‘Bully’ Broom’s ship arrived, and the sea
+rover was informed of the sale. He was furious as it appeared that, in
+accordance with his usual practice, he intended to raid the village and
+take possession of the wonderful pearl by force. Mr. Jerushah Jukes’
+arrival ahead of him had, of course, frustrated this plan. According to
+the best information he could get, the millionaire learned that “Bully”
+had at once put to sea in pursuit of the _Centurion_. The finding of the
+empty derelict left little doubt that he had attacked the schooner and
+imprisoned, or worse, perhaps killed, all those on board her.
+
+This, in its way, was well enough, but it left the fate of the party
+still a mystery, and their whereabouts unknown, for “Bully” had half a
+dozen retreats scattered through the South Seas where he might have
+taken them, for even Captain Sparhawk did not believe that the ruffian
+would have dared to kill them.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XIV.—BATTLING MAN-EATING SHARKS.
+
+
+“Like a chance to catch one uv them bastes, Mishther Riddy?” asked Tim
+Muldoon, the Irish quarter-master of the _Sea Gypsy_, who paused near
+where the boys were standing watching a mighty commotion in the water
+made by two great tiger sharks fighting desperately over a piece of
+spoiled pork that had been thrown overboard.
+
+“What would we do with it when we had it?” asked Jack with a smile.
+
+“Shure there’s a certain part of the cratirs that makes illigint ateing.
+Meself and several other la-ads in ther crew wouldn’t have iny
+objictions at all, at all to a bit of shar-ark steak if so be y’u’d
+loike to hook one.”
+
+“What do you say, Billy?” asked Jack.
+
+“That it would be good fun. But what sort of a rig do you use? No use
+taking an eight-ounce rod and a dry fly or a hand line to those
+fellows.”
+
+“Shure oi’ve got a foine shar-ark hook up forward. I’ll go git it fer
+yez,” declared Muldoon, hurrying off.
+
+He was back before long with a hook that looked like one of those used
+by butchers on which to hang whole carcasses. Attached to this was a
+length of steel chain with a swivel, and above a stout rope some hundred
+feet in length. Billy Raynor went below to the cook’s quarters and soon
+came back with a big chunk of pork which was stuck on the hook.
+
+“How’ll we haul him out if we do get one?” Billy wanted to know, as the
+bait struck the water with a splash.
+
+“Just give a holler and I’ll git some uv ther byes uv ther crew to lind
+yez a hand,” declared Muldoon. “Sure 'tis foine spor-rot ye’ll be hivin’
+intirely—wow! murtha! Watch yersilf Misther Raynor!”
+
+There had come a sudden vicious rush of one of the sea-monsters at the
+hook. Turning its hideous jaws upward, the ravenous creature had
+literally swallowed “hook, line and sinker.” It happened that at that
+precise moment Billy alone had hold of the rope.
+
+As the shark’s jaws gripped the hook and its sharp point sunk into his
+flesh, the creature made a mighty rush. It caught Billy unprepared as he
+stood by the rail, a section of which had been removed while the crew
+polished the brass work.
+
+Before he realised what was happening a coil of the rope entangled his
+legs. Like a bullet from a gun, he was whisked off the deck and through
+the air into the sea, which Jack knew was alive with sharks. It had all
+happened so suddenly that the last of Muldoon’s alarmed cries had not
+left his lips before poor Billy was towed away from the ship by the
+maddened shark, unable to make a move to extricate himself. He was
+barely able to breathe, in fact, being half submerged.
+
+Paralyzed for an instant, Jack regained his faculties with an effort.
+Captain Sparhawk, who had seen the whole affair, was the first to take
+definite action, however. He issued an order for a boat to be lowered at
+once and then dashed into his cabin for a pistol.
+
+“Hurry, Sparhawk, for Heaven’s sake,” urged Mr. Jukes, who had also been
+a witness of the accident. “The poor lad will be drowned or eaten alive
+by the other sharks if we don’t act promptly.”
+
+But the captain was already out of earshot. Muldoon and two other
+sailors were at the oars of the boat as he tumbled into it, followed by
+Jack, who, in his haste, did not stop to ask permission to come.
+Luckily, the shark, instead of taking a straight course out to sea, was
+dashing round and round in circles. This gave them a chance to save
+Billy’s life, for had the great fish pursued a straight course, Raynor’s
+fate would undoubtedly have been sealed.
+
+“Row for your lives, men,” urged the captain, standing erect, pistol in
+hand, awaiting the first opportunity for a shot at the shark.
+
+“Shure thare’s no nade to till us thot, captain, dear,” cried Muldoon.
+“We’ll git the poor lad if we have to pull our own heads off.”
+
+The shark now made a swift dash for the bow of the _Sea Gypsy_. Behind
+him, at a distance of about seventy-five feet, poor Billy’s body could
+be seen being rushed through the water with a “wake” behind it like that
+of a fast steamer. Jack could see his chum’s face, which was ashen
+white. But from the glimpse he had of it, the young wireless man was
+sure that Billy was still alive, marvelous though that seemed. For half
+the time, owing to the manner in which he was attached to the shark, the
+unfortunate lad’s head was under the surface of the water.
+
+Bang! Captain Sparhawk’s pistol spoke as the shark crossed the bow of
+the boat which had been instantly turned to follow the creature’s new
+tactics.
+
+“Missed,” he groaned.
+
+“No,” cried Jack, an instant later. “See, the water is red behind him!
+You hit him.”
+
+“Yes, but I fear not mortally. These creatures have an amazing grip on
+life,” was the despondent reply.
+
+And now a fresh element entered into the scene. Round the bow of the
+yacht, toward which the shark, with its human burden, was dashing, there
+suddenly appeared a long, slender canoe with two lithe young native
+figures propelling it. It was Anai and his friend, the sworn allies of
+the boys.
+
+For an instant, as the extraordinary scene presented itself to them,
+they stood like bronze figures. Then the full meaning of the impending
+tragedy appeared to strike them. With a simultaneous cry each grasped
+his great iron-wood knife and without the slightest hesitation leaped
+overboard.
+
+“They are going to save him!” cried Jack exultingly, as the two Kanaka
+boys fearlessly clove the shark-infested water to attack the monster
+that had abducted Billy.
+
+“And lose their own lives,” exclaimed the captain as several dark fins
+appeared in the water about the two intrepid youths.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XV.—A MESSAGE FROM THE DEEP.
+
+
+The scene that ensued was one that lingered long in the recollection of
+those who saw it. Uttering loud yells, the two native boys bore down on
+the shark that had poor Billy in tow.
+
+Each taking a side they dashed upon it with fury. As they gained its
+flanks their arms flashed up and the next instant their great iron-wood
+knives were buried hilt-deep in the tough skin. The watchers saw the
+great shark give an upward leap and the water was dyed crimson.
+
+“They reached his vitals. Hurrah for them,” cried Captain Sparhawk.
+“Bear down on Billy, lads. I reckon the shark is done for.”
+
+They were none too soon. After being disentangled from the rope that had
+caused all the trouble, Billy was hauled into the boat just in the nick
+of time. The rope had grazed and chafed his legs cruelly, but except for
+the great amount of water in his lungs he had suffered no other injury.
+
+But no sooner had this been done than another necessity arose. The brave
+Anai and his companion were surrounded by a school of sharks attracted
+by the blood of the creature the two young Kanakas had despatched. So
+far, by splashing furiously, and screeching at the top of their voices,
+the native youths had succeeded in keeping the monsters at bay, but it
+was doubtful for how long they could do so.
+
+“To the rescue, lads,” cried Captain Sparhawk, replacing the cartridge
+he had discharged. “Give way with a will. I wouldn’t wish to see either
+of those brave lads harmed.”
+
+In a few seconds they were in the midst of the school of sharks that had
+assembled as if by magic, ravenous for the flesh of their dead brother.
+The captain’s pistol spat lead right and left, and at that short range
+the effect of the bullets was deadly. In a few minutes five of the sea
+monsters were dead. But far from being scared off the rest fell
+furiously upon these, making upward rushes, exposing their huge mouths
+with their triple rows of needle-like teeth.
+
+Leaving them to their cannibal feast, Anai and his companion were hauled
+on board and at Muldoon’s special request the body of the brute that had
+almost caused Billy’s death was taken in tow.
+
+“I’ll make you byes some handsome watch-charms out of his teeth fer
+remimbrancers,” he promised.
+
+“As if we needed anything to remind us of it,” shuddered Jack.
+
+“Just think, if it hadn’t been for Anai here and Bolabola I’d have been
+past saving by now,” cried Billy, warmly ringing their hands.
+
+“You may well say that, lad,” agreed the captain. “They saved you from
+visiting Davy Jones, without a doubt.”
+
+“We your friends. Must save you even if it cost our lives,” said Anai,
+looking embarrassed.
+
+“Shure an’ thot’s more than many a white man wud say,” approved Muldoon
+warmly. “Byes, give us yer flippers. Ye may hav’ black skins, but be
+jabers yer hearts is pure gold entoirely.”
+
+The canoe was taken in tow and the whole party returned to the yacht,
+where they received more congratulations from the others on board who
+had watched the whole affair spell-bound with alarm and then with
+admiration at the Kanaka boys’ brave act. The decks rang with cheers as
+they came on board, Captain Sparhawk and Jack supporting Billy, who was
+still white and shaky.
+
+Mr. Jukes’ enthusiasm for Anai and Bolabola knew no bounds. The
+millionaire wanted them to accept a handful of gold pieces each. But the
+lads shook their heads. Gold was of little use to them. But other
+presents which were showered upon them they accepted gladly. There was
+almost a canoe-full of them, ranging from gaudy neckties to a broken
+concertina, the latter being presented by Muldoon. It could emit, upon
+coaxing, a few wheezy notes, and the brown boys appeared to prize it
+quite above any of their other gifts.
+
+In the meantime, on the foredeck, to which the body of the great shark
+had been hoisted by slings, the members of the crew, who understood such
+operations, assisted by Muldoon, were cutting up the monster. From time
+to time they flung useless bits of offal over the side. A scramble from
+such of the sharks as had disposed of the dead bodies of their
+companions instantly ensued. Sharks are the most rapacious of any
+creatures on land or sea, and their appetites appeared to have been
+slacked in no important particular by their cannibal meal.
+
+“Bad luck to yez,” exclaimed Muldoon, shaking his fist at them after one
+of these rushes, for every sailor hates a shark. “There’s many a thrue
+lad gone to his long rickonin’ through yez or yez mates. Bad cess to all
+uv yez, says Tim Muldoon.”
+
+An interested group, among whom were Jack and Billy, watched the
+proceedings from the bridge. Mr. Jukes was no less interested than the
+rest. He attentively watched the sharks as they fought. Perhaps their
+feverish rapacity reminded him of certain “big business” operations at
+home in the States where great corporations have been not unknown to
+gobble up their small competitors as hungrily as any tiger shark.
+
+“Hullo, they seem to have found something interesting,” said Jack, as a
+murmur arose among the butchers who suddenly crowded round Muldoon,
+chief of the dissectors.
+
+“It’s a bottle,” cried Billy Raynor.
+
+“Look here what I found in the hongry divil’s stomach,” exclaimed
+Muldoon, holding up his find. “Be jabers, he must hav’ a digestion a
+dispiptic millionaire would invy to ——”
+
+He stopped short, covered with confusion, as he suddenly recalled that
+Mr. Jukes suffered from the very complaint he had mentioned.
+
+“Bring that bottle here, Muldoon,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, in order to
+save what threatened to be an awkward situation, for Mr. Jukes had
+turned as red as a turkey-cock and the boys had had to turn away to hide
+their smiles.
+
+The quartermaster hastened aft with the bottle. It was encrusted with
+deposits apparently caused by the acids of the shark’s stomach. But when
+Captain Sparhawk held it to the light, he could see that contained
+within it was some object.
+
+“There’s something inside it,” he said.
+
+“By jove, perhaps a letter from some shipwrecked sailors,” exclaimed Mr.
+Jukes.
+
+“Such messages are often frauds, sir,” observed the captain. “If it
+should prove to be such, I’d be wary about replying to it.”
+
+“Well, let’s have a look at it, whatever it is,” said Mr. Jukes. “This
+is really interesting.”
+
+They all crowded about, even the Kanakas, as the captain smashed the
+bottle on the rail. A rolled-up paper dropped on the deck. Jack, at
+whose feet it had fallen, picked it up. He opened it and saw that it was
+scribbled on with pencil.
+
+“It seems ——,” he began, when a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes
+checked his further utterance.
+
+“Let me look at that paper,” commanded the millionaire, who, they now
+noticed, was breathing quickly and whose eyes shone with feverish
+excitement.
+
+Jack handed it over, while they all regarded the millionaire’s agitation
+curiously. With hands that shook, the financier scanned the letter and
+then made an electrifying announcement in a voice that was tense and
+self-controlled, but yet betrayed the excitement under which he labored
+as he spoke.
+
+“Gentlemen, the age of miracles has not passed,” he said. “When Ready
+first opened the paper, I thought I recognized a peculiar handwriting. I
+was not wrong. This message was written by my brother!”
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XVI.—ALIVE ON THE SEA.
+
+
+“Incredible!” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, unable to think of anything
+else to say at the astounding information.
+
+“But, nevertheless, true. Sparhawk, this message confirms the truth of
+your theory about ‘Bully’ Broom. That rascal attacked and overcame the
+unsuspecting crew of the _Centurion_, and obtained the 'Tear of the
+Sea’.”
+
+“The infernal scoundrel,” breathed Captain Sparhawk. “There is not
+another man in the South Seas who would have dared such a coup. But does
+the message give any clue to your brother’s fate, sir?” he added
+respectfully.
+
+The millionaire’s face glowed and suddenly lost its careworn look.
+
+“That’s the best part of it,” he explained. “But come to my cabin,
+captain—yes, Ready, you and Raynor may come, too,” he added as he
+intercepted anxious looks on the boys’ faces.
+
+Inside the cabin the millionaire spread on the table the yellowed,
+scribbled bit of paper that just then meant more to him than any
+document he had ever seen in his life.
+
+“I’ll read aloud,” he said, and then, in a clear voice, he recited the
+contents of the missive.
+
+    “Any one finding this please notify my brother Jacob Jukes of
+    New York, who will reward him lavishly for the trouble. This is
+    being written on board ‘Bully’ Broom’s schooner, _South Sea
+    Lass_. We are all prisoners and the 'Tear of the Sea’ is in the
+    ruffian’s possession. We are being taken, as I overheard, to
+    Bomobori, in New Guinea, with what object I cannot say. May
+    Heaven help us in our desperate strait. I am throwing this, with
+    a prayer to Heaven that it may be found, from the window of the
+    cabin in which I am confined.
+
+                                                    Jerushah Jukes.”
+
+“I know Bomobori well,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, as Mr. Jukes
+finished reading. “I was there in '87 and again in '89.”
+
+“What sort of a place is it?” inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Not much of a town,” was the reply. “It is at the mouth of a river that
+penetrates a wild country. If ‘Bully’ Broom wished to hide his captives,
+he could not have taken them to a better place.”
+
+“Sparhawk,” and the millionaire’s voice was vibrant with determination,
+“how long will it take us to get there?”
+
+“I should say not more than a week. But we should have to re-coal at
+Tahiti if we are to make the run at top speed. How about that, Raynor?”
+
+“You’re right, captain,” said the young engineer. “I’ll guarantee to run
+the _Sea Gypsy’s_ engines faster than they were ever run before, but
+I’ve got to have the coal to do it with.”
+
+“That steamer is through coaling us now?” asked the millionaire, after
+he had made a few calculations on a scrap of paper.
+
+“They emptied the last of their load an hour ago,” said Captain
+Sparhawk.
+
+“Good,” was Mr. Jukes’ response. “Send the captain to me and I will give
+him my check. Raynor, how soon can you have steam up?”
+
+“In an hour, sir,” responded the young engineer.
+
+“Splendid; make all the time you can. Every moment is valuable now.
+Ready——”
+
+Jack was all attention. Into the millionaire’s manner had come a snap
+and a grip of affairs that had not been there since they had sailed. He
+had something tangible to go upon now, and was plainly prepared to make
+the most of it.
+
+“Ready,” he went on, “I want you to raise Tahiti at once. Order coal to
+be ready for us when we arrive and have a force of men engaged to hustle
+it on board without loss of time.”
+
+“Yes, sir,” rejoined Jack, hurrying from the cabin.
+
+Within a few minutes the entire atmosphere of the ship appeared to be
+charged with electricity and bustle. Black smoke volleyed from the stack
+and the roar of escaping steam soon came from the relief pipe. Anai and
+his companion, almost in tears at the thought of parting with the boys,
+were sent ashore, and final preparations made for the start.
+
+Shortly before sun-down Raynor reported all ready in the engine room.
+
+“Very well, captain,” said Mr. Jukes, “you may get up your anchor.”
+
+The necessary orders were soon given and as the chains rattled home
+through the exhaust pipes the yacht swung her bow gracefully seaward. A
+big crowd of canoes and the small tramp, which had also taken up anchor,
+accompanied her some distance out to sea.
+
+The natives raised their voices in melancholy songs as they paddled, and
+from time to time cried out:
+
+“Come back, white men.”
+
+Among them Jack and Raynor recognized Anai and the other young Kanaka.
+Both lads felt a genuine regret at leaving the brave, likeable young
+natives, but ahead of them they felt lay experiences which for the time
+being put all other emotions out of their minds. The _Sea Gypsy_,
+rushing ahead at top speed, soon left the rusty tramp, her consort, far
+behind. By dark only the summit of the island was visible on the
+horizon. It sank quickly from sight, and when the first stars appeared
+the _Sea Gypsy_ was alone on the sea.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XVII.—AN ENCOUNTER AT BOMOBORI.
+
+
+It was on a clear day a little more than a week later that the lookout
+announced land dead ahead. All on board knew that it must be New Guinea,
+the wild and little known country where Mr. Jukes had confident hopes of
+finding his lost brother. Captain Sparhawk made an excellent
+“land-fall,” as sailors call it, and by night they came to anchor off
+Bomobori.
+
+It was a beautiful scene. The waves dashed against a golden strand.
+Behind lay vast and mysterious forests, looking dark and uninviting in
+the evening light. Beyond the forests rose great mountains veiled in the
+bluish mist of the far distances. As darkness fell, the lights of
+Bomobori began to twinkle, casting reflections in the still waters of
+the harbor and river, the mouth of which latter could be seen to the
+north of the town.
+
+“Well, I’m ready to go ashore,” remarked Raynor, as he joined Jack on
+deck at the conclusion of his duties in the engine-room. “It will
+certainly feel good to put foot on shore once more.”
+
+“Indeed it will,” agreed Jack, warmly. “I’m anxious to get a look at New
+Guinea too. It’s a country about which very little is known—I mean so
+far as the interior is concerned.”
+
+“Well, we are likely to have plenty of opportunity for exploration,”
+said Raynor. “I heard Mr. Jukes telling the captain that he believed,
+from what he had heard about ‘Bully’ Broom at Tahiti where he is well
+known, that the rascal has a secret hiding place in the interior
+somewhere.”
+
+“Then it’s likely to take a long time to locate him,” said Jack. “This
+is a pretty big country and very densely wooded, with big mountains and
+rivers galore. I’m afraid it’s a needle and hay-stack job.”
+
+“I expect Mr. Jukes means to get a clue in Bomobori, where Broom is
+probably well known,” hazarded Raynor.
+
+“That is probably his idea,” said Jack. “Anyhow, he is not a man who
+would give up his purpose for any ordinary difficulties.”
+
+It was decided not to leave the yacht till the morning. It can well be
+imagined then that the sleep of the boys that night was not as sound as
+usual. Both lay awake wondering what lay before them, and whether they
+would succeed or fail in the mission, for that evening Mr. Jukes had
+appointed them members of the expedition, and declared that he would
+rely upon them to the uttermost to aid him.
+
+It was then that Jack had made a suggestion. The yacht was to be left in
+the harbor with a crew to guard her, but communication with her might be
+important, even necessary, if they were driven to some other part of the
+coast and were unable to return to Bomobori.
+
+Jack’s suggestion was that, with the spare parts of the ship’s wireless,
+of which a big stock was carried, he should construct a portable radio
+apparatus by means of which they could at all times be in touch with the
+yacht. He had an idea that he could do this easily. Thurman, who had
+been conducting himself in an irreproachable manner, could be left in
+charge of the _Sea Gypsy’s_ plant with perfect safety, the boy felt
+confident. And so, subject to his success with a portable set, it was
+arranged.
+
+“This doesn’t appear to be much of a town,” observed Raynor, as they
+landed the next day, a little before noon, in a warm, gentle shower of
+rain such as frequently swept across the island at that time of the
+year.
+
+“Well, you could hardly expect to find it a New York or London, you
+know,” rejoined Jack.
+
+In truth Bomobori was a very fair specimen of a town in that section of
+the world. Along the water front, back of which squatted a line of
+tin-roofed warehouses, were moored native craft from up the river with
+bamboo cabins and great lattice sails that housed a whole family of
+natives. In spite of the rain it was warm and steamy, and a strange
+assortment of odors greeted their nostrils as the boat was run up to the
+principal dock and made fast.
+
+The population was a very mixed one. Pallid white men, who looked like
+Frenchmen for the most part, rubbed elbows on the water front with
+Chinese, Lascars, Malays, Javanese and the wild-looking Papuans from the
+interior with their frizzed hair and ornamental cloaks of bird skins and
+long spears. Here and there a stout German in white ducks waddled by
+with a sun-helmeted Englishman. There appeared to be quite a lot of
+trading going on.
+
+But they were anxious to hurry on to the hotel where Mr. Jukes hoped to
+begin the inquiries which he was sanguine would result in his finding
+his brother. The hostelry for which they were bound lay some squares
+back from the water front. It was situated, like most tropical hotels,
+in a park in which flowers and shrubs of all kinds grew luxuriantly, and
+bright colored birds flew with harsh cries, like (bright) jewels, among
+the brilliant foliage. It was a two-story affair in front of which a
+fountain plashed coolingly in the hot, heavy air. Verandas, upon which
+every room opened, completely surrounded each story.
+
+They entered the office where the hand baggage they had brought was
+picked up by barefooted, white-garmented servants. Mr. Jukes was bending
+over the register writing his name and those of his party when Jack
+caught sight of somebody lounging in a bamboo chair in the reading room
+that nearly took his breath away.
+
+“Well, if that isn’t——”
+
+“What is it, Jack?” asked Billy quickly.
+
+“Look at that chap there reading a paper. It’s Donald Judson—Donald
+Judson, as sure as you’re a foot high!”
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XVIII.—DONALD JUDSON AGAIN.
+
+
+Jack was right; the boy sitting in the reading room was indeed the
+formerly ne’er-do-well son of the man who had headed the plot to steal
+the naval code, though what he could be doing in Bomobori neither of the
+boys could guess. But so changed was he in appearance from the
+flashily-dressed, aggressively-conceited Donald Judson they had known,
+that for a moment both boys doubted the evidence of their eyes.
+
+Donald had always, in the past, been inclined to dudishness in his
+clothes. Now his clothing was dilapidated and torn, his shoes were old
+canvas ones that looked ready to fall apart, and he had a scarecrow of a
+battered straw hat on his head.
+
+Moreover, his face was careworn and his cheeks hollow and one eye
+appeared to have suffered a blow of some sort for it was blackened and
+swollen. Altogether he was a most woebegone looking specimen of
+humanity, and the boys wondered he was suffered about the hotel.
+Donald’s presence there, however, was later accounted for, although
+this, of course, the boys did not know, by a long tale of disaster and
+suffering he had sustained while gold hunting in the interior. Donald
+said he was expecting remittances from America and on this account had
+been accommodated with quarters.
+
+“My gracious, what a change,” exclaimed Billy under his breath. “He
+looks like a regular scarecrow.”
+
+“He must have been in mighty tough luck,” rejoined Jack. “But what beats
+me is what he is doing here. It’s a very odd coincidence that we should
+run into two of our old enemies on this trip.”
+
+“It is, indeed. But see, he is looking at us. I suppose we ought to
+speak to the poor chap.”
+
+Donald had dropped his paper and was staring straight at the two lads as
+if they had been ghosts. Then he got to his feet and came toward them.
+
+“Jack Ready!” he exclaimed, “where did you come from?”
+
+“We might ask the same question of you, Judson,” said Jack,
+“but—er—you’ll excuse my saying so, but you look as if you’d been in
+hard luck lately.”
+
+“I have been, oh I have been,” said Donald, in a voice far different
+from his old bragging one. “I got out of a job and shipped for a sailor.
+I’d heard it was a fine life. The ship I was on sailed away from
+Honolulu while I was still ashore after overstopping my leave. Then I
+got a job on a schooner that had a bad reputation, when I was nearly
+starved, but I had to live somehow. The captain of the _South Sea Lass_
+was a brute. He——”
+
+“Here, hold on,” cried Jack, seizing his arm which was thin and bony,
+“was his name Broom——”
+
+“Yes. ‘Bully’ Broom. He is little better than a pirate. He treated me
+worse than a dog, and finally, after blacking my eye, put me ashore here
+several days ago. He——say, hold on, what’s the matter?”
+
+Jack and Billy had seized him one on each side and were dragging him
+across the floor of the hotel office.
+
+“There’s somebody here we want you to tell your story to,” explained
+Jack. “It’ll be worth something to you, but be sure to tell the truth.”
+
+“As if I could lie, no matter what I said about that wretch, ‘Bully’
+Broom,” declared Donald. “I’m sure he was mixed up in some illegal
+business. Why we put into an island called the Pommer-Pommer——”
+
+“The Pamatous?” came from Billy.
+
+“That’s it.”
+
+“And some men were taken prisoners from a schooner called the
+_Centurion_?” demanded Jack.
+
+“Yes, but see here Ready, how in the world——?”
+
+“Never mind that. What became of those prisoners?”
+
+“He locked them up in cabins. He said that they were bad men and pearl
+robbers and that he was bringing them to justice.”
+
+“Did you ever talk with them?”
+
+“No; except one, and I never got a chance to say much to him. Broom
+watched me very closely. He’d have murdered me if he’d thought that I
+was trying to pry into his affairs.”
+
+“What was the name of the man you talked to?”
+
+“He was a kind of a leader of the party, I guess,” was the reply. “I
+used to take him his meals and there were precious few of those too, for
+we were on short rations ourselves.”
+
+“But his name—his name?” demanded Jack.
+
+“Oh, Flukes—something like that, anyhow. I never was good at names.”
+
+“Was it Jukes?”
+
+“That was it,” cried Donald, snapping his fingers.
+
+“Well, boys, what’s the matter?” demanded the missing man’s brother as
+he finished with the register and turned amazedly to face his two young
+followers grasping Donald’s ragged figure on each side as if they had a
+prisoner in custody.
+
+“Mr. Jukes, this boy has seen and talked to your brother within the last
+two weeks,” was the announcement from Jack that sent the millionaire
+staggering back against the hotel desk, for once in his life giving way
+to uncontrolled amazement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XIX.—HE TELLS A STRANGE STORY.
+
+
+“Bless my soul,” he exclaimed, when he found breath, “you boys are
+always digging up somebody. Who is this?”
+
+He regarded the ragged figure of the unfortunate Donald with some
+disapprobation. Jack explained, and then Donald, stumbling and
+stuttering somewhat under Mr. Jukes’ steady eye, told his story.
+
+“But you have not told us the most important part of it all,” said the
+millionaire, as he concluded. “Where was my unfortunate brother taken to
+by this ruffian?”
+
+“That’s just what I don’t know, sir,” rejoined the boy. “You see, they
+took good care I shouldn’t know too much about their operations. All I
+know is that I heard them saying something about 'up the river.’”
+
+“Meaning this river—the Bomobori?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“I suppose so.”
+
+“Do you know where the schooner is now?” was the millionaire’s next
+question, but Donald did not. All he knew was that, after landing him in
+Bomobori, ‘Bully’ Broom had departed under cover of night. Where he had
+headed for was a mystery.
+
+Jack whispered something to the millionaire when Donald had concluded
+his narrative and Mr. Jukes put his hand in his pocket and drew out some
+coins. Then as he moved off Jack rather hesitatingly said to Donald:
+
+“You’ve had a hard time of it for money, I suppose?”
+
+“Hard? That’s no name for it,” exclaimed the other. “That rascal Broom
+never gave me a cent, though when he shipped me he promised me wages. If
+you hadn’t arrived I don’t know what I should have done.”
+
+“Well, we are willing to let bygones be bygones,” said Jack.
+
+“It wouldn’t be fair to be rough on a fellow who is down on his luck,”
+muttered Donald rather grudgingly. “And—and I guess I’ve learned a
+lesson, fellows.”
+
+“By the way, Donald,” said Jack, handing the boy the coins Mr. Jukes had
+given him, “here is something from Mr. Jukes to help you along for the
+present. I am sure he will see to it that you do not suffer any more
+hardships in return for the valuable information you have given us.”
+
+The destitute lad’s face brightened wonderfully. The money—about twenty
+dollars—was more than he had seen in a long time. He fingered the coins
+greedily.
+
+“I—I’m much obliged to you and to your friend, too,” he muttered rather
+shamefacedly, “and—er—I’m sorry I ever played you mean tricks.”
+
+“Never mind about that now,” said Jack, cutting him short. “My advice to
+you is not to hang about here, but to get a job on the first ship that
+touches here and go home.”
+
+“I’ll go down to the shipping offices right now and see what the chances
+are,” promised Donald, and with a new spring in his step he started out
+of the hotel.
+
+“What a change,” exclaimed Jack, when he had gone. “I never thought
+Donald Judson could become so humbled.”
+
+“He is certainly blue, and that is hardly surprising,” agreed Billy.
+“But the question is whether his seeming repentance is sincere.”
+
+“Let’s hope all that he has been through has taught him a good lesson,”
+said Jack.
+
+“It surely ought to have,” said Billy, and then the subject was
+dismissed by a tall, half-clothed native striding into the lobby and
+beating stridently on a huge brass gong inscribed with queer characters.
+
+“What’s that for?” asked Jack of the clerk behind the desk who looked
+like a German.
+
+“Dot iss for Riz Tavel,” replied the clerk.
+
+“For Riz who?” asked Billy.
+
+“For Riz Tavel,” rejoined the man impatiently, as if surprised at their
+ignorance. “Riz Tavel, dot means lunch.”
+
+“Oh, I see,” replied Jack. “Well, I’m ready for it whatever they call
+it.”
+
+At the summons of the gong several guests of the hotel came into the
+lobby, appearing as if they had just got out of bed. The boys were
+amazed to see that many of the male guests wore pyjamas, while the women
+were in negligee. This, however, applied only to the half castes and
+Dutch residents. The Germans and English, who did most of the trading at
+Bomobori, wore tropical suits of conventional make.
+
+They were waited on by barefooted Malays who set before each of the boys
+and their shipmates, when these latter appeared, big soup plates full of
+rice.
+
+“They call this the 'riz-tavel,’ that means the rice table,” explained
+Captain Sparhawk, thus clearing away the secret of the mysterious words.
+“Rice is a staple all through the East, just like bread is at home.”
+
+Having filled their plates with rice, as they saw everybody else do, the
+Americans waited for the next move. The waiters had all vanished after
+depositing the rice, and Jack was moved to remark whether that was all
+they were going to get.
+
+His question was answered by the re-appearance of the barefooted
+servitors. They bore numerous dishes piled with fish, duck, chicken,
+pork, omelette, onions and peppers. The guests all piled portions of
+every one of these dishes on the top of the rice, and the visitors
+seeing that they were not expected to ask for more plates were fain to
+do the same. The boys, however, balked at a thin curried sauce which was
+supposed to be poured over this hodge-podge of edibles.
+
+Having disposed of what in itself was a mighty meal they then found that
+they were expected to despatch beefsteaks, salad and fruit.
+
+“Well, they don’t starve you here, that’s one thing sure,” said Jack.
+
+“You must remember that their 'breakfast,’ as they call it, is eaten in
+the cool of the morning and usually only consists of coffee and fruit,”
+said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+A groan from the dyspeptic Mr. Jukes, who had eaten a hearty meal, was
+followed soon after by the breaking up of the party. There was much to
+be attended to, but Captain Sparhawk said it would be useless to try to
+transact business till the late afternoon when the sea breeze sprung up.
+The interval between riz-tavel and that hour he said was set aside for
+sleeping, and nobody ever dreamed of interfering with the custom. In
+fact, he would have found nobody to transact business with.
+
+He warned the boys against walking about in the scorchingly hot
+afternoon sun also, as it was said to induce fevers. There was nothing
+left for them to do, therefore, but to pass the afternoon in their
+rooms, although they would have preferred exploring the town.
+
+When they came down again they found Donald Judson in the lobby. He
+appeared very disconsolate. He said that no ships for American ports
+would call at the port for a long time.
+
+“I guess I’m stuck here for the rest of my life,” he complained, and
+then made a sudden suggestion.
+
+“Say, why can’t you take me with you on that expedition?” he asked, for
+the boys had told him something about the object of their presence in
+New Guinea.
+
+“Um—er—I don’t know that Mr. Jukes wants anybody else along,”
+hesitated Jack.
+
+“I’d work hard and do anything I was told to,” said Donald pleadingly.
+“Won’t you ask him about it? It’s awful to be stuck here like a bump on
+a log.”
+
+“Well, perhaps we might see about it,” relented Jack, really feeling
+sorry for the unhappy plight of their former enemy, mean and despicable
+as he had proved himself to have been in the past.
+
+“Thanks, awfully,” exclaimed Donald, gratefully, and he went off through
+the gardens, saying that he was going to get himself a pair of new
+shoes. Soon after Mr. Jukes, having got over his attack of dyspepsia,
+appeared, the boys laid Donald’s request before him.
+
+“I really don’t know,” he hesitated. “Of course, the lad is in hard
+luck, but somehow I don’t exactly like his looks and I don’t see what
+use he could be to us. I’d rather leave money here to pay for his living
+till some ship arrives he could get a berth on.”
+
+“If you left him money in a place like this he might fall back into his
+old bad ways,” suggested Jack.
+
+“That is true. I wouldn’t wish to push any one down the hill when there
+was a chance of helping them up,” said the millionaire, musingly. “Well,
+I’ll see about it,” he added after an interval of thought. Just then, as
+Captain Sparhawk came up, the incident was ended and the two elders set
+out for a trading store to arrange for supplies and other necessaries
+for their dash into the interior, for Mr. Jukes had resolved to act on
+Donald Judson’s unexpected clue and make his way up the river.
+
+“I’ve got a notion that if we did take that fellow Donald along that he
+would make trouble for us,” said Raynor as soon as they were out of
+ear-shot.
+
+“I don’t see how he could, or what object he would have,” doubted Jack.
+“Still, I myself wouldn’t trust him very far, in spite of his
+declarations of reform.”
+
+But as it so happened neither of the boys need have troubled themselves
+over the matter, for that evening, when Mr. Jukes sent for Donald to
+have a talk with him, the boy’s manner had changed entirely. He was no
+longer servile and cringing as he had been earlier. In fact, he
+intimated very plainly that he wanted nothing more to do with the Jukes
+party.
+
+There was a reason for this, a reason that none of the party naturally
+was able at the time to guess. Donald’s change of front was not due to
+any mere caprice. A deep-seated reason lay behind it, and that reason
+was rooted in an encounter he had had just after he left the boys in the
+hotel garden.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XX.—A TRAITOR IN CAMP.
+
+
+Donald’s encounter had been with no less a personage than ‘Bully’ Broom
+himself, whose spies in the town had informed him that a party of
+Americans had arrived on a yacht and had been making inquiries about a
+missing man named Jukes. Broom at once knew that the half-suspected had
+happened, and that a strong party in search of the missing man had, by
+some inexplicable (to him) chance, arrived in Bomobori.
+
+He perceived at once that Donald’s presence at the hotel, where he had
+abandoned him to his fate, might result disastrously for him and he
+congratulated himself that the boy did not know more of the fate of
+Jerushah Jukes than he had already told our friends. But even that
+meager information, Broom foresaw, might be used to great advantage, so
+he posted himself in a resort frequented by men of his type of whom
+there are many in the South Seas, and despatched some of his crew to
+look for the boy he had cast off.
+
+It was not long before Donald who, to do him justice, came unwillingly
+at first, was presented to Broom by two villainous-looking half-caste
+Malay sailors, for Broom had few white men in his crew.
+
+“They talk too much,” he was wont to say.
+
+As soon as Donald appeared, the ‘Bully’ reversed his usual tactics and
+tried to make himself as pleasant as possible. He was a huge-framed
+ruffian with a tangled black beard, and burned brown enough by sun and
+wind to be taken for a negro. Donald soon saw that he had nothing to
+fear from Broom now, and being a sharp boy he proceeded to take the
+initiative after some verbal sparring.
+
+“You’ve got an awful nerve sending for me after the treatment you gave
+me,” he observed. “What do you want, anyhow?”
+
+“Now see here, boy,” bellowed Broom, in his gruff voice which he tried
+to render amiable without much success, so used was he to ruling his
+band with an iron hand, “I’ll admit that I may have used you a bit
+roughly, but that was the way of the sea. A fine young fellow like you,
+though, oughtn’t to mind that. A little knocking about is good for you.”
+
+“Yes, and it was good for me to be left stranded in this hole, too, I
+suppose,” said Donald.
+
+“I didn’t leave you stranded. I was merely out of funds and was coming
+back to pay you up and get you out of trouble,” protested Broom, with an
+earnestness that appeared genuine. “See here.”
+
+He plunged his hand into his pocket and drew out a handful of gold and
+then let it fall trickling on the table.
+
+“That doesn’t look as if I wasn’t able to do it, either, does it?” he
+demanded. “Now, see here,” he went on, “I’ve got a proposition to make
+to you. You’re a smart lad, a clever lad, and one that’s bound to get on
+the world. I’m going to help you, too.”
+
+“Well, what do you want?” demanded Donald, who was very susceptible to
+flattery, and who had a weak nature, easily played upon by any one
+skillful enough to touch the right chord.
+
+“That gang that arrived on the yacht? What about them?” came from Broom.
+
+“They are going to cook your hash if you don’t look out,” said Donald.
+“That’s Jukes’ brother, and they’re going to find him wherever you’ve
+put him and then nab you.”
+
+“So that’s the program, eh?” muttered the ‘Bully.’ “Now see here,
+Donald, I want you on my side and I’m not afraid to pay for it. A smart
+and clever boy like you could do me a deal of harm if you were sided
+with the enemy. You’ll be no loser by it. You haven’t told them anything
+about our little deal with the _Centurion_ yet, have you?”
+
+Donald did some quick thinking. He was sharp enough to see that Broom
+was afraid of what he might have said, for even in Bomobori there was
+law and if it were known to Mr. Jukes that Broom was in the vicinity it
+would be immediately invoked. He balanced his two opportunities against
+each other. Cupidity, greed for money, had always been his main fault,
+and now he thought he saw a way to make more out of Broom than he could
+out of Mr. Jukes. Besides, although he had appeared so humbled before
+the boys, and ashamed of his past conduct, his hatred still rankled, for
+the reason that he blamed all his troubles on them and had often brooded
+over plans of revenge.
+
+“No, I haven’t told them anything about the _Centurion_,” he said at
+length, fearing that if he told Broom how much the Jukes party knew the
+freebooter might withdraw from any deal he was about to make. “I simply
+gave them a cock-and-bull story about myself when they were astonished
+to find me here.”
+
+“Ah! So you know them, then? They are friends of yours?” exclaimed
+Broom.
+
+“Hardly friends,” muttered Donald. “I knew them in America.”
+
+“You’ve no particular affection for them, though?”
+
+“How do you know?”
+
+“Your tone told me that, my young friend.”
+
+“Well, I might as well admit it. I don’t like them. They wronged me in
+America and that’s why I am here now. I’ve treated them in a friendly
+way because I’m out of money.”
+
+Broom’s deep set eyes flashed.
+
+“You’ve got a good head boy, very good,” he said, approvingly. “Now to
+get down to business. I’ll give you a handsome sum to stay on my side.”
+
+“Spot cash?”
+
+“The money on the nail. I want you to do a little job for me in return.
+Keep your mouth absolutely shut, but find out all you can about their
+plans. You will always find me here when you want to report. Here’s
+something to start with,” and he pushed over the gold which lay on the
+table.
+
+Donald’s eyes sparkled greedily as he counted it.
+
+“All right, I’ll do what you say,” he remarked, as he pocketed it, “but
+tell me one thing: Where is Jerushah Jukes?”
+
+“Ah, that is for me to know and for them to find out,” was Broom’s
+reply, “but I’ll tell you all about it in proper time.”
+
+“It’s a wonder you are not afraid to be seen in the town,” said Donald.
+“Any one might tell them about your being here.”
+
+“Nobody knows about me but my friends, and there is no danger of their
+talking.”
+
+“But your schooner, which is as well known in this part of the ocean as
+a mail steamer?”
+
+Broom smiled.
+
+“You don’t think I’d be fool enough to bring my schooner in here after I
+heard about the arrival of Jukes’ yacht?” he asked. “The _South Sea
+Lass_ is safely hidden up the coast. I came here on a native canoe.”
+
+“Well, you ought to be good at covering up your tracks, you’ve had
+enough experience,” said Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for
+the ruffian.
+
+“One thing more,” said Broom, acknowledging what he chose to take as a
+compliment with a grin. “Jukes is very rich. Has he much money with him
+this trip?”
+
+“I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his money. If he has much it
+would be in some form that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man
+to take chances.”
+
+Broom nodded his massive head ponderously. He was evidently revolving
+some plan in his mind. Presently he brought down his heavy fist with a
+crash on the table.
+
+“Jukes has poked his nose into this business,” he exclaimed, “and it
+will cost him something to get out of it before he gets through.”
+
+“What do you mean?” asked Donald.
+
+“If he was made a prisoner for instance, he would pay handsomely to be
+released.”
+
+“I should say so. He’s worth about $20,000,000.”
+
+Broom smacked his lips.
+
+“Some of that’s as good as ours if you do what I tell you,” he
+exclaimed.
+
+“Ours?” A greedy look crept into the boy’s face.
+
+“Yes, when he pays up you’ll get your share and get even with the people
+you dislike at the same time.”
+
+When Donald left the place with one of his ragged pockets bulging with
+unaccustomed wealth, a compact had been formed that was to cause our
+friends a great deal of trouble in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXI.—A MEMORABLE NIGHT.
+
+
+“It’s very peculiar that Donald should have undergone such a sudden
+change of front,” said Jack later that evening, following the boy’s
+strange way of receiving Mr. Jukes’ proposal. “He certainly appeared to
+want to go along the worst way a few hours ago.”
+
+“I can’t help thinking that he has been up to some mischief,” replied
+Billy. “He’s got himself a new outfit somewhere and I saw him paying his
+hotel bill.”
+
+“Well, at any rate that’s a laudable act,” laughed Jack. “After all, we
+are not much concerned with anything that he does now.”
+
+“No, that’s true. By-the-way, how is that wireless idea of yours for a
+portable set getting along?”
+
+“First rate; I’ve got it all worked out on paper and have cut the weight
+down to fifty pounds without the aerials.”
+
+“Good for you. I’ve got a notion we can make a lot of use of it.”
+
+“At any rate it won’t be much of an extra load and it might get us out
+of a tight place, who can tell?”
+
+After some further talk the boys decided to turn in, as they had to be
+up early the next day. It was a hot, close night when the heavens seemed
+to be pressed down like a brazen lid on a pot. Far off, flashes of
+lightning illuminated the distant sky toward the mountains where, for
+all they knew, the millionaire’s abducted brother might be concealed.
+
+“Phew! It’s warm,” exclaimed Jack. “I guess I’ll take a bath before I
+turn in.”
+
+The boys’ bedroom was typical of hotels in that part of the world. Its
+floor was bare except for a strip of matting. There were two beds in it,
+hung with mosquito netting curtains, and a tiny wash basin and jug. An
+old-fashioned bell-pull hung near one of the beds and Jack decided to
+give it a tug and order a bath, when one of the native “bell boys”
+appeared. After a long interval, one of the barefooted functionaries of
+the hotel arrived. Jack made his wants known and the man hurried off
+again without a word.
+
+“That’s odd,” commented Jack, “but I guess he’s gone to fill it and will
+be back directly to say it’s ready.”
+
+They waited for some time before a soft patter of bare feet was heard in
+the hall and two of the native servants entered carrying between them a
+barrel. Another followed with a sort of dipper made out of a cocoanut.
+
+The boys stared in amazement as the men advanced to the middle of the
+room and solemnly set down the barrel and then stood about waiting with
+an expectant look on their faces.
+
+“What in the world is all this?” demanded the amazed Jack.
+
+“Him your bath, boss,” came the answer, “you gettee in him ballel, we
+washee you.”
+
+“I’ll be jiggered if you do,” exclaimed Jack. “Get out of here,” and the
+men hurried off, first staring at the boy as if they thought he was mad.
+“Well, a New Guinea bath certainly accounts for the appearance of some
+of the natives I’ve seen about,” he laughed, as soon as they had left.
+“But I suppose I must make the best of it.”
+
+So Jack’s bath consisted of dipping water out of the tub and pouring it
+over himself, trying not to flood the room. But apparently he did so,
+for soon a loud and indignant voice was heard at the door.
+
+“Who is there?” demanded the boys.
+
+“Sapristi! Eet is I. Zee landlord. You flood zee place. Zee water drip
+on me.”
+
+“Sorry,” sang out Jack, cheerfully, “but I’m doing the best I can. You
+see, I’m not used to the customs of the country yet. I don’t understand
+your way of bathing.”
+
+“What do you mean zee bathing?”
+
+“I’m trying to get a bath in this barrel that you sent me up.”
+
+“Taking a bath!” shouted the landlord in a startled voice, “a bath at
+zees time of zee night. You must be crazee. Anyhow, you drop no more of
+zee water on me. I sleep zee room undaire.”
+
+“Well, he doesn’t look as if a little water would hurt him,” commented
+Billy, as the landlord’s footsteps retreated down the passage.
+
+The boys were soon in bed, but not to sleep. Their exciting day amid new
+scenes had rendered them wakeful and then, too, the beds of the Hotel
+Bomobori were not couches of roses. The sheets and pillows smelled
+abominably of camphor and mildew, and the latter appeared to have been,
+or so Billy declared, stuffed with corn cobs. The same applied to the
+mattresses. But as if this was not enough, there came a sudden shrill
+cry from somewhere in the room:
+
+“Beck-ee! Beck-ee! Beck-ee!”
+
+“What in the nation was that?” cried Billy, considerably startled.
+
+“Somebody calling for 'Becky,’” laughed Jack, “but Rebecca won’t answer.
+Go to sleep, Billy, if you can, on these miserable beds. It must be some
+insect.”
+
+“I hope it isn’t anything venomous,” muttered Raynor.
+
+“Better keep your curtains close drawn and then it can’t get at you,
+anyhow,” advised Jack.
+
+“But then it shuts out all the air and I almost suffocate,” complained
+Billy.
+
+“Wow!” he yelled a moment later, in a tone that roused Jack, who was
+almost asleep.
+
+“What’s the matter, Billy?” he asked anxiously.
+
+“Ugh, something soft with legs on it just ran over my face,” cried
+Raynor. “For goodness’ sake get up and get a light. It may be something
+that bites or stings.”
+
+Jack lost no time in getting hurriedly out of his bed, and as he shook
+the curtains something was dislodged from them and went whirring and
+banging round the room, blundering heavily against the ceiling.
+
+“What the dickens——!” exclaimed the boy, considerably startled, when
+another cry from Billy split the air.
+
+“Ouch, for the love of Mike. A light, quick. Something just nipped my
+toe.”
+
+Jack fumbled for the matches; but, as is usual in such cases, he located
+every object in the room before he found them, finally colliding with
+the washstand and sending it with a crash to the ground floor. An
+instant later there was the noise of slamming doors below and the
+landlord came racing up the stairs to the boys’ room.
+
+“Ciel! What is zee mattaire zees time? First you try drown me, zen you
+make zee beeg crash like zee tonnaire!”
+
+“It’s all the fault of your old hotel,” exclaimed Jack angrily, going to
+the door. “This room is full of some kind of animals. It’s a regular
+menagerie.”
+
+He opened the door and the landlord, with a curious-looking night-light,
+composed of a wick floating in a tumbler full of some strong-smelling
+oil that gave out a powerful odor of sandal wood, came inside. Instantly
+there was a mighty scuffling and several ugly looking lizards darted off
+across the floor and a huge bat (no doubt the creature that had vacated
+Jack’s bed-curtains with such a prodigious flapping) went soaring out
+through the open lattice-work doors which led out on the verandah, but
+which the boys had left open for coolness. There were also a dozen other
+specimens of unclassified insects, both winged and legged, which went
+scuttling off at the sight of the light. Then the landlord’s eye fell on
+the open doors.
+
+“Sacre!” he cried, “nevaire did I such a foolishness see.”
+
+“What’s the matter now?” demanded Jack. “The only foolishness I can see
+is in our coming to this hotel.”
+
+The landlord shrugged his shoulders as if in despair.
+
+“What else do you expect but zee bat, zee scorpion, zee centipede, zee
+leezard, zee chigre, zee——”
+
+“What makes a noise like 'becky, becky, becky’?” asked Billy, breaking
+in on the catalogue.
+
+“Ah! Zee biting leezard 'ee do zat.”
+
+“Then that fellow that nipped my toe and the one that sang out for
+Rebecca must be the same individual,” cried Billy indignantly, “but go
+on with your catalogue.”
+
+The landlord looked puzzled.
+
+“Zere was zee cat and zee dog 'ere, too?” he demanded.
+
+“No, I said the catalogue. The list of insects you were rattling off.”
+
+“Oh, well, I was going to say to you not to leave zee porch doors open
+in zee night. And also nevaire go to bed wizout lighting one of zees
+lights.” He tapped the peculiar-smelling night-light he held. “See, here
+eez one 'ere on zees table.”
+
+“Well, you can’t blame us for not knowing what it was,” protested Jack,
+as he lighted it. “I thought it was some peculiar kind of drink. It’s
+the first time I ever saw light served in a tumbler.”
+
+“Zee light veree good,” said the landlord, as he was leaving the room.
+“Zee animal no like zee light, also they no like zee smell.”
+
+“I don’t blame them,” said Jack, after the man had left, and the odd
+tumbler lamp was burning with a sputtering, smoking flame, “especially
+the smell part.”
+
+“Anyhow, anything is better than sharing your bed with
+you-don’t-know-what creepy-crawly things,” declared Raynor.
+
+“Yes, and lizards that go round hollering girls’ names,” agreed Jack. “I
+fancy we’ll sleep better now. But, after all, we’ve got to get used to
+it all for we may meet worse in the jungle.”
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXII.—INTO THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+The next day was busily spent by the boys. Jack had his portable
+wireless to assemble. Raynor was assigned as “chief of baggage,” and
+Captain Sparhawk and Mr. Jukes, with Muldoon, who spoke the Papuan
+dialect after a fashion, occupied the time rounding up the native
+bearers and finding a suitable “head man.” The latter was very important
+to the success of the expedition, both to keep the other natives up to
+their work and to find trails and, if necessary, act as interpreter.
+Through the good offices of Jabez Hook, a “smart Yankee” who ran a
+“general store” at Bomobori, and was a warm friend of Captain
+Sparhawk’s, they finally found just the man they wanted. He was a tall,
+up-right Papuan with an exceptionally intelligent face, who spoke fair
+English, knew the country thoroughly and appeared about thirty years
+old. Salloo, as he called himself, agreed to have everything in
+readiness for a start into the interior by the next morning. He held out
+hopes that from some of the interior tribes they would get news of the
+lost ones, for among the natives news travels fast, and if ‘Bully’ Broom
+had conveyed prisoners into the inland some of the tribesmen would be
+sure to know about it.
+
+When Jack returned from the _Sea Gypsy_, where he had set up his
+apparatus, he reported that all was well on board and everything going
+forward smoothly under the command of the first officer. Thurman
+appeared to be delighted with his chance to vindicate himself, but
+acting under Mr. Jukes’ advice, it had been deemed prudent to refuse him
+shore liberty till the party returned. Thurman did not seem to resent
+this, and told Jack that after all he had gone through, a “soft berth”
+and good meals on the yacht appealed to him. He had seen enough of the
+tropics, so he declared, to have no especial desire to go ashore at
+Bomobori.
+
+It was not till eleven o’clock that night that they turned in. But when
+they did so it was with a satisfied feeling that every detail had been
+attended to. Not the least satisfactory result of the day had been
+Jack’s achievement of perfecting the portable wireless which would keep
+them at all times in touch with the yacht.
+
+The next morning dawned bright and clear. The boys were up before any of
+the rest of the party, dressed in khaki suits, sun helmets and stout
+leggings, for much of the way would lie through ragged bush. Each lad
+carried a water canteen, a pocket filter, compass, knife, and wore a
+service revolver attached to a cartridge belt. In these “uniforms” they
+looked very business-like, and capable of giving a good account of
+themselves in any emergency. Soon after the other members of the party
+appeared somewhat similarly attired. Mr. Jukes’ pockets bulged with
+boxes of dyspepsia pills, and Muldoon wore his sailor uniform with the
+addition of leggings and a sun helmet.
+
+“Shure I look like a sea soldier no liss,” was the way he summed up his
+appearance, and the boys couldn’t help agreeing with him.
+
+While they were at breakfast, Salloo and his “bearers” presented
+themselves.
+
+Salloo greeted them with a low “salaam,” and volunteered the information
+that:
+
+“Him welly good day for makum start. Go many miles. Good trail for first
+part of journey.”
+
+“Well, the further we go, the quicker we’ll get back,” commented Muldoon
+in true Irish style.
+
+At eight o’clock they were off. Nobody in the town knew the true object
+of their expedition, but supposed they were off on a hunt for
+entomological specimens, for New Guinea swarms with rare forms of insect
+life and many intrepid collectors have found it a happy hunting ground,
+some of them paying for their devotion to science with their lives.
+
+At first the question of traveling on horse-back had been mooted. But
+Salloo promptly vetoed this. The country was too rough and thickly grown
+to make horse-back travel feasible for more than a few miles, he
+declared. They might have used the river, but it was only navigable for
+a short distance when the swift current and the shoals made it dangerous
+for up-stream travel. Natives coming down it always abandoned their
+dugouts, which were simply hollow trees, at Bomobori, and went back to
+their villages on foot.
+
+The town was soon left behind and they struck into a trail which was
+broad and well trodden. On all sides were dense groves of tropical
+vegetation, towering palms, spreading mangoes laden with golden fruit,
+that ever-present banana and fragrant guava and lemon trees. From the
+tall lance-wood and cotton trees great creepers and lianas, looking like
+serpents, twined and coiled. There was a moist, steaming heat in the
+air.
+
+“It’s just like being in a big conservatory at home,” said Jack, and
+indeed the air had just the odor and closeness of a glass-house.
+
+“This is fever territory,” declared Mr. Jukes, administering a large
+dose of quinine to himself. “There is to be no sleeping on the ground,
+remember.”
+
+“I guess not, after the experience we had in our room at the hotel last
+night,” said Raynor, and amidst much laughter he narrated the details of
+their uncomfortable night.
+
+As they pushed onward, there came from the river, which glinted like
+molten lead in the sunshine at their left, a long-drawn cry which
+startled all the white members of the expedition. It resembled the human
+voice and appeared to be the appeal of someone in agony.
+
+“Shure there’s some poor soul in throuble over yonder forninst the
+river,” declared Muldoon, and before any one could stop him he had left
+the trail and was making for the water.
+
+“Hi you white man, you comee back,” cried Salloo.
+
+But he was too late. Hardly had Muldoon left the trail than he sank up
+to his knees in black, oozy mud which held him like liquid glue.
+
+His struggles only made matters worse, and soon he was up to his knees
+in the evil-smelling, glutinous mass which bubbled about him as it
+sucked him down.
+
+“Help! Murther! Shure, O’im kilt intirely!” cried the frightened man,
+waving his arms frantically.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIII.—A DANGEROUS TREE.
+
+
+All this time, from the river, came the same weird cries that had
+mystified them. What with these cries and Muldoon’s lusty yells for
+help, had there been an enemy within a mile they must have heard them,
+but luckily they were in a territory known to be peaceable, although
+Salloo was not quite so sure of some of the tribes who had a bad
+reputation as “head hunters.”
+
+“He’s stuck in the mud!” exclaimed Jack, and was starting forward to
+Muldoon’s assistance when Salloo grabbed his arm.
+
+“No go,” he warned, “him mud velly bad. Make drown in mud plitty quick
+no get helpee.”
+
+The native began making his way by a circuitous route toward the
+luckless Muldoon. In his hand he had a long rope. He leaped from tuft to
+tuft of the hummocks that appeared above the black soil. As soon as he
+got close enough to Muldoon he threw the struggling boatswain the end of
+the line, which Muldoon had presence of mind enough to place under his
+arm-pits. Then Salloo skipped nimbly back to the trail and all laying
+hold with a will they soon hauled Muldoon out of his disagreeable
+predicament, although he was a sorry sight to look at.
+
+“But faith,” he exclaimed, “it’s glad enough I am to know O’im not dead
+intirely. A little mud will soon dry and clean off, begob.”
+
+“Tropical places are full of just such treacherous swamps,” declared
+Captain Sparhawk. “It will be well for all of us to be very careful and
+not leave the trail except by Salloo’s advice.”
+
+But now the strange wailing sound which they had for the moment
+forgotten in the excitement of Muldoon’s rescue again startled them. The
+cause of it was quickly explained by Salloo.
+
+“Him _dugong_, allee samee sea-cow,” he said.
+
+“Oh, I know now—like the manitou they have in Florida,” cried Jack.
+
+“Me no know 'bout man or two,” said Salloo, “but him big an’mul. Live in
+river. Makee noise like heap cryee allee timee.”
+
+“It sounds as if somebody was being murdered,” commented Raynor.
+“However, I guess we’re not the first people to be scared by the
+dinner-gong, or whatever you call it.”
+
+The halt for the noon-day meal was made in a pleasant grove of tropical
+trees which stood on safe rising ground to one side of the trail. All
+the white members of the party were glad enough of the chance to take a
+rest, but the wiry natives appeared to be perfectly fresh and strong as
+when they set out, despite their heavy burdens. While the natives began
+cooking their rice and salted fish, with a sort of curry sauce, Salloo
+set about making a fire for the whites. With marvelous dexterity he
+twirled a stick between his outspread hands against some dry tinder and
+soon had a good blaze going. The boys scattered to get wood, of which
+they soon had a sufficient quantity. Then, determined to make the most
+of their halt, they flung themselves down under a peculiarly fine tree
+with wide, dark green leaves, glossy as polished leather.
+
+They were chatting about the incidents of the trip so far when Jack all
+at once felt something strike him on the arm. His first impression was
+that it was a stone. But on looking at the place where he had been
+struck he saw that the sleeve of his shirt, for he had laid aside his
+khaki coat, had been ripped in parallel lines as if a curry comb, with
+sharp teeth, had been drawn down it. He felt a sharp pain moreover, and
+then he saw blood on his arm.
+
+Billy had sprung up in alarm at his sharp exclamation of pain, and was
+peering into the brush in the dread of seeing savage faces peering at
+them. His shout of alarm brought them all, including Salloo, on the run
+to Jack’s side. The boy explained what had occurred and the faces of the
+whites grew grave. If they were attacked at this early stage of the
+journey it augured ill for the remainder of their adventure.
+
+But Salloo speedily solved the mystery. Lying on the ground beside Jack
+was a green, oval-shaped ball, about the size of those projectiles that
+one sees stacked by memorial cannons in our country. But this missile
+was covered with sharp spikes like the spines of a hedgehog. Salloo
+pointed up into the beautiful tree under which they had cast themselves
+down to rest.
+
+“Nobody throw him,” he explained, “him big fruit, some callum Durion
+nut. You comee way from there. One hittee you headee your blains getee
+knocked out.”
+
+“They deserve to be for getting up a scare like that,” laughed Jack,
+who, like Billy, stepped hastily from under the dangerous tree. “It
+seems to be a pretty good idea in this country to be always on the look
+out. Even nature seems to have it in for you.”
+
+Jack’s arm was doctored by Captain Sparhawk, for it was quite painful,
+but luckily the spines of the durion, sometimes called the Jack fruit,
+are not poisonous and it was soon all right again. But during the
+noon-day meal, which was then ready, when they heard the crashing of nut
+after nut from the durion tree, both boys felt they had had a very lucky
+escape from having their skulls fractured.
+
+“Be jabers,” commented Muldoon, “shure o’ive been in a hurricane where
+the blocks and tackle that was ripped from aloft made yez skip around
+loively to dodge thim, but this is the first toime thot iver I heard of
+a three throwing things at yez as if ye was a nigger dodger at a fair.”
+
+“You’ll discover stranger things than that, Muldoon, before we have been
+very long in New Guinea,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Faith, so long as they’re not snakes, oi dunno thot I care much,” said
+the Irishman. “Begob, o’im thinking that St. Pathrick would be a good
+man to have along in a counthry where the craturs are. Wun wave uv his
+sthick and away they’d all go, bad luck to thim.”
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIV.—WIRELESS AT WORK.
+
+
+For two days they traveled thus, making fresh discoveries constantly.
+Once, for instance, Billy triumphantly pounced on what seemed like a
+fine bit of fire-wood for the noon-day halt. But he dropped it with a
+yell, as the “stick” suddenly developed legs and on being dropped walked
+off.
+
+“Begorrah, there’s a shillalegh come to loife, so it has,” yelled
+Muldoon, as he observed the phenomenon; but the “shillalegh” was only
+one of those strange “stick insects” that abound in that part of the
+world and sometimes fool even the natives.
+
+At noon of the third day they found themselves approaching a settlement,
+as cleared ground, where grew maize, sugar cane, yams and other plants,
+testified. The village proved to be a large one where white traders and
+animal collectors often stopped and there was a native hostelry in it
+conducted by a greasy-looking Frenchman who had a native wife as
+dirty-looking as he was. The native huts were all of bamboo hung with
+cocoanut mats. Natives squatted in front of them chewing betel nuts, the
+juice crimsoning their lips and chins. All ages and both sexes indulged
+in the habit, which is universal throughout Polynesia and the South Seas
+generally.
+
+There appeared to be a lot of rivalry among the men as to who could grow
+the fuzziest, most outstanding crop of hair.
+
+“Faith, a barber would starve to death in this country,” declared
+Muldoon.
+
+Just then a young woman came down the “street,” if such the muddy track
+between the huts could be called. She held something in her arms that
+they thought at first was a baby. But it turned out to be a young pig!
+
+“We’ll rest at the hotel here,” said Mr. Jukes, “till it grows cooler.
+My dyspepsia is bad again. It comes from traveling during the heat of
+the day as we have been doing.”
+
+The mid-day meal was cooked on a sort of altar built of stones. The boys
+watched the operations in this open-air kitchen with interest. At least
+twenty natives assisted in the culinary demonstration and the chatter
+and laughter was deafening. They made a hearty meal on the native fare,
+which they were astonished to find was quite as good as anything they
+had tasted at home.
+
+As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at once after the meal they took
+it easy in several grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady, tree.
+The fact that the natives kept coming up and peering into their faces
+and that babies, chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks did
+not disturb the boys after a while, and they dropped off to sleep.
+
+“I don’t wonder the natives here are lazy,” remarked Jack, when Muldoon
+awakened him with a yell of “All hands on deck to see it rain.” “I
+rarely slept in the day-time, but here I just dozed off without knowing
+it.”
+
+“Same here,” chimed in Raynor. “I didn’t have to even half try.”
+
+“This climate is very enervating, boys,” declared Captain Sparhawk,
+joining in the conversation. “That is why this part of the globe makes
+so little progress toward civilisation. Men who are hustlers in their
+own country come here determined to make the dirt fly, but after a few
+months their energy oozes out of them like—well, say like tar out of
+the seams of a hot ship’s deck.”
+
+“That’s a good comparison,” laughed Jack.
+
+Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers’ camp, and soon
+they were on their way again. The Frenchman, whose “hotel” they had
+left, had told them that by evening they would reach another village,
+the last one they would encounter before plunging into the really wild
+jungle, where there was another “hotel.”
+
+“As it will be our last chance for many days to sleep under a roof, I
+propose we stay there to-night,” said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.
+
+This suited the rest of the party and they struck forward at a brisk
+pace after their refreshing rest and sleep. The jungle was filled with
+countless birds, but there were no feathered songsters among them. The
+air was filled with nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that set
+the teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill of seeing a bird of
+paradise, with its glorious plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flash
+across their path.
+
+The village they stopped at that evening resembled in almost every
+respect the one in which the noon-day halt had been made. There were the
+same huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens, and the same
+fuzzy-headed Papuans, many of them returning from the fields with corn
+and yams.
+
+The proprietor of the “hotel,” which had no more pretensions to the name
+than the other hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste, lacking
+one eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass ear-rings. His wife was a
+giant negress. However, they welcomed the party warmly, as they had good
+reason to do, not having had any guests for some time, and pigs and
+fowls were at once killed for supper, everything in such places being
+ordered “on the hoof,” so to speak. Mr. Jukes delighted his native
+followers by ordering an elaborate meal for them also, in celebration of
+the fact that on the morrow they would leave “civilization” behind them.
+
+Jack, at Mr. Jukes’ request, set up his wireless plant, stringing the
+aerials from a tall tree up which one of the natives swarmed like a
+monkey to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he and Billy talked.
+
+“I guess we’ll sleep with one eye open to-night,” said Jack in an
+undertone, for they were surrounded by a curious crowd watching the
+white boy “make conjure medicine.”
+
+“Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking couple,” rejoined Billy,
+“and in a country like this it’s a good thing to regard everybody with
+suspicion till you find them all right.”
+
+Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted and worked and had his word
+to put in too.
+
+“Begorrah, that Portugee don’t look like no angel,” he said, “and his
+wife looks like the ould Nick himsilf.”
+
+“Just what we were talking about, Muldoon,” said Jack. “It will be a
+good thing if we keep our eyes and ears open.”
+
+[Illustration: It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he
+received Thurman’s answering call.]
+
+At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor started to turn the
+hand-crank of the generator, for of course a gasoline engine for that
+purpose could not be carried into the jungle. When the storage batteries
+were charged, Jack began to pump out the _Sea Gypsy’s_ call. At the
+first crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark the natives
+scattered with yells. Even Salloo, who was looking on, and had to stand
+his ground to maintain his dignity before his men, looked uneasy and
+shifted about nervously.
+
+It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he received
+Thurman’s answering call.
+
+Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was no particular news from his
+end except that another party had started up-country right on the heels
+of Mr. Jukes’ expedition. It was thought they were traders, Thurman
+said. Jack gave his news and then flashed “Good-night.”
+
+He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of the start of a second
+party.
+
+“I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition,” mused Mr. Jukes,
+on receipt of this information. “But no doubt they are traders. It seems
+odd, though, that they didn’t join with us if they were coming this way,
+as is the general custom.”
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXV.—A JUNGLE HOTEL.
+
+
+The hostelry was divided into half a dozen rooms walled with bamboo, and
+all on the ground floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposed
+between the sleepers and the ground, and cockroaches and singing lizards
+abounded. But by this time the lads had become pretty well used to the
+night noises of the jungle, which are far more tumultuous after dark
+than in the day-time, and as for the hard beds, they were too tired to
+mind much where they slept.
+
+Jack had not slept long when he was awakened by someone calling to him.
+It was Muldoon. The Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement as
+he stood in the grass-curtained door-way.
+
+“Whist!” he exclaimed, holding a finger to his lips, “is thot you
+Misther Riddy?”
+
+“Yes, what’s the trouble, Muldoon?”
+
+“Shure o’ive made a discovery, sor.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing about.”
+
+“Well, what about them?”
+
+“They’re here, begob.”
+
+“Where, in the hotel?”
+
+“No, in the woods back of the house.”
+
+“Camping there?”
+
+“No, bejabbers. There’s something looks queer to me about the whole
+thing, that’s why I called yez. They’ve sent for the Dago that runs this
+shabeen, sor.”
+
+“Maybe they want to get accommodations?”
+
+“Thin why wouldn’t they stip up like min and ask for ’em?” was Muldoon’s
+unanswerable retort.
+
+Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily, appeared in the
+door-way. Behind him stood the giant negress. The millionaire had
+evidently dressed hastily.
+
+“I’ve got news, Ready,” he exclaimed in a rather excited voice. “This
+woman has just told me that her husband wants to see me outside. I
+gathered it’s on some matter connected with my brother.”
+
+“Yassir,” grinned the hideous negress, showing a double row of sharply
+filed teeth, “dat’s it, sah. It’s 'bout yo’ brudder.”
+
+Raynor had awakened by this time and was sitting up on his mat listening
+sleepily. He eyed the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasy
+conviction entered his mind that all was not well.
+
+“You’d better be cautious, sir,” warned Jack, who also felt an
+undeniable feeling of suspicion, “something may be wrong.”
+
+“What can be wrong,” demanded Mr. Jukes, rather impatiently. “I’m going
+outside to see. If it’s about my brother it’s my duty to do so at once.”
+
+“Then if you’re going I’ll go with you,” said Jack, hastily throwing on
+the garments he had divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.
+
+“And begorrah o’i second the motion,” declared Muldoon.
+
+“Wait a moment for me,” begged Billy.
+
+“No, stay here,” said Jack. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll fire three
+shots.”
+
+A minute later, followed by the native woman, the three left the place.
+As they reached the door she took the lead and conducted them through a
+bamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under which her husband and a
+big man with black beard were conversing.
+
+“You wish to see me?” asked Mr. Jukes, addressing the bearded one.
+
+“Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news for you,” said the
+landlord, spreading his hands.
+
+“Begorrah, oi don’t see no gintilmin here excipt oursilves,” muttered
+Muldoon.
+
+“Muldoon, be quiet,” ordered Mr. Jukes, then turning to the
+black-bearded man he went on with, “Well, sir, what is it you wish?”
+
+“You are Mr. Jukes?” asked the other, in a deep, gruff voice.
+
+“I am, what of it?”
+
+“I want to see you. I have news for you.”
+
+“But—but I don’t know you. Why didn’t you come to the hotel if you had
+anything to say to me?” asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.
+
+“I wanted to talk to you in private about your brother,” was the reply.
+
+“My brother! Why, we are searching for him now. That is the reason of
+our presence in the jungle. Do you know anything about him?”
+
+“I do. It was he who sent me here.”
+
+“Jerushah sent you?” the millionaire was fairly amazed now. “He is then
+alive?”
+
+“Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick. Through natives he heard of
+the arrival of your expedition and sent me even at this hour to bring
+you to him.”
+
+“That is a strange story, my man,” said Mr. Jukes suspiciously. “I might
+say it is almost incredible.”
+
+“I’ll admit it does sound strange,” said the other, “but strange things
+happen in this part of the world. I might add that the other Mr. Jukes
+wants to see you alone. Something about a pearl, I believe.”
+
+Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes’ sleeve. The lad had been peering about him
+through the dark trees and had seen something the others had not. If his
+eyes had not deceived him, and Jack did not believe they had, several
+forms were moving about in the gloom beneath the interlaced branches.
+
+“Mr. Jukes,” he whispered, “I don’t believe this man. I think we are in
+some sort of a trap. Why didn’t he come to the house with this
+cock-and-bull story?”
+
+Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this man of great affairs,
+before whom board meetings quailed, and who ruled almost supreme among
+the great money kings of New York, appeared to be lost now that he was
+out of his little world and among the great elemental things of the
+untraveled jungle.
+
+“I’m sure I don’t know, Ready,” he replied.
+
+“Ask him,” suggested Jack, with his hand on his revolver. He felt that a
+crisis of some sort was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.
+
+Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put the question. The bearded
+man’s reply was brief and to the point.
+
+“That is beside the question,” he snapped. “Are you coming with me?”
+
+Before any reply could be made the bearded man’s eye caught the glint of
+Jack’s weapon. Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees leaped
+a dozen or more men.
+
+“Howly saints! A trap!” yelled Muldoon.
+
+“A trap!” echoed Jack. He raised his pistol to cover the black-bearded
+man. But before he had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown from
+their feet by a combined attack and in a twinkling both the millionaire
+and the boy were helpless.
+
+“Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others. Come after us as quick as
+you can.”
+
+“Hold your horses there,” roared the black-bearded man, who, as our
+readers will have guessed, was ‘Bully’ Broom himself, with his band of
+renegade followers. He tried to block the boatswain’s path as Muldoon
+darted off.
+
+Biff, the old seaman’s knotted fist shot out and caught the redoubtable
+‘Bully’ between his eyes. He staggered but did not fall.
+
+“Take that, you murtherin’ spalpeen,” shouted Muldoon, as he darted off
+among the trees and was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of the
+band pursued him, but ‘Bully’ Broom called them back.
+
+“We’ve got the fellows we want,” he said; “bind and gag them and if they
+show fight don’t be too gentle with them.”
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVI.—PRISONERS OF ‘BULLY’ BROOM.
+
+
+Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless, and in return for his
+struggles received only a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser to
+remain quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had their hands tied
+behind their backs and gags of dirty grass were thrust, none too gently,
+into their mouths.
+
+“Now march, and behave yourselves or you’ll be shot,” snarled ‘Bully’
+Broom, whose temper had not been improved by the blow Muldoon’s strong
+fist had given him.
+
+As it would have been folly to have resisted, situated as they were, the
+two prisoners did as they were told. Jack wondered where they were being
+taken and why they had been attacked. Even his acute mind did not
+connect their captors with ‘Bully’ Broom and his gang. The boy thought
+they had fallen into the hands of one of those bands of free-booters,
+known to frequent parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.
+
+He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire was stout and
+accustomed to his ease. After his tiring day this night march must have
+been cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the man of millions
+received a vicious jab in the back with the stock of a rifle.
+
+Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting on the strange turn
+of the wheel of fortune that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,
+into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved, perspiring prisoner,
+in the hands of a band of men of undoubtedly desperate character. He
+wondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not contrasting this cruel
+march through the forest with his magnificent town and country houses,
+his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and his elaborate
+entertainments. If he were doing so, Jack surmised that his thoughts
+must be bitter. In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to keep his
+mind off his own misfortunes.
+
+A journey of some hours, at the close of which Mr. Jukes began to give
+every outward sign of deep physical exhaustion, brought them to a
+clearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking the river.
+Here, on a bluff about fifty feet above the water, in years gone by, a
+trading company had maintained a post. It had been built in the days
+when the natives were troublesome in that section and it was a strong
+structure like a fort. It was almost overgrown with rank tropical vines,
+but evidently the way to it was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.
+Jukes and Jack.
+
+Lanterns were lit and when the two captives had been ushered in both
+were made fast to the logs that formed the walls of the place. Jack
+glanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was assuredly a pitiable-looking
+object. His fine white shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vines
+encountered along the path, his carefully groomed appearance had given
+way to a general disreputableness that would have gained him recognition
+by any tramp as a member of the fraternity, his face was almost purple,
+from his enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.
+
+“Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy at any minute,” thought
+Jack, who, although he was in as bad a plight, characteristically did
+not spend any sympathy on himself. Perhaps the members of the band that
+had captured them noticed what Jack had, and feared fatal consequences,
+for Mr. Jukes’ gag was soon removed and so was Jack’s.
+
+When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes could recover his breath
+enough to speak, the rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,
+which was like a long mess hall and may indeed have been used at some
+time as such.
+
+“What does this outrage mean?” demanded Jack, as the black-bearded man
+strolled off last of all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.
+
+“You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?”
+
+“So you know my name?” exclaimed Jack in some surprise.
+
+“Yes, and that of your companions who will join you here before long. We
+hope to have the pleasure of your company for quite a long time.”
+
+“You abominable ruffian,” cried Jack, overcome by indignation, “you will
+pay dearly for this some time,” but at the same time the boy did not
+believe that the rest had been caught napping and captured. They were a
+strong party and, led by Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stiff
+fight.
+
+“I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes,” Jack could not help
+saying, as soon as they were left alone.
+
+“You wish it no more fervently than I do, my boy,” was the despondent
+reply. “Wall Street and New York seem like a dream to me. Only this
+horror is real.”
+
+“I would like to know what it all means,” said Jack. “These men can’t be
+just common robbers; they appear to have a regular hang-out here.”
+
+“I can’t help thinking that I’ve seen some of these ruffians loitering
+about Bomobori,” said Mr. Jukes.
+
+“That struck me, too. At any rate they must be the party Thurman
+wirelessed to me about as leaving just behind us. They’ve followed our
+trail pretty closely, too. We should have been more on our guard.”
+
+Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began to show in the narrow
+windows of the old barracks. The positions of both prisoners were most
+uncomfortable. The strain on their arms from the tightly tied cords was
+almost unbearable.
+
+“And to think I used to complain of discomfort if my chauffeur allowed
+my car to bump over a rut,” groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathos
+that would have made Jack smile had they been in any other situation.
+
+All the men had left the place, but they could hear the murmur of their
+voices outside. A smell of wood smoke drifted in and then the
+tantalising odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee combined to
+remind both prisoners that, in spite of their sufferings, they were both
+hungry and thirsty.
+
+“I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?” asked Jack, after a
+silence broken only by Mr. Jukes’ pathetic groans.
+
+“I’d risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of beans and bacon right
+now,” wailed the unhappy millionaire.
+
+“Yes,” thought Jack. “There are decidedly situations where all the
+millions in the world wouldn’t do you much good, and this, apparently,
+is one of them.”
+
+At last footsteps were heard approaching from the opposite end of the
+ramshackle building.
+
+“Somebody at last,” cried Jack.
+
+He had hardly spoken when ‘Bully’ Broom stood before them, followed
+by—Donald Judson.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXVII.—AT THE OLD FORT.
+
+
+Jack found it difficult to credit his eyesight as he gazed at the boy
+who formerly had made so much trouble for them and the gigantic ruffian
+who stood beside him.
+
+“Judson! Is it possible?” he gasped. “What brought you here?”
+
+“Are you a prisoner, too?” demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+“A prisoner?” laughed Judson. “Well, that’s a good one, I must say. Only
+fools walk into traps.”
+
+“Well, what are you doing here then, boy?” demanded the millionaire,
+recollecting his former kindness to Donald. “You ask him, Ready. He’s a
+friend of yours.”
+
+“He’s no friend of mine, Mr. Jukes,” denied Jack. “Can’t you see it
+all?”
+
+“See what?”
+
+“Why, the contemptible turn-coat is in with these rascals.”
+
+“Impossible!”
+
+“So, Judson,” went on Jack, “this is how you repay our kindness to you?”
+
+“Your kindness,” sneered the boy. “I want none of it. I’m in with a good
+crowd now. Besides, I told you in Bomobori I didn’t want to go with your
+old expedition.”
+
+“But you didn’t refuse the money I got you from Mr. Jukes,” said Jack.
+
+“Oh, he’s made of money,” chuckled Donald, “and we mean to get some more
+of it.”
+
+“You miserable young whelp,” panted the helpless millionaire, purple
+with rage, “if I had you in America——”
+
+“And anyhow,” continued Judson, thoroughly enjoying this, “you are only
+getting what’s coming to you, Ready. In the States you tried to have me
+put in pris—er that is you wanted to tell lies about me.”
+
+“I’m sorry we didn’t have you locked up, now,” said Jack bitterly. “I
+suppose you put this gang of scoundrels on our trail.”
+
+“You can suppose anything you want,” was the rejoinder, but a bit of the
+old boastfulness crept into his tone, “and you’re going to pay up, too,
+before you get out of this. Have you had them searched, Captain Broom?”
+
+“What——?” shouted the millionaire, almost beside himself at this
+sudden revelation of the black-bearded man’s identity, “are you ‘Bully’
+Broom?”
+
+“My name’s Broom all right,” was the surly reply, “but I want my proper
+handle, which is Captain.”
+
+“What have you done with my brother, you infernal rascal?” stormed the
+millionaire.
+
+“Now you ain’t going to get along any better by cutting up rough and
+losing your temper like that, pard’ner,” was the cool reminder. “You may
+be my guest for quite a time, so let’s you and me get along peaceable.
+Otherwise we’ll find a way to _make_ you keep a civil tongue in your
+head.”
+
+“Did you have them searched?” repeated Donald greedily. “If you did I
+want my share of it.”
+
+“They were searched, Judson, but they only had a few dollars; not more
+than a hundred at most.”
+
+“Bah!” growled Judson; “then they left some behind at old Baroni’s
+place. If we don’t capture the others, then——”
+
+“Never mind that, now,” commanded Broom; “you tell ’em what I told you.”
+
+“All right,” assented Judson, and then, turning to Jack, he said:
+
+“Do you know why you were brought here, Mr. Fresh?”
+
+“To be robbed, I suppose. I see no other explanation to it,” was Jack’s
+reply, with a steady look at Judson that made the other drop his eyes.
+“I always knew you were a bad lot, Judson, but I never thought you were
+as bad as this.”
+
+“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m as good as you,” stormed Judson,
+although he looked uneasy. Jack’s shot had told. “To be brief, we want
+to make money out of you.”
+
+“In what way?”
+
+“First of all, you must answer our questions.”
+
+“That’s the way,” approved ‘Bully’ Broom, stroking his huge beard. “How
+much money did you bring with you from America?”
+
+“Very little cash,” replied the millionaire, who had found it more
+prudent to control his temper, “most of the money is in the form of a
+letter of credit.”
+
+“Where is that letter of credit?” demanded Judson, interfering.
+
+“It is in Bomobori with the bankers,” was the reply, and Jack rejoiced
+to think that Mr. Jukes had managed to tell him that, as most of the
+money had been left behind at the hostelry with Captain Sparhawk, who
+had been appointed a sort of pay-master to the party.
+
+“Well, now we’ll come down to brass tacks,” growled Broom, after an
+interval of thought. “How much is your liberty worth to you?”
+
+“So that’s your game, is it, you rascally blackmailer?” sputtered the
+infuriated millionaire. “You won’t get a cent out of me.”
+
+But ‘Bully’ Broom only smiled.
+
+“Perhaps in a few days you’ll sing a different tune,” he said, and
+something, not in the words, but in the way they were uttered, sent a
+cold shiver down Jack’s spine.
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVIII.—THE FREE-BOOTER’S DEMANDS.
+
+
+“Well, what do you demand?” was the millionaire’s next question.
+
+Donald Judson drew ‘Bully’ Broom aside and whispered to him. The other
+nodded.
+
+“The least we will take is one hundred thousand dollars,” he said.
+
+The millionaire grew purple.
+
+“What?” he almost shouted.
+
+“That is for the liberty of both,” said ‘Bully’ Broom coolly. “Fifty
+thousand for the boy and fifty thousand for you. If you don’t want to
+take the boy, you can pay up fifty thousand and we will keep him.”
+
+“What would you do with him?”
+
+“Well, the river is full of hungry alligators——” grinned the wretch.
+
+“You scoundrel,” thundered Mr. Jukes, “do you suppose I’d leave him
+behind, anyway?” Jack cast him a grateful look. “But what have you done
+with my brother, you ruffian?”
+
+“Ah! I was coming to that,” said the rascal with an insolent smile, “but
+you can also have him for the very insignificant sum that I have already
+mentioned as being the price for you and the boy.”
+
+“You’re worth a whole lot more than that, Jukes,” put in Judson, with an
+equally insolent air. “You’re a regular old money-bags, you know.”
+
+“You’ll never get my money,” raged the millionaire.
+
+“We won’t, eh?”
+
+“Never.”
+
+“Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes,” smiled Broom.
+
+“So you mean to starve us into submission, eh?” demanded Jack. “I don’t
+see how such rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst young hound I
+ever heard of.”
+
+In high rage the boy’s enemy stepped up to him and deliberately struck
+him a heavy blow in the face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to
+return.
+
+“Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect accordance with what I
+know of your nature,” said Jack with menacing quietness.
+
+“You dare say that again,” screamed Donald, beside himself with anger,
+“just you dare and I’ll——” He ended with a shake of his fist.
+
+“Oh, you can’t scare me, even if I am tied,” said Jack scornfully.
+
+His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of Judson’s rage.
+
+“I’ll fix you,” he yelled, “I’ll——”
+
+“Judson, be quiet,” ordered Broom, and the boy subsided. “Now,” went on
+the free-booter to Mr. Jukes, “your best plan, if you don’t want to lose
+a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that money. Of course,
+we’ll have to keep you here till it’s safely cashed, otherwise you
+might, and probably would, stop the check. But——”
+
+“Don’t pay a cent, Mr. Jukes,” interrupted Jack.
+
+Judson stepped suddenly forward and struck the helpless lad another
+stinging blow. It was such a hard one that Jack’s senses swam for a
+minute.
+
+“Shame on you, you young villain,” cried Mr. Jukes. “He is helpless,
+otherwise you wouldn’t dare lay hands on him.”
+
+“Who says so? I could lick him any day,” swaggered Judson imprudently.
+
+“Have you people no sense of right and honesty in your compositions?”
+demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+But this appeal had no more effect on Broom than it would have had on
+adamant.
+
+“We’re no worse than you millionaires, if all the papers say is true,”
+he retorted. “You rob in your way, we rob in ours. We’re not quite so
+refined about it, perhaps. That’s the only difference, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+“You ruffian! Do you compare business,—legitimate business,—with your
+rascally trade?”
+
+“My rascally trade, as you please to term it, is business,—legitimate
+business,—to me,” returned Broom.
+
+“Are we to have any food?” demanded the millionaire abruptly.
+
+“When you listen to reason, yes.”
+
+“And your idea of reason is that I consent to pay that preposterous
+ransom?”
+
+“Your insight does you credit, Mr. Jukes. Sign that check and you shall
+have all you want to eat within the poor limits of my larder, and
+reasonable liberty till it is cashed. After that you are free to go
+where you will.”
+
+“Our friends will raise a hue and cry for us,” declared Jack. “They’ll
+find us and put you where you belong, behind the bars.”
+
+Broom and young Judson turned away and left the hut by another door from
+the one by which they had entered.
+
+“You think they will pay?” asked Broom, with some anxiety in his voice.
+
+“I’m sure they will. Even a tight-wad old millionaire will pay up when
+it comes to a choice between that and starving.”
+
+“Then you think they are sure to give in?”
+
+“Without a doubt. Then it is only a question of waiting for the money
+and getting out.”
+
+“I don’t mind that. But I didn’t like what they said about their friends
+following us here.”
+
+“Why you said nobody knew the way here through the swamps but yourself
+along that path we came last night.”
+
+“That’s true, but then there’s the river. However, it would be
+impossible to see the old fort from below and anyhow the cliff is fifty
+feet high and easily guarded.”
+
+“Of course you are foolish to worry. However, perhaps if they don’t give
+in in a day or two we had better be moving along. That young Ready’s
+chum, Billy, has given me trouble before.”
+
+“Well,” said Broom, “we’ll see how things come out. If they don’t want
+to perish in the swamps they’ll have to come by the river. From now on
+I’ll have that cliff guarded.”
+
+“Yes, and if any rescue party comes they’ll get a big surprise,” was
+young Judson’s reply.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIX.—THE RESCUE PARTY.
+
+
+“I wish I’d gone along with them,” muttered Raynor to himself as he
+slipped on his socks and boots so as to be ready instantly in case of
+alarm. “I don’t like the look of this thing at all.”
+
+For some minutes he sat there listening intently. But no sound came from
+outside.
+
+“I guess I’ll just join them anyhow,” he resolved to himself, getting on
+his feet. “This waiting is too nerve-racking. I’ll——”
+
+The boy halted where he stood. A loud shout from the jungle reached his
+ears.
+
+“Something has happened!” cried the boy.
+
+He reached for his pistol, and hastily buckling it on, he was about to
+rush out of the hostelry when a wild figure appeared.
+
+“Help! There’s murther goin’ on. Help!”
+
+It was Muldoon, fleeing before three of Broom’s followers. But as the
+pursuers came in sight of the hotel they halted. The next moment they
+were in active retreat.
+
+“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” gasped Raynor.
+
+“Those spalpeens out yonder. They’ve captured Misther Jukes and Jack
+Riddy.”
+
+“We must rouse the others at once and go in pursuit,” decided Billy.
+
+He hurried off to awaken Captain Sparhawk, while Muldoon aroused Salloo,
+who in turn, soon had his native followers astir. It did not take
+Captain Sparhawk much longer to get into his clothes when he heard
+Billy’s alarming news than it did for the natives, who were not
+embarrassed by garments, to adjust what few they did wear.
+
+It was well they had hastened, for the rascally landlord of the place
+had, by this time, aroused all the half-castes in the place and as,
+headed by Captain Sparhawk, they set off into the jungle, there was a
+scattering firing of shots behind them. Nobody was hurt, however, and
+they hastened forward to the place where Muldoon told them the capture
+had taken place.
+
+Salloo was consulted and he made a careful examination of the
+surroundings. It was considered quite safe to make this halt, as the
+tumult behind them had died out and was probably only incited by the
+hotel owner in order to get them out of the village.
+
+“Must wait till light come,” decided Salloo at last, “no can make out
+trail in dark.”
+
+It seemed a whole eternity till dawn, but at last it grew light and the
+Malay darted hither and thither in the vicinity. At last he announced to
+Captain Sparhawk that he thought he knew, from the direction the trail
+took, the place to which the prisoners had been conveyed.
+
+“Me think they take um to old fort on river,” he declared.
+
+“Then let us go there at once,” said Captain Sparhawk eagerly. “Is it
+far?”
+
+“No velly far through jungle. But Salloo no know trail. Velly bad swamp
+in there and if no know trail get in tlubble plenty quick.”
+
+“Then we can’t reach them,” said Billy with a groan.
+
+“Salloo know other way,” was the reply, “we go round by ribber. Then
+climbee cliff, find fort at top.”
+
+“Then let’s start at once,” said Captain Sparhawk. “I don’t want to lose
+a second of time.”
+
+“No, begorry, those spalpeens may have taken them further on by the time
+we git there if we don’t put a good foot forward,” said Muldoon.
+
+Salloo glanced up at the sky. A light, fleecy haze overspread it.
+
+“Nuther reason we hully,” he said. “Salloo think big storm come
+to-mollow. Rain washee out the tlacks.”
+
+They set off along a narrow track that Salloo said would bring them to
+the river, whose course they must follow to the deserted fort. The
+jungle contained every kind of tropical growth, and huge ferns as big as
+trees waved over the path. But the atmosphere was close and feverish,
+with a humid heat that was very tiring. At times they encountered vines
+which had grown across the trail and had to be cut. Some of these were
+thin and wiry and could cut like a knife; others were as thick as a
+man’s arm and bore brilliant, though poisonous-looking blossoms of every
+color.
+
+“Bad traveling,” remarked Captain Sparhawk, “still I suppose we must
+expect that on a seldomly frequented trail.”
+
+“Him get velly bad further on,” was all the comfort Salloo could offer,
+“but not velly far to ribber once we strike udder trail.”
+
+Before long they came to the track he had referred to which branched off
+at right angles to the one along which they had been traveling.
+
+Several miles were covered, however, when it became time to halt for
+lunch. They made a hasty meal of canned goods instead of stopping to
+light fires, as Salloo thought it would be inadvisable to advertise
+their whereabouts by smoke columns in case the “enemy” had scouts out.
+They had hardly resumed their wearisome journey when they were startled
+by hearing a cry from a distance. Salloo came to an instant halt.
+
+“Keep out ob sight, all of you,” he said, “Salloo go see what makee
+noise.”
+
+He glided off into the dense vegetation with the silent, undulatory
+movements of a snake.
+
+“Begorry, I wonder what that critter was?” said Muldoon in a low voice.
+
+“I don’t know. I only hope it wasn’t a band of natives who might prove
+unfriendly,” muttered Billy.
+
+“Well, so far we have had more trouble with white men than with
+natives,” said Captain Sparhawk, a remark of which they all felt the
+truth.
+
+“It might have been monkeys chattering,” suggested Raynor, after a
+pause, during which they all listened for some sign of Salloo.
+
+“And spaking of the divil,” exclaimed Muldoon, “look, there’s a monkey
+looking at us now. See those two black oys back in the threes?”
+
+He pointed with his forefinger and they all gazed in that direction. It
+was Billy who first discovered the nature of Muldoon’s monkey.
+
+“That’s not a monkey. It’s a big snake! Look out for yourselves!” he
+yelled.
+
+“A python!” cried Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He started back and the others did the same. But Muldoon tripped over a
+bow and fell sprawling headlong. As he scrambled to his feet a serpent’s
+form appeared above him as it swung from a big tree. The next instant
+there was a cry of horror from them all.
+
+The serpent had made a sudden lunge and a cry broke from Muldoon as,
+before he could make a move to help himself, he was enwrapped in the
+spiral folds of the great python.
+
+Captain Sparhawk seized his revolver from his belt and leveled the
+weapon. But the next moment he lowered it. To have fired would have been
+to imperil Muldoon’s life, and there might still be a chance of saving
+him.
+
+The monstrous reptile that had the unfortunate boatswain in its grip was
+large, even judged by the standards of the immense pythons of the New
+Guinea and Borneo forests. It must have been fully thirty-five feet
+long.
+
+Billy could not endure the sight and put his hands in front of his eyes.
+When he removed them it was to behold a stirring sight.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXX.—IN THE COILS OF A PYTHON.
+
+
+From the jungle there had darted a lithe figure. It was Salloo. He had
+traced the source of the mysterious cries to a troop of monkeys. He was
+returning when Muldoon’s despairing cry broke on his ears.
+
+The Malay, guessing that there was serious trouble, glided through the
+jungle at the best speed of which he was capable, making his way swiftly
+through thickets that a white man could not have passed at all. There is
+one weapon with which a Malay is always armed—his kriss, a razor-edged
+sword about two feet long, with a “wavy” outline. This kriss Salloo now
+drew from under his single garment.
+
+One instant it flashed in the sunlight and the next, during which it was
+impossible to follow its movements, so swift were they, the python’s
+head was severed. But instantly, by a convulsive movement, its coils
+tightened and Muldoon emitted another pitiful cry. But, fortunately, the
+life of the snake had departed and soon its coils relaxed and its
+gaudily-colored body slipped in a heap to the ground.
+
+They all sprang forward to Muldoon’s aid, for the man, powerful and
+rugged, was almost in a state of collapse as the result of his terrible
+experience. An examination by Captain Sparhawk soon showed that no bones
+had been broken, as they had at first feared, and after restoratives had
+been administered, and after a short rest, Muldoon announced that he was
+ready to march on again.
+
+“That was a close shave, Muldoon,” remarked Raynor, as they pressed
+onward, after Muldoon had nearly wrung the hand off Salloo in expressing
+his thanks for the Malay’s courageous act, which had undoubtedly saved
+the boatswain’s life.
+
+“Ouch! Don’t say a wurrud,” groaned the Irishman, “I thought I was a
+goner sure. Divil a bit more of snakes is it I want to see.”
+
+That evening they reached the river, and leaving them camped, Salloo set
+off on a scouting expedition. It was a long time before he returned, but
+when he came in he brought good news. He had located the old fort and
+reported that the ruffians who had carried off Mr. Jukes and Jack were
+all there enjoying themselves round a big fire and apparently in no fear
+of an attack.
+
+“Me see um white boy there, too,” he added. “Same boy hang round hotel
+at Bomobori all time.”
+
+“Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy. “How can that be possible? I can’t fit
+him into this at all.”
+
+“Well, the question is, now that we have tracked the rascals, what’s the
+next move,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Me think now good time attack,” counseled Salloo. “They no think anyone
+near. Give ’em heap big surprise.”
+
+“Begorry, that’s well said, naygur,” approved Muldoon, “I’m aching to
+git a good crack at thim.”
+
+After some consultation it was decided to make the attack at once. If
+they delayed they would have to wait till the next night in order to
+surprise Broom’s band and there was no telling what might happen during
+the twenty-four hours that would elapse.
+
+Luckily, there was a moon, though it was somewhat obscured by the haze
+which Salloo had drawn attention to as presaging a storm. The party,
+piloted by Salloo, started off up the river, which was low, as the
+weather had been dry and there was plenty of room for them to pass
+between the bank and the water’s edge.
+
+At last they arrived in sight of the cliff and Raynor’s heart gave a
+bound. At the top they could see the red glare of the camp fire, though
+they could not see any of the men.
+
+“There’s one good thing, the ascent of the cliff will be easy,” said
+Billy, in a whisper, as he drew attention to the knotted and twisted
+vines that hung down it.
+
+“Yes, we’ll need no scaling ladders,” rejoined Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“No need for usum vines,” declared the Malay. “Salloo know a path to
+top.”
+
+Telling them to remain where they were, the faithful fellow set off on
+another scouting expedition. His kriss glittered menacingly in the
+moonlight as he went on, trying to keep in the shadow of the cliff.
+Arrived at the path he knew of, he glided noiselessly up it, although it
+was a steep and tortuous one, and soon was at the top of the cliff.
+Through the gloom he made out a solitary figure sitting on a rock far
+removed from the campfire, about which the rest were gathered. The Malay
+guessed it was a sentry, although the fellow was not keeping a very
+careful watch and appeared to be half asleep.
+
+“Me fixee you one minute,” grinned the Malay to himself.
+
+He cast himself on his stomach in the long grass that grew on the
+cliff-top and began worming his way round the sentry so as to approach
+him from the rear. He scarcely made a sound as he moved with wonderful
+rapidity.
+
+The sentry appeared to shake off his drowsiness suddenly and rose to his
+feet just as Salloo was within a few inches of him. But he left his
+rifle leaning against the rock on which he had been seated. Instantly
+Salloo leaped from the grass and the next instant the kriss was at the
+thunderstruck sentry’s throat.
+
+“You no speak or me killee,” grated out the Malay, and one glance
+convinced the sentry that Salloo would carry out his threat.
+
+Salloo stooped and picking up a small pebble cast it over the cliff. It
+fell almost at the feet of Captain Sparhawk and Billy, who were
+anxiously on the look-out for this signal, which had been prearranged.
+
+“Forward,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, who was in the lead. Next came
+Billy, then Muldoon and last the natives, some of whom had spears, and
+others the peculiar blow-pipes used by the Papuans to shoot poisoned
+darts.
+
+The advance was made in silence, and at the top of the cliff they found
+Salloo waiting for them. He was garmentless, having used his single
+cloak to tie up the sentry with. Grass stuffed in the man’s mouth had
+effectually gagged him.
+
+“Good for you, Salloo,” said the captain approvingly, to which the
+native replied with a grin.
+
+“Now we take him down below and find out some things from him,” said the
+Malay.
+
+The helpless prisoner was bundled back down the trail and brought to the
+camp at the foot of the cliff. Here he was roped to a tree and the gag
+taken out of his mouth. But the sight of Salloo’s ever-ready kriss kept
+him from making any outcry.
+
+Yes, he said, the old, fat man and the boy were all right. They had not
+been fed though, and wouldn’t be till a ransom was forthcoming.
+
+This made the whites boil with indignation. Questioned as to how many
+were in the band, he said he did not know, and as he stuck to this it
+was thought best not to waste any more time questioning him.
+
+After a consultation the gag was replaced, but the ropes were loosened
+so that with a little exertion the man could set himself free.
+
+“If, for any reason, we couldn’t come back, and we left the ropes tight,
+he would perish,” said Captain Sparhawk, “and we want no human lives to
+our account.”
+
+“Me leave him there starve to death plitty quick,” growled Salloo, with
+a scowl at the crestfallen prisoner.
+
+At the foot of the cliff all was now dark and silent as the grave. The
+moon was obscured by a cloud and it was an ideal moment for the dash on
+the camp to begin.
+
+“We go plenty slow or maybe take big tumble,” advised Salloo.
+
+He was in advance but Billy was close at his heels. Cautiously they
+ascended, taking great care not to dislodge loose stones which might
+have been fatal to their plans. At last the stream was far below them
+and the summit of the cliff within reach.
+
+It was at this moment that a torch flashed above them, glaring into
+their upturned faces.
+
+“What’s all this, who are you?” a voice demanded.
+
+“Silence if you value your life,” came from Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“It’s Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy.
+
+“Billy Raynor,” cried the other in his turn. “How did you——?”
+
+“Don’t utter another word,” ordered Captain Sparhawk. “Put your hands
+above your head, you young rascal.”
+
+“Not much I won’t!” exclaimed Judson.
+
+He flung his torch full in Billy’s face and then started at top speed
+for the camp fire, yelling the alarm at the top of his lungs.
+
+For a minute Billy was in peril of losing his balance as the torch
+struck him. But Salloo caught and held him firmly. The torch dropped
+with a splash and hiss into the waters of the river below.
+
+By this time Salloo scrambled to the cliff summit and made off after
+young Judson. Both reached the camp fire at about the same time. The
+others, following close on Salloo’s heels, saw Donald turn, catch sight
+of the glittering kriss, and then, with a yell of dismay, tumble
+headlong. He lay quite still and had apparently been stunned by the
+violence of the fall.
+
+“Help! Help!” It was Jack’s voice from the fort and was instantly
+recognised by Billy.
+
+But by this time the men about the fire, headed by ‘Bully’ Broom, were
+on their feet. There was no time for them to get their weapons, which
+had been left inside the fort so that they would not rust in the damp
+night air. The battle was a brief one, although some shots were fired,
+none of which, in the excitement, took effect.
+
+Billy, by a clever ruse, brought the engagement to a speedy termination.
+In the midst of the fight he turned toward the cliff and then raising
+his voice as if summoning help, he shouted:
+
+“This way, captain. Bring that company up here. Let the others guard the
+river.”
+
+“Get out of here, boys,” roared Broom, completely taken in. “I’ll settle
+with you later on,” he cried, shaking his fist as he turned and followed
+the rout of his followers, who, imagining they were being pursued by
+great numbers, made off at top speed for the jungle, which soon
+swallowed them up.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXI.—THE JOURNEY RESUMED.
+
+
+“Thank Heaven that is over,” said Mr. Jukes, as he sat on an old bench
+in the fort after he and Jack had been released. “You may depend upon it
+that I shall not forget the part that Salloo and all of you played in
+our rescue.”
+
+It was some two hours after the “battle,” if the rout of the rascals who
+had captured Mr. Jukes and Jack could be termed such. The kidnappers’
+larder had been ransacked and a good meal enjoyed by all hands,
+especially, as may be imagined, by the two captives who had been without
+food for almost twenty-four hours.
+
+Donald Judson, looking hang-dog and abject, was huddled on a bench in a
+corner of the room. He had been picked up after the fray, having shammed
+insensibility to avoid being injured, and was easily captured by the
+victors.
+
+“You certainly came in the nick of time,” said Jack. “From what I could
+hear them saying, that scoundrel Broom was actually contemplating
+torturing us if that check was not signed by Mr. Jukes.”
+
+The millionaire shuddered. His experiences had greatly affected him.
+
+“That young ruffian over yonder,” he nodded his head toward Judson, “was
+the instigator of the idea to get money out of me, I believe,” he said.
+“He ought to be punished severely.”
+
+“I didn’t,” whined Judson miserably, “I—I—that fellow Broom did it
+all.”
+
+“What’s the use of your lying, Judson,” exclaimed Jack, “you met Broom
+at Bomobori. It’s as plain as day now, and furnished him with an account
+of as much of our plans as we had confided to you.”
+
+“Well, maybe I did,” mumbled Judson sullenly, “but I didn’t put him up
+to getting money out of you.”
+
+“Nonsense,” said Captain Sparhawk, “you are as bad as Broom is—worse,
+in fact, for you are a lad of decent upbringing.”
+
+No more was said to Judson that night, and they retired to catch a few
+hours sleep, leaving the “carriers” under Salloo on guard. The Malay
+amused himself by making hideous faces at the unfortunate Donald and
+flourishing his kriss under his nose. By daylight the wretched prisoner
+was half dead from fear. Captain Sparhawk sternly warned Salloo not to
+tease him any more, at which the Malay appeared to be much surprised.
+
+“Him enemy,” he said, “why no can do what like with him?”
+
+Breakfast, of which Donald was given his share, was eaten in the fort,
+and after that meal the natives were sent down to the river to bring up
+all the supplies which had been left there. They reported that the
+prisoner Salloo had made had succeeded, as they intended he should, in
+loosening his bonds during the night and had vanished.
+
+As soon as the boxes containing the wireless apparatus and the
+hand-generator arrived, Jack lost no time in setting them up and as soon
+as he raised the yacht sent a full account of Broom’s rascally conduct
+to her. The first officer at once left to notify the authorities and ask
+that a keen lookout be kept for Broom’s schooner.
+
+“Broom will never guess that we have any means of communicating with
+Bomobori,” the boy explained, “and if he returns there, will bungle into
+a fine trap.”
+
+“Begorry, I hope he does,” commented Muldoon, “shure that wireless is an
+illigant invintion entirely.”
+
+“If Broom is captured, as many other criminals have been, by its aid, it
+will have proved its splendid usefulness once more,” declared Mr. Jukes.
+“Ready, you might flash another message saying that I will give $1,000
+to anyone who captures ‘Bully’ Broom.”
+
+After this had been done, the question arose of what to do with Donald
+Judson. They had no desire to have the young rascal as a traveling
+companion, but at the same time they did not see how they could very
+well turn him loose in the jungle in which he might starve to death. It
+was a problem that they were still discussing when Donald himself spoke
+up in the timid, fawning voice he affected when in trouble.
+
+“See here,” he said, “if you won’t make trouble for me maybe I can help
+you out.”
+
+“In what way?” sharply asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Why I saw Broom put a map or something that looked like one in a
+cupboard in the room that door opens into,” said the boy, pointing to
+the end of the room. “I thought maybe it might have something to do with
+your brother, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+“Come here at once and show me,” ordered the millionaire. “I don’t
+suppose it was anything of great importance,” he added.
+
+“Perhaps not,” whimpered Donald, “but if it is will you let it count in
+my favor?”
+
+“I shall consider that later,” said Mr. Jukes sternly, as they all
+followed the boy into the room he indicated. In one corner was a rough
+cupboard. Mr. Jukes opened this and took out a rolled-up paper. He
+spread it out on the table and they all pressed about him.
+
+“It’s a map!” cried Billy.
+
+“Yes, and of this part of the country, too,” cried Jack. “See, there’s
+that village, Taroo, where we stopped two nights ago.”
+
+“And what’s this leading along the river from this place marked 'Fort’
+on the map?” asked Mr. Judson, his eyes shining as his forefinger traced
+a red ink line that zig-zagged along till it left the river and struck
+inland to what appeared to be intended to show a range of mountains.
+“The Kini-Balu Mountains,” he read out.
+
+“The Kini-Balu Mountains!” echoed Salloo, “me know them. Me bet your
+brother up there. One time ‘Bully’ Bloom he helpee Kini-Balu men fight
+big battle 'gainst Tariani tribe. Kini-Balus win and now heap like
+‘Bully’ Bloom hide your brother up there.”
+
+“It is possible,” mused the millionaire, “and—yes, by jove! Look here.”
+
+Indicated on the map in red letters, at a spot in the heart of the
+Kini-Balu country, was a place marked “Cave.”
+
+“Do you think it possible that that can be ‘Bully’ Broom’s hiding place
+for the other Mr. Jukes?” asked Jack.
+
+“I don’t know, but it appears probable,” rejoined the millionaire.
+
+“Me membel now sometime ‘Bully’ Bloom go way from Bomobori long time,”
+said Salloo, “nobody know where he go. That time when cruiser come look
+for him. Maybe he hide up there.”
+
+“It seems worth trying at any rate,” said Mr. Jukes, in the manner of
+one who has reached a decision.
+
+“It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom had taken your brother and
+his men anywhere on the island it would have been to some such
+inaccessible spot as that,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Well thin, what’s to privint us going up among the 'balloon’ men, or
+whativer they call thimsilves?” asked Muldoon.
+
+“It may be attended by some danger,” said Mr. Jukes. “From what Salloo
+said the Kini-Balu men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack us.
+How about that, Salloo?”
+
+The Malay’s reply was not one calculated to reassure them.
+
+“Kini-Balu men head hunters,” he said, “Maybe they no hurt us. But maybe
+take our heads. Salloo no 'fraid, though.”
+
+“Then, by golly, neither are we,” declared Muldoon.
+
+After more discussion, it was decided to advance cautiously into the
+Kini-Balu country and then do some scouting to see how matters lay. If
+the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced that Mr. Jukes was
+really a captive among them, guarded by their warriors at ‘Bully’
+Broom’s orders, then they would return to Bomobori without risking their
+lives and come back with a strong force. If everything appeared to be
+pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated on the map and
+settle the question of whether or no it was actually the place of the
+pearl hunter’s confinement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXII.—A STORM IN THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+Two days later, before they turned away from the river, they heard some
+news of the Kini-Balus from a party of natives bound down-stream in
+dug-outs. Salloo learned from them that the tribe was at war, at least
+so it was supposed by the canoeists from the fact that they had heard
+that the chief of the Kini-Balus had been making levies of cattle and
+corn among his subjects.
+
+“That sounds bad,” said Mr. Jukes, when this news had been interpreted
+to the party.
+
+“No, him good,” asserted Salloo positively.
+
+“How do you make that out?” asked Jack.
+
+“If Kini-Balus makee war, they leave only women and old men at home.
+They no fight us,” argued the Malay, and they had to admit that there
+was a good deal of truth in what he said.
+
+“We’re all going to get killed anyhow,” whimpered Donald, who had been
+taken along by the party, much against their will, in consideration of
+the services he had rendered in showing them the hiding place of the
+map.
+
+“Him heap big coward,” muttered Salloo. “Boy’s body, girl’s heart.”
+
+It was on the afternoon of the second day that the storm that Salloo had
+predicted overtook them. They were passing through a dense forest of
+magnificent trees when the eternal twilight that reigned under the great
+branches deepened till it was almost totally dark. Astonished at this
+phenomenon, for it was long before the proper hour for night to descend,
+they questioned Salloo.
+
+“Big storm come,” he said, “me thinkee we better get out of here.
+Lightning hit a tlee maybe he killee us.”
+
+The birds of the jungle screamed discordantly, as if warning each other
+of what was coming. Troops of monkeys swung through the trees as if
+seeking refuge, and the almost deafening chorus of insects and lizards
+gave way to total silence. It seemed as if nature was holding her breath
+preparatory to some great crisis.
+
+“We had better look for some safe place to stay before it breaks,”
+counseled Captain Sparhawk. “A hurricane in the jungle is a serious
+matter. Trees are rooted up and struck by lightning and in the forest it
+is very dangerous for anyone to be caught by such a storm.”
+
+“Me findee place,” said Salloo, and struck off down a dim trail leading
+toward the river. “Follow me, evelybody, and hully up.”
+
+They needed no urging. The gloom and quiet of the forest was overawing.
+It had begun to get on their nerves. Under Salloo’s guidance they soon
+found themselves at a great mass of rocks on a high bank overlooking the
+river. The great masses of stone were piled in such a way that the
+crevices among them formed regular caves.
+
+“We getee in here,” said Salloo, indicating the largest of them. “I send
+my men in annuder one.”
+
+“I’m not going in there,” declared Donald, “there might be snakes or
+wild beasts inside.”
+
+“You’d better come in or be blown away,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He had hardly spoken, before the storm broke in all its fury. Donald,
+with a cry of alarm, followed the others into shelter.
+
+“Gracious, this beats anything I ever saw, even that storm off the
+Pamatous,” shouted Jack, above the shrieking of the wind.
+
+“Him blow more big bimeby,” said Salloo, “him big storm this. You see.”
+
+The trees swayed violently, and before long, from their shelter, they
+saw a big one torn up by the roots and hurtled from the bank into the
+river. The wind grew more violent. The dark air was filled with flying
+branches, leaves and sticks. Birds, large and small, were swept by,
+powerless to contend with the furious gale. Donald was crouched back in
+a far corner of their shelter, too frightened to do anything more than
+mumble and whimper.
+
+The river began to rise and add its mighty voice to the other sounds,
+although no rain had yet fallen where they were. The darkness increased,
+but suddenly everything was lit up in a livid glare that made them all
+blink.
+
+“Lightning,” exclaimed Salloo, “now him comin’.”
+
+Then down came the rain. It literally fell in sheets, blotting out
+everything like a fog even when the constant flashes illuminated the
+scene. The water began to pour into their shelter from above, making it
+a very uncomfortable place. Soon the water was up to their knees and in
+the cave occupied by the carriers the men stood upright with their
+burdens on their heads to keep them out of the water.
+
+“Gracious, I never saw so much water come down in my life,” exclaimed
+Jack. “It’s a regular—my!”
+
+There had come a flash, a red ribbon of flame, so blinding that for an
+instant they could not see. It was followed by a crack of thunder that
+seemed to have split the sky. Donald gave a yell of alarm.
+
+“Him hittee something close by for sure,” declared Salloo. He was right.
+Presently they saw a tall ceiba tree burst into flame like a torch.
+Fanned by the wind, it blazed fiercely even in the downpour. Its red
+glare lit up their faces in a ghostly manner, for it was not more than a
+few feet from their place of refuge.
+
+“My, this is awful,” muttered Raynor. “Thank goodness we got out from
+under those trees in time.”
+
+“Amen to that,” said Captain Sparhawk solemnly.
+
+It rained for the rest of that night and in the morning they were
+sorry-looking objects. Everything was wet, and although they had tried
+to light a fire during the night, after the first violence of the storm
+had abated, they had not succeeded. But when, shortly before noon, the
+sun did come out, it shone down with a heat that made the whole wet
+earth steam. Clothes were spread out on the rocks to dry, as was the
+rest of the outfit. Fortunately, the bags the carriers bore were mostly
+of waterproof material, so not much damage was done to the contents.
+
+It was a scene of havoc on which they gazed. The river ran high and its
+surface was littered with the bodies of dead monkeys, snakes, great
+trees torn up bodily, and other debris eloquent of the violence of the
+hurricane.
+
+All round them lay big trees and the bodies of countless birds that had
+been dashed to death. It was some time before Salloo could persuade a
+fire to burn, but among the rocks, in crevices the rain had not
+penetrated, he found old dried leaves and sticks which made capital
+kindling and at last they cooked a hot meal, in need of which they all
+stood badly.
+
+Then it was off on the long trail again. Late that afternoon, just as
+they were making camp, a party of natives came along the trail. They
+carried the skins of numerous beautiful birds that they had brought down
+with their blow-pipes. They were friendly and the boys bought some of
+the skins. Afterward Salloo had a long talk with them and, this being
+concluded, they kept on their way while our party went on with its
+preparations for spending the night.
+
+Salloo had some news to disclose, he said. The natives he had been
+talking to knew the Kini-Balu Mountains well and told him, after he had
+described the cave they were looking for, that it was a very bad place.
+Nobody liked to go near it.
+
+“On account of the Kini-Balus?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“No, on account um ghosts,” rejoined Salloo; “ghost of Taratao, old-time
+chief of Kini-Balus haunt him.”
+
+“Begorry, so long as the ghosts ain’t got a punch it’s sorra a bit I
+care for ’em,” declared Muldoon valiantly.
+
+That evening Salloo had a novelty for supper in the form of the flesh of
+a huge lizard, or iguana. At first the boys and their companions did not
+want to touch it, for in life it had been a hideous looking monster. But
+being pressed by Salloo, they consented, and found it very good eating.
+Its flesh tasted like chicken, though even more delicate.
+
+It was about an hour after the meal when they were preparing for bed
+that Jack complained that he was feeling poorly. He said he had a
+headache and a feeling of vertigo. The others then admitted experiencing
+the same symptoms. Nausea soon succeeded these and ere long they were
+all convinced that they had been poisoned by eating the iguana. The
+natives, who camped some distance off with Salloo, experienced no such
+illness but then they had eaten none of the iguana which, to Captain
+Sparhawk’s mind, made it all the more certain that it was the giant
+lizard’s flesh that had made them ill.
+
+Salloo was called from the native camp and bitterly reproached for
+inducing them to eat it. He protested that it could not have been the
+iguana that had made them ill. Had he not himself eaten it? But in the
+end he returned to the native camp with his head hung down, completely
+crushed by what he deemed the injustice of his white friends in blaming
+him for their illness. At first they were not greatly alarmed, not
+deeming it possible that they had actually been poisoned, and Captain
+Sparhawk administered remedies from the medicine chest. But, to their
+alarm, instead of decreasing in severity, their sufferings grew more
+acute as the night wore on.
+
+Their ideas became confused, and as in sea-sickness in an acute stage,
+they lay about, not caring whether they lived or died. If they tried to
+rise, their heads swam, their feet tottered. Thus it was that Salloo
+found them in the morning when he came from the native camp.
+
+The faithful fellow was seriously alarmed and set up a mighty wailing
+which soon brought his followers running over. But the sufferers only
+turned dull eyes upon them and moaned in their pain. Plainly they were
+in such a serious condition that unless something was done soon to
+relieve them, death itself might put an end to their misery. Salloo
+looked about him wildly, hoping to catch some solution to the mystery of
+this sudden illness. He raised his eyes upward and his lips moved as if
+he were invoking the aid of some heathen deity.
+
+But suddenly the expression on his countenance changed. His eyes were
+fixed on the leaves of a tree under which the sufferers had passed the
+night. For the first time, too, he became aware of a peculiarly
+sickening odor in the air. It smelled like carrion. As some huge scarlet
+flowers which grew on the tree began to open to the daylight (they had
+been closed at night) this terrible stench became stronger. Salloo
+uttered a single shout of comprehension.
+
+“Upas!” It was echoed by his companions, whom Salloo at once directed to
+pick up the sufferers and carry them to some distance. When the last had
+been transported, Salloo got water from a forest pool and poured it over
+them. One by one they began to revive. Jack, who was one of the first to
+come to, rose dizzily to his feet and tried to walk. But Salloo gently
+made him lie down again. After an hour or so all felt better and partook
+of some soup and weak tea.
+
+“Salloo, you are forgiven,” said Captain Sparhawk, “but never persuade
+us to eat lizard again. You came near being the death of us all.”
+
+“Faith, oi was niver so near the Pearly Gates before,” declared Muldoon
+emphatically.
+
+“Him no lizard hurt you,” declared Salloo vehemently; “lizard heap good.
+Upas he hurt you. If I no see it and have you moved away you plitty soon
+have died.”
+
+“What do you mean, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes. “Do you mean our sickness
+had anything to do with the tree we camped under?”
+
+“Ebblyting,” was the reply; “him tree was the upas.”
+
+“I see it all now,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk. “That tree was the
+deadly upas of which you may have heard. Every one in the Indian
+Archipelago knows of it. Within its great red blossoms are the sepulchre
+of birds and insects whose bodies, lying rotting there, give out that
+terrible odor which ought to warn all travelers against it. But we
+camped when it was getting dark and the flowers were closed, keeping the
+noxious reek from escaping and warning us. Salloo is right, and if he
+had not had us dragged from under it we should have perished miserably.”
+
+“I remember reading somewhere of the upas,” said Jack, “but I always
+thought its deadly qualities were exaggerated. After our last night’s
+experience I’ll know better.”
+
+“I suppose the heat of our camp fire under the branches had something to
+do with it, too,” said Billy.
+
+“Undoubtedly,” declared the captain. “And then as we sat around after
+supper we were, unknown to ourselves, inhaling the deadly vapor till we
+grew sick. Instead of moving away before we grew worse, as we certainly
+would have if we had known the cause of our malady, we made ourselves
+worse by lying down to sleep with that poisonous breath as our only
+atmosphere. Salloo, your lizard is vindicated, and to show you it is,
+the next one you shoot I’ll volunteer to eat.”
+
+But although recovered, they still felt weak from the effects of their
+terrible night under the upas, whose Latin name, if any one wishes to
+know it, is _antiaris toxicaria_. In fact, their feelings were very like
+those of persons just getting over sea-sickness. They felt buoyantly
+well and happy, but not yet quite strong enough for the hard work of the
+trail. So they remained where they were till the next day and then
+pushed on once more on their quest.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXIII.—THE GIANT SPIDERS.
+
+
+When they resumed their journey the next morning they encountered a new
+form of obstacle in the form of the webs of huge red bird-catching
+spiders, whose nets stretched from tree to tree in the forest, looked
+like seine nets in a fisherman’s village hung out to dry, or to make
+another comparison, miles of mosquito netting hung between the tree
+trunks. Through these webs they had to make their way for a long
+distance.
+
+The boys did not like it at all, and Donald Judson, who was particularly
+averse to spiders, slunk in the rear till the natives, with shouts and
+yells, cut down the webs that hung across the trail. The soft silky
+substance of the webs struck them in the face and clung glutinously and
+covered their clothes with a coating of white fleece.
+
+As they forced their way through this repulsive feature of New Guinea
+forest travel, they could, from time to time, see the hideous forms of
+the huge and venomous spiders that had spread the webs peering at them
+from dark retreats in the crevices of trees or else scuttling off on
+long, hairy legs to safety. It did not require much imagination to
+picture their anger at this ruthless destruction of their homes. That
+night they camped near the edge of a big swamp, and the two boys, weary
+of the monotony of the long march and tired of canned stuff and
+preserved goods, volunteered to set out with rifles and see if they
+could not bring in something more palatable.
+
+As they had camped early when the swamp crossed their path, there was
+plenty of time for them to go quite a distance in search of game. In a
+short time they had brought down two birds that looked something like
+partridges, as well as shooting an odd-looking bird like a huge parrot,
+with a gigantic bill and horny head. They were some distance apart,
+separated by a brake of reeds, when Jack heard a sudden cry of alarm
+from Billy.
+
+Disregarding the danger of snakes, he pushed his way through the brake
+at once. As he came in sight of Billy, who was standing staring into the
+forest as if petrified, Jack, too, received a shock. Not far from Billy
+was what he at first thought was a man. But such a man! Not even in a
+nightmare had the boy ever beheld such a hideous form.
+
+This man, if such he was, was covered all over with red hair, thick and
+shaggy, except on the face, which was darker and bereft of hair, but
+from which two yellow eyes glared malevolently. In an instant the true
+nature of this creature flashed upon Jack. It was an orang-outang, and a
+monster, too, that stood facing them, its long arms trailing in front of
+it. But even though stooped over, it was as large as the average man,
+with a massive chest and shoulders.
+
+“Take a shot at it, Jack,” urged Billy.
+
+But Jack shook his head.
+
+“It looks too horribly human,” he said. “Besides, it doesn’t look as if
+it would attack us. It seems to be more possessed by curiosity than
+anything else.”
+
+Perhaps the boy was right, for after eyeing them for a few seconds more
+the monstrous creature shuffled off for the edge of a big sheet of water
+on whose margin they stood, and began tearing up some sort of water
+plants and eating their roots with many grunts of satisfaction. He waded
+in almost knee deep, stuffing his bag-like cheeks full and chewing with
+huge satisfaction. The boys gazed at this strange picture with
+fascination.
+
+But suddenly the monster stopped eating and stood erect. Its hair began
+to bristle and it uttered an angry sort of growl. Apparently it was not
+fear but anger that possessed this colossus of the forests as it glanced
+angrily about it. The cause of its emotion was not long in appearing.
+From the stagnant waters was approaching an antagonist formidable
+indeed—a giant saurian—a crocodile larger than any the boys had ever
+seen in any zoo.
+
+The boys naturally expected to see the orang-outang beat a hasty
+retreat. But instead it stood its ground, merely drawing back a few
+inches as the crocodile’s hideous snout and scaly body were successively
+protruded from the water. Jack now recalled what Salloo had told him one
+night in camp about the orang. The Malay had said it was the king of the
+New Guinea forests, fearing no man, beast or reptile, and this certainly
+appeared to be the case in this instance.
+
+Had it wished to beat a retreat to safety, the mias, as the natives
+called the red gorilla, might easily have done so. One leap and he could
+have grasped a tree trunk, up which he could have scrambled in a jiffy.
+On the contrary, after its first backward steps, which brought it almost
+out of the water, the creature stood upright and, uttering savage
+growls, beat on its hairy chest with its huge arms, producing a sound
+like the reverberations of a savage “tom-tom.”
+
+The scaly reptile continued to advance. Perhaps, to its eyes, the red
+gorilla was simply a native, a poor weak human being, such as possibly
+had fallen victim to the great crocodile before. However that may have
+been, the saurian, without undue hurry, could be seen to be making
+straight for the red ape and, maneuvering so as to get its monstrous
+armor-plated tail in position to give a fatal flail-like sweep, which
+would fling the orang-outang into the water, stunning it and making it
+an easy prey.
+
+It appeared to flatten itself as it reached shallow water, its ugly
+lizard-like legs spread out on each side of its scaly body almost
+horizontally. Then, with a suddenness that made the boys catch their
+breaths in a quick gasp, the monster gave a sudden leap, aiding this
+maneuver by its tail, which it suddenly stiffened as if it had been a
+spring.
+
+Its whole length was launched into the air as it sprang, and for a flash
+its wide-opened jaws with their hideous rows of triangular teeth,
+appeared to engulf the red ape. But while the boys were still held
+spell-bound by this spectacle, such a one as perhaps no human being but
+a lone native hunter had ever beheld before, the red gorilla gave a
+mighty leap. It was partly straight up and partly to one side. As the
+great jaws of the saurian came together with a snap like that of a
+titanic steel trap, the red ape landed fair and square on the scaled
+monster’s back.
+
+Straddling the plated hide, the great hairy legs gripped the crocodile’s
+sides as a bronco buster grips his fractious mount. And now commenced a
+struggle between these two denizens of the deepest New Guinea forests
+such as the two young spectators remembered with photographic vividness
+to the end of their lives.
+
+On the part of the crocodile the battle was simply a series of leaps and
+wild tail threshings in an effort to dislodge his nimble foe. The grass
+and weeds were mown down as if by a scythe by the sweeps of the great
+tail, but the ape held firm, his little eyes twinkling wickedly. With
+one arm it clutched the rough hide firmly, but the other was waving
+about like a tentacle seeking something to grasp.
+
+During the struggle the jaws of the crocodile had been frequently
+snapped, but they only closed on empty air. As in all the saurian tribe,
+during this process the upper jaw had pointed nearly vertically upward,
+making an opening big enough to swallow a canoe. Suddenly the watchers
+saw the orang’s purpose. All at once the disengaged arm made a swift
+sweep forward and grasped the extended upper jaw.
+
+“Great Scott! he’s done for now,” cried Billy. “That jaw will close and
+cut his fingers off.”
+
+“Hold on,” warned Jack. “Watch. I’ve heard these creatures can bend
+rifle barrels as if they were made of lead. Perhaps—look!”
+
+The orang suddenly shifted his position. He was now kneeling on the
+crocodile’s back, his knees braced firmly on its armor-plated neck and
+his second arm aiding the first in the task of keeping those jaws, once
+apart, from ever coming together again. Then summoning every ounce of
+that strength that has made the orang the most dreaded of all the forest
+animals in that part of the world, even the Bornean tiger owning his
+supremacy, the red gorilla gave one grand wrench.
+
+There was a tearing sound as of a tree being torn from its roots, and
+the alligator’s body writhed and threshed about convulsively. The great
+ape sprang free from the scaly monster and with hoarse laughter that
+sounded like the merriment of a maniac, it gazed on the saurian’s
+struggles. But it was not destined to see the end of them. In its agony
+the great crocodile instinctively made for the water and was soon out of
+sight, threshing and writhing until a clump of water-cane hid it from
+sight.
+
+Then, and not till then, did the orang take its eyes from its conquered
+enemy. But when it had seen the last of it, the hairy creature turned
+and appeared to be contemplating fresh victory. The lust of battle was
+in its wicked little eyes.
+
+“Down, Billy, down with you quick,” warned Jack, pulling his chum aside
+in the thicket. “If it comes this way, shoot at once. I wouldn’t want to
+come to close quarters with a creature like that. I thought Salloo was
+drawing the long bow when he told me about the _mias_, as he called it,
+but he didn’t put it on thick enough.”
+
+“If only we’d had a camera,” was Billy’s regret. But for the next few
+moments there were more important things to think about. The orang stood
+upright, looking about him in a truculent manner. It almost appeared as
+if, now that his battle with the saurian was over, he had recollected
+the human figure he had seen not long before, but had paid little heed
+to it in his haste to make his evening meal among the water plants.
+
+In fact, he started shamblingly toward the brake where the boys were
+concealed with leveled rifles and fingers on triggers. But the great
+creature’s life was spared, for that time at least, for had the boys
+fired he must have fallen at the first bullets from the high-powered
+rifles. After advancing a few paces, he changed his mind and, grumbling
+to himself, he shuffled off and was soon lost in the gloom of the
+forest.
+
+“We ought to have shot him, Jack,” muttered Billy as they started back
+to camp with what game they bagged.
+
+“What, kill a fine old warrior like that without cause? Could you have
+done it, Billy?”
+
+“Um—well—er—no, I don’t believe I could,” rejoined his chum. “After
+all, that crocodile started the scrap and—and I guess every American
+likes a good fighter.”
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XXXIV.—A FIGHT WITH A HORNBILL.
+
+
+“Now me showee you something.”
+
+It was during the noon rest the next day and the Malay had asked the
+whites to come a little distance apart from the camp to a fine-looking
+banyan tree. They watched him with interest as with the axe he cut down
+several lengths of bamboo from a nearby cluster, and, pointing the ends
+sharply, having first separated the lengths into bits about two feet
+long, began driving them into the yielding bark of the tree. In this way
+he had soon made the first four rounds of a primitive ladder.
+
+Although, as yet, he had given them no hint of the object of all this,
+they were all sure that he had something really of interest to show them
+and forbore asking questions till he was ready to explain the mystery.
+Salloo had driven the tenth round of his queer ladder and was about ten
+feet from the ground, when Jack drew everybody’s attention to a strange
+hissing sound that appeared to come from within the tree.
+
+“Look out for snakes, Salloo,” he warned. But the Malay only nodded his
+head confidently and smiled. Donald glanced about nervously. Even
+Captain Sparhawk looked apprehensive. As for Muldoon, he shouted, “This
+is no place for a son of St. Patrick,” and fled back to camp.
+
+“What’s the matter, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes. “Are you in trouble?”
+
+“No trouble, Missel Boss,” rejoined Salloo. “Only bit what you callee
+good luck,” grinned the Malay, looking down on them and continuing his
+work.
+
+“How good luck?” asked Jack.
+
+“You see plenty soon,” was the cryptic reply, and the Malay drew another
+sharp-pointed peg from his girdle and drove it in with vigorous strokes
+of the axe. While he did this, the hissing continued, mingled with a
+hoarse roaring like that which might be emitted by a disabled foghorn.
+Moreover, they could now see that a few feet above Salloo’s head was an
+object which alternately was thrust out from the tree trunk and
+withdrawn. It was white and sharp-pointed, like one of the pegs he was
+driving. It was assuredly not a snake’s head, as they had for a minute
+thought, but what was it?
+
+“What’s that right over your head, Salloo?” asked Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Him buld (bird), captain. Him plentee much bigee buld.”
+
+“Oh, only a bird,” said Mr. Jukes in a disappointed voice. “What sort of
+a one?”
+
+“Him hornbill. Ole hen hornbill. She on nest. Old man hornbill he shut
+her up in there so she no leave eggs. Him put mud over crack in tree so
+as she no put nothing but her beak out. That the way he feedee her.”
+
+So that was the explanation of that object that darted in and out, and
+also of the hissing and grunting sounds. Looking closer, they now saw
+that at the spot where the bill still kept darting in and out there was
+a big longitudinal patch of mud which walled the hen hornbill up as
+effectually as certain prisoners were “walled up” in the days of old. As
+Salloo got within reaching distance of the nest, he raised his axe and
+smashed the mud wall before any of the party could check him. The next
+instant his bare arm was plunged fearlessly into the orifice and came
+out with his fingers clutching the old hen by the neck. In a moment she
+was fluttering, with her neck wrung, at the adventurers’ feet.
+
+“Say, Salloo, you shouldn’t have done that,” called up Jack indignantly.
+“That’s a shame.”
+
+The rest echoed his indignation at what seemed an act of wanton cruelty.
+Salloo only looked astonished.
+
+“Him plenty good eat. Roast hornbill plenty fine.”
+
+“You see, he takes a different point of view about these things than we
+do,” said Captain Sparhawk. “You can’t blame him. Still I wish we could
+have prevented it.”
+
+They examined the dead hornbill with much interest. It was a gorgeous
+bird, almost as big as a turkey, with a bill of a size altogether
+disproportionate to even its large size. This beak was like a gigantic
+parrot’s bill and the horny structure extended over almost the entire
+head of the bird. It was not unlike the one the boys had shot the night
+before and thrown away as not good for food.
+
+“Plentee eggs in there,” said Salloo as he came down, “but they no good
+eat.”
+
+“Well, I’m glad there were no young ones to be starved through our
+interference,” said Billy, and the others felt as he did.
+
+“Say, I’m going to have a look at that nest,” said Jack suddenly.
+
+“All right. But look out you don’t fall and break your neck,” warned
+Raynor. Jack went nimbly up Salloo’s queer ladder and soon reached a
+height where he could see into the nest, which was built in a cavity of
+the tree and had afterward been carefully walled up with mud,
+strengthened by weaving reeds into it. Jack was still examining the nest
+when a sudden shadow fell over him. He looked up and above him he saw,
+with somewhat of a shock, a great bird whose plumage flashed brilliantly
+in the sun and whose huge beak snapped viciously at the boy.
+
+“Look out, look out, him father hornbill,” cried Salloo from the ground.
+
+The hornbill made a swoop at Jack, aiming with that cruel beak straight
+for his eyes. The boy put up an arm to defend himself, but the bird
+seized it with its parrot-like claws, scratching it badly, and all the
+while it kept up a beating of its wings that blinded the boy. Then the
+bird suddenly changed its tactics. It swooped off and then made a swift
+dash at the boy’s head. It was well for Jack that he had on his stiff
+sun helmet or his skull would have been cracked like an egg by that
+huge, horny bill. As it was, the helmet was ripped open.
+
+Those below called on him to come down. But the attacks of the great
+bird so blinded and bewildered him that he was unable to move a step.
+Billy, at the order of Captain Sparhawk, brought a rifle from the camp,
+but so close did the bird stay to the boy that there was danger in using
+it. Even the most expert of shots would have been quite as likely to hit
+Jack as the enraged hornbill.
+
+Salloo had sprung into the tree, and with his ever ready _kriss_ was
+ascending to the rescue when Captain Sparhawk saw an opportunity. The
+rifle was already at his shoulder and, as the hornbill rose and hovered
+for an instant before making another plunge at Jack’s head, his finger
+pressed the trigger. A splendid shot, a broken wing, the huge bird
+fluttered to the earth and flopped and screamed on the ground till its
+strugglings were put an end to by another bullet. Jack remained where he
+was for a few seconds to recover his nerves and then, still somewhat
+shaken by his experience, he descended.
+
+His arm was badly scratched and Captain Sparhawk was opening the
+medicine chest when Salloo intervened. He quickly gathered a handful of
+a plant that exuded a sort of thick milk. Crushing the gathered stems on
+a stone, he soon had a quantity of this juice, which he spread on the
+wounds. The irritation at once left them and Salloo promised a speedy
+cure. But it may be said that Jack had no appetite for roast hornbill
+that night.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXV.—THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.
+
+
+The expedition now found itself advancing through forest that grew
+sparser as they progressed. The ground was rapidly becoming more rugged.
+Close to them now towered the range known as the Kini-Balu among the
+wild recesses of which the tribe of that name made its home. Constant
+vigilance was the watchword of the hour now. Salloo would permit no
+fires to be lighted, and he and his followers were constantly scouting
+in front of the party, while additional watch was kept at the rear and
+on both flanks.
+
+It was dangerous, thrilling work, but the boys, who loved adventure,
+relished every moment of it. But Donald Judson lived a life of misery.
+Every rustle in the bush made him turn pale. He was constantly giving
+false alarms in the night and the boys heartily wished he had been left
+behind. One afternoon—they were right in the mountains now—Salloo
+halted the party with a quick gesture.
+
+“Two men ahead of us. Up the mountain. Salloo go, look, see.”
+
+He glided off with his usual snake-like agility and vanished in a flash,
+while the party waited behind a mighty rock, for cover of the forest
+kind was growing scarce now. A wilder region would have been hard to
+imagine. The cliffs and mountains were of all sorts of extravagant
+shapes. Some of the larger rocks and peaks took on the outlines of
+monstrous animals. But they were still following a trail which was
+undoubtedly the one set down in red ink on Broom’s map.
+
+Through the glasses, which they were able to use without being observed,
+by crouching down in the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing
+toward the two figures on the mountain side. As he went he was making
+the peace sign, extending his arms as if inviting the others to attack
+him at their will. But as far as they could see, the meeting was
+friendly enough. Salloo conversed with the two men of the mountain for a
+long time. Then he could be seen retracing his steps.
+
+“Well?” demanded everybody as he returned to the camp.
+
+“Ebblyting good so far,” reported Salloo. “Those two men velly old men.
+They left behind when tribe go to war in the north.”
+
+“Then the country is free of danger?” cried Donald.
+
+Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and did not answer. Addressing
+the others, he continued:
+
+“They say they know of cave. But no know if white man is there,” went on
+the Malay.
+
+“Would they be willing to guide us to it?” inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+“That me no know yet. Me go see ’em again to-night,” replied Salloo.
+“They say nobody but old men, women and children left behind now tribe
+go to war. So maybe they no afraid to show us. You pay ’em good?”
+
+“Anything, any sum at all,” was the response of the millionaire. “No sum
+is too great to restore my brother to his family.”
+
+When night fell Salloo left the camp again and did not return till
+midnight. He brought the news that the two old men would guide them for
+three pieces of gold each. They did not want the coins to spend,
+explained Salloo, but to pierce and wear round their necks as ornaments.
+
+“I’ll make it six each,” declared Mr. Jukes, “if they lead us aright.”
+
+There was little sleep for anybody that night, and soon after daybreak
+the two old men appeared in the camp. They were odd-looking old fellows;
+unclothed except for a breech cloth, and were daubed with red and yellow
+earth, signifying that their tribe was at war, although their age barred
+them from taking part.
+
+At Salloo’s suggestion, only himself, Mr. Jukes, Jack and Billy were to
+accompany the guides. The others were to remain behind and keep as well
+under cover as they could till the rest returned with success or
+failure. Final instructions having been given, they set off behind the
+two old men, who chattered volubly with Salloo as they went. They knew
+of the cave, it appeared, but nothing more, for they did not come from
+that part of the mountains.
+
+The next day they were not far from the cave, their aged guides told
+them, and Salloo enjoined the strictest caution in proceeding. If they
+met a returning war party, their position would be ticklish in the
+extreme, he declared, and they readily agreed with him.
+
+It was not long after this that, high up on the mountain side, they
+became aware of a dark hole. The two old men chattered and pointed, and
+then Salloo said:
+
+“There him cave. You wait here. Salloo go, look, see.”
+
+He made off up the mountain with the two old tribesmen, while the others
+waited with what patience they could for his return. The boys had never
+seen Mr. Jukes so nervous. He could not keep still under the tension,
+but paced to and fro, regardless of Salloo’s advice to keep under cover.
+
+“He is taking his time,” said Jack after a long interval.
+
+“Perhaps something has happened to him,” said Mr. Jukes, apprehensively.
+“We’d better have our pistols ready. Hark! what was that?”
+
+There was a rustling in the bushes near at hand and they all sprang to
+their feet, only to burst into laughter a minute later when a rock
+coney, or small rabbit, emerged, looked at them for an instant and then
+vanished.
+
+“That shows how we are keyed up,” said Jack. “We’ve got to keep our
+nerve or we shall be useless if any emergency did happen.”
+
+As he spoke, something whizzed over their heads and then sank quivering
+in the ground not far from them. They looked round and saw standing not
+far off two hideous natives, with frizzed hair and painted faces and
+bodies. Both were wounded and apparently had been sent back from “the
+front.” But still there was a chance that they might be the advance
+guard of a big body of troops.
+
+“We friends,” cried Jack, giving the peace sign as he had seen Salloo
+give it.
+
+The natives merely stared, and there is no knowing what might have been
+the outcome, but at that moment there came a hail from high up on the
+mountain and the old tribesmen and Salloo began coming toward them. The
+natives awaited their coming with their eyes fixed on the whites. As
+soon as Salloo and the others arrived there was a long confab and Salloo
+explained that the two warriors said that the main body of the savage
+troops was not far off, and that they had been sent back on account of
+their wounds. They had thrown the spear because they thought the whites
+were coming to invade their country. When Salloo explained the object of
+their errand, everything appeared to be satisfactory.
+
+“Now we go to the cave,” said Salloo, at the end of these negotiations.
+“Him velly big one, me think.”
+
+“Did you—did you see any trace of my brother?” asked Mr. Jukes
+anxiously.
+
+“Me no see anything yet,” was the reply. “Me only go little way into
+cave.”
+
+“Then come, let us start at once,” said Mr. Jukes, stepping nimbly over
+the rough ground, in spite of his cumbersome build.
+
+As Salloo had said, the cave was a large one. It ran back fully a mile
+under the mountain. But they paid little attention to its natural
+beauties, so eager were they to find some trace of Jerushah Jukes. To
+one side was a swiftly flowing stream. They did not doubt that it came
+from a waterfall, the noise of which they could hear in the distance.
+
+Before long they stood in front of the waterfall, a beautiful ribbon of
+water falling fully a hundred feet into a clear pool. A sort of mist
+hung over the pool caused by the spray, which was lighted by a rift in
+the rocks above. It was a lovely sight and even in their anxiety to get
+on they could not help standing and admiring it for a few minutes.
+
+“By the way, Salloo,” said Jack abruptly, “how about that ghost that is
+supposed to haunt the cave?”
+
+“Me no know. Me——”
+
+“Look, look, the ghost!” cried Raynor suddenly. He pointed straight in
+front of him at the fall.
+
+“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack as he too perceived an apparition that
+appeared to rise out of the waters. Salloo fell flat on his face in
+terror and so did the two old natives, who had been their guides.
+
+“Don’t talk nonsense,” said Mr. Jukes sharply. “I see nothing. I—for
+heaven’s sake!”
+
+Out of the mist of the pool he had seen advancing toward him as he
+stepped forward the gigantic form of a man. Then he glanced again.
+
+The ghost was Mr. Jukes himself, who certainly had nothing
+spiritualistic about him. The explanation of the queer sight struck the
+boys and the millionaire at the same instant. The sun, shining through
+the rift, was reflected upon the wet rock which in turn projected their
+figures against the watery mist that hung above the pool.
+
+“And so that’s the ghost that’s been scaring the natives to death,” said
+Jack. “Get up, Salloo, and I’ll show you how the trick is done.”
+
+After a brief demonstration the Malay was satisfied, but the two old men
+were unconvinced. They mumbled and were ill at ease till that part of
+the cave was left behind.
+
+“Hullo, here’s a path leading up past the waterfall,” cried Jack
+suddenly.
+
+“So there is. Let’s see where it goes,” cried Billy. They started up the
+slippery footway very slowly so as to avoid the consequences of a slip.
+As they went it grew lighter. They were coming to the upper world once
+more. A minute later and they emerged upon a small plateau in the heart
+of the mountains. It was surrounded by steep precipices. In the centre
+stood a group of bamboo huts.
+
+At sight of the white men, several women and children set up a shrill
+cry. Suddenly above the hub-bub came a voice that brought a thrill to
+them all:
+
+“Has help come at last?”
+
+[Illustration: “Has help come at last?”]
+
+From behind one of the huts had stepped a tall, angular figure, wearing
+ragged white clothes and a battered sun helmet. Perched on his nose were
+a pair of huge horn-rimmed spectacles, a ragged, unkempt beard covered
+his face and his hair hung in matted locks about his shoulders.
+
+At the sight of him, Mr. Jukes gave a gasp and then a glad cry.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXVI.—FOUND AT LAST!
+
+
+“Oh, my brother,” cried Mr. Jukes, “I can hardly believe we’ve found you
+at last.”
+
+“Thank God! you have, Jacob,” returned the other fervently. “For a
+moment I thought that you were only one of the fantastic visions that
+have visited my brain lately.”
+
+“My poor brother,” exclaimed the millionaire, “but now thank heaven you
+are restored to your friends.”
+
+“But how did you ever find me? I never deemed it possible that rescuers
+could find their way to this place where that villain Broom, after
+stealing the pearl, marooned me.”
+
+“Ah, so the pearl is gone,—but never mind that now. I would not have
+given your life for an ocean-full of pearls,” declared the millionaire
+happily, “but I must introduce our friends who have shared with me the
+hardships of the trail.”
+
+The boys, and then Salloo, added their congratulations to Mr. Jukes,
+while the women and children gathered round and chattered frantically.
+It was plain that they objected to all this, yet did not see how to stop
+it. The white men’s weapons glinted menacingly and there were no
+warriors in the village.
+
+“And now let us hasten away from here,” said Jerushah Jukes. “The men
+are off on a fighting expedition and I might have escaped but without
+food or weapons I could never have made my way to the coast through the
+jungle. I suppose that is the reason they did not tie me up.”
+
+“Undoubtedly,” said the millionaire, “but I’m forgetting something,” and
+he doled out to the two old men a reward, much over what they had
+demanded. They chattered their thanks glibly, making all sorts of
+gesticulations of gratitude.
+
+“It’s all like a dream to me so far,” said Jerushah Jukes, as they made
+their way back through the cave and past the “haunted” waterfall. “Broom
+sent me up here with a guard of his men. The tribe appeared to be
+friendly to him and agreed to keep me prisoner as long as he wished. But
+my poor crew? What has become of them?”
+
+“That we do not know yet,” said Mr. Jukes, “but we will talk later. I
+want to put all the distance I can between this tribe and our party as
+soon as we can. Those women will give the alarm although they dared not
+make an active protest.”
+
+But as they emerged from the cave they met with a rude shock. A party of
+warriors with frizzed hair and war-paint daubing their bodies barred the
+way.
+
+At first the tribesmen stood motionless with astonishment at the sight
+of a party of white men emerging from their secret cave. But the next
+instant they broke into a savage volley of shouts and yells and raised
+their spears and cruel-looking war clubs.
+
+“We have come too late, my poor brother,” groaned Mr. Jukes. But
+suddenly Salloo raised his voice. He spoke in tones of loud authority.
+The spears and clubs were lowered. He turned to Mr. Jukes and in a quick
+low voice said:
+
+“Give me um map. Quick, our lives depend on him.”
+
+The millionaire lost no time in producing ‘Bully’ Broom’s map. The most
+be-frizzed of the natives pored over it for several minutes. Then one of
+them said in fair English:
+
+“You come from Chief Broom; all right, you may go. He tell us to keep
+white man till he send for him. You show Broom’s map. He all right. Goo’
+bye,” and the warriors went on.
+
+Thus by the clever Malay’s strategy he had told the warriors, who had
+returned unexpectedly, that the white men had been sent by ‘Bully’
+Broom,—they were saved from disaster. But the tribesmen had demanded
+proof of Salloo’s story and, in the nick of time, he had luckily thought
+of the map which satisfied their suspicions at once, for Broom was the
+only white man, except the prisoner, who had ever visited the secret
+cave.
+
+The return to the camp was made without incident and Jack, on reaching
+it, at once rigged up his wireless apparatus and flashed to the _Sea
+Gypsy_ the glad news of the rescue of the millionaire’s brother. But, a
+few minutes later, he, in his turn, was receiving good tidings. Broom
+had returned to Bomobori and was arrested while he was recruiting a crew
+to make a dash into the jungle and intercept the Jukes’ party. He was
+apprehended while rowing ashore from a native craft.
+
+As the officers of the law seized him, he was seen to throw something
+into the water. One of the native oarsmen instantly dived after the
+object and succeeded in grabbing it before it reached the bottom. It
+proved to be the great pearl, “The Tear of the Sea.” And there was yet
+more intelligence of a kind to hearten them after all their tribulations
+in the wild jungles of New Guinea.
+
+The first officer of the _Sea Gypsy_, having received news of a
+mysterious schooner anchored in a cove up the coast, resolved to do a
+little amateur detective work. He found that she was none other than the
+famous _South Sea Lass_. Securing the co-operation of the authorities,
+the vessel was raided one night and her small crew easily overpowered.
+Then cries were heard from below and on the removal of the hatches the
+crew of the _Centurion_, or what remained of them—for five had died
+from privation—were discovered. They had refused to join Broom’s band
+and he was afraid to let them loose, so they had been confined in the
+almost unlivable hold ever since their capture. Since Broom’s arrest,
+the Australian authorities had cabled that he was wanted there for
+piracy and other crimes and he had been sent to Melbourne on a mail
+steamer. It may be added here that British justice was dealt out with a
+heavy hand to the ruffian and his many victims were fully avenged. His
+crew was tried and sentenced in Bomobori and all received heavy terms of
+imprisonment. Thus were the South Seas rid of one of the chief of their
+many freebooters.
+
+The long march back to Bomobori was made without anything of particular
+interest occurring and one morning they stood on a rise overlooking the
+harbor. There lay the _Sea Gypsy_ with the dear old Stars and Stripes
+flying, and the ship dressed in gay bunting; for by wireless Jack had
+notified those on board of the time of their arrival. A few hours more
+and they were among their friends again with their strange experiences
+behind them.
+
+As there was no reason for staying in Bomobori, except to take on board
+the survivors of the _Centurion’s_ crew, the _Sea Gypsy_ steamed out of
+the harbor the next day, being saluted as she went, a compliment which
+she returned with her rapid-fire gun. Watching them from the wharf were
+two figures. One a tall agile Malay, who, with tears in his eyes,
+watched the yacht till she was hull-down on the horizon. It was Salloo.
+He had been well rewarded for his services which indeed, as Mr. Jukes
+said, were beyond price; but, as he watched the departure of his white
+friends, his thoughts were only with them and not with what were, to
+him, the riches of a lifetime.
+
+The other watcher turned away with a sneer, jingling the money Mr. Jukes
+had left him in his pockets:
+
+“So I’ve got to stick round this hole till I can get a steamer home,”
+grumbled Donald Judson, for, as our readers will have guessed, it was
+he. “If it hadn’t been for those boys I might have gone home in comfort
+on the yacht. Well, maybe some day I’ll get even with them.”
+
+On the voyage home a stop was made at the Pamatou Islands; the glad news
+of the rescue had already been wirelessed home, and there was no great
+hurry except Mr. Jukes’ desire to get back to his business affairs after
+a romantic adventure he would never forget. As the _Sea Gypsy_ dropped
+anchor in the well-known harbor, a fleet of canoes dashed out to welcome
+her, among them you may be sure those of Anai and his friend, who wept
+tears of joy at seeing their white “chums” once more. Mr. Jukes, his
+speculative instinct once more in the ascendent, bought a large quantity
+of pearls on which he subsequently realized a good profit.
+
+“But we must hurry home,” he said one day. “My business will be going to
+rack and ruin without me and besides I’ve run out of dyspepsia pills. I
+only hope I didn’t ruin my digestion in the jungle.”
+
+And here the adventures of the Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific must
+be brought to a close, except that it might be mentioned that pretty
+Helen Dennis, whose father’s ship was in port on the return of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, now wears a very pretty locket, set with South Sea pearls—the
+gift of Jack Ready. And so, till we meet them in the next volume of this
+series, we will wish the lads and their friends good-bye.
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+             A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture
+
+                              KINDERGARTEN
+                               LIMERICKS
+
+                         By FLORENCE E. SCOTT.
+
+              Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword
+                            by Lucy Wheelock
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each
+    illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal
+    to the child’s sense of humor without being foolish or
+    sensational, and will be welcomed by kindergartners for teaching
+    rhythm in a most entertaining manner.
+
+              Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive
+                    box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar.
+
+
+
+
+               _HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_
+
+                         FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+                          By MATTHEW M. COLTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Frank Armstrong’s Vacation_
+
+How Frank’s summer experiences with his boy friends make him into a
+sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating and baseball contests,
+and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendid
+story.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at Queens_
+
+We find among the jolly boys at Queen’s School, Frank, the
+student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears
+his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teams
+are expertly described.
+
+_Frank Armstrong’s Second Term_
+
+The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the “Wee
+One” and the “Codfish” figure, while Frank “saves the day.”
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker_
+
+With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming,
+running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of
+“drop-kicking,” and the Queen’s football team profits thereby.
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine_
+
+Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents by land
+and water make this story of Frank Armstrong a strong tale of
+school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at College_
+
+With the development of this series, the boy characters have developed
+until in this, the best story of all, they appear as typical college
+students, giving to each page the life and vigor of the true college
+spirit.
+
+Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They accurately
+describe athletics from start to finish.
+
+_Any book sent postpaid upon receipt of 60 cents, or we will send the
+six for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                         OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES
+
+                    Stories of Modern School Sports
+
+                            By MORGAN SCOTT.
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+=BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.=
+
+Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at Oakdale
+Academy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest and
+respect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliot
+and the clever work of the “Sleuth,” Ben is falsely accused, championed
+and vindicated.
+
+=BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.=
+
+“One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open and
+square and there never was a sneak among them.” It was Rodney Grant, of
+Texas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story shows
+how he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparent
+evidence to the contrary.
+
+=RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.=
+
+Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that means
+not only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but an
+intimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. The
+Oakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
+and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.
+
+=OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.=
+
+The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, little
+restriction, and immediate contact with “all outdoors.” These conditions
+prevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of
+lively interest.
+
+=THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.=
+
+The “Sleuth” scents a mystery! He “follows his nose.” The plot thickens!
+He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader—and for the
+“Sleuth,” as well.
+
+=NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.=
+
+A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year’s registration of
+students. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of school
+meet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of the
+boys.
+
+            Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+                  HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                    Log Cabin to White House Series
+
+                     LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c., per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD (The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Benjamin Franklin was known in the scientific world for his inventions
+and discoveries, in the diplomatic world because of his statesmanship,
+and everywhere, because of his sound judgment, plain speaking, and
+consistent living.
+
+FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of George Washington). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+The story of the hatchet and other familiar incidents of the boyhood and
+young manhood of Washington are included in this book, as well as many
+less well-known accounts of his experiences as surveyor, soldier,
+emissary, leader, and first president of the United States.
+
+FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of James A. Garfield). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James A. Garfield was
+born, to the White House in Washington, and that it was an interesting
+life-journey one cannot doubt who reads Mr. Thayer’s account of it.
+
+FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people than was
+homely, humorous “Honest Abe.”
+
+To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an education, and
+his rise to prominence is to understand better his rare nature and
+practical wisdom.
+
+FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By _Edward
+S. Ellis, A. M._
+
+Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences of Mr.
+Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few of them know him as the boy
+and man of family and school circles and private citizenship.
+
+Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter, a fighter
+of “graft” at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and a just and vigorous
+defender of right.
+
+FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as the hero of the
+famous declaration: “I will fight it out on this line if it takes all
+summer.”
+
+_We will mail any of the above books prepaid at 60 cents each or the six
+for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           REX KINGDON SERIES
+
+                           By GORDON BRADDOCK
+
+            Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High
+
+A new boy moves into town. Who is he? What can he do? Will he make one
+of the school teams? Is his friendship worth having? These are the
+queries of the Ridgewood High Students. The story is the answer.
+
+Rex Kingdon in the North Woods
+
+Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in the North
+Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter to menace their
+safety, fire their interest and finally cement their friendship.
+
+Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall
+
+Lively boarding school experiences make this the “best yet” of the Rex
+Kingdon series.
+
+Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat
+
+The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good story
+about baseball. Boys will like it.
+
+Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write it. These stories
+make the best reading you can procure.
+
+_Any book sent upon receipt of 60 cents each, or we will send all four
+of them for $2.30._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR
+
+                            GREAT WAR SERIES
+
+                       By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT
+
+                   Cloth Bound. Price, 50c. postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+                Two American Boys with the Allied Armies
+              Two American Boys in the French War Trenches
+          Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet
+
+The disastrous battle raging in Europe between Germany and Austria on
+one side and the Allied countries on the other, has created demand for
+literature on the subject. The American public to a large extent is
+ignorant of the exact locations of the fighting zones with its small
+towns and villages. Major Crockett, who is familiar with the present
+battle-fields, has undertaken to place before the American boy an
+interesting Series of War stories.
+
+_Get these three books and keep up-to-date. We will send any book for
+50c., or the three of them for $1.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                            BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+                 _ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS_
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+                  Cloth. Illustrated. Price 50c. Each
+
+[Illustration]
+
+BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL
+
+In this story, self-reliance and self-defense through organized
+athletics are emphasized.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE
+
+Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona desert and the Harkness ranch figure
+in this tale of the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP
+
+The cleverness of one of the Scouts as an amateur inventor and the
+intrigues of his enemies to secure his inventions make a subject of
+breathless interest.
+
+BOY SCOUTS’ MOUNTAIN CAMP
+
+Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the escape of the
+Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again in the instinctive
+impression, which he shares with the boys, of impending peril.
+
+BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM
+
+Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization, but few
+there are who have such an opportunity for its practical expression as
+comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
+
+Most timely is this authentic story of the “great ditch.” It is
+illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO
+
+Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present is
+this account of recent conflict.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS
+
+Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in this
+tale of the Great War.
+
+BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE
+
+On the firing line—or very near—we find the Scouts in France.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
+
+If you couldn’t attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even now in
+imagination with the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the Government.
+What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that out by reading the
+book. It’s a dandy story.
+
+BOY SCOUTS’ CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS
+
+Just as the Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared,” just for these reasons that
+they prepare for the country’s defense. What they do and how they do it
+makes a volume well worth reading.
+
+You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating and
+well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the Manual itself,
+the books give an accurate description of Boy Scout activities, for they
+are educational and instructive.
+
+_Price postpaid, 50 cents per volume, or we will send any six titles you
+select for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           MOTOR CYCLE SERIES
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World_
+
+Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with a motor
+cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an achievement greater
+than any he describes in his account of the amusing travels of Philias
+Fogg. This, however, is the purpose successfully carried out by the
+Motor Cycle Chums, and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays
+is one of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental information
+to the reader.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol_
+
+The Great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and in it the
+Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more unusual and exciting than
+many of their experiences on their tour around the world. There is not a
+dull page in this lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant
+“Chinee.”
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields_
+
+How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold and into
+what difficulties and novel experiences they were led, makes a tale of
+thrilling interest.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums’ Whirlwind Tour_
+
+To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers over the
+border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story of amusing
+adventures and exciting episodes.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator_
+
+New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add fresh zest
+to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and the tour
+described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America_
+
+The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history was made,
+where interest centers to-day as never before.
+
+You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to enjoy the
+thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle Chums pass on their
+way to seek adventure and excitement. Brimful of clever episodes.
+
+_We will send prepaid any book for 50 cents or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         BOY INVENTORS’ SERIES
+
+                           By RICHARD BONNER
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Wireless Triumph_
+
+Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes called the instinct of
+investigation,—favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they
+always “work” when put to the test.
+
+_The Boy Inventors and the Vanishing Gun_
+
+A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+final success. This too is the history of the daring Boy Inventors.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Diving Torpedo Boat_
+
+As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+triumphs of mechanisms are produced which become immediately valuable,
+and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On the
+surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Flying Ship_
+
+A Boston newspaper reporter,—a young fellow with a camera slung over
+his shoulders,—wanders into this story at the very beginning. He finds
+himself an aerial stowaway and finally a part of a South American
+exploring party. How this happens is an absorbing tale in itself.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Electric Hydroaeroplane_
+
+The restless, inventive spirit of Jack Chadwick and the persistent
+enthusiasm of his cousin, Tom Jesson, once more clamor for a new
+expression, and this book describes the unique result of their labors
+and the use to which it is opportunely put.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Radio Telephone_
+
+The determination to adopt, adapt and improve the latest means of
+communication gave a fresh impulse to the ambition of the Boy Inventors.
+
+Watch boys, and you will notice their minds naturally turn to mechanism.
+In these delightful stories, the boys try their genius in new
+inventions. Read the books and see what they accomplish through skill
+and ingenuity.
+
+_Any book postpaid at 50 cents per copy or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                        DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+                         TALES OF THE NEW NAVY
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+               Cloth. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Battle Practice_
+
+Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+Sam’s sailors.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys Aboard a Destroyer_
+
+In this story real dangers threaten and the boys’ patriotism is tested
+in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South
+American coast.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on a Submarine_
+
+To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this story has
+special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+action are fascinating.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Aero Service_
+
+Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their
+perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although they
+make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; nor are
+they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old “enemies,” who are
+also airmen.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys’ World Cruise_
+
+From San Francisco the boys start on their world cruise. At Hawaii,
+Japan, Egypt and Gibraltar they meet experiences unforeseen and
+eventful.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters_
+
+Into mimic naval warfare creeps actual intrigue that complicates the
+defense of New York Harbor.
+
+It would be hard work to find a boy—young or old—who is not keenly
+alive to the achievements of our great Navy. You can get a good
+conception of what Uncle Sam is doing by reading these marvelous
+stories.
+
+_Sent postpaid for 50 cents per volume, or the set of six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          BOY AVIATORS SERIES
+
+                       Thrilling Airship Stories
+
+                        By CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA
+
+“Boys of all ages will be captivated by this clever story of two bright
+American lads who in an aeroplane of unusual construction have many
+adventures in Nicaragua.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+“Its heroes go in an airship to the Everglades of Florida, and use their
+wireless telegraph to assist in the rescue of a Government inventor.
+Japanese spies are plotting against them, and the result is a thrill in
+every chapter.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+“In this book the lads go to Africa in their flying machine and strike
+an aerial ivory trail. Adventures come thick and fast. One cannot help
+wishing himself fourteen years old once more, to take this book out back
+on the barn, or under the pear tree, to enjoy it in fashion.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ TREASURE QUEST
+
+“The author takes the boys on a quest after the golden galleon, lost in
+a position where it is imaginatively possible to obtain the treasure.
+The story is one of the keenest interest from the boy standpoint.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+“The story deals with aerial contests for a big prize offered by
+newspapers to fly from New York across the continent and the hairbreadth
+escapes encountered.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ POLAR DASH
+
+“The useful information concerning the Antarctic regions, and the
+aviation features and their technical correctness, set the book apart
+from those of simple entertainment and adventure.”
+
+                                      —_The Dallas News_, Dallas, Texas.
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+“The volume is packed with incidents from cover to cover, and conveys an
+accurate idea of modern aeroplanes.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS WITH THE AIR RAIDERS
+
+In view of the world-wide interest in practical aviation, this book is
+especially thrilling and timely. It pertains to the Great European War.
+
+_Up-to-the-minute AIRSHIP Books which record the most thrilling
+experiences any daring aviator could wish for. The Stories are written
+by a famous aviation instructor and are technically correct in details.
+One million copies have been sold._
+
+_Sent postpaid at 50c. per volume, any four books for $1.75, or the
+complete set of eight for $3.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         OCEAN WIRELESS SERIES
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic_
+
+How a Brooklyn boy became a wireless operator and shared in the work of
+rescue on the sea makes a thrilling tale.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner_
+
+This book takes the young wireless operators into southern waters and
+through grave perils.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol_
+
+The sinking of the _Titanic_ emphasized the usefulness of the wireless
+in the iceberg zones described in this volume.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code_
+
+Combine warships and wireless, danger, intrigue, and daring and you have
+an exciting tale of the sea.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific_
+
+Just as fascinating, thrilling and interesting as any of the preceding
+volumes. Plenty of action for red-blooded boys.
+
+The tragedies of the seas became less dreadful with the introduction of
+the wireless aboard steamships and it is to be hoped ultimately that the
+“ocean grave-yard” will be a thing of the past. These volumes describe
+daring and exciting tales.
+
+_Sent postpaid upon receipt of 50 cents each, or the five books for
+$2.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber’s Notes
+
+1. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
+
+2. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have
+   been preserved.
+
+3. Page-specific notes:
+
+  p. 76 restored full-stop in “Captain Sparhawk Tahiti was not far off.”
+
+  p. 193 whiste -> whistle in “shrill whistle sounded”
+
+  p. 213 Jordan -> Judson in “Broom and young Judson turned”
+
+  p. 242 “membel” retained (for “remember”) in dialect: “Me membel now”
+
+  p. 262 blared -> glared in “yellow eyes glared malevolently”
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44503 ***
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+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" />
+    <title>Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by Wilbur Lawton</title>
+    <link rel="coverpage" href="images/coverf.jpg" />
+    <meta name='DC.Title' content='Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific' />
+    <meta name='DC.Creator' content='Wilbur Lawton' />
+    <meta name='DC.Language' content='en' />
+    <meta name='DC.Created' content='1916' />
+    <style type="text/css">
+      body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; }
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+  </head>
+  <body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44503 ***</div>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/coverf.jpg'><img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:379px;height:600px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='figcenter pbb'>
+<a href='images/i02f.jpg'><img src='images/i02.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:364px;height:600px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>Half way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near him.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb'>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-size:1.4em;'>
+THE<br />OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS<br />ON THE PACIFIC</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+BY<br /><br />CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;'>
+AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES,” “THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS’<br />
+SERIES,” “THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC,” “THE<br />
+OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER,” “THE OCEAN<br />
+WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICEBERG PATROL,” “THE<br />
+OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE,”<br />
+ETC.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-style:italic;'>
+ILLUSTRATED BY<br />ARTHUR O. SCOTT</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+NEW YORK<br /><span style='font-size:larger'>HURST &amp; COMPANY</span><br /><br />PUBLISHERS</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb'>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+Copyright, 1916,<br />BY<br />HURST &amp; COMPANY</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<p class='line pbb' style='text-align:center;'>CONTENTS</p>
+
+<table summary="" class='center'>
+<tr><td class='s001'>I. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>On the Broad Pacific</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>II. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Ocean in a Rage</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>III. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Long Night</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>IV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Derelict</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>V. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The “Centurion”</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Mystery of the Seas</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_39'>39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>An Old Enemy Oddly Met</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VIII. </td><td style='padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top'> “<span class='sc'>Land, Ho!</span>” </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>IX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Through Hidden Dangers</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>X. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Chumming with Savages</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_72'>72</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Cave of the Pearls</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Trap!</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>On the Reef</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Battling Man-eating Sharks</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Message from the Deep</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Alive on the Sea</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>An Encounter at Bomobori</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_119'>119</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Donald Judson Again</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>He Tells a Strange Story</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Traitor in Camp</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_143'>143</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Memorable Night</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Into the Jungle</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Dangerous Tree</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Wireless at Work</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Jungle Hotel</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Prisoners of “Bully” Broom</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>At the Old Fort</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_203'>203</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Free-booter’s Demands</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_209'>209</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Rescue Party</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_216'>216</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>In the Coils of a Python</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_224'>224</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Journey Resumed</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_236'>236</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Storm in the Jungle</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_245'>245</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Giant Spiders</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_260'>260</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Fight with a Hornbill</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Heart of New Guinea</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_280'>280</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Found at Last!</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_292'>292</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<h1 class='title pbb'>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific.</h1>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_5' id='Page_5'>5</a></span><h2 class='nobreak' id='t98'>CHAPTER I.—ON THE BROAD PACIFIC.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Twenty days out from San Francisco in the
+vast, heaving desert of the sea, twenty days of
+storm, sunshine and calm, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, the
+great white yacht of Jacob Jukes, head of the big
+Atlantic and Pacific Shipping Combine, was making
+her way lazily through the dreamy South
+Seas. The vessel was capable of great speed,
+being known as one of the fastest craft of her
+kind. But she was bound on a mission which
+might take a long time to consummate, and
+economy of coal, which was piled even on her
+decks, to re-enforce the supply in the bunkers,
+was necessary.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_6' id='Page_6'>6</a></span>What this mission was remained, so far, a
+mystery to every one on board except Mr. Jukes
+himself, the iron-jawed and impenetrable organizer
+of the expedition. Up to this time he had
+shown no inclination to unburden himself of his
+secret, and although the craft was equipped with
+powerful wireless of the most modern type, the
+yacht had received no messages, nor had she
+sent any, under orders from Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular evening Jack Ready leaned
+against the door of the wireless-room, a converted
+deck cabin, and covertly watched the
+heavy-shouldered, bull-necked form of the millionaire
+shipping man as the latter gazed over
+the rail across the vacant waters at the gorgeous
+sunset.</p>
+
+<p>It was a true pageant of the heavens, such as is
+only to be seen in the Southern ocean. Great
+cloud-masses rose in wondrous forms, like glorified
+castle walls and turrets, glowing with purple
+and gold and red. Jack found himself following
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_7' id='Page_7'>7</a></span>
+Mr. Jukes’ gaze. Although such spectacles had
+been almost nightly ones since they had steamed
+into the tropics, there was something wild and
+sinister about the present one that thrilled him.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Septimus Sparhawk, the brown, gaunt
+captain of the yacht, whose thin face was decorated
+by two little dabs of grayish whiskers forward
+of each ear, passed by.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing to do but to look at the sky, eh?” he
+asked Jack, as a suspicion of a smile crept over
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s about all, sir,” rejoined Jack, with a
+laugh. “I expect to see spiders spinning webs on
+my instruments every day. I haven’t touched
+the key since we sailed.”</p>
+
+<p>The captain shook his head. He was an old
+and loyal employee of the shipping man, and not
+much given to words. But, apparently, now he
+felt called upon to express himself.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a queer business, lad,” he said, “and it
+may get queerer still before we find out what it’s
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_8' id='Page_8'>8</a></span>
+all about. I’m as much in the dark as you or
+the cabin boy. But right now that sunset worries
+me more than anything else.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re on the look-out for a storm?” asked
+Jack, noting a sudden look of anxiety in the captain’s
+pale blue eyes, surrounded by a network
+of tiny wrinkles, due to long gazing into salty
+gales.</p>
+
+<p>“Worse than that, Ready,” was the rejoinder.
+“This is the hurricane season in these parts and
+the glass,—I’ve just taken a squint at it,—is
+dropping as if it never meant to stop.”</p>
+
+<p>“If I could use the wireless——” began Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“We could probably get a weather reading
+from some other ship,” interrupted the captain,
+starting off, “but as it is, we might as well not
+have it on board at all. The thing’s got me
+stumped.”</p>
+
+<p>He carried himself off on his long, thin legs
+but paused to speak to Mr. Jukes. The ship-owner,
+although Jack could not hear what was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_9' id='Page_9'>9</a></span>
+said, appeared to be agitated somewhat by the
+captain’s words, for he began puffing rapidly at
+his after-dinner cigar, sending out smoke like
+the exhaust of a locomotive funnel, a sure sign,
+as Jack had observed, that he was disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make all snug, sir,” the boy heard the
+captain say, as he turned away, “and then we will
+be prepared for whatever happens.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very well, Sparhawk,” answered Mr. Jukes,
+in a somewhat louder voice than he had used
+hitherto, “and be sure to see to it that the deck
+load of coal is secured safely. They tell me the
+bunkers are running low.”</p>
+
+<p>As has been stated, the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> decks were
+piled high fore and aft with coal, kept in place
+by wooden bulkheads, which did not add to the
+appearance of the ship and encumbered progress
+from bow to stern. Only amidships, where the
+cabins were situated, was the deck clear. As the
+captain ascended the bridge he turned and gave
+an order to a petty officer and presently the crew
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_10' id='Page_10'>10</a></span>
+could be seen at work lashing big tarpaulins down
+over the coal which was so important to keep the
+<em>Sea Gypsy</em> moving on her mysterious mission.</p>
+
+<p>The news that the coal supply was running
+low in the bunkers was a surprise to Jack. He
+made for Billy Raynor’s cabin where the young
+chief engineer of the yacht was writing up his
+“log.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it’s right,” he rejoined to Jack’s question,
+“the loss of that deck load would be a serious
+matter. We’re a good many hundred miles from
+land and will have to tap the supply before long.”</p>
+
+<p>“Billy, what on earth do you suppose is the
+object of this voyage?” demanded Jack abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“Blessed if I know, but I’m well satisfied with
+my promotion and job,” declared Raynor.
+“Cruising these wonderful seas in a yacht that’s a
+beauty, even if her decks are all littered up like a
+cattle boat’s, just about suits me.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, you’ve got something to do,”
+complained Jack. “But look at my case. I have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_11' id='Page_11'>11</a></span>
+to polish up my instruments every day to keep
+them from getting rusty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Serves you right for not stopping ashore and
+enjoying yourself,” chuckled Raynor teasingly.
+“Since you sold that ‘Universal Detector’ of yours
+to the government you could surely afford to.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just as if I could kick my heels on shore doing
+nothing,” was Jack’s indignant reply, “but it does
+seem as if it’s about time we knew something of
+what this voyage is for.”</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe it’s just a pleasure cruise to allow Mr.
+Jukes to get away from his business troubles,”
+hazarded Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>Jack shook his head in decided negative.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s more in it than that,” he declared
+positively. “Mr. Jukes is first of all a man of
+business. He wouldn’t come skylarking across
+the Pacific for three weeks if he was just out for
+a cruise. He’d go where he could keep in touch
+with the market and Wall Street.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so,” Raynor was compelled to agree.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_12' id='Page_12'>12</a></span>
+“Well, I suppose when he gets ready to spill some
+information he’ll do it. In the meantime my job
+just suits me. But what made you ask about
+the deck coal?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because Captain Sparhawk says we’re in for
+a bad blow, maybe a hurricane.”</p>
+
+<p>Raynor’s usually cheerful face became suddenly
+serious.</p>
+
+<p>“When did he say that?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Just now. They’re putting tarpaulins over
+it now. If we dropped it, we’d be in a bad fix,
+eh, Billy?”</p>
+
+<p>“We’d have about coal enough left for two
+or three days,” rejoined Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“And after that——?”</p>
+
+<p>“It would be a case of ‘merrily we drift
+along.’”</p>
+
+<p>The door gave a sudden sharp slam. A puff
+of wind, sweeping suddenly over the hitherto
+breathless sea, had banged it shut.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_13' id='Page_13'>13</a></span>Jack jumped up and swung it quickly open
+again.</p>
+
+<p>“Here she comes,” he cried excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> gave a sidelong
+lurch that sent both lads helter-skelter across
+the cabin. Outside came a sudden bawling of
+voices and a distant, disquieting roar that grew
+louder every second.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_14' id='Page_14'>14</a></span><h2 id='t314'>CHAPTER II.—THE OCEAN IN A RAGE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Directly they recovered their sea legs, both lads
+made for the cabin door. A wonderful but alarming
+spectacle met their eyes. The sunset had been
+blotted out as if by magic. In its place was a
+ragged, inky-black cloud curtain that was being
+swept across the sky as if invisible, titanic hands
+were swiftly pulling it.</p>
+
+<p>The sea immediately about them was heaving
+wildly in great swells that tumbled the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+rendered less stable by her top-heavy load, from
+side to side. Far off, under the rushing black
+cloud, the forefront of which was almost over
+them by this time, was a jagged line of white.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Booth, the second mate, bundled up in oilskins,
+ran past the boys on his way to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>“Better get under cover,” he advised as he
+passed. “This is going to be a hummer.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_15' id='Page_15'>15</a></span>But, fascinated by the majestic sight, both boys
+stood still, clutching the rail and bracing themselves
+for the shock they felt was coming, for
+both had guessed that the jagged white line in the
+distance was a giant wave. Like a cliff of water
+it grew as it swept toward them, accompanied
+by a howling of the wind that sounded like a
+witches’ carnival. So swift was its advance that
+the boys had hardly time to run toward the cabin
+when it broke upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The <em>Sea Gypsy</em> heeled like a ship that had been
+struck a mortal blow. For one instant she hung
+balanced as if she was about to capsize. The door
+of the cabin in which the boys had taken refuge
+was ripped from its hinges by the terrific force
+of the impact as if it had been matchwood.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment both lads were struggling
+for their lives in a surging, sweeping smother of
+water that filled the cabin to the roof. Jack felt
+himself clutched by the hands of his chum. Fighting
+to keep himself above water, Jack saw that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_16' id='Page_16'>16</a></span>
+Raynor had been hurled against some object and
+been wounded. There was a jagged cut in his
+forehead.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly noticed this, when the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>
+staggered back to an even keel. As she did so
+the water swept out of the cabin like a millrace,
+carrying both boys helplessly with it.</p>
+
+<p>Jack felt Raynor torn from his arms, and the
+next thing he realized he was struggling for
+his life in the waves that reared and roared above
+the floundering yacht.</p>
+
+<p>A month before the events we are describing
+took place, Jack Ready, the young wireless operator
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, and his inseparable chum,
+Billy Raynor, had been summoned to Mr. Jukes’
+New York office and told that they were detached
+from duty on the big <em>Columbia</em>, the crack liner
+of the Jukes’ ships, and ordered to pack their
+things forthwith and meet the ship-owner at the
+St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco within a week.
+Neither had demurred, supposing some interest
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_17' id='Page_17'>17</a></span>
+of the ship-owners called for their presence there.
+But, much to their bewilderment, they had each
+been handed a substantial check by Mr. Jukes on
+his arrival in the western metropolis, told to
+outfit themselves for a long voyage, and nothing
+more. Two days later the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> cleared the
+harbor.</p>
+
+<p>The acquaintance of Jack and Mr. Jukes had
+its beginning in certain events which took place
+near Jack’s quaint home, which he shared with an
+eccentric uncle on an old schooner in the Erie
+Basin in New York. The rescue by Jack of Mr.
+Jukes’ little daughter, and the result on his affairs,
+were fully detailed in the first volume of
+this series, which was called “The Ocean Wireless
+Boys on the Atlantic.” This is not the place
+to re-tell all the exciting adventures that befell
+Jack and young Raynor, who was third engineer
+on the steamer to which Jack was assigned, in
+fulfillment of his ambition to be a “wireless man.”</p>
+
+<p>Nor can we do more here than to hint at the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_18' id='Page_18'>18</a></span>
+contents of the second volume. This was called
+“The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner,”
+and set forth the fate of the <em>Tropic Queen</em>. In
+this book we found Jack and his inseparable chum
+steadily progressing in their chosen professions,
+and also met several other characters, all of whom
+had an important bearing on the events of the
+boys’ lives. Mr. Jukes took formal recognition
+of the part Jack played in the disaster that overtook
+the <em>Tropic Queen</em>, and inwardly resolved
+that his heroism and devotion to duty had made
+him a lad worth watching.</p>
+
+<p>Still a third volume followed, describing the
+boys’ further adventures. In the “Ocean Wireless
+Boys of the Iceberg Patrol,” much interesting
+information about the manner in which the
+ocean lanes are guarded from the white menace
+of the north, was given. The boys shared in
+many thrilling adventures also, and ended by discovering
+something that an expedition, at the
+head of which was Jack’s Uncle Toby, had almost
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_19' id='Page_19'>19</a></span>
+lost through the tricks of a band of hard characters.</p>
+
+<p>The fourth book setting forth their doings was
+called “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval
+Code.” Captain Simms of the U. S. N., after
+devising a novel code for the use of this government,
+through the machinations of a band of
+daring rascals, found himself robbed of it. Wireless
+played a big part in the recovery of the documents
+in the long run, Jack acquitting himself to
+the delight of the naval officials and the government
+by his work in this connection. Some of
+the miscreants, whose tricks Jack had helped to
+frustrate, were sent to prison but others got free.
+These latter the boys, though they little suspected
+it, were destined to meet again.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_20' id='Page_20'>20</a></span><h2 id='t451'>CHAPTER III.—A LONG NIGHT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Blinded, choked and with a red mist before his
+eyes, and in his ears the roar of waters, Jack
+fought the undertow of the retreat of the giant
+wave with all his strength. All at once he felt
+some heavy object hurled against him.</p>
+
+<p>The force of the collision almost knocked what
+little breath remained in his body out of his lungs.
+Instinctively he reached out for whatever it was
+that had struck him.</p>
+
+<p>It was a human body.</p>
+
+<p>The boy had hardly realized this before he
+found himself flung, panting and gasping, down
+upon the deck. Thanks to the stays of the foremost
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> two masts, against which
+the retreating wave had pitched him, he had
+not been drawn overboard. Instead, as the pressure
+of water relaxed, it had dropped him and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_21' id='Page_21'>21</a></span>
+the mute burden he had clasped, to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes Jack lay there panting, too
+much exhausted to exert a muscle or limb. The
+unconscious form hurtled against him by the
+swirling waters lay at his side. It was too dark
+for Jack to see then who it was, or if life remained
+in the motionless figure. By-and-by, as
+his strength came back, he got to his feet and
+dragged the limp form to a cabin. It proved to
+be the one which the great wave had swept from
+Jack so unceremoniously. Luckily, although the
+seas were thundering mountains high about the
+laboring yacht, none like that first terrific comber
+assailed her.</p>
+
+<p>Steadying himself on the rocking floor with
+much difficulty, Jack fumbled for the electric
+switch. He found it at last and let on a flood of
+light. The radiance shed itself on a pale face
+with a deeply slashed forehead that lay at the
+boy’s feet.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Billy,” choked the boy. He got on his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_22' id='Page_22'>22</a></span>
+knees by Raynor’s unconscious form and gently
+raised his chum’s head. It fell back limply. A
+blood-chilling thought surged through Jack and
+he grew as white as the lad he held.</p>
+
+<p>He put his hand hastily over Raynor’s heart
+and a great wave of relief went through him.
+His chum’s heart was beating, although feebly.
+It was not too late to save him. It was a hard
+task for Jack to stagger across that bounding,
+reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious
+Raynor, but at last he managed to accomplish it,
+and deposited the injured young engineer in the
+bunk that occupied one side of the latter’s cabin.
+Then he washed and dressed the injury as best
+he could.</p>
+
+<p>“Now I’ll have to get help,” said the boy to
+himself. “The captain’s got a medicine chest
+and bandages, but we have no doctor. I’ll go and
+find the skipper.”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i03f.jpg'><img src='images/i03.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0002' style='width:400px;height:514px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across that bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Out upon the dripping decks, over which a
+wave crest would every now and then curl, with
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_23' id='Page_23'>23</a></span>
+a roar like that of a waterfall, Jack once more
+emerged. Clawing at hand-holds and desperately
+clinging on now and then when a wave threatened
+to tear loose his grip, he wormed his way forward.
+As he reached the bridge deck, he heard
+a thunderous roar forward, and the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+as if she had been freed of a burden, made a sudden
+plunge skyward, with her bow pointing almost
+straight at the obscured heavens.</p>
+
+<p>“There goes the fore-deck load of coal,”
+thought Jack, as he made his way to where, in
+the lee of the pilot house some obscure figures
+stood huddled. Ten minutes later he and the
+gaunt form of Captain Sparhawk were bending
+over Raynor, as he lay white and still, in his
+bunk. With rough skill the captain dressed the
+wound.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a wonder that Mr. Jukes wouldn’t have
+brought a doctor along,” he muttered. “He’s
+carrying a rapid-fire gun, so why not sawbones,
+too?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_24' id='Page_24'>24</a></span>“Where is Mr. Jukes?” demanded Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“In his cabin, I guess. I haven’t seen him since
+this ocean tantrum broke out.”</p>
+
+<p>“The—the rapid-fire gun you spoke about?”
+asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>The other looked at him in some confusion.</p>
+
+<p>“Confound my habit of talking to myself,” he
+exclaimed. “Did you hear that?”</p>
+
+<p>“I couldn’t help it,” apologised Jack. “Are we
+going to fight any one?”</p>
+
+<p>“You must ask Mr. Jukes that,” answered the
+captain, non-committally. “It’s up to him to tell
+what he wants to. All I know is that there is
+one on board. Maybe he brought it along to shoot
+clay pigeons with. Maybe not. I don’t know.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” he added, “I’ve got to get for’ard
+again. I guess our young ship-mate will do now.
+He had a nasty crack though. Both of you are
+lucky you’re not in Davy Jones’ locker.”</p>
+
+<p>All through the rest of that tempestuous night
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_25' id='Page_25'>25</a></span>
+Jack sat by his chum, dozing off at times and
+then waking with a start to hear the uproar of
+the hurricane as they struggled through it. The
+dawn showed a troubled sea, leaping at the yacht
+as though to engulf her. The wind almost flattened
+Jack against the deck house as, Raynor
+having sunk into a deep sleep after an interval of
+consciousness, the young wireless man set out
+to see what chance there was for breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>The companionway to the dining saloon on the
+deck below was in the after part of the ship. As
+he was about to descend an unusually big wave
+lifted the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> dizzily skyward, and then
+rushed her downward. There was a heave and
+a crash from the stern and Jack saw the after
+deck load of coal vanish like a black avalanche,
+to be swallowed up in the maw of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>“Worse, and more of it,” he muttered, as some
+of the crew who had narrowly escaped being
+overwhelmed, set up a shout; “this will be bad
+news to give poor old Billy.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_26' id='Page_26'>26</a></span><h2 id='t606'>CHAPTER IV.—THE DERELICT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later the hurricane had blown itself
+out. The storm-stressed crew were set to work
+putting things to rights and the yacht put on more
+of her normal appearance. But she had been
+sadly battered for all that. Two boats were stove
+in, ventilators smashed and stanchions bent and
+twisted by the fury of the waves.</p>
+
+<p>The flat, oily sea that succeeded the wild turmoil
+of the hurricane, heaved gently without a
+ripple as Jack and Raynor, the latter recovered
+but still wearing a bandage round his head, stood
+looking over the rail into the glassy waters.</p>
+
+<p>So transparent was the ocean that, under them,
+they could see great fish swimming about slowly
+and lazily, as if life held no hurry for them. Now
+and then a great shark glided by, nosing about
+the ship for scraps. His sharp, triangular dorsal
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_27' id='Page_27'>27</a></span>
+fin stuck from his back like a blue steel knife
+cutting the surface and glistening like a thing of
+metal. About these great tigers of the deep, two
+smaller fish usually hovered. These were pilot
+fish, the strange sea-creatures that invariably
+accompany sharks, and are supposed by sailors
+to pilot them to their prey.</p>
+
+<p>Then there were queer-looking “gonies,” with
+their flat heads winging their way above the
+water and every now and then dropping, with a
+scream and a splash, in a group of a dozen to fight
+furiously over some drifting morsel. After these
+tussles they appeared to “run” over the water to
+give their heavy, awkward bodies a good start
+upward. Then, having attained a certain height,
+down they would flop again, like weights shooting
+through the air, hitting the water with a heavy
+splash and sliding, with a white wake behind
+them, for some feet.</p>
+
+<p>Schools of nautilus, too, gave them something
+to look at as the delicate little creatures, with
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_28' id='Page_28'>28</a></span>
+their thin, membranous sails set, drifted by under
+the gentle breeze that hardly ruffled the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Doesn’t look much as if this ocean could ever
+have kicked up the ructions it did, eh, Billy?”
+remarked Jack, after a long silence.</p>
+
+<p>“It does not,” replied Raynor, with a rueful
+grin, “but I owe it this crack on the head.”</p>
+
+<p>“And the loss of that coal,” chimed in Jack.
+“No wonder you look glum, old fellow. We’ll
+never make port on what’s below.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a chance of it,” was the rejoinder, “about
+all we can do is to use the sails if the worst comes
+to the worst.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, as we don’t appear to have any port
+in view, and nothing to do but to keep on drifting
+about like another Flying Dutchman, I don’t see
+that it much matters where we fetch up,” commented
+Jack, with some irritation.</p>
+
+<p>It was at that instant that there came an interruption.
+The voice of the sea-man at the
+look-out forward broke the spell.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_29' id='Page_29'>29</a></span>“Steamer, ho!” he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>“Where away?” came a hoarse voice from the
+bridge, that of Mr. Jolliffe, the first officer.</p>
+
+<p>“Three p’ints on the starbo’d bow.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s go forward and have a look,” suggested
+Jack. “You’re not on watch for some time yet.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m with you,” agreed Raynor. “Anything
+for variety’s sake. Wonder what ship it is?”</p>
+
+<p>“Too far off to make out yet,” said Jack, as,
+far off, they could just about see, by straining
+their eyes, a small dark speck on the distant horizon.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see any smoke,” said Raynor. “Perhaps
+it’s a sailing ship after all.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll know before long,” was Jack’s reply.</p>
+
+<p>During an interval in which the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>
+drew steadily toward the craft that had, by this
+time, excited the attention of all on board, the
+boys saw Mr. Jukes emerge from his cabin and
+take his place on the bridge beside Captain Sparhawk.
+That bronzed mariner handed the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_30' id='Page_30'>30</a></span>
+millionaire his glasses and Mr. Jukes’ rather fat,
+pallid face took on an unwonted hue of excitement
+as he handed them back.</p>
+
+<p>The boys standing on the main deck just below
+the bridge heard the owner of the yacht putting
+sharp questions. He showed more animation
+than he had at any time during the voyage. The
+sight of the other craft appeared to affect him
+curiously.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s a schooner, Sparhawk.”</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“But although she has her canvas set she is
+making no way.”</p>
+
+<p>“That appears to be correct. But there is little
+wind. Odd though that she doesn’t signal us.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes snatched up the glasses again from
+the shelf where he had laid them down.</p>
+
+<p>“Blessed if I can make out a soul on board her,
+Sparhawk,” he exclaimed presently. “Here, try
+what you can do.”</p>
+
+<p>He handed the binoculars over to the master
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_31' id='Page_31'>31</a></span>
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>. Captain Sparhawk took a prolonged
+observation. When he, in turn, laid the
+glasses down his thin, mahogany-hued face bore
+a puzzled look.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s queer, sir, but I don’t seem to be able to
+make out a living soul either.”</p>
+
+<p>“A derelict, perhaps?”</p>
+
+<p>“Possibly,” assented the captain, and no more
+was said as, with all eyes fixed on the strange
+schooner, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> drew nearer. The boys
+could now make out every detail of the other
+craft. She was a trig-looking schooner, painted
+black, with a flush deck except for her after house
+and a small structure astern of the fore-mast.
+Her canvas was set but it flapped idly in the light
+breeze as she swung to and fro on the Pacific
+swells. No guiding hand could be seen at her
+wheel. Not a soul was visible on her deserted
+decks.</p>
+
+<p>There is no more melancholy sight than a sea
+derelict, the aimless prey of winds and currents,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_32' id='Page_32'>32</a></span>
+drifting sometimes for years over the trackless
+wastes of the ocean. The boys felt something of
+this as all doubt as to human occupancy of the
+schooner vanished.</p>
+
+<p>“Deserted, I reckon,” hazarded Jack. “Although
+her canvas appears perfect, her hull sound
+and——”</p>
+
+<p>He broke off sharply. From the abandoned
+ship there had suddenly come a sound which,
+under the circumstances, was particularly depressing
+and even startling.</p>
+
+<p>It was the measured tolling of a bell, like a
+funeral knell.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_33' id='Page_33'>33</a></span><h2 id='t783'>CHAPTER V.—THE “CENTURION.”</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Hark!” cried Raynor, as the two boys exchanged
+glances.</p>
+
+<p>“I have it,” exclaimed Jack the next instant.
+“That’s only the tolling of the ship’s bell as the
+schooner rolls on the sea.”</p>
+
+<p>“My, it gave me a jump though,” admitted
+Raynor. “Hullo, they are slowing down. Must
+be going to board her.”</p>
+
+<p>“Evidently,” agreed Jack, as the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em>
+propeller revolved more and more slowly.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk descended from the bridge.
+The ponderous form of Mr. Jukes followed him.
+The millionaire’s face bore a look of strange excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“Of course that can’t be the schooner,” the
+boys heard him say to the captain, “but still I
+can’t pass it unsearched.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_34' id='Page_34'>34</a></span>His eye fell on the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Lads, we are going to board that schooner and
+try to find out something about her,” he said.
+“Do you want to go along?”</p>
+
+<p>These were the first words the boys had had
+with their employer in some days. Of course
+both jumped at the chance, and before many
+minutes passed, one of the yacht’s remaining
+boats was being sent over the sea at a fast clip
+toward the derelict. Close inspection showed the
+schooner’s condition not to be as good as it had
+seemed at a distance. Her paint was blistered
+and the oakum calking was spewing out of her
+sun-dried seams like Spanish moss on an aged
+tree. Her sails were mildewed and torn in many
+places and her ropes bleached and frayed. Mingling
+now with the incessant, melancholy tolling
+of the bell, came the monotonous creak of her
+booms and gaffs as they swung rhythmically to
+and fro.</p>
+
+<p>No name appeared on her bow, although
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_35' id='Page_35'>35</a></span>
+blurred tracings of white paint showed that one
+had once been inscribed there. But there was a
+yellow-painted figurehead; a stern, Roman-nosed
+bust of a man, apparently intended for an
+emperor or a warrior.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll row round the stern and take a look
+at her name,” decided Captain Sparhawk. “We’ll
+have to climb aboard from the other side anyway.
+There is no means of scrambling up from this.”</p>
+
+<p>The boat was turned and rowed under the
+graceful stern of the derelict. On it, in bold,
+raised letters, surrounded by a fanciful design,
+stood out, in fading colors, the lost craft’s name.</p>
+
+<p>“<em>Centurion</em>, San Francisco,” read out Jack,
+with an odd thrill. There was a sudden exclamation
+from Mr. Jukes, who had not yet been able
+to make out more than the first few letters.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that?” he exclaimed, in a voice so
+sharp and tense that the boys turned and stared
+at him, as did the boat’s crew and Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_36' id='Page_36'>36</a></span>Jack repeated his answer and, to his astonishment,
+Mr. Jukes, the iron-jawed, self-possessed
+business man, who had never shown signs of possessing
+any more emotion than a stone, suddenly
+sunk his head in his hands with a groan.</p>
+
+<p>“Too late after all,” they heard him mutter
+unsteadily. But when he again raised his face,
+although it was ashy pale, he appeared to have
+mastered himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey,
+Sparhawk,” he remarked in a voice that he rendered
+steady by an apparent effort. “Let us go
+on board, however, and see if we can find some
+trace of the unfortunates of the <em>Centurion</em>.”</p>
+
+<p>The captain looked as if he would have liked
+to ask a great many questions, but something in
+Mr. Jukes’ face rendered him silent. He gave
+the necessary orders and the boat was pulled
+round to the other side of the schooner. Here
+they were glad to find some dilapidated ropes
+dangling which afforded a means of getting on
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_37' id='Page_37'>37</a></span>
+board. Two sailors, after first testing their
+weight-bearing qualities, scrambled up them like
+monkeys, and, under the captain’s orders, went
+hunting for a Jacob’s ladder which would support
+Mr. Jukes’ ponderous weight. One was found
+and lowered, and soon all stood on the silent decks
+which for so long had not echoed the footsteps
+of a human being.</p>
+
+<p>“Away forward and muzzle that bell, some of
+you,” ordered the captain briskly. “The sound
+of the thing gets on my nerves.”</p>
+
+<p>“Send them all forward,” supplemented Mr.
+Jukes. “Tell them to search the forecastle, anything
+to keep them busy. We will examine the
+cabins and officers’ quarters.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are we to accompany you, sir?” asked Jack
+hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>For a fraction of a second the millionaire
+seemed plunged in thought. Then he arrived at
+one of his characteristic quick decisions.</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?” he asked, half to himself it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_38' id='Page_38'>38</a></span>
+seemed. “Later I shall have something to say
+to all of you. You have wondered at the object
+of this cruise, no doubt?”</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk nodded gravely.</p>
+
+<p>“I have guessed you had some great end to
+serve in it, Mr. Jukes,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“An end which has now been reached, I fear,”
+said the millionaire solemnly. “But come, let us
+proceed with our examination.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_39' id='Page_39'>39</a></span><h2 id='t924'>CHAPTER VI.—A MYSTERY OF THE SEAS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>At first glance Jack saw that the main cabin of
+the <em>Centurion</em> was fitted up with a luxuriousness
+not common to mere trading schooners. A silver
+hanging lamp of elaborate design, silk curtains
+at the stern ports, book-cases filled with handsomely
+bound volumes and the thick carpets on
+the floor, clearly indicated that whoever had occupied
+it had been above the class of the rough
+and ready South Sea trader.</p>
+
+<p>In one corner stood a desk as handsome in its
+appointments as the rest of the furniture. But
+it had been roughly dealt with. The front had
+been smashed in, drawers pulled out and papers
+and documents scattered about all over the cabin
+floor. The door to a sleeping cabin leading off
+the main apartment was open. Within was the
+same disorder. Even mattresses had been ripped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_40' id='Page_40'>40</a></span>
+open in a hunt for something, the nature of which
+the boys could not guess.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes hastily rummaged through the contents
+of the desk, selecting some papers, casting
+aside others as worthless, and gathered up on his
+hands and knees those on the floor. Then every
+cabin was searched and in each the millionaire
+took a few papers, but the look of anxiety on his
+face did not change, and the boys judged he had
+not found what he was in search of.</p>
+
+<p>“Not a solitary clue,” he exclaimed with a
+heavy sigh as, dust-covered and perspiring from
+his exertions, he sank down at the long dining
+table in the main cabin. For a time he appeared
+lost in thought and the others stood about silently.
+To Jack it was almost awe-inspiring, to see this
+over-mastering man of affairs, who bullied whole
+corporations into his way of thinking, sitting
+there in the cabin of the derelict schooner utterly
+at a loss, and apparently defeated. At length Mr.
+Jukes spoke. His first words were a surprise:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_41' id='Page_41'>41</a></span>“I suppose you all have heard of my brother,
+Jerushah Jukes?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“The traveler and explorer?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk. “I guess every one in America knows
+of him, Mr. Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>Paying no attention to the captain’s reply, the
+millionaire went on.</p>
+
+<p>“The papers reported some months ago that
+he had set out for Central Africa.”</p>
+
+<p>“I read the account,” said Jack, “but——”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes waved his hand. The boy fell into
+an abashed silence; in a second the millionaire
+had changed once more from a crushed, defeated
+human being into Jacob Jukes, millionaire and
+king of commerce.</p>
+
+<p>“He did not go to Africa,” he said. “Instead,
+his destination was the South Pacific. He chartered
+this schooner, the <em>Centurion</em>, and the last
+I heard of him was when he set sail from San
+Francisco. If no news of him was received within
+a certain time I promised him to come in search
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_42' id='Page_42'>42</a></span>
+of him. You see,” he added with a simplicity new
+from him, “he was my younger brother and I
+promised my mother on her death-bed always to
+look after him.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. In the silence of the long-deserted
+cabin they could hear the dismal creak
+of the neglected rudder and the bang-banging of
+the swinging spars above.</p>
+
+<p>“We were poor then, miserably poor, and my
+mother never lived to see the rise of our fortunes,
+for as I advanced in business I helped my
+brother up, too. But his bent was not for finance.
+He had a streak of the adventurous in him. But
+I put it to paying purpose. I seldom lose on any
+venture.” Unconsciously as it seemed, the hard
+vein in Jacob Jukes had cropped out again. “I
+decided to put my brother on a paying basis. The
+results were good. Concessions in South
+America, gold mines in Alaska, and certain South
+African enterprises were put through, largely
+through his instrumentality.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_43' id='Page_43'>43</a></span>“And now, to get down to the present time.
+The <em>Centurion</em> was chartered to obtain for Mrs.
+Jukes, who has a craze for expensive and rare
+jewelry, the ‘Tear of the Sea,’ the most famous
+pearl of the South Seas. I had obtained information
+of its whereabouts in the Pomoutou Archipelago
+through means which are not important to
+relate here. I thought that an expedition to purchase
+the ‘Tear of the Sea’ and, incidentally,
+other pearls, would be a good investment and
+keep my brother, who was getting restless, in
+occupation.</p>
+
+<p>“In the meantime, however, a dishonest employee
+managed to get wind of what was about
+to take place and furnished the information to a
+firm of European jewelers with agents in New
+York and all over the world. From that moment,
+I rushed through the <em>Centurion’s</em> expedition with
+all possible speed, for I knew the conditions of
+competition in the Pacific. There is little more
+law among pearl traders than there is north of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_44' id='Page_44'>44</a></span>
+fifty-three. My brother knew this as well as I
+did and realised the necessity for haste. Moreover,
+we knew that the European firm was
+anxious to obtain, for a royal customer, the very
+pearl that I was after. In addition, this firm was
+known as one of the most unscrupulous in gaining
+its ends, and maintained, in the South Pacific,
+a system of spies and bullies which brought
+most of the pearl hunters’ prizes into their hands.
+Ugly stories have been told of their methods of
+gaining their ends—and—and I am afraid the
+fate of the <em>Centurion</em> will have to be added to the
+black list.”</p>
+
+<p>“There is nothing in the papers to show what
+happened to your brother, sir?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk presently.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing. They are merely formal documents,
+ship’s papers, clearance bills and so forth. There
+is no memorandum relating to the pearl in any
+way.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_45' id='Page_45'>45</a></span>Captain Sparhawk knitted his brows. For a
+minute he appeared lost in deep thought.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you mind telling us the name of that firm,
+sir?” he asked at last.</p>
+
+<p>“There is nothing we can prove against them,”
+said the millionaire. “They work without their
+hands showing in any of their ugly transactions.
+Their name, however, is F—— &amp; Freres.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of Amsterdam?” queried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>“The same. They have practically a monopoly
+of the pearl trade of Europe.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know that, sir,” said the captain, clenching
+his hands. “They tried to work their tricks on
+a ship-mate of mine who went a-pearl trading.
+But, sir, to change the subject, did you ever hear
+of ‘Bully’ Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“I have; and have good cause to remember
+him,” said the captain. “But none of that at this
+time. Sir,” he continued earnestly, “your brother
+may be as safe and sound as we are. He may
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_46' id='Page_46'>46</a></span>
+have the pearl. But if neither of these things
+have happened, Bully Broom is the man to look
+for if we have to hunt him all over the Pacific.
+I’ve sailed these seas and know that ‘Bully’
+Broom did F—— &amp; Co.’s dirty work for them.
+He calls himself a trader, but, like lots of others
+doing business under that name in these waters,
+‘Pirate’ would be a sight better name for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you think that this man ‘Bully’ Broom,
+as you call him, has something to do with this
+mysterious disappearance of my brother?” asked
+Mr. Jukes, who had listened with deep attention,
+willing to hear of any clue, however slight.</p>
+
+<p>“I ain’t dead sure,” said the captain, “but it’s
+my impression that if the firm you spoke of was
+after this ‘Tear of the Sea,’ then ‘Bully’ Broom
+knows where Jerushah Jukes is,” and he brought
+his lean, gnarled fist down with a thump on the
+table.</p>
+
+<p>The old ginger came back into Mr. Jukes’ eyes,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_47' id='Page_47'>47</a></span>
+the wonted crisp authority into his voice as he
+snapped out:</p>
+
+<p>“That being the case, we’ll find ‘Bully’ Broom.”</p>
+
+<p>“No matter where we have to go?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk, raising his eyebrows.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll scour the whole Pacific if necessary.
+But nobody of the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> crew need accompany
+her against his will. All I ask is that they
+remain till we can touch at some civilised port,
+such as Papeiti or Honolulu and ship a man in
+his place. Do you boys wish to stick?”</p>
+
+<p>“To the finish,” came from Jack, and Raynor,
+standing beside him, nodded his assent.</p>
+
+<p>As for Captain Sparhawk, he simply reached
+out one of his brown hands toward the millionaire,
+who clasped it, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“I’m with you till the bottom drops out of the
+ship.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, Sparhawk. It’s what I expected
+of you all,” said Mr. Jukes quietly, but his voice
+shook.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_48' id='Page_48'>48</a></span>Thus, in the desolated cabin of the derelict
+<em>Centurion</em>, there was ratified a bargain that was
+to lead the boys into strange seas and stranger
+adventures.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_49' id='Page_49'>49</a></span><h2 id='t1158'>CHAPTER VII.—AN OLD ENEMY ODDLY MET.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The lads stood on the stern deck of the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span>, gazing behind them. On the horizon hovered
+a tall, black column of smoke. It marked
+the last resting place of the <em>Centurion</em>, for Mr.
+Jukes, after ransacking the cabin of everything
+associated with his brother, had decided to burn
+the derelict, which, if she had drifted into the
+paths of navigation, might have proved a dangerous
+menace.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, Billy, the mystery is solved at last,” said
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and in a way I’d never have guessed in
+a thousand years. Mr. Jukes must be very fond
+of his brother. It’s a new side of his character
+to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Same here,” agreed Jack. “While he has
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_50' id='Page_50'>50</a></span>
+always been just and kind, I thought him a regular
+man of business, with ice-water instead of red
+blood in his veins, and his heart in his enterprises
+only.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just goes to show that you are liable to run
+up against a streak of sentiment when you least
+expect it,” said Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“I see now why an embargo was put on the
+wireless,” said Jack presently.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t figure it out. I should have thought
+he would have used it to try and locate the <em>Centurion</em>.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess he figured that if he did so, some ship
+might pick up the message and it would reach
+the ears of that Amsterdam firm and they would
+find out about this expedition in search of Jerushah
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps that’s it. But there’s one thing sure
+and certain, Jack.”</p>
+
+<p>“And that is——?”</p>
+
+<p>“That we can’t do much without coal.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_51' id='Page_51'>51</a></span>“Jove, that’s true; I’d forgotten that. What
+rotten luck! Where is the nearest coaling place?”</p>
+
+<p>“Papeiti, in Tahiti, I reckon.”</p>
+
+<p>“How close are we to that port now?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, to-day’s reckoning puts us in Latitude
+29 degrees, 49 minutes.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll have to look at the map, but that makes it
+quite a run.” The second mate came bustling up
+to Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“The skipper and Mr. Jukes want to see you
+in the captain’s cabin,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know what about?” asked Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Coal, I think. How much have you got to
+keep those old tea-kettles of yours chugging?”</p>
+
+<p>“Precious little since your gang on deck let
+that deck-load be washed overboard,” grinned
+Raynor, as he hurried off.</p>
+
+<p>The consultation lasted a long time. But at
+length Raynor returned with the news that, for
+as long as possible, full speed was to be made
+with the coal in hand, and that then canvas would
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_52' id='Page_52'>52</a></span>
+be spread, for the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was schooner rigged
+and in addition carried a big square sail on her
+foremast.</p>
+
+<p>For two days good time was made, but when
+Raynor, with a rueful face, announced that only
+a few shovelfuls more coal remained in the bunkers,
+they were still many weary sea-miles from
+their destination. However, sailors are proverbially
+inclined to make the best of things. The
+<em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> canvas was bent, and under a spanking
+breeze they glided, at a fair speed, over the
+sparkling waters, while in the engine room the
+fires were drawn and the engines grew cold.</p>
+
+<p>But a steam vessel, while she will behave fairly
+well under canvas, is not designed for sail and
+makes an astonishing amount of what sailors call
+“lee-way,” that is, the wind, if it blows a’beam,
+constantly drives her side-ways, or crab-fashion,
+of a direct course, so that for every mile she
+makes in a forward direction a considerable
+amount of lee-way has to be deducted. For this
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_53' id='Page_53'>53</a></span>
+reason all hands looked forward to a long and
+tedious voyage before the highlands of Tahiti
+were sighted.</p>
+
+<p>Now that there was no doubt as to the fate of
+the <em>Centurion</em>, and no danger of her being captured,
+the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> wireless was set to work
+again. But they were traveling a lonely tract of
+the Pacific, and no answer came to Jack’s
+messages, nor did he “listen in” on any outside
+conversations.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk was in hopes of encountering
+an English, French or German cruiser, for
+all those nations keep war craft in these Pacific
+waters to watch out for pearl pirates and other
+law-breakers, but the wireless failed to pick any
+up, although Jack worked it assiduously.</p>
+
+<p>For two days the favoring breeze that was helping
+the crippled <em>Sea Gypsy</em> along held. Then
+there fell a flat calm, and the glass began to drop
+ominously. Captain Sparhawk went about with
+a grave face. Jack gathered from a few remarks
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_54' id='Page_54'>54</a></span>
+the reserved seaman had let fall, that he expected
+another hurricane. Situated as she was, the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> predicament would be a serious one if
+such a tornado as the one she had safely weathered
+were to strike her now. The sailors stood
+about in little knots discussing the situation and
+casting anxious glances at the horizon. Mr.
+Jukes and the captain and officers spent long
+hours on the bridge in careful consultation.</p>
+
+<p>Before the sun set, the question as to whether
+or no the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was in for a second fight
+with the elements was definitely settled. Thunder
+and lightning deafened and blinded the voyagers.
+Rain descended as only tropical rain can,
+flooding the decks and blinding the look-outs and
+the officers on the bridge. The <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> canvas
+was reduced, only enough being kept on to
+keep her from literally rolling her hull under the
+towering water mountains.</p>
+
+<p>The crew clawed their way about the decks
+by holding fast to life-lines which Captain
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_55' id='Page_55'>55</a></span>
+Sparhawk had ordered stretched when the storm
+broke. Raynor, coming on deck to report that all
+was well below, met Jack on his way back to the
+lower regions of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, old fellow, this is a corker and no mistake,”
+he observed, raising his voice in order to
+make it audible above the frantic battle noises
+of the storm.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the worst yet,” Jack agreed.</p>
+
+<p>“And it will be worse than ever before it gets
+better, according to the way Captain Sparhawk
+put it when I reported to him,” said the young
+engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, what’s that?” exclaimed Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“We hit something,” shouted Raynor. “Look
+at the watch running forward.”</p>
+
+<p>“Storm or no storm, I’m going forward to
+see what’s up,” ejaculated Jack, and, followed by
+Raynor, he hurried toward the bow where several
+of the oil-skin coated crew were already clustered.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_56' id='Page_56'>56</a></span><h2 id='t1340'>CHAPTER VIII.—“LAND, HO!”</h2></div>
+
+<p>It was a fight every inch of the way, but at
+last they reached the bow and found the sailors
+bending over the recumbent form of a youth.</p>
+
+<p>“What has happened? What did we strike?”
+asked Jack of one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>“Struck a small boat,” was the reply. “How
+it ever lived in this sea is a wonder. This fellow
+was in it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Is he all right?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; about half dead,” rejoined the third mate.
+“Carry him aft, men, and put him in one of the
+spare cabins. With care he may pull through.
+I’m going to notify the captain,” and he hurried
+off.</p>
+
+<p>Several men picked up the form of the rescued
+one. Jack suddenly saw his face, pale as
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_57' id='Page_57'>57</a></span>
+death, with his wet hair hanging over his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>“Great guns, Billy!” he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it? What’s the matter? Do you
+know him?” queried Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Know him? I should say so. So do you. It’s
+Harvey Thurman.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not at all. Take a look at him yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>“By George, you are right. What a strange
+happening,” declared Raynor, after taking one
+glance at the youth the crew were bearing off.</p>
+
+<p>“What in the world can he be doing in this
+part of the ocean in a small boat?” wondered
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve no idea. We’ll have to wait till he comes
+to, if he ever does. I remember hearing now
+that he had got a job on a Pacific steamer. Perhaps
+it had been wrecked and he was a castaway.”</p>
+
+<p>“Possibly,” agreed Jack. “I’m glad we saved
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_58' id='Page_58'>58</a></span>
+him, although he has made a lot of trouble for us
+in the past.”</p>
+
+<p>As readers of “The Ocean Wireless Boys and
+the Naval Code” will recall, it was Harvey
+Thurman who was assistant wireless man on the
+<em>Columbia</em> and whose dislike of Jack and Billy resulted
+in his joining their enemies in an effort to
+discredit them. After the stolen code was recovered,
+Thurman was not, like the rest engaged
+in the rascally business, sent to prison, but was
+allowed to go free at the boys’ behest, as they
+believed he had been badly influenced more than
+anything else.</p>
+
+<p>“So you know him?” said Captain Sparhawk,
+as they all stood in the cabin to which Thurman
+had been taken and restoratives were administered
+to the unfortunate youth.</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed we do,” said both boys, and they told
+the captain something of their experiences.</p>
+
+<p>“He is not a desirable character then?” said
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_59' id='Page_59'>59</a></span>“I wouldn’t say that,” said Jack. “We thought
+he was influenced by bad companions. But at any
+rate he had no liking for us. Is he going to get
+better?”</p>
+
+<p>“I think so. See, he is opening his eyes.”</p>
+
+<p>Thurman’s face, under the influence of the restoratives,
+had become suffused by a faint flush
+of color. He looked wildly about him. As his
+gaze rested first on Jack and then on Raynor he
+looked like a sleeper newly awakened from a
+night-mare.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, am I dreaming?” he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“No, my lad,” said the captain, “but you had
+a close call from going into a sleep from which
+you never would have awakened.”</p>
+
+<p>“But Ready and Raynor! What are they doing
+here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, we’re solid enough. Nothing ghostly
+about us,” Jack assured him, extending his hand.
+“Congratulations on your narrow escape from
+death, and—and we’ll let bygones be bygones.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_60' id='Page_60'>60</a></span>“I never meant to be really bad,” said Thurman
+weakly.</p>
+
+<p>“Say no more about it,” advised Billy. “But
+tell us how you came to be adrift in such a fearful
+storm in that dinky little boat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Better let him eat some soup first,” said the
+captain, taking a steaming bowl from the steward,
+from whom he had ordered it for the relief
+of the castaway, “he’s half starved.”</p>
+
+<p>The way in which Thurman gulped down the
+grateful food showed that this statement was no
+exaggeration.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the first food I’ve had in two days,” he
+declared. “You see, when the <em>Galilee</em>, that was
+the schooner I was on board of, sank in the storm
+some days ago, I escaped in the boat. We
+launched two altogether, but I guess the other one
+was lost.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begin at the beginning,” suggested Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“All right then. It was this way, Ready:
+After my—er—my little trouble with you I came
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_61' id='Page_61'>61</a></span>
+west. I got a job as assistant wireless man at a
+lonely station on one of the Caroline Islands. But
+I couldn’t stand the life and resigned. No regular
+steamers touch there, so I got passage on the
+<em>Galilee</em>, a little trading schooner for Papeiti.
+She sprang a leak and sank, and there was only
+a loaf of bread and a few cans of meat in the
+boat when I shoved off from the sinking hulk.
+It was all I had time to put in. What happened
+after that till you bumped into me and saved me
+is like a bad dream. I guess I was crazy most
+of the time. I never expected to be saved, and—and
+I guess it has been a good lesson to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“If it has made you resolve to reform, it will
+not have been wasted,” said Jack. And he then
+told Thurman something about themselves. Captain
+Sparhawk promised that as soon as Thurman
+was stronger he would find a job for him, for the
+boys’ old enemy was penniless, having left his
+wallet behind him in his haste at fleeing from the
+sinking schooner.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_62' id='Page_62'>62</a></span>All that night the tempest raged with unabated
+fury. At times it seemed as if the yacht must go
+to pieces, so sadly was she wrenched and buffeted
+by the giant combers. There was little sleep for
+any on board that night and the day broke wildly
+on a worried, harried-looking crew. Shortly before
+noon the foresail tore away from the bolt
+ropes, and split with a noise like the explosion of
+a cannon. This accident was almost immediately
+followed by a shout from the lookout.</p>
+
+<p>“Land, ho!”</p>
+
+<p>This cry, ordinarily one hailed with delight by
+sailors, was not thus received on the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>.
+Captain Sparhawk had been unable to get an
+observation during the days of storm, and what
+with this, and the heavy lee drift made by the
+yacht, he had no idea of his whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>At the shout all hands clambered to points of
+vantage to see what islands they could be approaching.
+As the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> rose dizzily on the
+top of a great wave Jack saw, with a flash of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_63' id='Page_63'>63</a></span>
+alarm, that they were headed straight for a large
+island dotted with tropical verdure and tall, wind-bent
+palms about which rocks bristled menacingly
+like hungry fangs awaiting to penetrate the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> stout hull.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_64' id='Page_64'>64</a></span><h2 id='t1532'>CHAPTER IX.—THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk
+navigated the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> among the rocks
+with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a
+shout of dismay went up from the sailors as the
+yacht almost grazed some huge black rock or
+scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated
+with safety, and finally the sea-battered
+yacht lay snug and safe in the lee of the island
+and all hands drew a long breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p>“Let go the anchor,” came the command, and
+the cable roared out of the hawser holes with a
+savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship’s delivery.</p>
+
+<p>“Where under the sun are we?” asked Mr.
+Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as soon as these
+maneuvers had been completed.</p>
+
+<p>“I have no more idea than you, sir,” was the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_65' id='Page_65'>65</a></span>
+reply. “But it looks to me as if this island must
+be one of the Pamatous.”</p>
+
+<p>“One of the pearl islands?” asked the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands
+are sown pretty thickly in this part of the
+Pacific.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are the Pamatou people cannibals?” asked
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t think so,” said the captain, “but before
+I send a boat ashore I am going to deal out arms
+to the landing party. We want to run no risks.
+I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these
+savages are great thieves and they might see a
+chance for some piratical tricks in our dilemma.”</p>
+
+<p>“The machine gun will come in handy then,”
+said Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, indeed, sir. I’ll give orders to have it
+mounted at once in a conspicuous place so if
+any of the gentry ashore have any rascally
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_66' id='Page_66'>66</a></span>
+designs they can see we’re ready for them with a
+dose of cold lead.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack, after some difficulty, secured permission
+for himself and Raynor to go ashore with the
+landing party. Mr. Jukes, who remained on
+board, was unwilling that they take the risk of
+a hostile attack, but at last he yielded, and the
+boys, in high glee, buckled on cartridge belts and
+selected rifles from the ship’s armory.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep the rifles in the bottom of the boat,”
+ordered the captain, as they shoved off, “and
+don’t use them unless you absolutely have to.”</p>
+
+<p>Although the place where they lay was sheltered,
+the storm was still howling and shrieking
+above the island and the sea ran rather high. The
+inclement weather, no doubt, explained why no
+natives had so far been seen.</p>
+
+<p>A landing was successfully made in the surf,
+the men leaping from the boat and dragging her
+ashore, waist-deep in water. Dense foliage,
+among which could be seen the huge fronds of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_67' id='Page_67'>67</a></span>
+the banana, and broad-leaved breadfruit trees
+grew almost down to the dazzlingly white beach.
+Further back great palms, laden with cocoanuts,
+towered majestically above the tropic growth.</p>
+
+<p>“There seems to be no sign of a village here,”
+said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps it is on the other side of the island,”
+suggested Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’ll tramp along the beach and see
+what we can find,” decided the man in command
+of the “expedition.”</p>
+
+<p>Four men were told off to guard the boat, with
+orders to fire three shots if anything out of the
+way occurred. The party in search of the village
+was to signal in the same way if anything
+untoward happened and they needed help.</p>
+
+<p>“Shall we carry the rifles?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but try to conceal them as much as possible,”
+counseled the captain.</p>
+
+<p>They set off along the beach, walking briskly,
+for the sand was firm and hard. Looking back
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_68' id='Page_68'>68</a></span>
+at the anchored yacht, they could see the glitter
+of the machine-gun with a man stationed beside
+it. The gun was trained on the shore ready for
+instant use against any possible attack. After
+traversing a short distance they came in sight of
+what appeared to be a pathway. The condition
+of it showed that it was much traveled and probably
+it formed the high road to the village.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk decided to follow it. In
+single file the adventurers advanced along the
+track which wound in and out, dodging trees and
+rocks in a manner peculiar to most savage trails
+whose makers would rather go round an obstacle
+than clear it out of the way. There was a
+gloomy sky overhead and the wind boomed dolefully
+among the palms, making a noise like sheets
+of rain falling as their big fan-like leaves rustled
+and scraped against each other.</p>
+
+<p>A hundred rods or so from the coast they
+found themselves in a ravine which towered up
+steeply on each side of the track. This canyon
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_69' id='Page_69'>69</a></span>
+appeared to penetrate the centre of the island, the
+interior of which was hilly.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess the village, if there is one, must be
+clear round the other side of the island,” said
+Billy Raynor, between bites at a banana he had
+picked from a bush at the side of the trail. Others
+of the party were munching on oranges and
+a fruit the captain called a “custard apple,” the
+latter a large, brown-colored “apple,” filled with
+a yellow paste that looked and tasted like custard.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s one thing certain, the high cost of
+living need never worry these fellows,” remarked
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Not if they’re content to be vegetarians,” said
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“They don’t need to be that,” said the captain,
+“the seas hereabouts teem with fish—and look
+there!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a rush and a clatter of falling stones
+just ahead of them as a flock of goats, half-wild
+creatures, with wonderfully agile legs, leaped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_70' id='Page_70'>70</a></span>
+up the sides of the canyon and then, at a safe
+height, stood gazing down at the invaders of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>“These South Sea islanders prefer goat’s meat
+to anything except pork,” said the captain; “in
+fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment
+to human flesh of calling it 'long pig.’”</p>
+
+<p>This mention of cannibalism made the boys
+feel rather uncomfortable. Although the captain
+reassured them and they knew that the horrible
+practice of eating human flesh had all but
+died out in the South Seas, except in some remote
+islands, they did not know but the one they were
+exploring might prove to be one of the latter.
+It was just as their minds were busy with these
+disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp exclamation
+and came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly
+in front of the lad who was in advance of
+the party.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_71' id='Page_71'>71</a></span>Between the green leaves a hideous face,
+daubed with red and white paint, suddenly glared
+out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_72' id='Page_72'>72</a></span><h2 id='t1715'>CHAPTER X.—CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.</h2></div>
+
+<p>So quickly had this happened that none of the
+others had seen it. But Jack quickly apprised
+them of his discovery.</p>
+
+<p>“If the man’s face was painted, would that
+mean he was on the war-path?” asked Billy
+rather nervously.</p>
+
+<p>“Not necessarily,” rejoined the captain, “but
+still, he might be hostile. On feast days the natives
+paint themselves up and that may have been
+the reason for his decorations.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a
+clock or scare a locomotive off the track,” exclaimed
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“The village must be near at hand,” said the
+captain presently. “Let us press on.”</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the end of the ravine now,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_73' id='Page_73'>73</a></span>
+having crossed almost the entire island. The
+path widened and others branched off from it.
+But they stuck to the main thoroughfare and in
+a few moments came in sight of a native village
+lying not far back from the shore and amidst a
+grove of magnificent palms.</p>
+
+<p>The rhythmical throbbing of tom-toms reached
+their ears and they could see natives dancing in
+their peculiar swaying manner to the sound of
+the skin drums. Suddenly the dancing ceased.
+The natives in a swarm, among them the man
+with the painted face, descended on the travelers.
+Many wore flowers in their hair and others added
+to these decorations by brass rings in their noses
+and ear-rings composed of old china door knobs.
+The men were remarkably handsome and the
+women pretty.</p>
+
+<p>After the first uncertainty as to their reception,
+there was no doubt of their friendliness as they
+pressed about. Several of them could talk English
+and the captain soon learned that they were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_74' id='Page_74'>74</a></span>
+indeed on one of the Pamatou group, as he had
+surmised. The village, which was celebrating a
+feast day, was one of two on the island occupied
+by pearl fishers. The natives were civilized;
+schooners and ships frequently touching there.
+To the south of them they said were “bad men,”
+meaning cannibals, and the boys were glad they
+had not landed on one of them.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing would do but that the white men must
+sit down and partake of the feast which was just
+ready. The boys stuffed themselves with roast
+pork, goat-meat, sweet potatoes, yams, roasted
+bread-fruit, fish and fruit. They washed this
+down with cocoanut milk. During the meal, a
+young Pamatouan attached himself to each of the
+boys. Each of these lads was about sixteen and
+wore, like most of the rest, a single white garment,
+although some of the natives sported trousers,
+and a few even had shoes—which they carried
+in their hands!</p>
+
+<p>The two lads, who had thrust their services
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_75' id='Page_75'>75</a></span>
+on Jack and Billy, informed them that they were
+their friends and would be so all the time the
+<em>Sea Gypsy</em> lay at the island. They waited on the
+amused boys hand and foot, not letting them do
+anything. Jack’s acquisition was called Bolabola;
+Billy’s savage servitor was called, so he said,
+Anai. Each could speak a little English and they
+informed the boys that they were “their friends
+for always.” From the captain the lads learned
+that this is a common custom among the islanders
+who value the friendship of a white man highly,
+and think it an honor and a credit to wait on him.
+He suggested giving them some little presents.
+Jack presented Bolabola with a pocket-knife and
+Billy gave Anai a fountain pen, having nothing
+else with him. Anai promptly stuck the pen
+through a big hole bored in the lobe of his ear
+and capered about delighted with his new ornament.</p>
+
+<p>When it came time to go back to the ship, the
+friendly natives could not hear of the adventurers
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_76' id='Page_76'>76</a></span>
+trudging back on foot. A great war canoe was
+launched and paddled by fifty strapping natives,
+singing musically, and so they were paddled
+round the island in state. On their arrival at
+the ship, the boat which had been left under guard
+was signalled to return, and presents of calico,
+straw hats, cheap cutlery and glass beads and
+fish-hooks and lines,—the latter highly prized,—were
+dealt out from the yacht’s stores. The natives
+swarmed all over the ship and it was hard
+to induce them to leave at all. As for Bolabola
+and Anai, they refused to go till they had extracted
+promises from their “friends,” Jack and
+Billy, to visit them ashore and visit a pearl cave
+they knew of along the coast.</p>
+
+<p>This exactly suited the boys, and their delight,
+when Mr. Jukes decided to stay at the island for
+some days, was unbounded. The reason for the
+decision to remain there was arrived at after the
+millionaire had held a consultation with Captain
+Sparhawk. Tahiti was not far off, and that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_77' id='Page_77'>77</a></span>
+night Jack was ordered to raise the wireless station
+on the French island and find out if a small
+vessel could not be despatched at once with coal
+to replenish the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> exhausted bunkers.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Jack had the satisfaction of
+informing Mr. Jukes that the details had been
+arranged and that a small tramp steamer might
+be expected to come to their relief in a few days.
+The expense was considerable, but this did not
+appear to bother Mr. Jukes, who chafed at the
+delay in his search for the survivors, if any there
+were, of the <em>Centurion</em>.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_78' id='Page_78'>78</a></span><h2 id='t1846'>CHAPTER XI.—THE CAVE OF THE PEARLS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later, following the arrival at the
+island of the coal ship—a small, rusty tramp
+steamer—the boys set out for the village to meet
+their friends, who had swum out to the ship almost
+daily, despite the sharks, to see the white
+youths. As they left the yacht they saw Thurman,
+who had been put to work in the crew, laboring
+with the other blackened “hands” at getting
+the fuel on board.</p>
+
+<p>“He doesn’t look as if he liked his job much,”
+said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“He ought to be glad he’s alive,” supplemented
+Billy Raynor. “I wonder if he has really mended
+his ways or if it was just the effect of his scare
+that made him promise to reform.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible to say,” replied Jack, “but time
+will show, I guess.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_79' id='Page_79'>79</a></span>The boys found their friends on the beach with
+a long, cranky-looking canoe, paddled with wonderfully
+carved paddles. In the canoe were
+bananas, roast pork and other delicacies; also
+several empty cocoanut shells.</p>
+
+<p>“What are those for?” asked Jack, looking at
+the latter.</p>
+
+<p>“We put um pearl in them if so be we get any,”
+grinned Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you really think we’ll get any?” asked
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“No can say. Think cave good place. You
+ready?”</p>
+
+<p>“Whenever you are,” said Jack, taking his
+place in the canoe, while Billy followed his example.
+The two native lads shoved off and sprang
+on board with wonderful agility, driving the
+canoe through the surf and up onto the summit
+of a huge wave, where it hung poised for an instant
+like a bird. The next moment they had
+shot with powerful strokes through the rollers
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_80' id='Page_80'>80</a></span>
+and were out beyond the danger line of the surf.</p>
+
+<p>They passed through a noisy fleet of fishers, all
+of whom greeted them, and then the canoe was
+headed for a green headland some distance down
+the coast. The sun glowed fiercely overhead, the
+surf boomed unceasingly on the beach and the
+reef beyond, the water hissed along the sides of
+the canoe as the two athletic young natives urged
+forward amid shouts.</p>
+
+<p>Looking over the side, Jack could see the coral
+bottom as clearly as if an inch instead of many
+feet of water separated it from the frail canoe.
+It was almost as if they were floating in the air.
+Fish of brilliant colors darted about and once a
+dark, sinister shade appeared beneath the canoe.
+The Kanaka boys shouted and beat the water
+with their paddles. The dark shadow melted
+away.</p>
+
+<p>“Him very bad shark,” said Anai. “White
+men call him tiger shark. Worst kind of all
+shark.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_81' id='Page_81'>81</a></span>“I’d hate to bathe around here,” observed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, him all right, most generally scare him
+away, kick, splash, makee big noise, he go 'way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but suppose he refused to be scared,” objected
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Then maybe he takee off leg, arm, maybe
+swallow you all up.”</p>
+
+<p>The long, curved point soon hid the fishers in
+front of the village from view. Rounding it, they
+found themselves skimming along a coast of surpassing
+beauty. Steep, majestic cliffs arose from
+the clear water and long green creepers from the
+forest above trailed over them.</p>
+
+<p>At last the prow of the canoe was turned and
+the boys saw that the furious paddlers were heading
+at top speed for the cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>“Hey, stop that, you’ll smash the canoe!” cried
+Jack, as, without any diminution of speed, the
+canoe was urged with wild shouts from the paddlers
+right at the rocky escarpment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_82' id='Page_82'>82</a></span>“They’ve gone crazy,” exclaimed Billy,
+“they——”</p>
+
+<p>He did not conclude what he was going to say.
+Instead, he set up a cry of alarm as the prow of
+the canoe was hurled at the cliff at a spot where
+a regular curtain of lianas and other forest trailers
+depended from above.</p>
+
+<p>Swish, whoosh, went the canoe, as it shot
+through the parasites and creepers. The boys
+instinctively ducked their heads. Instead of being
+dashed to destruction against the cliff, the
+frail craft had been guided into this singular cave,
+one of many along the coast, through the greenery
+portal. Both the Kanaka boys set up a shout
+of laughter at the expense of Jack and Billy, who
+looked rather sheepish at their late alarm.</p>
+
+<p>They were in a dark passage that led into an
+inner water cave filled with an eternal sunless twilight
+that was very refreshing to them after the
+heat and glare outside. The canoe shot through
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_83' id='Page_83'>83</a></span>
+the passage and into the cave itself, the boys uttering
+a shout of admiration the while.</p>
+
+<p>“Look,” said Anai, pointing upward.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead was a marvelously perfect, natural
+dome, with a large hole in the centre through
+which shafts of sunlight fell into the cave and
+were reflected from the water with a greenish
+light.</p>
+
+<p>“Look,” ordered the Kanaka boy again.</p>
+
+<p>The boys obeyed and gazed over the side of the
+canoe. Below them, through several feet of crystal-clear
+water, they could see bowers of coral,
+white and pink, with fish darting in and out of
+the chinks and crossing prismatically, while others
+hung motionless as if suspended, fanning the
+water incessantly with their gauzy fins. It was
+the most wonderful water picture the boys had
+ever seen.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_84' id='Page_84'>84</a></span><h2 id='t1998'>CHAPTER XII.—A TRAP!</h2></div>
+
+<p>“We eat. Then we go get pearls,” decided
+Anai.</p>
+
+<p>The boys, whose appetites had been sharpened
+by the trip, were not averse to this, and they made
+a hearty meal. After it the two native boys produced
+leaves in which betel nuts had been carefully
+wrapped up and offered them to Jack and
+Billy, both of whom declined them. But Anai and
+his friend began chewing the spicy nuts with
+great zest.</p>
+
+<p>A canoe-length from where they floated a clear
+rill of water stole noiselessly down from above,
+mingling its sweet waters with the sea. After
+demolishing their betel nuts, the chewing of
+which is a well-nigh universal custom in the
+South Seas, the two native boys stood erect and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_85' id='Page_85'>85</a></span>
+then bound their long black hair in knots on the
+top of their heads.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a shout, they balanced gracefully
+for a second on the edge of the canoe and plunged
+over. They floated for a minute or two and then
+dived, after inhaling immense breaths. To the
+boys, watching the divers through the clear water,
+it looked as if they were literally climbing down,
+head first, through the pellucid depths.</p>
+
+<p>Then they saw both the Kanaka lads wrenching
+oyster shells from their hold on the coral with
+furious energy. It seemed impossible that they
+could stay under water as long as they did, but
+at length, even their wonderful endurance gave
+out and, laden with shells, they shot back to the
+surface.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the canoe, the two divers hung almost
+exhausted on the outrigger, regaining their
+breath after they had thrown several oysters into
+the canoe, which the boys opened eagerly, but only
+two small pearls rewarded them. The two Kanaka
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_86' id='Page_86'>86</a></span>
+boys showed plainly the stress of the long time
+they had stayed down. Their eyes were bloodshot
+and their faces suffused. Their veins stood
+out on their bodies like cords.</p>
+
+<p>The boys begged them not to go down again,
+but they insisted.</p>
+
+<p>“How often do you mean to dive?” asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“One, maybe two, three time,” said Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody can dive more than three time,” declared
+the other. “Him bad if dive too many
+time. Makee much sick.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should think so,” said Jack. “I wouldn’t
+have thought it possible for any one to stay down
+so long. It’s wonderful.”</p>
+
+<p>The next two dives yielded three more pearls
+from a dozen or more oysters. None of them
+were of any great value but the two divers insisted
+on presenting them to the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Me try get you very good pearl some udder
+day,” promised Anai, and his companion nodded
+to show that he meant to help in the enterprise.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_87' id='Page_87'>87</a></span>“Hullo, what’s that?” asked Jack suddenly,
+after they had chatted and rested for some time
+and began to think about returning. There was
+a booming sound in the air and the waters of the
+cave began to become agitated, rocking the
+canoe dangerously.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead, through the dome, they could see
+that the sky had darkened.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think storm come. Better get out of
+here,” said Anai, looking troubled. “Him bad
+time of year for storms.”</p>
+
+<p>“Goodness, I should say so,” declared Jack.
+“We’ve been in two bad ones already.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s how we got blown here,” added Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“We thinkee that good storm blow you here,
+white boys,” said Anai.</p>
+
+<p>The sky grew darker, and every now and then
+a big roller entirely filled the mouth of the cavern,
+blinding them with spray. Having spent its fury,
+these great waves retired with a concussion that
+was deafening, dragging the canoe with fearful
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_88' id='Page_88'>88</a></span>
+velocity toward the mouth of the cave by its suction.
+At such times they only saved themselves
+from being swept out to sea by grasping the
+hanging curtain of creepers and vines. Anai and
+his companion baled the canoe with a big shell,
+but the boys felt that their position was an awkward
+and even a dangerous one.</p>
+
+<p>Another great wave burst, sealing up the cave
+as if it was an air-tight compartment, and making
+the waters of the cavern boil and seethe furiously.
+The pressure of air caused by the sudden rush of
+water affected the boys’ ears as if they had been
+suddenly placed in a caisson.</p>
+
+<p>“This is terrible,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Something will have to be done,” said Billy.
+“We can’t last in here much longer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are we in danger, Anai?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“We in very bad fix; but we getee out all right,”
+the Kanaka assured him, stopping his bailing.</p>
+
+<p>“They’ve got some plan in their head,” decided
+Jack, and sat down in the bottom of the cranky,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_89' id='Page_89'>89</a></span>
+frail canoe to see what the next move was to be.
+It was a startling one. The two youths seized
+their paddles and then, as the next wave receded,
+they shot out of the mouth of the cave like a bomb
+from a mortar, before either Jack or Billy could
+guess their intention or stop what seemed sheer
+madness on the Kanakas’ part, and placed all their
+lives in grave danger. Outside they found themselves
+in the teeth of a howling gale. Spray
+blinded them, flying over them in sheets.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing more was said, nothing seen. The air
+was darkened with flying spume. It seemed impossible
+that the canoe could live a minute.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_90' id='Page_90'>90</a></span><h2 id='t2145'>CHAPTER XIII.—ON THE REEF.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The two lads crouched, drenched through, on
+the bottom of the canoe, while the Kanaka boys
+paddled furiously. Giant waves, true mountains
+of water, hung above them threatening to engulf
+them, but the canoe rode them with what appeared
+incredible buoyancy.</p>
+
+<p>How long this kept up, neither Jack nor Billy
+ever knew. It seemed like years. Dizzy and sick
+from the riotous motions of the canoe as it swung
+wildly between sea and sky, they lost all count of
+everything. But the struggle was nearing its
+end.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a giant comber caught up the dugout,
+turtled it skyward and then rushed it sickeningly
+down. It lifted the craft over the reef and
+into the open sea. For one instant it hesitated
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_91' id='Page_91'>91</a></span>
+and then spun round in the trough of the sea.
+The next moment it was smashed into slivers
+against the reef while an avalanche of waters carried
+all its occupants down into the depths before
+they had time to even shout their consternation.
+More dead than alive, Jack shot back to the surface
+again. Not far from him was a projecting
+point of the reef. He managed somehow to crawl
+to it, but as he made his progress along the lower
+lying portions of the coral wall he was swept time
+and again by waves and compelled to exert all
+his strength to avoid being dashed off. At length,
+with hands cut and bleeding from the rough coral,
+and his clothing in shreds, he reached his refuge
+and was almost immediately joined there, to his
+great relief, by Anai and his comrade, who had
+rescued Billy Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>But it was a miserable refuge they had found.
+The projecting point of rock hardly gave room
+for all of them, and frequently waves swept over
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_92' id='Page_92'>92</a></span>
+it. At all times they were choked and blinded
+with spray.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, this is the limit,” declared Billy.
+“Never again for me so far as pearl hunting is
+concerned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nor for me either,” said Jack. “Still, it was
+our fault for not watching the weather.”</p>
+
+<p>“How long will the storm last, Anai, do you
+think?” inquired Billy, a little later.</p>
+
+<p>The Kanaka boy looked at the weather with a
+practiced eye.</p>
+
+<p>“Him get better soon,” he said. “Him not bad
+storm.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bad storm!” exclaimed Jack. “Well, if
+this isn’t one, I never want to see one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sometimes hurricane season come blow whole
+village away,” Anai assured him.</p>
+
+<p>“I hope this won’t be a hurricane,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>The Kanaka shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Bimeby him go way,” he assured them. “Look
+blue sky way off there now.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_93' id='Page_93'>93</a></span>Sure enough, in the far north-west, from
+whence the hurricane had come, a shaft of sunlight
+was striking the sea. Behind them they
+could see the storm retreating. Before long the
+sea had quieted down and the wind dropped almost
+completely.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we are better off in one respect,” said
+Jack, as they lay about on the reef, basking in the
+hot sun and drying their wet garments, “but how
+are we to get ashore?”</p>
+
+<p>The question was answered by Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Me swim, get canoe. Soon back,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment his lithe brown form was in
+the water. To protect himself against sharks, he
+carried a long knife, fashioned out of iron wood,
+which was slung round his neck by a lanyard. It
+was as tough and hard as steel, and he appeared
+to have no doubt that he could protect himself
+with it against the great fish.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way to the shore a triangular fin came
+cruising near him and the boys dreaded to see a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_94' id='Page_94'>94</a></span>
+tragic end to their island friend. But Anai set
+up diabolical yells and kicked up a great splashing
+in the water and the sea monster sheered off
+again.</p>
+
+<p>“Shark him big coward,” said Anai’s friend,
+who had remained behind with the boys. Directly
+Anai landed he turned and waved and then
+set off at a sharp run along the beach. Before
+they expected him he was back again with a
+canoe, and thus an adventure which might have
+had disastrous consequences ended safely. But
+it was a long time before the boys ever forgot it.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Jack and Billy were leaning
+over the rail of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, chatting and
+watching the sharks that swum around the ship
+eagerly watching for scraps from the galley.
+The coal was nearly all unloaded from the small,
+rusty tramp that had brought it, and all hands
+were looking forward to a resumption of the
+journey.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Mr. Jukes had been investigating
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_95' id='Page_95'>95</a></span>
+ashore and learned, from some natives,
+that the “Tear of the Sea” had actually been
+bought by his brother, and that just after the purchase,
+the <em>Centurion</em> had sailed away. Not long
+after, ‘Bully’ Broom’s ship arrived, and the sea
+rover was informed of the sale. He was furious
+as it appeared that, in accordance with his usual
+practice, he intended to raid the village and take
+possession of the wonderful pearl by force. Mr.
+Jerushah Jukes’ arrival ahead of him had, of
+course, frustrated this plan. According to the
+best information he could get, the millionaire
+learned that “Bully” had at once put to sea in
+pursuit of the <em>Centurion</em>. The finding of the
+empty derelict left little doubt that he had attacked
+the schooner and imprisoned, or worse,
+perhaps killed, all those on board her.</p>
+
+<p>This, in its way, was well enough, but it left
+the fate of the party still a mystery, and their
+whereabouts unknown, for “Bully” had half a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_96' id='Page_96'>96</a></span>
+dozen retreats scattered through the South Seas
+where he might have taken them, for even Captain
+Sparhawk did not believe that the ruffian
+would have dared to kill them.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_97' id='Page_97'>97</a></span><h2 id='t2300'>CHAPTER XIV.—BATTLING MAN-EATING SHARKS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Like a chance to catch one uv them bastes,
+Mishther Riddy?” asked Tim Muldoon, the Irish
+quarter-master of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, who paused
+near where the boys were standing watching a
+mighty commotion in the water made by two
+great tiger sharks fighting desperately over a
+piece of spoiled pork that had been thrown overboard.</p>
+
+<p>“What would we do with it when we had it?”
+asked Jack with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure there’s a certain part of the cratirs that
+makes illigint ateing. Meself and several other
+la-ads in ther crew wouldn’t have iny objictions
+at all, at all to a bit of shar-ark steak if so be
+y’u’d loike to hook one.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you say, Billy?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_98' id='Page_98'>98</a></span>“That it would be good fun. But what sort
+of a rig do you use? No use taking an eight-ounce
+rod and a dry fly or a hand line to those
+fellows.”</p>
+
+<p>“Shure oi’ve got a foine shar-ark hook up forward.
+I’ll go git it fer yez,” declared Muldoon,
+hurrying off.</p>
+
+<p>He was back before long with a hook that
+looked like one of those used by butchers on
+which to hang whole carcasses. Attached to this
+was a length of steel chain with a swivel, and
+above a stout rope some hundred feet in length.
+Billy Raynor went below to the cook’s quarters
+and soon came back with a big chunk of pork
+which was stuck on the hook.</p>
+
+<p>“How’ll we haul him out if we do get one?”
+Billy wanted to know, as the bait struck the water
+with a splash.</p>
+
+<p>“Just give a holler and I’ll git some uv ther
+byes uv ther crew to lind yez a hand,” declared
+Muldoon. “Sure 'tis foine spor-rot ye’ll be hivin’
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_99' id='Page_99'>99</a></span>
+intirely—wow! murtha! Watch yersilf Misther
+Raynor!”</p>
+
+<p>There had come a sudden vicious rush of one
+of the sea-monsters at the hook. Turning its
+hideous jaws upward, the ravenous creature had
+literally swallowed “hook, line and sinker.” It
+happened that at that precise moment Billy alone
+had hold of the rope.</p>
+
+<p>As the shark’s jaws gripped the hook and its
+sharp point sunk into his flesh, the creature made
+a mighty rush. It caught Billy unprepared as
+he stood by the rail, a section of which had been
+removed while the crew polished the brass work.</p>
+
+<p>Before he realised what was happening a coil
+of the rope entangled his legs. Like a bullet from
+a gun, he was whisked off the deck and through
+the air into the sea, which Jack knew was alive
+with sharks. It had all happened so suddenly
+that the last of Muldoon’s alarmed cries had not
+left his lips before poor Billy was towed away
+from the ship by the maddened shark, unable to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_100' id='Page_100'>100</a></span>
+make a move to extricate himself. He was barely
+able to breathe, in fact, being half submerged.</p>
+
+<p>Paralyzed for an instant, Jack regained his
+faculties with an effort. Captain Sparhawk, who
+had seen the whole affair, was the first to take
+definite action, however. He issued an order for
+a boat to be lowered at once and then dashed
+into his cabin for a pistol.</p>
+
+<p>“Hurry, Sparhawk, for Heaven’s sake,” urged
+Mr. Jukes, who had also been a witness of the
+accident. “The poor lad will be drowned or eaten
+alive by the other sharks if we don’t act
+promptly.”</p>
+
+<p>But the captain was already out of earshot.
+Muldoon and two other sailors were at the oars
+of the boat as he tumbled into it, followed by
+Jack, who, in his haste, did not stop to ask permission
+to come. Luckily, the shark, instead of
+taking a straight course out to sea, was dashing
+round and round in circles. This gave them a
+chance to save Billy’s life, for had the great fish
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_101' id='Page_101'>101</a></span>
+pursued a straight course, Raynor’s fate would
+undoubtedly have been sealed.</p>
+
+<p>“Row for your lives, men,” urged the captain,
+standing erect, pistol in hand, awaiting the first
+opportunity for a shot at the shark.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure thare’s no nade to till us thot, captain,
+dear,” cried Muldoon. “We’ll git the poor lad
+if we have to pull our own heads off.”</p>
+
+<p>The shark now made a swift dash for the bow
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>. Behind him, at a distance of
+about seventy-five feet, poor Billy’s body could
+be seen being rushed through the water with a
+“wake” behind it like that of a fast steamer.
+Jack could see his chum’s face, which was ashen
+white. But from the glimpse he had of it, the
+young wireless man was sure that Billy was still
+alive, marvelous though that seemed. For half
+the time, owing to the manner in which he was
+attached to the shark, the unfortunate lad’s head
+was under the surface of the water.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! Captain Sparhawk’s pistol spoke as the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_102' id='Page_102'>102</a></span>
+shark crossed the bow of the boat which had
+been instantly turned to follow the creature’s new
+tactics.</p>
+
+<p>“Missed,” he groaned.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” cried Jack, an instant later. “See, the
+water is red behind him! You hit him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but I fear not mortally. These creatures
+have an amazing grip on life,” was the
+despondent reply.</p>
+
+<p>And now a fresh element entered into the
+scene. Round the bow of the yacht, toward
+which the shark, with its human burden, was
+dashing, there suddenly appeared a long, slender
+canoe with two lithe young native figures propelling
+it. It was Anai and his friend, the sworn
+allies of the boys.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant, as the extraordinary scene presented
+itself to them, they stood like bronze figures.
+Then the full meaning of the impending
+tragedy appeared to strike them. With a simultaneous
+cry each grasped his great iron-wood
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_103' id='Page_103'>103</a></span>
+knife and without the slightest hesitation leaped
+overboard.</p>
+
+<p>“They are going to save him!” cried Jack
+exultingly, as the two Kanaka boys fearlessly
+clove the shark-infested water to attack the monster
+that had abducted Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“And lose their own lives,” exclaimed the captain
+as several dark fins appeared in the water
+about the two intrepid youths.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_104' id='Page_104'>104</a></span><h2 id='t2463'>CHAPTER XV.—A MESSAGE FROM THE DEEP.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The scene that ensued was one that lingered
+long in the recollection of those who saw it.
+Uttering loud yells, the two native boys bore
+down on the shark that had poor Billy in tow.</p>
+
+<p>Each taking a side they dashed upon it with
+fury. As they gained its flanks their arms
+flashed up and the next instant their great iron-wood
+knives were buried hilt-deep in the tough
+skin. The watchers saw the great shark give
+an upward leap and the water was dyed crimson.</p>
+
+<p>“They reached his vitals. Hurrah for them,”
+cried Captain Sparhawk. “Bear down on Billy,
+lads. I reckon the shark is done for.”</p>
+
+<p>They were none too soon. After being disentangled
+from the rope that had caused all the
+trouble, Billy was hauled into the boat just in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_105' id='Page_105'>105</a></span>
+the nick of time. The rope had grazed and
+chafed his legs cruelly, but except for the great
+amount of water in his lungs he had suffered no
+other injury.</p>
+
+<p>But no sooner had this been done than another
+necessity arose. The brave Anai and his companion
+were surrounded by a school of sharks
+attracted by the blood of the creature the two
+young Kanakas had despatched. So far, by
+splashing furiously, and screeching at the top
+of their voices, the native youths had succeeded
+in keeping the monsters at bay, but it was doubtful
+for how long they could do so.</p>
+
+<p>“To the rescue, lads,” cried Captain Sparhawk,
+replacing the cartridge he had discharged.
+“Give way with a will. I wouldn’t wish to see
+either of those brave lads harmed.”</p>
+
+<p>In a few seconds they were in the midst of
+the school of sharks that had assembled as if by
+magic, ravenous for the flesh of their dead
+brother. The captain’s pistol spat lead right and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_106' id='Page_106'>106</a></span>
+left, and at that short range the effect of the
+bullets was deadly. In a few minutes five of
+the sea monsters were dead. But far from being
+scared off the rest fell furiously upon these,
+making upward rushes, exposing their huge
+mouths with their triple rows of needle-like teeth.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving them to their cannibal feast, Anai and
+his companion were hauled on board and at Muldoon’s
+special request the body of the brute that
+had almost caused Billy’s death was taken in tow.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make you byes some handsome watch-charms
+out of his teeth fer remimbrancers,” he
+promised.</p>
+
+<p>“As if we needed anything to remind us of
+it,” shuddered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Just think, if it hadn’t been for Anai here
+and Bolabola I’d have been past saving by now,”
+cried Billy, warmly ringing their hands.</p>
+
+<p>“You may well say that, lad,” agreed the captain.
+“They saved you from visiting Davy
+Jones, without a doubt.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_107' id='Page_107'>107</a></span>“We your friends. Must save you even if it
+cost our lives,” said Anai, looking embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure an’ thot’s more than many a white
+man wud say,” approved Muldoon warmly. “Byes,
+give us yer flippers. Ye may hav’ black skins,
+but be jabers yer hearts is pure gold entoirely.”</p>
+
+<p>The canoe was taken in tow and the whole
+party returned to the yacht, where they received
+more congratulations from the others on board
+who had watched the whole affair spell-bound
+with alarm and then with admiration at the
+Kanaka boys’ brave act. The decks rang with
+cheers as they came on board, Captain Sparhawk
+and Jack supporting Billy, who was still white
+and shaky.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes’ enthusiasm for Anai and Bolabola
+knew no bounds. The millionaire wanted them
+to accept a handful of gold pieces each. But the
+lads shook their heads. Gold was of little use
+to them. But other presents which were showered
+upon them they accepted gladly. There was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_108' id='Page_108'>108</a></span>
+almost a canoe-full of them, ranging from gaudy
+neckties to a broken concertina, the latter being
+presented by Muldoon. It could emit, upon coaxing,
+a few wheezy notes, and the brown boys appeared
+to prize it quite above any of their other
+gifts.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, on the foredeck, to which
+the body of the great shark had been hoisted
+by slings, the members of the crew, who understood
+such operations, assisted by Muldoon, were
+cutting up the monster. From time to time they
+flung useless bits of offal over the side. A scramble
+from such of the sharks as had disposed of
+the dead bodies of their companions instantly
+ensued. Sharks are the most rapacious of any
+creatures on land or sea, and their appetites appeared
+to have been slacked in no important particular
+by their cannibal meal.</p>
+
+<p>“Bad luck to yez,” exclaimed Muldoon, shaking
+his fist at them after one of these rushes,
+for every sailor hates a shark. “There’s many
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_109' id='Page_109'>109</a></span>
+a thrue lad gone to his long rickonin’ through
+yez or yez mates. Bad cess to all uv yez, says
+Tim Muldoon.”</p>
+
+<p>An interested group, among whom were Jack
+and Billy, watched the proceedings from the
+bridge. Mr. Jukes was no less interested than
+the rest. He attentively watched the sharks as
+they fought. Perhaps their feverish rapacity
+reminded him of certain “big business” operations
+at home in the States where great corporations
+have been not unknown to gobble up their
+small competitors as hungrily as any tiger shark.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, they seem to have found something
+interesting,” said Jack, as a murmur arose among
+the butchers who suddenly crowded round Muldoon,
+chief of the dissectors.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a bottle,” cried Billy Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here what I found in the hongry divil’s
+stomach,” exclaimed Muldoon, holding up his
+find. “Be jabers, he must hav’ a digestion a
+dispiptic millionaire would invy to ——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_110' id='Page_110'>110</a></span>He stopped short, covered with confusion, as
+he suddenly recalled that Mr. Jukes suffered from
+the very complaint he had mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>“Bring that bottle here, Muldoon,” ordered
+Captain Sparhawk, in order to save what threatened
+to be an awkward situation, for Mr. Jukes
+had turned as red as a turkey-cock and the boys
+had had to turn away to hide their smiles.</p>
+
+<p>The quartermaster hastened aft with the bottle.
+It was encrusted with deposits apparently caused
+by the acids of the shark’s stomach. But when
+Captain Sparhawk held it to the light, he could
+see that contained within it was some object.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s something inside it,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“By jove, perhaps a letter from some shipwrecked
+sailors,” exclaimed Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Such messages are often frauds, sir,” observed
+the captain. “If it should prove to be
+such, I’d be wary about replying to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, let’s have a look at it, whatever it is,”
+said Mr. Jukes. “This is really interesting.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_111' id='Page_111'>111</a></span>They all crowded about, even the Kanakas,
+as the captain smashed the bottle on the rail.
+A rolled-up paper dropped on the deck. Jack, at
+whose feet it had fallen, picked it up. He opened
+it and saw that it was scribbled on with pencil.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems ——,” he began, when a sudden
+exclamation from Mr. Jukes checked his further
+utterance.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me look at that paper,” commanded the
+millionaire, who, they now noticed, was breathing
+quickly and whose eyes shone with feverish
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>Jack handed it over, while they all regarded
+the millionaire’s agitation curiously. With hands
+that shook, the financier scanned the letter and
+then made an electrifying announcement in a
+voice that was tense and self-controlled, but yet
+betrayed the excitement under which he labored
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>“Gentlemen, the age of miracles has not
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_112' id='Page_112'>112</a></span>
+passed,” he said. “When Ready first opened the
+paper, I thought I recognized a peculiar handwriting.
+I was not wrong. This message was
+written by my brother!”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_113' id='Page_113'>113</a></span><h2 id='t2673'>CHAPTER XVI.—ALIVE ON THE SEA.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Incredible!” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk,
+unable to think of anything else to say at the
+astounding information.</p>
+
+<p>“But, nevertheless, true. Sparhawk, this message
+confirms the truth of your theory about
+‘Bully’ Broom. That rascal attacked and overcame
+the unsuspecting crew of the <em>Centurion</em>, and
+obtained the 'Tear of the Sea’.”</p>
+
+<p>“The infernal scoundrel,” breathed Captain
+Sparhawk. “There is not another man in the
+South Seas who would have dared such a coup.
+But does the message give any clue to your
+brother’s fate, sir?” he added respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire’s face glowed and suddenly
+lost its careworn look.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the best part of it,” he explained.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_114' id='Page_114'>114</a></span>
+“But come to my cabin, captain—yes, Ready, you
+and Raynor may come, too,” he added as he intercepted
+anxious looks on the boys’ faces.</p>
+
+<p>Inside the cabin the millionaire spread on the
+table the yellowed, scribbled bit of paper that
+just then meant more to him than any document
+he had ever seen in his life.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll read aloud,” he said, and then, in a clear
+voice, he recited the contents of the missive.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p>“Any one finding this please notify my brother
+Jacob Jukes of New York, who will reward him
+lavishly for the trouble. This is being written
+on board ‘Bully’ Broom’s schooner, <span class='it'>South Sea
+Lass</span>. We are all prisoners and the 'Tear of
+the Sea’ is in the ruffian’s possession. We are
+being taken, as I overheard, to Bomobori, in New
+Guinea, with what object I cannot say. May
+Heaven help us in our desperate strait. I am
+throwing this, with a prayer to Heaven that it
+may be found, from the window of the cabin in
+which I am confined.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;font-variant:small-caps;'>Jerushah Jukes.”</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>“I know Bomobori well,” exclaimed Captain
+Sparhawk, as Mr. Jukes finished reading. “I
+was there in '87 and again in '89.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_115' id='Page_115'>115</a></span>“What sort of a place is it?” inquired Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Not much of a town,” was the reply. “It
+is at the mouth of a river that penetrates a wild
+country. If ‘Bully’ Broom wished to hide his
+captives, he could not have taken them to a better
+place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sparhawk,” and the millionaire’s voice was
+vibrant with determination, “how long will it
+take us to get there?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should say not more than a week. But we
+should have to re-coal at Tahiti if we are to
+make the run at top speed. How about that,
+Raynor?”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re right, captain,” said the young engineer.
+“I’ll guarantee to run the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em>
+engines faster than they were ever run before,
+but I’ve got to have the coal to do it with.”</p>
+
+<p>“That steamer is through coaling us now?”
+asked the millionaire, after he had made a few
+calculations on a scrap of paper.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_116' id='Page_116'>116</a></span>“They emptied the last of their load an hour
+ago,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Good,” was Mr. Jukes’ response. “Send
+the captain to me and I will give him my check.
+Raynor, how soon can you have steam up?”</p>
+
+<p>“In an hour, sir,” responded the young engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“Splendid; make all the time you can. Every
+moment is valuable now. Ready——”</p>
+
+<p>Jack was all attention. Into the millionaire’s
+manner had come a snap and a grip of affairs
+that had not been there since they had sailed. He
+had something tangible to go upon now, and was
+plainly prepared to make the most of it.</p>
+
+<p>“Ready,” he went on, “I want you to raise
+Tahiti at once. Order coal to be ready for us
+when we arrive and have a force of men engaged
+to hustle it on board without loss of time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir,” rejoined Jack, hurrying from the
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Within a few minutes the entire atmosphere
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_117' id='Page_117'>117</a></span>
+of the ship appeared to be charged with electricity
+and bustle. Black smoke volleyed from
+the stack and the roar of escaping steam soon
+came from the relief pipe. Anai and his companion,
+almost in tears at the thought of parting
+with the boys, were sent ashore, and final preparations
+made for the start.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before sun-down Raynor reported all
+ready in the engine room.</p>
+
+<p>“Very well, captain,” said Mr. Jukes, “you
+may get up your anchor.”</p>
+
+<p>The necessary orders were soon given and as
+the chains rattled home through the exhaust
+pipes the yacht swung her bow gracefully seaward.
+A big crowd of canoes and the small
+tramp, which had also taken up anchor, accompanied
+her some distance out to sea.</p>
+
+<p>The natives raised their voices in melancholy
+songs as they paddled, and from time to time
+cried out:</p>
+
+<p>“Come back, white men.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_118' id='Page_118'>118</a></span>Among them Jack and Raynor recognized
+Anai and the other young Kanaka. Both lads
+felt a genuine regret at leaving the brave, likeable
+young natives, but ahead of them they felt
+lay experiences which for the time being put all
+other emotions out of their minds. The <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span>, rushing ahead at top speed, soon left the
+rusty tramp, her consort, far behind. By dark
+only the summit of the island was visible on the
+horizon. It sank quickly from sight, and when
+the first stars appeared the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was alone
+on the sea.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_119' id='Page_119'>119</a></span><h2 id='t2827'>CHAPTER XVII.—AN ENCOUNTER AT BOMOBORI.</h2></div>
+
+<p>It was on a clear day a little more than a
+week later that the lookout announced land dead
+ahead. All on board knew that it must be New
+Guinea, the wild and little known country where
+Mr. Jukes had confident hopes of finding his lost
+brother. Captain Sparhawk made an excellent
+“land-fall,” as sailors call it, and by night they
+came to anchor off Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautiful scene. The waves dashed
+against a golden strand. Behind lay vast and
+mysterious forests, looking dark and uninviting
+in the evening light. Beyond the forests rose
+great mountains veiled in the bluish mist of the
+far distances. As darkness fell, the lights of
+Bomobori began to twinkle, casting reflections
+in the still waters of the harbor and river, the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_120' id='Page_120'>120</a></span>
+mouth of which latter could be seen to the north
+of the town.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m ready to go ashore,” remarked
+Raynor, as he joined Jack on deck at the conclusion
+of his duties in the engine-room. “It
+will certainly feel good to put foot on shore once
+more.”</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed it will,” agreed Jack, warmly. “I’m
+anxious to get a look at New Guinea too. It’s
+a country about which very little is known—I
+mean so far as the interior is concerned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we are likely to have plenty of opportunity
+for exploration,” said Raynor. “I heard
+Mr. Jukes telling the captain that he believed,
+from what he had heard about ‘Bully’ Broom at
+Tahiti where he is well known, that the rascal
+has a secret hiding place in the interior somewhere.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then it’s likely to take a long time to locate
+him,” said Jack. “This is a pretty big country
+and very densely wooded, with big mountains
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_121' id='Page_121'>121</a></span>
+and rivers galore. I’m afraid it’s a needle and
+hay-stack job.”</p>
+
+<p>“I expect Mr. Jukes means to get a clue in
+Bomobori, where Broom is probably well known,”
+hazarded Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“That is probably his idea,” said Jack. “Anyhow,
+he is not a man who would give up his
+purpose for any ordinary difficulties.”</p>
+
+<p>It was decided not to leave the yacht till the
+morning. It can well be imagined then that the
+sleep of the boys that night was not as sound as
+usual. Both lay awake wondering what lay before
+them, and whether they would succeed or
+fail in the mission, for that evening Mr. Jukes
+had appointed them members of the expedition,
+and declared that he would rely upon them to
+the uttermost to aid him.</p>
+
+<p>It was then that Jack had made a suggestion.
+The yacht was to be left in the harbor with a
+crew to guard her, but communication with her
+might be important, even necessary, if they were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_122' id='Page_122'>122</a></span>
+driven to some other part of the coast and were
+unable to return to Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>Jack’s suggestion was that, with the spare
+parts of the ship’s wireless, of which a big stock
+was carried, he should construct a portable radio
+apparatus by means of which they could at all
+times be in touch with the yacht. He had an
+idea that he could do this easily. Thurman, who
+had been conducting himself in an irreproachable
+manner, could be left in charge of the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> plant with perfect safety, the boy felt
+confident. And so, subject to his success with a
+portable set, it was arranged.</p>
+
+<p>“This doesn’t appear to be much of a town,”
+observed Raynor, as they landed the next day, a
+little before noon, in a warm, gentle shower of
+rain such as frequently swept across the island
+at that time of the year.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you could hardly expect to find it a
+New York or London, you know,” rejoined Jack.</p>
+
+<p>In truth Bomobori was a very fair specimen
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_123' id='Page_123'>123</a></span>
+of a town in that section of the world. Along
+the water front, back of which squatted a line
+of tin-roofed warehouses, were moored native
+craft from up the river with bamboo cabins and
+great lattice sails that housed a whole family
+of natives. In spite of the rain it was warm
+and steamy, and a strange assortment of odors
+greeted their nostrils as the boat was run up to
+the principal dock and made fast.</p>
+
+<p>The population was a very mixed one. Pallid
+white men, who looked like Frenchmen for the
+most part, rubbed elbows on the water front with
+Chinese, Lascars, Malays, Javanese and the wild-looking
+Papuans from the interior with their
+frizzed hair and ornamental cloaks of bird skins
+and long spears. Here and there a stout German
+in white ducks waddled by with a sun-helmeted
+Englishman. There appeared to be quite a lot
+of trading going on.</p>
+
+<p>But they were anxious to hurry on to the hotel
+where Mr. Jukes hoped to begin the inquiries
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_124' id='Page_124'>124</a></span>
+which he was sanguine would result in his finding
+his brother. The hostelry for which they
+were bound lay some squares back from the
+water front. It was situated, like most tropical
+hotels, in a park in which flowers and shrubs
+of all kinds grew luxuriantly, and bright colored
+birds flew with harsh cries, like (bright) jewels,
+among the brilliant foliage. It was a two-story
+affair in front of which a fountain plashed coolingly
+in the hot, heavy air. Verandas, upon which
+every room opened, completely surrounded each
+story.</p>
+
+<p>They entered the office where the hand baggage
+they had brought was picked up by barefooted,
+white-garmented servants. Mr. Jukes
+was bending over the register writing his name
+and those of his party when Jack caught sight
+of somebody lounging in a bamboo chair in the
+reading room that nearly took his breath away.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, if that isn’t——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_125' id='Page_125'>125</a></span>“What is it, Jack?” asked Billy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Look at that chap there reading a paper. It’s
+Donald Judson—Donald Judson, as sure as
+you’re a foot high!”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_126' id='Page_126'>126</a></span><h2 id='t2978'>CHAPTER XVIII.—DONALD JUDSON AGAIN.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack was right; the boy sitting in the reading
+room was indeed the formerly ne’er-do-well son
+of the man who had headed the plot to steal the
+naval code, though what he could be doing in
+Bomobori neither of the boys could guess. But
+so changed was he in appearance from the flashily-dressed,
+aggressively-conceited Donald Judson
+they had known, that for a moment both boys
+doubted the evidence of their eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Donald had always, in the past, been inclined
+to dudishness in his clothes. Now his clothing
+was dilapidated and torn, his shoes were old
+canvas ones that looked ready to fall apart, and
+he had a scarecrow of a battered straw hat on
+his head.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, his face was careworn and his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_127' id='Page_127'>127</a></span>
+cheeks hollow and one eye appeared to have suffered
+a blow of some sort for it was blackened
+and swollen. Altogether he was a most woebegone
+looking specimen of humanity, and the
+boys wondered he was suffered about the hotel.
+Donald’s presence there, however, was later accounted
+for, although this, of course, the boys
+did not know, by a long tale of disaster and suffering
+he had sustained while gold hunting in
+the interior. Donald said he was expecting remittances
+from America and on this account had
+been accommodated with quarters.</p>
+
+<p>“My gracious, what a change,” exclaimed
+Billy under his breath. “He looks like a regular
+scarecrow.”</p>
+
+<p>“He must have been in mighty tough luck,”
+rejoined Jack. “But what beats me is what he
+is doing here. It’s a very odd coincidence that
+we should run into two of our old enemies on this
+trip.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_128' id='Page_128'>128</a></span>“It is, indeed. But see, he is looking at us.
+I suppose we ought to speak to the poor chap.”</p>
+
+<p>Donald had dropped his paper and was staring
+straight at the two lads as if they had been
+ghosts. Then he got to his feet and came toward
+them.</p>
+
+<p>“Jack Ready!” he exclaimed, “where did you
+come from?”</p>
+
+<p>“We might ask the same question of you, Judson,”
+said Jack, “but—er—you’ll excuse my saying
+so, but you look as if you’d been in hard luck
+lately.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have been, oh I have been,” said Donald,
+in a voice far different from his old bragging
+one. “I got out of a job and shipped for a sailor.
+I’d heard it was a fine life. The ship I was on
+sailed away from Honolulu while I was still
+ashore after overstopping my leave. Then I
+got a job on a schooner that had a bad reputation,
+when I was nearly starved, but I had to live
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_129' id='Page_129'>129</a></span>
+somehow. The captain of the <em>South Sea Lass</em>
+was a brute. He——”</p>
+
+<p>“Here, hold on,” cried Jack, seizing his arm
+which was thin and bony, “was his name Broom——”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. ‘Bully’ Broom. He is little better
+than a pirate. He treated me worse than a dog,
+and finally, after blacking my eye, put me ashore
+here several days ago. He——say, hold on,
+what’s the matter?”</p>
+
+<p>Jack and Billy had seized him one on each
+side and were dragging him across the floor of
+the hotel office.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s somebody here we want you to tell
+your story to,” explained Jack. “It’ll be worth
+something to you, but be sure to tell the truth.”</p>
+
+<p>“As if I could lie, no matter what I said about
+that wretch, ‘Bully’ Broom,” declared Donald.
+“I’m sure he was mixed up in some illegal business.
+Why we put into an island called the Pommer-Pommer——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_130' id='Page_130'>130</a></span>“The Pamatous?” came from Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And some men were taken prisoners from a
+schooner called the <em>Centurion</em>?” demanded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but see here Ready, how in the world——?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind that. What became of those
+prisoners?”</p>
+
+<p>“He locked them up in cabins. He said that
+they were bad men and pearl robbers and that
+he was bringing them to justice.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you ever talk with them?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; except one, and I never got a chance to
+say much to him. Broom watched me very
+closely. He’d have murdered me if he’d thought
+that I was trying to pry into his affairs.”</p>
+
+<p>“What was the name of the man you talked
+to?”</p>
+
+<p>“He was a kind of a leader of the party, I
+guess,” was the reply. “I used to take him his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_131' id='Page_131'>131</a></span>
+meals and there were precious few of those too,
+for we were on short rations ourselves.”</p>
+
+<p>“But his name—his name?” demanded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Flukes—something like that, anyhow.
+I never was good at names.”</p>
+
+<p>“Was it Jukes?”</p>
+
+<p>“That was it,” cried Donald, snapping his
+fingers.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, boys, what’s the matter?” demanded
+the missing man’s brother as he finished with the
+register and turned amazedly to face his two
+young followers grasping Donald’s ragged figure
+on each side as if they had a prisoner in custody.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Jukes, this boy has seen and talked to
+your brother within the last two weeks,” was the
+announcement from Jack that sent the millionaire
+staggering back against the hotel desk, for
+once in his life giving way to uncontrolled amazement.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_132' id='Page_132'>132</a></span><h2 id='t3128'>CHAPTER XIX.—HE TELLS A STRANGE STORY.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Bless my soul,” he exclaimed, when he found
+breath, “you boys are always digging up somebody.
+Who is this?”</p>
+
+<p>He regarded the ragged figure of the unfortunate
+Donald with some disapprobation. Jack
+explained, and then Donald, stumbling and stuttering
+somewhat under Mr. Jukes’ steady eye,
+told his story.</p>
+
+<p>“But you have not told us the most important
+part of it all,” said the millionaire, as he concluded.
+“Where was my unfortunate brother
+taken to by this ruffian?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just what I don’t know, sir,” rejoined
+the boy. “You see, they took good care I
+shouldn’t know too much about their operations.
+All I know is that I heard them saying something
+about 'up the river.’”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_133' id='Page_133'>133</a></span>“Meaning this river—the Bomobori?” asked
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose so.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know where the schooner is now?”
+was the millionaire’s next question, but Donald
+did not. All he knew was that, after landing him
+in Bomobori, ‘Bully’ Broom had departed under
+cover of night. Where he had headed for was
+a mystery.</p>
+
+<p>Jack whispered something to the millionaire
+when Donald had concluded his narrative and
+Mr. Jukes put his hand in his pocket and drew
+out some coins. Then as he moved off Jack
+rather hesitatingly said to Donald:</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve had a hard time of it for money, I
+suppose?”</p>
+
+<p>“Hard? That’s no name for it,” exclaimed
+the other. “That rascal Broom never gave me
+a cent, though when he shipped me he promised
+me wages. If you hadn’t arrived I don’t know
+what I should have done.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_134' id='Page_134'>134</a></span>“Well, we are willing to let bygones be bygones,”
+said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“It wouldn’t be fair to be rough on a fellow
+who is down on his luck,” muttered Donald
+rather grudgingly. “And—and I guess I’ve
+learned a lesson, fellows.”</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, Donald,” said Jack, handing the
+boy the coins Mr. Jukes had given him, “here is
+something from Mr. Jukes to help you along for
+the present. I am sure he will see to it that you
+do not suffer any more hardships in return for
+the valuable information you have given us.”</p>
+
+<p>The destitute lad’s face brightened wonderfully.
+The money—about twenty dollars—was
+more than he had seen in a long time. He
+fingered the coins greedily.</p>
+
+<p>“I—I’m much obliged to you and to your
+friend, too,” he muttered rather shamefacedly,
+“and—er—I’m sorry I ever played you mean
+tricks.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind about that now,” said Jack,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_135' id='Page_135'>135</a></span>
+cutting him short. “My advice to you is not to hang
+about here, but to get a job on the first ship
+that touches here and go home.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go down to the shipping offices right now
+and see what the chances are,” promised Donald,
+and with a new spring in his step he started out
+of the hotel.</p>
+
+<p>“What a change,” exclaimed Jack, when he
+had gone. “I never thought Donald Judson
+could become so humbled.”</p>
+
+<p>“He is certainly blue, and that is hardly surprising,”
+agreed Billy. “But the question is
+whether his seeming repentance is sincere.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s hope all that he has been through has
+taught him a good lesson,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“It surely ought to have,” said Billy, and then
+the subject was dismissed by a tall, half-clothed
+native striding into the lobby and beating stridently
+on a huge brass gong inscribed with queer
+characters.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_136' id='Page_136'>136</a></span>“What’s that for?” asked Jack of the clerk
+behind the desk who looked like a German.</p>
+
+<p>“Dot iss for Riz Tavel,” replied the clerk.</p>
+
+<p>“For Riz who?” asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“For Riz Tavel,” rejoined the man impatiently,
+as if surprised at their ignorance. “Riz
+Tavel, dot means lunch.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I see,” replied Jack. “Well, I’m ready
+for it whatever they call it.”</p>
+
+<p>At the summons of the gong several guests
+of the hotel came into the lobby, appearing as
+if they had just got out of bed. The boys were
+amazed to see that many of the male guests wore
+pyjamas, while the women were in negligee. This,
+however, applied only to the half castes and
+Dutch residents. The Germans and English, who
+did most of the trading at Bomobori, wore tropical
+suits of conventional make.</p>
+
+<p>They were waited on by barefooted Malays
+who set before each of the boys and their shipmates,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_137' id='Page_137'>137</a></span>
+when these latter appeared, big soup
+plates full of rice.</p>
+
+<p>“They call this the 'riz-tavel,’ that means the
+rice table,” explained Captain Sparhawk, thus
+clearing away the secret of the mysterious words.
+“Rice is a staple all through the East, just like
+bread is at home.”</p>
+
+<p>Having filled their plates with rice, as they
+saw everybody else do, the Americans waited for
+the next move. The waiters had all vanished
+after depositing the rice, and Jack was moved
+to remark whether that was all they were going
+to get.</p>
+
+<p>His question was answered by the re-appearance
+of the barefooted servitors. They bore numerous
+dishes piled with fish, duck, chicken, pork,
+omelette, onions and peppers. The guests all
+piled portions of every one of these dishes on the
+top of the rice, and the visitors seeing that they
+were not expected to ask for more plates were
+fain to do the same. The boys, however, balked
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_138' id='Page_138'>138</a></span>
+at a thin curried sauce which was supposed to be
+poured over this hodge-podge of edibles.</p>
+
+<p>Having disposed of what in itself was a
+mighty meal they then found that they were
+expected to despatch beefsteaks, salad and fruit.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, they don’t starve you here, that’s one
+thing sure,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“You must remember that their 'breakfast,’
+as they call it, is eaten in the cool of the morning
+and usually only consists of coffee and fruit,”
+said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>A groan from the dyspeptic Mr. Jukes, who
+had eaten a hearty meal, was followed soon after
+by the breaking up of the party. There was
+much to be attended to, but Captain Sparhawk
+said it would be useless to try to transact business
+till the late afternoon when the sea breeze
+sprung up. The interval between riz-tavel and
+that hour he said was set aside for sleeping, and
+nobody ever dreamed of interfering with the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_139' id='Page_139'>139</a></span>
+custom. In fact, he would have found nobody to
+transact business with.</p>
+
+<p>He warned the boys against walking about in
+the scorchingly hot afternoon sun also, as it was
+said to induce fevers. There was nothing left
+for them to do, therefore, but to pass the afternoon
+in their rooms, although they would have
+preferred exploring the town.</p>
+
+<p>When they came down again they found Donald
+Judson in the lobby. He appeared very disconsolate.
+He said that no ships for American
+ports would call at the port for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess I’m stuck here for the rest of my
+life,” he complained, and then made a sudden
+suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, why can’t you take me with you on that
+expedition?” he asked, for the boys had told him
+something about the object of their presence in
+New Guinea.</p>
+
+<p>“Um—er—I don’t know that Mr. Jukes
+wants anybody else along,” hesitated Jack.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_140' id='Page_140'>140</a></span>“I’d work hard and do anything I was told
+to,” said Donald pleadingly. “Won’t you ask
+him about it? It’s awful to be stuck here like a
+bump on a log.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, perhaps we might see about it,” relented
+Jack, really feeling sorry for the unhappy
+plight of their former enemy, mean and despicable
+as he had proved himself to have been
+in the past.</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks, awfully,” exclaimed Donald, gratefully,
+and he went off through the gardens, saying
+that he was going to get himself a pair of
+new shoes. Soon after Mr. Jukes, having got
+over his attack of dyspepsia, appeared, the boys
+laid Donald’s request before him.</p>
+
+<p>“I really don’t know,” he hesitated. “Of
+course, the lad is in hard luck, but somehow I
+don’t exactly like his looks and I don’t see what
+use he could be to us. I’d rather leave money
+here to pay for his living till some ship arrives
+he could get a berth on.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_141' id='Page_141'>141</a></span>“If you left him money in a place like this he
+might fall back into his old bad ways,” suggested
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“That is true. I wouldn’t wish to push any
+one down the hill when there was a chance of
+helping them up,” said the millionaire, musingly.
+“Well, I’ll see about it,” he added after an interval
+of thought. Just then, as Captain Sparhawk
+came up, the incident was ended and the two
+elders set out for a trading store to arrange for
+supplies and other necessaries for their dash into
+the interior, for Mr. Jukes had resolved to act
+on Donald Judson’s unexpected clue and make
+his way up the river.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve got a notion that if we did take that
+fellow Donald along that he would make trouble
+for us,” said Raynor as soon as they were out
+of ear-shot.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see how he could, or what object he
+would have,” doubted Jack. “Still, I myself
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_142' id='Page_142'>142</a></span>
+wouldn’t trust him very far, in spite of his declarations
+of reform.”</p>
+
+<p>But as it so happened neither of the boys need
+have troubled themselves over the matter, for
+that evening, when Mr. Jukes sent for Donald
+to have a talk with him, the boy’s manner had
+changed entirely. He was no longer servile and
+cringing as he had been earlier. In fact, he
+intimated very plainly that he wanted nothing
+more to do with the Jukes party.</p>
+
+<p>There was a reason for this, a reason that none
+of the party naturally was able at the time to
+guess. Donald’s change of front was not due
+to any mere caprice. A deep-seated reason lay
+behind it, and that reason was rooted in an encounter
+he had had just after he left the boys
+in the hotel garden.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_143' id='Page_143'>143</a></span><h2 id='t3409'>CHAPTER XX.—A TRAITOR IN CAMP.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Donald’s encounter had been with no less a
+personage than ‘Bully’ Broom himself, whose
+spies in the town had informed him that a party
+of Americans had arrived on a yacht and had
+been making inquiries about a missing man
+named Jukes. Broom at once knew that the half-suspected
+had happened, and that a strong party
+in search of the missing man had, by some inexplicable
+(to him) chance, arrived in Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>He perceived at once that Donald’s presence
+at the hotel, where he had abandoned him to his
+fate, might result disastrously for him and he
+congratulated himself that the boy did not know
+more of the fate of Jerushah Jukes than he had
+already told our friends. But even that meager
+information, Broom foresaw, might be used to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_144' id='Page_144'>144</a></span>
+great advantage, so he posted himself in a resort
+frequented by men of his type of whom there
+are many in the South Seas, and despatched some
+of his crew to look for the boy he had cast off.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before Donald who, to do him
+justice, came unwillingly at first, was presented
+to Broom by two villainous-looking half-caste
+Malay sailors, for Broom had few white men in
+his crew.</p>
+
+<p>“They talk too much,” he was wont to say.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Donald appeared, the ‘Bully’
+reversed his usual tactics and tried to make himself
+as pleasant as possible. He was a huge-framed
+ruffian with a tangled black beard, and
+burned brown enough by sun and wind to be
+taken for a negro. Donald soon saw that he had
+nothing to fear from Broom now, and being a
+sharp boy he proceeded to take the initiative after
+some verbal sparring.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got an awful nerve sending for me
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_145' id='Page_145'>145</a></span>
+after the treatment you gave me,” he observed.
+“What do you want, anyhow?”</p>
+
+<p>“Now see here, boy,” bellowed Broom, in his
+gruff voice which he tried to render amiable
+without much success, so used was he to ruling
+his band with an iron hand, “I’ll admit that I
+may have used you a bit roughly, but that was
+the way of the sea. A fine young fellow like you,
+though, oughtn’t to mind that. A little knocking
+about is good for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and it was good for me to be left
+stranded in this hole, too, I suppose,” said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t leave you stranded. I was merely out
+of funds and was coming back to pay you up and
+get you out of trouble,” protested Broom, with
+an earnestness that appeared genuine. “See
+here.”</p>
+
+<p>He plunged his hand into his pocket and drew
+out a handful of gold and then let it fall trickling
+on the table.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_146' id='Page_146'>146</a></span>“That doesn’t look as if I wasn’t able to do
+it, either, does it?” he demanded. “Now, see
+here,” he went on, “I’ve got a proposition to
+make to you. You’re a smart lad, a clever lad,
+and one that’s bound to get on the world. I’m
+going to help you, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what do you want?” demanded Donald,
+who was very susceptible to flattery, and who
+had a weak nature, easily played upon by any one
+skillful enough to touch the right chord.</p>
+
+<p>“That gang that arrived on the yacht? What
+about them?” came from Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“They are going to cook your hash if you don’t
+look out,” said Donald. “That’s Jukes’ brother,
+and they’re going to find him wherever you’ve
+put him and then nab you.”</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s the program, eh?” muttered the
+‘Bully.’ “Now see here, Donald, I want you
+on my side and I’m not afraid to pay for it. A
+smart and clever boy like you could do me a deal
+of harm if you were sided with the enemy. You’ll
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_147' id='Page_147'>147</a></span>
+be no loser by it. You haven’t told them anything
+about our little deal with the <em>Centurion</em> yet, have
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>Donald did some quick thinking. He was
+sharp enough to see that Broom was afraid of
+what he might have said, for even in Bomobori
+there was law and if it were known to Mr. Jukes
+that Broom was in the vicinity it would be immediately
+invoked. He balanced his two opportunities
+against each other. Cupidity, greed for
+money, had always been his main fault, and now
+he thought he saw a way to make more out of
+Broom than he could out of Mr. Jukes. Besides,
+although he had appeared so humbled before the
+boys, and ashamed of his past conduct, his hatred
+still rankled, for the reason that he blamed all
+his troubles on them and had often brooded over
+plans of revenge.</p>
+
+<p>“No, I haven’t told them anything about the
+<em>Centurion</em>,” he said at length, fearing that if he
+told Broom how much the Jukes party knew
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_148' id='Page_148'>148</a></span>
+the freebooter might withdraw from any deal
+he was about to make. “I simply gave them a
+cock-and-bull story about myself when they were
+astonished to find me here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! So you know them, then? They are
+friends of yours?” exclaimed Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“Hardly friends,” muttered Donald. “I knew
+them in America.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve no particular affection for them,
+though?”</p>
+
+<p>“How do you know?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your tone told me that, my young friend.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I might as well admit it. I don’t like
+them. They wronged me in America and that’s
+why I am here now. I’ve treated them in a
+friendly way because I’m out of money.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom’s deep set eyes flashed.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got a good head boy, very good,” he
+said, approvingly. “Now to get down to business.
+I’ll give you a handsome sum to stay on
+my side.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_149' id='Page_149'>149</a></span>“Spot cash?”</p>
+
+<p>“The money on the nail. I want you to do a
+little job for me in return. Keep your mouth
+absolutely shut, but find out all you can about
+their plans. You will always find me here when
+you want to report. Here’s something to start
+with,” and he pushed over the gold which lay
+on the table.</p>
+
+<p>Donald’s eyes sparkled greedily as he counted
+it.</p>
+
+<p>“All right, I’ll do what you say,” he remarked,
+as he pocketed it, “but tell me one thing: Where
+is Jerushah Jukes?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, that is for me to know and for them to
+find out,” was Broom’s reply, “but I’ll tell you
+all about it in proper time.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a wonder you are not afraid to be seen
+in the town,” said Donald. “Any one might
+tell them about your being here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody knows about me but my friends, and
+there is no danger of their talking.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_150' id='Page_150'>150</a></span>“But your schooner, which is as well known in
+this part of the ocean as a mail steamer?”</p>
+
+<p>Broom smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t think I’d be fool enough to bring
+my schooner in here after I heard about the
+arrival of Jukes’ yacht?” he asked. “The <span class='it'>South
+Sea Lass</span> is safely hidden up the coast. I came
+here on a native canoe.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you ought to be good at covering up
+your tracks, you’ve had enough experience,” said
+Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for
+the ruffian.</p>
+
+<p>“One thing more,” said Broom, acknowledging
+what he chose to take as a compliment with
+a grin. “Jukes is very rich. Has he much money
+with him this trip?”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his
+money. If he has much it would be in some form
+that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man
+to take chances.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom nodded his massive head ponderously.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_151' id='Page_151'>151</a></span>
+He was evidently revolving some plan in his
+mind. Presently he brought down his heavy
+fist with a crash on the table.</p>
+
+<p>“Jukes has poked his nose into this business,”
+he exclaimed, “and it will cost him something
+to get out of it before he gets through.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>“If he was made a prisoner for instance, he
+would pay handsomely to be released.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should say so. He’s worth about $20,000,000.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom smacked his lips.</p>
+
+<p>“Some of that’s as good as ours if you do what
+I tell you,” he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Ours?” A greedy look crept into the boy’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, when he pays up you’ll get your share
+and get even with the people you dislike at the
+same time.”</p>
+
+<p>When Donald left the place with one of his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_152' id='Page_152'>152</a></span>
+ragged pockets bulging with unaccustomed
+wealth, a compact had been formed that was to
+cause our friends a great deal of trouble in the
+near future.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_153' id='Page_153'>153</a></span><h2 id='t3652'>CHAPTER XXI.—A MEMORABLE NIGHT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“It’s very peculiar that Donald should have
+undergone such a sudden change of front,” said
+Jack later that evening, following the boy’s
+strange way of receiving Mr. Jukes’ proposal.
+“He certainly appeared to want to go along the
+worst way a few hours ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help thinking that he has been up to
+some mischief,” replied Billy. “He’s got himself
+a new outfit somewhere and I saw him paying
+his hotel bill.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, at any rate that’s a laudable act,”
+laughed Jack. “After all, we are not much concerned
+with anything that he does now.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, that’s true. By-the-way, how is that
+wireless idea of yours for a portable set getting
+along?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_154' id='Page_154'>154</a></span>“First rate; I’ve got it all worked out on paper
+and have cut the weight down to fifty pounds
+without the aerials.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good for you. I’ve got a notion we can make
+a lot of use of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“At any rate it won’t be much of an extra
+load and it might get us out of a tight place, who
+can tell?”</p>
+
+<p>After some further talk the boys decided to
+turn in, as they had to be up early the next
+day. It was a hot, close night when the heavens
+seemed to be pressed down like a brazen lid on
+a pot. Far off, flashes of lightning illuminated
+the distant sky toward the mountains where, for
+all they knew, the millionaire’s abducted brother
+might be concealed.</p>
+
+<p>“Phew! It’s warm,” exclaimed Jack. “I guess
+I’ll take a bath before I turn in.”</p>
+
+<p>The boys’ bedroom was typical of hotels in
+that part of the world. Its floor was bare except
+for a strip of matting. There were two beds
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_155' id='Page_155'>155</a></span>
+in it, hung with mosquito netting curtains, and
+a tiny wash basin and jug. An old-fashioned
+bell-pull hung near one of the beds and Jack decided
+to give it a tug and order a bath, when
+one of the native “bell boys” appeared. After
+a long interval, one of the barefooted functionaries
+of the hotel arrived. Jack made his wants
+known and the man hurried off again without a
+word.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s odd,” commented Jack, “but I guess
+he’s gone to fill it and will be back directly to
+say it’s ready.”</p>
+
+<p>They waited for some time before a soft patter
+of bare feet was heard in the hall and two of the
+native servants entered carrying between them
+a barrel. Another followed with a sort of dipper
+made out of a cocoanut.</p>
+
+<p>The boys stared in amazement as the men
+advanced to the middle of the room and solemnly
+set down the barrel and then stood about waiting
+with an expectant look on their faces.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_156' id='Page_156'>156</a></span>“What in the world is all this?” demanded the
+amazed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Him your bath, boss,” came the answer, “you
+gettee in him ballel, we washee you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be jiggered if you do,” exclaimed Jack.
+“Get out of here,” and the men hurried off, first
+staring at the boy as if they thought he was
+mad. “Well, a New Guinea bath certainly accounts
+for the appearance of some of the natives
+I’ve seen about,” he laughed, as soon as they had
+left. “But I suppose I must make the best of it.”</p>
+
+<p>So Jack’s bath consisted of dipping water out
+of the tub and pouring it over himself, trying not
+to flood the room. But apparently he did so, for
+soon a loud and indignant voice was heard at the
+door.</p>
+
+<p>“Who is there?” demanded the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Sapristi! Eet is I. Zee landlord. You flood
+zee place. Zee water drip on me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sorry,” sang out Jack, cheerfully, “but I’m
+doing the best I can. You see, I’m not used to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_157' id='Page_157'>157</a></span>
+the customs of the country yet. I don’t understand
+your way of bathing.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean zee bathing?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m trying to get a bath in this barrel that
+you sent me up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Taking a bath!” shouted the landlord in a
+startled voice, “a bath at zees time of zee night.
+You must be crazee. Anyhow, you drop no more
+of zee water on me. I sleep zee room undaire.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he doesn’t look as if a little water
+would hurt him,” commented Billy, as the landlord’s
+footsteps retreated down the passage.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were soon in bed, but not to sleep.
+Their exciting day amid new scenes had rendered
+them wakeful and then, too, the beds of the Hotel
+Bomobori were not couches of roses. The sheets
+and pillows smelled abominably of camphor and
+mildew, and the latter appeared to have been,
+or so Billy declared, stuffed with corn cobs. The
+same applied to the mattresses. But as if this
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_158' id='Page_158'>158</a></span>
+was not enough, there came a sudden shrill cry
+from somewhere in the room:</p>
+
+<p>“Beck-ee! Beck-ee! Beck-ee!”</p>
+
+<p>“What in the nation was that?” cried Billy,
+considerably startled.</p>
+
+<p>“Somebody calling for 'Becky,’” laughed
+Jack, “but Rebecca won’t answer. Go to sleep,
+Billy, if you can, on these miserable beds. It
+must be some insect.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope it isn’t anything venomous,” muttered
+Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Better keep your curtains close drawn and
+then it can’t get at you, anyhow,” advised Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“But then it shuts out all the air and I almost
+suffocate,” complained Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Wow!” he yelled a moment later, in a tone
+that roused Jack, who was almost asleep.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter, Billy?” he asked
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Ugh, something soft with legs on it just ran
+over my face,” cried Raynor. “For goodness’
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_159' id='Page_159'>159</a></span>
+sake get up and get a light. It may be something
+that bites or stings.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack lost no time in getting hurriedly out of
+his bed, and as he shook the curtains something
+was dislodged from them and went whirring and
+banging round the room, blundering heavily
+against the ceiling.</p>
+
+<p>“What the dickens——!” exclaimed the boy,
+considerably startled, when another cry from
+Billy split the air.</p>
+
+<p>“Ouch, for the love of Mike. A light, quick.
+Something just nipped my toe.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack fumbled for the matches; but, as is usual
+in such cases, he located every object in the room
+before he found them, finally colliding with the
+washstand and sending it with a crash to the
+ground floor. An instant later there was the
+noise of slamming doors below and the landlord
+came racing up the stairs to the boys’ room.</p>
+
+<p>“Ciel! What is zee mattaire zees time? First
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_160' id='Page_160'>160</a></span>
+you try drown me, zen you make zee beeg crash
+like zee tonnaire!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all the fault of your old hotel,” exclaimed
+Jack angrily, going to the door. “This
+room is full of some kind of animals. It’s a regular
+menagerie.”</p>
+
+<p>He opened the door and the landlord, with a
+curious-looking night-light, composed of a wick
+floating in a tumbler full of some strong-smelling
+oil that gave out a powerful odor of sandal wood,
+came inside. Instantly there was a mighty scuffling
+and several ugly looking lizards darted off
+across the floor and a huge bat (no doubt the
+creature that had vacated Jack’s bed-curtains
+with such a prodigious flapping) went soaring
+out through the open lattice-work doors which
+led out on the verandah, but which the boys had
+left open for coolness. There were also a dozen
+other specimens of unclassified insects, both
+winged and legged, which went scuttling off at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_161' id='Page_161'>161</a></span>
+the sight of the light. Then the landlord’s eye
+fell on the open doors.</p>
+
+<p>“Sacre!” he cried, “nevaire did I such a foolishness
+see.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter now?” demanded Jack.
+“The only foolishness I can see is in our coming
+to this hotel.”</p>
+
+<p>The landlord shrugged his shoulders as if in
+despair.</p>
+
+<p>“What else do you expect but zee bat, zee scorpion,
+zee centipede, zee leezard, zee chigre,
+zee——”</p>
+
+<p>“What makes a noise like 'becky, becky,
+becky’?” asked Billy, breaking in on the catalogue.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! Zee biting leezard 'ee do zat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then that fellow that nipped my toe and the
+one that sang out for Rebecca must be the same
+individual,” cried Billy indignantly, “but go on
+with your catalogue.”</p>
+
+<p>The landlord looked puzzled.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_162' id='Page_162'>162</a></span>“Zere was zee cat and zee dog 'ere, too?” he
+demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“No, I said the catalogue. The list of insects
+you were rattling off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, well, I was going to say to you not to
+leave zee porch doors open in zee night. And
+also nevaire go to bed wizout lighting one of zees
+lights.” He tapped the peculiar-smelling night-light
+he held. “See, here eez one 'ere on zees
+table.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you can’t blame us for not knowing
+what it was,” protested Jack, as he lighted it.
+“I thought it was some peculiar kind of drink.
+It’s the first time I ever saw light served in a
+tumbler.”</p>
+
+<p>“Zee light veree good,” said the landlord, as
+he was leaving the room. “Zee animal no like
+zee light, also they no like zee smell.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t blame them,” said Jack, after the man
+had left, and the odd tumbler lamp was burning
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_163' id='Page_163'>163</a></span>
+with a sputtering, smoking flame, “especially
+the smell part.”</p>
+
+<p>“Anyhow, anything is better than sharing
+your bed with you-don’t-know-what creepy-crawly
+things,” declared Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and lizards that go round hollering girls’
+names,” agreed Jack. “I fancy we’ll sleep better
+now. But, after all, we’ve got to get used to it
+all for we may meet worse in the jungle.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_164' id='Page_164'>164</a></span><h2 id='t3930'>CHAPTER XXII.—INTO THE JUNGLE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The next day was busily spent by the boys.
+Jack had his portable wireless to assemble. Raynor
+was assigned as “chief of baggage,” and Captain
+Sparhawk and Mr. Jukes, with Muldoon,
+who spoke the Papuan dialect after a fashion,
+occupied the time rounding up the native bearers
+and finding a suitable “head man.” The latter
+was very important to the success of the expedition,
+both to keep the other natives up to their
+work and to find trails and, if necessary, act as
+interpreter. Through the good offices of Jabez
+Hook, a “smart Yankee” who ran a “general
+store” at Bomobori, and was a warm friend of
+Captain Sparhawk’s, they finally found just the
+man they wanted. He was a tall, up-right Papuan
+with an exceptionally intelligent face, who
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_165' id='Page_165'>165</a></span>
+spoke fair English, knew the country thoroughly
+and appeared about thirty years old. Salloo, as
+he called himself, agreed to have everything in
+readiness for a start into the interior by the next
+morning. He held out hopes that from some of
+the interior tribes they would get news of the lost
+ones, for among the natives news travels fast,
+and if ‘Bully’ Broom had conveyed prisoners into
+the inland some of the tribesmen would be sure
+to know about it.</p>
+
+<p>When Jack returned from the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+where he had set up his apparatus, he reported
+that all was well on board and everything going
+forward smoothly under the command of the
+first officer. Thurman appeared to be delighted
+with his chance to vindicate himself, but acting
+under Mr. Jukes’ advice, it had been deemed
+prudent to refuse him shore liberty till the party
+returned. Thurman did not seem to resent this,
+and told Jack that after all he had gone through,
+a “soft berth” and good meals on the yacht
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_166' id='Page_166'>166</a></span>
+appealed to him. He had seen enough of the
+tropics, so he declared, to have no especial desire
+to go ashore at Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>It was not till eleven o’clock that night that
+they turned in. But when they did so it was
+with a satisfied feeling that every detail had been
+attended to. Not the least satisfactory result
+of the day had been Jack’s achievement of perfecting
+the portable wireless which would keep
+them at all times in touch with the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning dawned bright and clear.
+The boys were up before any of the rest of the
+party, dressed in khaki suits, sun helmets and
+stout leggings, for much of the way would lie
+through ragged bush. Each lad carried a water
+canteen, a pocket filter, compass, knife, and wore
+a service revolver attached to a cartridge belt.
+In these “uniforms” they looked very business-like,
+and capable of giving a good account of
+themselves in any emergency. Soon after the
+other members of the party appeared somewhat
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_167' id='Page_167'>167</a></span>
+similarly attired. Mr. Jukes’ pockets bulged with
+boxes of dyspepsia pills, and Muldoon wore his
+sailor uniform with the addition of leggings and
+a sun helmet.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure I look like a sea soldier no liss,” was the
+way he summed up his appearance, and the boys
+couldn’t help agreeing with him.</p>
+
+<p>While they were at breakfast, Salloo and his
+“bearers” presented themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo greeted them with a low “salaam,” and
+volunteered the information that:</p>
+
+<p>“Him welly good day for makum start. Go
+many miles. Good trail for first part of journey.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the further we go, the quicker we’ll get
+back,” commented Muldoon in true Irish style.</p>
+
+<p>At eight o’clock they were off. Nobody in the
+town knew the true object of their expedition, but
+supposed they were off on a hunt for entomological
+specimens, for New Guinea swarms with rare
+forms of insect life and many intrepid collectors
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_168' id='Page_168'>168</a></span>
+have found it a happy hunting ground, some of
+them paying for their devotion to science with
+their lives.</p>
+
+<p>At first the question of traveling on horse-back
+had been mooted. But Salloo promptly vetoed
+this. The country was too rough and thickly
+grown to make horse-back travel feasible for
+more than a few miles, he declared. They might
+have used the river, but it was only navigable
+for a short distance when the swift current and
+the shoals made it dangerous for up-stream
+travel. Natives coming down it always abandoned
+their dugouts, which were simply hollow
+trees, at Bomobori, and went back to their villages
+on foot.</p>
+
+<p>The town was soon left behind and they struck
+into a trail which was broad and well trodden.
+On all sides were dense groves of tropical vegetation,
+towering palms, spreading mangoes laden
+with golden fruit, that ever-present banana and
+fragrant guava and lemon trees. From the tall
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_169' id='Page_169'>169</a></span>
+lance-wood and cotton trees great creepers and
+lianas, looking like serpents, twined and coiled.
+There was a moist, steaming heat in the air.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s just like being in a big conservatory at
+home,” said Jack, and indeed the air had just the
+odor and closeness of a glass-house.</p>
+
+<p>“This is fever territory,” declared Mr. Jukes,
+administering a large dose of quinine to himself.
+“There is to be no sleeping on the ground, remember.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess not, after the experience we had in
+our room at the hotel last night,” said Raynor,
+and amidst much laughter he narrated the details
+of their uncomfortable night.</p>
+
+<p>As they pushed onward, there came from the
+river, which glinted like molten lead in the sunshine
+at their left, a long-drawn cry which startled
+all the white members of the expedition. It resembled
+the human voice and appeared to be the
+appeal of someone in agony.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure there’s some poor soul in throuble over
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_170' id='Page_170'>170</a></span>
+yonder forninst the river,” declared Muldoon,
+and before any one could stop him he had left the
+trail and was making for the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Hi you white man, you comee back,” cried
+Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>But he was too late. Hardly had Muldoon left
+the trail than he sank up to his knees in black,
+oozy mud which held him like liquid glue.</p>
+
+<p>His struggles only made matters worse, and
+soon he was up to his knees in the evil-smelling,
+glutinous mass which bubbled about him as it
+sucked him down.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! Murther! Shure, O’im kilt intirely!”
+cried the frightened man, waving his arms frantically.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_171' id='Page_171'>171</a></span><h2 id='t4092'>CHAPTER XXIII.—A DANGEROUS TREE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>All this time, from the river, came the same
+weird cries that had mystified them. What with
+these cries and Muldoon’s lusty yells for help,
+had there been an enemy within a mile they must
+have heard them, but luckily they were in a territory
+known to be peaceable, although Salloo was
+not quite so sure of some of the tribes who had
+a bad reputation as “head hunters.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s stuck in the mud!” exclaimed Jack, and
+was starting forward to Muldoon’s assistance
+when Salloo grabbed his arm.</p>
+
+<p>“No go,” he warned, “him mud velly bad.
+Make drown in mud plitty quick no get helpee.”</p>
+
+<p>The native began making his way by a circuitous
+route toward the luckless Muldoon. In
+his hand he had a long rope. He leaped from
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_172' id='Page_172'>172</a></span>
+tuft to tuft of the hummocks that appeared above
+the black soil. As soon as he got close enough to
+Muldoon he threw the struggling boatswain the
+end of the line, which Muldoon had presence of
+mind enough to place under his arm-pits. Then
+Salloo skipped nimbly back to the trail and all
+laying hold with a will they soon hauled Muldoon
+out of his disagreeable predicament, although he
+was a sorry sight to look at.</p>
+
+<p>“But faith,” he exclaimed, “it’s glad enough I
+am to know O’im not dead intirely. A little mud
+will soon dry and clean off, begob.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tropical places are full of just such treacherous
+swamps,” declared Captain Sparhawk. “It
+will be well for all of us to be very careful and
+not leave the trail except by Salloo’s advice.”</p>
+
+<p>But now the strange wailing sound which they
+had for the moment forgotten in the excitement
+of Muldoon’s rescue again startled them. The
+cause of it was quickly explained by Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“Him <em>dugong</em>, allee samee sea-cow,” he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_173' id='Page_173'>173</a></span>“Oh, I know now—like the manitou they have
+in Florida,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Me no know 'bout man or two,” said Salloo,
+“but him big an’mul. Live in river. Makee noise
+like heap cryee allee timee.”</p>
+
+<p>“It sounds as if somebody was being murdered,”
+commented Raynor. “However, I guess
+we’re not the first people to be scared by the dinner-gong,
+or whatever you call it.”</p>
+
+<p>The halt for the noon-day meal was made in a
+pleasant grove of tropical trees which stood on
+safe rising ground to one side of the trail. All
+the white members of the party were glad enough
+of the chance to take a rest, but the wiry natives
+appeared to be perfectly fresh and strong as when
+they set out, despite their heavy burdens. While
+the natives began cooking their rice and salted
+fish, with a sort of curry sauce, Salloo set about
+making a fire for the whites. With marvelous
+dexterity he twirled a stick between his outspread
+hands against some dry tinder and soon had a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_174' id='Page_174'>174</a></span>
+good blaze going. The boys scattered to get
+wood, of which they soon had a sufficient quantity.
+Then, determined to make the most of their
+halt, they flung themselves down under a
+peculiarly fine tree with wide, dark green leaves,
+glossy as polished leather.</p>
+
+<p>They were chatting about the incidents of the
+trip so far when Jack all at once felt something
+strike him on the arm. His first impression was
+that it was a stone. But on looking at the place
+where he had been struck he saw that the sleeve
+of his shirt, for he had laid aside his khaki coat,
+had been ripped in parallel lines as if a curry comb,
+with sharp teeth, had been drawn down
+it. He felt a sharp pain moreover, and then he
+saw blood on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>Billy had sprung up in alarm at his sharp
+exclamation of pain, and was peering into the
+brush in the dread of seeing savage faces peering
+at them. His shout of alarm brought them
+all, including Salloo, on the run to Jack’s side.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_175' id='Page_175'>175</a></span>
+The boy explained what had occurred and the
+faces of the whites grew grave. If they were
+attacked at this early stage of the journey it
+augured ill for the remainder of their adventure.</p>
+
+<p>But Salloo speedily solved the mystery. Lying
+on the ground beside Jack was a green, oval-shaped
+ball, about the size of those projectiles
+that one sees stacked by memorial cannons in
+our country. But this missile was covered with
+sharp spikes like the spines of a hedgehog. Salloo
+pointed up into the beautiful tree under which
+they had cast themselves down to rest.</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody throw him,” he explained, “him big
+fruit, some callum Durion nut. You comee way
+from there. One hittee you headee your blains
+getee knocked out.”</p>
+
+<p>“They deserve to be for getting up a scare like
+that,” laughed Jack, who, like Billy, stepped
+hastily from under the dangerous tree. “It seems
+to be a pretty good idea in this country to be
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_176' id='Page_176'>176</a></span>
+always on the look out. Even nature seems to
+have it in for you.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack’s arm was doctored by Captain Sparhawk,
+for it was quite painful, but luckily the spines of
+the durion, sometimes called the Jack fruit, are
+not poisonous and it was soon all right again.
+But during the noon-day meal, which was then
+ready, when they heard the crashing of nut after
+nut from the durion tree, both boys felt they had
+had a very lucky escape from having their skulls
+fractured.</p>
+
+<p>“Be jabers,” commented Muldoon, “shure o’ive
+been in a hurricane where the blocks and tackle
+that was ripped from aloft made yez skip around
+loively to dodge thim, but this is the first toime
+thot iver I heard of a three throwing things at
+yez as if ye was a nigger dodger at a fair.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll discover stranger things than that,
+Muldoon, before we have been very long in New
+Guinea,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, so long as they’re not snakes, oi dunno
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_177' id='Page_177'>177</a></span>
+thot I care much,” said the Irishman. “Begob,
+o’im thinking that St. Pathrick would be a good
+man to have along in a counthry where the craturs
+are. Wun wave uv his sthick and away
+they’d all go, bad luck to thim.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_178' id='Page_178'>178</a></span><h2 id='t4246'>CHAPTER XXIV.—WIRELESS AT WORK.</h2></div>
+
+<p>For two days they traveled thus, making fresh
+discoveries constantly. Once, for instance, Billy
+triumphantly pounced on what seemed like a fine
+bit of fire-wood for the noon-day halt. But he
+dropped it with a yell, as the “stick” suddenly developed
+legs and on being dropped walked off.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorrah, there’s a shillalegh come to loife,
+so it has,” yelled Muldoon, as he observed the
+phenomenon; but the “shillalegh” was only one
+of those strange “stick insects” that abound in
+that part of the world and sometimes fool even
+the natives.</p>
+
+<p>At noon of the third day they found themselves
+approaching a settlement, as cleared ground,
+where grew maize, sugar cane, yams and other
+plants, testified. The village proved to be a large
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_179' id='Page_179'>179</a></span>
+one where white traders and animal collectors
+often stopped and there was a native hostelry in
+it conducted by a greasy-looking Frenchman who
+had a native wife as dirty-looking as he was.
+The native huts were all of bamboo hung with
+cocoanut mats. Natives squatted in front of
+them chewing betel nuts, the juice crimsoning
+their lips and chins. All ages and both sexes indulged
+in the habit, which is universal throughout
+Polynesia and the South Seas generally.</p>
+
+<p>There appeared to be a lot of rivalry among the
+men as to who could grow the fuzziest, most outstanding
+crop of hair.</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, a barber would starve to death in this
+country,” declared Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a young woman came down the
+“street,” if such the muddy track between the
+huts could be called. She held something in her
+arms that they thought at first was a baby. But
+it turned out to be a young pig!</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll rest at the hotel here,” said Mr. Jukes,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_180' id='Page_180'>180</a></span>
+“till it grows cooler. My dyspepsia is bad again.
+It comes from traveling during the heat of the
+day as we have been doing.”</p>
+
+<p>The mid-day meal was cooked on a sort of
+altar built of stones. The boys watched the operations
+in this open-air kitchen with interest.
+At least twenty natives assisted in the culinary
+demonstration and the chatter and laughter was
+deafening. They made a hearty meal on the
+native fare, which they were astonished to find
+was quite as good as anything they had tasted
+at home.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at
+once after the meal they took it easy in several
+grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady,
+tree. The fact that the natives kept coming up
+and peering into their faces and that babies,
+chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks
+did not disturb the boys after a while, and
+they dropped off to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t wonder the natives here are lazy,”
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_181' id='Page_181'>181</a></span>
+remarked Jack, when Muldoon awakened him
+with a yell of “All hands on deck to see it rain.”
+“I rarely slept in the day-time, but here I just
+dozed off without knowing it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Same here,” chimed in Raynor. “I didn’t
+have to even half try.”</p>
+
+<p>“This climate is very enervating, boys,” declared
+Captain Sparhawk, joining in the conversation.
+“That is why this part of the globe
+makes so little progress toward civilisation. Men
+who are hustlers in their own country come here
+determined to make the dirt fly, but after a few
+months their energy oozes out of them like—well,
+say like tar out of the seams of a hot ship’s
+deck.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a good comparison,” laughed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers’
+camp, and soon they were on their way
+again. The Frenchman, whose “hotel” they had
+left, had told them that by evening they would
+reach another village, the last one they would
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_182' id='Page_182'>182</a></span>
+encounter before plunging into the really wild
+jungle, where there was another “hotel.”</p>
+
+<p>“As it will be our last chance for many days
+to sleep under a roof, I propose we stay there to-night,”
+said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.</p>
+
+<p>This suited the rest of the party and they
+struck forward at a brisk pace after their refreshing
+rest and sleep. The jungle was filled
+with countless birds, but there were no feathered
+songsters among them. The air was filled with
+nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that set
+the teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill
+of seeing a bird of paradise, with its glorious
+plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flash across
+their path.</p>
+
+<p>The village they stopped at that evening resembled
+in almost every respect the one in which
+the noon-day halt had been made. There were
+the same huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens,
+and the same fuzzy-headed Papuans, many
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_183' id='Page_183'>183</a></span>
+of them returning from the fields with corn and
+yams.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor of the “hotel,” which had no
+more pretensions to the name than the other
+hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste,
+lacking one eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass
+ear-rings. His wife was a giant negress. However,
+they welcomed the party warmly, as they
+had good reason to do, not having had any guests
+for some time, and pigs and fowls were at once
+killed for supper, everything in such places being
+ordered “on the hoof,” so to speak. Mr. Jukes
+delighted his native followers by ordering an
+elaborate meal for them also, in celebration of
+the fact that on the morrow they would leave
+“civilization” behind them.</p>
+
+<p>Jack, at Mr. Jukes’ request, set up his wireless
+plant, stringing the aerials from a tall tree up
+which one of the natives swarmed like a monkey
+to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he
+and Billy talked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_184' id='Page_184'>184</a></span>“I guess we’ll sleep with one eye open to-night,”
+said Jack in an undertone, for they were surrounded
+by a curious crowd watching the white
+boy “make conjure medicine.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking
+couple,” rejoined Billy, “and in a country like this
+it’s a good thing to regard everybody with suspicion
+till you find them all right.”</p>
+
+<p>Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted
+and worked and had his word to put in too.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorrah, that Portugee don’t look like no
+angel,” he said, “and his wife looks like the ould
+Nick himsilf.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just what we were talking about, Muldoon,”
+said Jack. “It will be a good thing if we keep our
+eyes and ears open.”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i04f.jpg'><img src='images/i04.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0003' style='width:400px;height:528px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he received Thurman’s answering call.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor
+started to turn the hand-crank of the generator,
+for of course a gasoline engine for that purpose
+could not be carried into the jungle. When the
+storage batteries were charged, Jack began to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_185' id='Page_185'>185</a></span>
+pump out the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> call. At the first
+crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark
+the natives scattered with yells. Even Salloo,
+who was looking on, and had to stand his ground
+to maintain his dignity before his men, looked
+uneasy and shifted about nervously.</p>
+
+<p>It was some time before Jack got a reply, but
+at last he received Thurman’s answering call.</p>
+
+<p>Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was
+no particular news from his end except that
+another party had started up-country right on
+the heels of Mr. Jukes’ expedition. It was
+thought they were traders, Thurman said. Jack
+gave his news and then flashed “Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of
+the start of a second party.</p>
+
+<p>“I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition,”
+mused Mr. Jukes, on receipt of this
+information. “But no doubt they are traders. It
+seems odd, though, that they didn’t join with us
+if they were coming this way, as is the general
+custom.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_186' id='Page_186'>186</a></span><h2 id='t4451'>CHAPTER XXV.—A JUNGLE HOTEL.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The hostelry was divided into half a dozen
+rooms walled with bamboo, and all on the ground
+floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposed
+between the sleepers and the ground, and
+cockroaches and singing lizards abounded. But
+by this time the lads had become pretty well used
+to the night noises of the jungle, which are far
+more tumultuous after dark than in the day-time,
+and as for the hard beds, they were too tired to
+mind much where they slept.</p>
+
+<p>Jack had not slept long when he was awakened
+by someone calling to him. It was Muldoon. The
+Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement
+as he stood in the grass-curtained door-way.</p>
+
+<p>“Whist!” he exclaimed, holding a finger to his
+lips, “is thot you Misther Riddy?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_187' id='Page_187'>187</a></span>“Yes, what’s the trouble, Muldoon?”</p>
+
+<p>“Shure o’ive made a discovery, sor.”</p>
+
+<p>“What?”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing
+about.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what about them?”</p>
+
+<p>“They’re here, begob.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where, in the hotel?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, in the woods back of the house.”</p>
+
+<p>“Camping there?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, bejabbers. There’s something looks
+queer to me about the whole thing, that’s why I
+called yez. They’ve sent for the Dago that runs
+this shabeen, sor.”</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe they want to get accommodations?”</p>
+
+<p>“Thin why wouldn’t they stip up like min and
+ask for ’em?” was Muldoon’s unanswerable retort.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily,
+appeared in the door-way. Behind him stood
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_188' id='Page_188'>188</a></span>
+the giant negress. The millionaire had evidently
+dressed hastily.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve got news, Ready,” he exclaimed in a
+rather excited voice. “This woman has just told
+me that her husband wants to see me outside. I
+gathered it’s on some matter connected with my
+brother.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yassir,” grinned the hideous negress, showing
+a double row of sharply filed teeth, “dat’s it, sah.
+It’s 'bout yo’ brudder.”</p>
+
+<p>Raynor had awakened by this time and was
+sitting up on his mat listening sleepily. He eyed
+the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasy
+conviction entered his mind that all was
+not well.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better be cautious, sir,” warned Jack,
+who also felt an undeniable feeling of suspicion,
+“something may be wrong.”</p>
+
+<p>“What can be wrong,” demanded Mr. Jukes,
+rather impatiently. “I’m going outside to see.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_189' id='Page_189'>189</a></span>
+If it’s about my brother it’s my duty to do so
+at once.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then if you’re going I’ll go with you,” said
+Jack, hastily throwing on the garments he had
+divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.</p>
+
+<p>“And begorrah o’i second the motion,” declared
+Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“Wait a moment for me,” begged Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“No, stay here,” said Jack. “If anything goes
+wrong, I’ll fire three shots.”</p>
+
+<p>A minute later, followed by the native woman,
+the three left the place. As they reached the door
+she took the lead and conducted them through a
+bamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under
+which her husband and a big man with black
+beard were conversing.</p>
+
+<p>“You wish to see me?” asked Mr. Jukes, addressing
+the bearded one.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news
+for you,” said the landlord, spreading his hands.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_190' id='Page_190'>190</a></span>“Begorrah, oi don’t see no gintilmin here excipt
+oursilves,” muttered Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“Muldoon, be quiet,” ordered Mr. Jukes, then
+turning to the black-bearded man he went on
+with, “Well, sir, what is it you wish?”</p>
+
+<p>“You are Mr. Jukes?” asked the other, in a
+deep, gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I am, what of it?”</p>
+
+<p>“I want to see you. I have news for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“But—but I don’t know you. Why didn’t you
+come to the hotel if you had anything to say to
+me?” asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.</p>
+
+<p>“I wanted to talk to you in private about your
+brother,” was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>“My brother! Why, we are searching for him
+now. That is the reason of our presence in the
+jungle. Do you know anything about him?”</p>
+
+<p>“I do. It was he who sent me here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Jerushah sent you?” the millionaire was fairly
+amazed now. “He is then alive?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_191' id='Page_191'>191</a></span>
+Through natives he heard of the arrival of your
+expedition and sent me even at this hour to bring
+you to him.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is a strange story, my man,” said Mr.
+Jukes suspiciously. “I might say it is almost
+incredible.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll admit it does sound strange,” said the
+other, “but strange things happen in this part
+of the world. I might add that the other Mr.
+Jukes wants to see you alone. Something about
+a pearl, I believe.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes’ sleeve. The lad
+had been peering about him through the dark
+trees and had seen something the others had not.
+If his eyes had not deceived him, and Jack did
+not believe they had, several forms were moving
+about in the gloom beneath the interlaced
+branches.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Jukes,” he whispered, “I don’t believe this
+man. I think we are in some sort of a trap.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_192' id='Page_192'>192</a></span>
+Why didn’t he come to the house with this cock-and-bull
+story?”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this
+man of great affairs, before whom board meetings
+quailed, and who ruled almost supreme
+among the great money kings of New York, appeared
+to be lost now that he was out of his little
+world and among the great elemental things of
+the untraveled jungle.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sure I don’t know, Ready,” he replied.</p>
+
+<p>“Ask him,” suggested Jack, with his hand on
+his revolver. He felt that a crisis of some sort
+was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put
+the question. The bearded man’s reply was brief
+and to the point.</p>
+
+<p>“That is beside the question,” he snapped.
+“Are you coming with me?”</p>
+
+<p>Before any reply could be made the bearded
+man’s eye caught the glint of Jack’s weapon.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_193' id='Page_193'>193</a></span>
+Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees
+leaped a dozen or more men.</p>
+
+<p>“Howly saints! A trap!” yelled Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“A trap!” echoed Jack. He raised his pistol
+to cover the black-bearded man. But before he
+had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown
+from their feet by a combined attack and in a
+twinkling both the millionaire and the boy were
+helpless.</p>
+
+<p>“Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others.
+Come after us as quick as you can.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hold your horses there,” roared the black-bearded
+man, who, as our readers will have
+guessed, was ‘Bully’ Broom himself, with his
+band of renegade followers. He tried to block
+the boatswain’s path as Muldoon darted off.</p>
+
+<p>Biff, the old seaman’s knotted fist shot out and
+caught the redoubtable ‘Bully’ between his eyes.
+He staggered but did not fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Take that, you murtherin’ spalpeen,” shouted
+Muldoon, as he darted off among the trees and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_194' id='Page_194'>194</a></span>
+was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of the
+band pursued him, but ‘Bully’ Broom called them
+back.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve got the fellows we want,” he said;
+“bind and gag them and if they show fight don’t
+be too gentle with them.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_195' id='Page_195'>195</a></span><h2 id='t4680'>CHAPTER XXVI.—PRISONERS OF ‘BULLY’ BROOM.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless,
+and in return for his struggles received only
+a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser to remain
+quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had
+their hands tied behind their backs and gags of
+dirty grass were thrust, none too gently, into
+their mouths.</p>
+
+<p>“Now march, and behave yourselves or you’ll
+be shot,” snarled ‘Bully’ Broom, whose temper
+had not been improved by the blow Muldoon’s
+strong fist had given him.</p>
+
+<p>As it would have been folly to have resisted,
+situated as they were, the two prisoners did as
+they were told. Jack wondered where they were
+being taken and why they had been attacked.
+Even his acute mind did not connect their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_196' id='Page_196'>196</a></span>
+captors with ‘Bully’ Broom and his gang. The
+boy thought they had fallen into the hands of
+one of those bands of free-booters, known to frequent
+parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.</p>
+
+<p>He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire
+was stout and accustomed to his ease.
+After his tiring day this night march must have
+been cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the
+man of millions received a vicious jab in the back
+with the stock of a rifle.</p>
+
+<p>Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting
+on the strange turn of the wheel of fortune
+that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,
+into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved,
+perspiring prisoner, in the hands of a band of
+men of undoubtedly desperate character. He
+wondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not
+contrasting this cruel march through the forest
+with his magnificent town and country houses,
+his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_197' id='Page_197'>197</a></span>
+his elaborate entertainments. If he were doing
+so, Jack surmised that his thoughts must be bitter.
+In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to
+keep his mind off his own misfortunes.</p>
+
+<p>A journey of some hours, at the close of which
+Mr. Jukes began to give every outward sign of
+deep physical exhaustion, brought them to a
+clearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking
+the river. Here, on a bluff about fifty
+feet above the water, in years gone by, a trading
+company had maintained a post. It had been
+built in the days when the natives were troublesome
+in that section and it was a strong structure
+like a fort. It was almost overgrown with
+rank tropical vines, but evidently the way to it
+was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.
+Jukes and Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Lanterns were lit and when the two captives
+had been ushered in both were made fast to the
+logs that formed the walls of the place. Jack
+glanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_198' id='Page_198'>198</a></span>
+assuredly a pitiable-looking object. His fine white
+shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vines
+encountered along the path, his carefully
+groomed appearance had given way to a general
+disreputableness that would have gained him
+recognition by any tramp as a member of the
+fraternity, his face was almost purple, from his
+enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy
+at any minute,” thought Jack, who, although
+he was in as bad a plight, characteristically
+did not spend any sympathy on himself.
+Perhaps the members of the band that had captured
+them noticed what Jack had, and feared
+fatal consequences, for Mr. Jukes’ gag was soon
+removed and so was Jack’s.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes
+could recover his breath enough to speak, the
+rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,
+which was like a long mess hall and may
+indeed have been used at some time as such.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_199' id='Page_199'>199</a></span>“What does this outrage mean?” demanded
+Jack, as the black-bearded man strolled off last of
+all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.</p>
+
+<p>“You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?”</p>
+
+<p>“So you know my name?” exclaimed Jack in
+some surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and that of your companions who will
+join you here before long. We hope to have the
+pleasure of your company for quite a long time.”</p>
+
+<p>“You abominable ruffian,” cried Jack, overcome
+by indignation, “you will pay dearly for this some
+time,” but at the same time the boy did not believe
+that the rest had been caught napping and
+captured. They were a strong party and, led by
+Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stiff fight.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes,”
+Jack could not help saying, as soon as they were
+left alone.</p>
+
+<p>“You wish it no more fervently than I do, my
+boy,” was the despondent reply. “Wall Street
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_200' id='Page_200'>200</a></span>
+and New York seem like a dream to me. Only
+this horror is real.”</p>
+
+<p>“I would like to know what it all means,” said
+Jack. “These men can’t be just common robbers;
+they appear to have a regular hang-out here.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help thinking that I’ve seen some of
+these ruffians loitering about Bomobori,” said
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“That struck me, too. At any rate they must
+be the party Thurman wirelessed to me about as
+leaving just behind us. They’ve followed our
+trail pretty closely, too. We should have been
+more on our guard.”</p>
+
+<p>Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began
+to show in the narrow windows of the old barracks.
+The positions of both prisoners were
+most uncomfortable. The strain on their arms
+from the tightly tied cords was almost unbearable.</p>
+
+<p>“And to think I used to complain of discomfort
+if my chauffeur allowed my car to bump over a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_201' id='Page_201'>201</a></span>
+rut,” groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathos
+that would have made Jack smile had they been
+in any other situation.</p>
+
+<p>All the men had left the place, but they could
+hear the murmur of their voices outside. A smell
+of wood smoke drifted in and then the tantalising
+odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee
+combined to remind both prisoners that, in spite
+of their sufferings, they were both hungry and
+thirsty.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?”
+asked Jack, after a silence broken only
+by Mr. Jukes’ pathetic groans.</p>
+
+<p>“I’d risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of
+beans and bacon right now,” wailed the unhappy
+millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” thought Jack. “There are decidedly
+situations where all the millions in the world
+wouldn’t do you much good, and this, apparently,
+is one of them.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_202' id='Page_202'>202</a></span>At last footsteps were heard approaching from
+the opposite end of the ramshackle building.</p>
+
+<p>“Somebody at last,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly spoken when ‘Bully’ Broom
+stood before them, followed by—Donald Judson.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_203' id='Page_203'>203</a></span><h2 id='t4860'>CHAPTER XXVII.—AT THE OLD FORT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack found it difficult to credit his eyesight as
+he gazed at the boy who formerly had made so
+much trouble for them and the gigantic ruffian
+who stood beside him.</p>
+
+<p>“Judson! Is it possible?” he gasped. “What
+brought you here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Are you a prisoner, too?” demanded Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“A prisoner?” laughed Judson. “Well, that’s
+a good one, I must say. Only fools walk into
+traps.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what are you doing here then, boy?”
+demanded the millionaire, recollecting his former
+kindness to Donald. “You ask him, Ready. He’s
+a friend of yours.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s no friend of mine, Mr. Jukes,” denied
+Jack. “Can’t you see it all?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_204' id='Page_204'>204</a></span>“See what?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, the contemptible turn-coat is in with
+these rascals.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible!”</p>
+
+<p>“So, Judson,” went on Jack, “this is how you
+repay our kindness to you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your kindness,” sneered the boy. “I want
+none of it. I’m in with a good crowd now. Besides,
+I told you in Bomobori I didn’t want to
+go with your old expedition.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you didn’t refuse the money I got you
+from Mr. Jukes,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he’s made of money,” chuckled Donald,
+“and we mean to get some more of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“You miserable young whelp,” panted the
+helpless millionaire, purple with rage, “if I had
+you in America——”</p>
+
+<p>“And anyhow,” continued Judson, thoroughly
+enjoying this, “you are only getting what’s coming
+to you, Ready. In the States you tried to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_205' id='Page_205'>205</a></span>
+have me put in pris—er that is you wanted to
+tell lies about me.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sorry we didn’t have you locked up, now,”
+said Jack bitterly. “I suppose you put this gang
+of scoundrels on our trail.”</p>
+
+<p>“You can suppose anything you want,” was
+the rejoinder, but a bit of the old boastfulness
+crept into his tone, “and you’re going to pay up,
+too, before you get out of this. Have you had
+them searched, Captain Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>“What——?” shouted the millionaire, almost
+beside himself at this sudden revelation of the
+black-bearded man’s identity, “are you ‘Bully’
+Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>“My name’s Broom all right,” was the surly
+reply, “but I want my proper handle, which is
+Captain.”</p>
+
+<p>“What have you done with my brother, you
+infernal rascal?” stormed the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Now you ain’t going to get along any better
+by cutting up rough and losing your temper like
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_206' id='Page_206'>206</a></span>
+that, pard’ner,” was the cool reminder. “You
+may be my guest for quite a time, so let’s you and
+me get along peaceable. Otherwise we’ll find a
+way to <em>make</em> you keep a civil tongue in your
+head.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you have them searched?” repeated Donald
+greedily. “If you did I want my share of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“They were searched, Judson, but they only
+had a few dollars; not more than a hundred at
+most.”</p>
+
+<p>“Bah!” growled Judson; “then they left some
+behind at old Baroni’s place. If we don’t capture
+the others, then——”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind that, now,” commanded Broom;
+“you tell ’em what I told you.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” assented Judson, and then, turning
+to Jack, he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know why you were brought here, Mr.
+Fresh?”</p>
+
+<p>“To be robbed, I suppose. I see no other explanation
+to it,” was Jack’s reply, with a steady
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_207' id='Page_207'>207</a></span>
+look at Judson that made the other drop his eyes.
+“I always knew you were a bad lot, Judson, but
+I never thought you were as bad as this.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m as good as
+you,” stormed Judson, although he looked uneasy.
+Jack’s shot had told. “To be brief, we
+want to make money out of you.”</p>
+
+<p>“In what way?”</p>
+
+<p>“First of all, you must answer our questions.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way,” approved ‘Bully’ Broom,
+stroking his huge beard. “How much money did
+you bring with you from America?”</p>
+
+<p>“Very little cash,” replied the millionaire, who
+had found it more prudent to control his temper,
+“most of the money is in the form of a letter of
+credit.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is that letter of credit?” demanded
+Judson, interfering.</p>
+
+<p>“It is in Bomobori with the bankers,” was the
+reply, and Jack rejoiced to think that Mr. Jukes
+had managed to tell him that, as most of the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_208' id='Page_208'>208</a></span>
+money had been left behind at the hostelry with
+Captain Sparhawk, who had been appointed a
+sort of pay-master to the party.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, now we’ll come down to brass tacks,”
+growled Broom, after an interval of thought.
+“How much is your liberty worth to you?”</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s your game, is it, you rascally blackmailer?”
+sputtered the infuriated millionaire.
+“You won’t get a cent out of me.”</p>
+
+<p>But ‘Bully’ Broom only smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps in a few days you’ll sing a different
+tune,” he said, and something, not in the words,
+but in the way they were uttered, sent a cold
+shiver down Jack’s spine.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_209' id='Page_209'>209</a></span><h2 id='t5020'>CHAPTER XXVIII.—THE FREE-BOOTER’S DEMANDS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Well, what do you demand?” was the millionaire’s
+next question.</p>
+
+<p>Donald Judson drew ‘Bully’ Broom aside and
+whispered to him. The other nodded.</p>
+
+<p>“The least we will take is one hundred thousand
+dollars,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire grew purple.</p>
+
+<p>“What?” he almost shouted.</p>
+
+<p>“That is for the liberty of both,” said ‘Bully’
+Broom coolly. “Fifty thousand for the boy and
+fifty thousand for you. If you don’t want to
+take the boy, you can pay up fifty thousand and
+we will keep him.”</p>
+
+<p>“What would you do with him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the river is full of hungry alligators——”
+grinned the wretch.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_210' id='Page_210'>210</a></span>“You scoundrel,” thundered Mr. Jukes, “do
+you suppose I’d leave him behind, anyway?” Jack
+cast him a grateful look. “But what have you
+done with my brother, you ruffian?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! I was coming to that,” said the rascal
+with an insolent smile, “but you can also have him
+for the very insignificant sum that I have already
+mentioned as being the price for you and
+the boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re worth a whole lot more than that,
+Jukes,” put in Judson, with an equally insolent
+air. “You’re a regular old money-bags, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll never get my money,” raged the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“We won’t, eh?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes,”
+smiled Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“So you mean to starve us into submission,
+eh?” demanded Jack. “I don’t see how such
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_211' id='Page_211'>211</a></span>
+rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst
+young hound I ever heard of.”</p>
+
+<p>In high rage the boy’s enemy stepped up to him
+and deliberately struck him a heavy blow in the
+face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to
+return.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect
+accordance with what I know of your nature,”
+said Jack with menacing quietness.</p>
+
+<p>“You dare say that again,” screamed Donald,
+beside himself with anger, “just you dare and
+I’ll——” He ended with a shake of his fist.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you can’t scare me, even if I am tied,”
+said Jack scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of
+Judson’s rage.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll fix you,” he yelled, “I’ll——”</p>
+
+<p>“Judson, be quiet,” ordered Broom, and the boy
+subsided. “Now,” went on the free-booter to Mr.
+Jukes, “your best plan, if you don’t want to lose
+a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_212' id='Page_212'>212</a></span>
+money. Of course, we’ll have to keep you here
+till it’s safely cashed, otherwise you might, and
+probably would, stop the check. But——”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t pay a cent, Mr. Jukes,” interrupted
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Judson stepped suddenly forward and struck
+the helpless lad another stinging blow. It was
+such a hard one that Jack’s senses swam for a
+minute.</p>
+
+<p>“Shame on you, you young villain,” cried Mr.
+Jukes. “He is helpless, otherwise you wouldn’t
+dare lay hands on him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who says so? I could lick him any day,”
+swaggered Judson imprudently.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you people no sense of right and honesty
+in your compositions?” demanded Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>But this appeal had no more effect on Broom
+than it would have had on adamant.</p>
+
+<p>“We’re no worse than you millionaires, if all
+the papers say is true,” he retorted. “You rob
+in your way, we rob in ours. We’re not quite so
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_213' id='Page_213'>213</a></span>
+refined about it, perhaps. That’s the only difference,
+Mr. Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“You ruffian! Do you compare business,—legitimate
+business,—with your rascally trade?”</p>
+
+<p>“My rascally trade, as you please to term it, is
+business,—legitimate business,—to me,” returned
+Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“Are we to have any food?” demanded the
+millionaire abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“When you listen to reason, yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“And your idea of reason is that I consent to
+pay that preposterous ransom?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your insight does you credit, Mr. Jukes. Sign
+that check and you shall have all you want to eat
+within the poor limits of my larder, and reasonable
+liberty till it is cashed. After that you are
+free to go where you will.”</p>
+
+<p>“Our friends will raise a hue and cry for us,”
+declared Jack. “They’ll find us and put you
+where you belong, behind the bars.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom and young Judson turned away and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_214' id='Page_214'>214</a></span>
+left the hut by another door from the one by
+which they had entered.</p>
+
+<p>“You think they will pay?” asked Broom, with
+some anxiety in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sure they will. Even a tight-wad old
+millionaire will pay up when it comes to a choice
+between that and starving.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you think they are sure to give in?”</p>
+
+<p>“Without a doubt. Then it is only a question
+of waiting for the money and getting out.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t mind that. But I didn’t like what
+they said about their friends following us here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why you said nobody knew the way here
+through the swamps but yourself along that path
+we came last night.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s true, but then there’s the river. However,
+it would be impossible to see the old fort
+from below and anyhow the cliff is fifty feet high
+and easily guarded.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course you are foolish to worry. However,
+perhaps if they don’t give in in a day or
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_215' id='Page_215'>215</a></span>
+two we had better be moving along. That young
+Ready’s chum, Billy, has given me trouble before.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” said Broom, “we’ll see how things
+come out. If they don’t want to perish in the
+swamps they’ll have to come by the river. From
+now on I’ll have that cliff guarded.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and if any rescue party comes they’ll get
+a big surprise,” was young Judson’s reply.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_216' id='Page_216'>216</a></span><h2 id='t5204'>CHAPTER XXIX.—THE RESCUE PARTY.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“I wish I’d gone along with them,” muttered
+Raynor to himself as he slipped on his socks and
+boots so as to be ready instantly in case of alarm.
+“I don’t like the look of this thing at all.”</p>
+
+<p>For some minutes he sat there listening intently.
+But no sound came from outside.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess I’ll just join them anyhow,” he resolved
+to himself, getting on his feet. “This waiting
+is too nerve-racking. I’ll——”</p>
+
+<p>The boy halted where he stood. A loud shout
+from the jungle reached his ears.</p>
+
+<p>“Something has happened!” cried the boy.</p>
+
+<p>He reached for his pistol, and hastily buckling
+it on, he was about to rush out of the hostelry
+when a wild figure appeared.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! There’s murther goin’ on. Help!”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_217' id='Page_217'>217</a></span>It was Muldoon, fleeing before three of
+Broom’s followers. But as the pursuers came in
+sight of the hotel they halted. The next moment
+they were in active retreat.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” gasped
+Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Those spalpeens out yonder. They’ve captured
+Misther Jukes and Jack Riddy.”</p>
+
+<p>“We must rouse the others at once and go
+in pursuit,” decided Billy.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried off to awaken Captain Sparhawk,
+while Muldoon aroused Salloo, who in turn, soon
+had his native followers astir. It did not take
+Captain Sparhawk much longer to get into his
+clothes when he heard Billy’s alarming news than
+it did for the natives, who were not embarrassed
+by garments, to adjust what few they did wear.</p>
+
+<p>It was well they had hastened, for the rascally
+landlord of the place had, by this time, aroused
+all the half-castes in the place and as, headed by
+Captain Sparhawk, they set off into the jungle,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_218' id='Page_218'>218</a></span>
+there was a scattering firing of shots behind
+them. Nobody was hurt, however, and they hastened
+forward to the place where Muldoon told
+them the capture had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo was consulted and he made a careful
+examination of the surroundings. It was considered
+quite safe to make this halt, as the tumult
+behind them had died out and was probably only
+incited by the hotel owner in order to get them
+out of the village.</p>
+
+<p>“Must wait till light come,” decided Salloo at
+last, “no can make out trail in dark.”</p>
+
+<p>It seemed a whole eternity till dawn, but at last
+it grew light and the Malay darted hither and
+thither in the vicinity. At last he announced to
+Captain Sparhawk that he thought he knew, from
+the direction the trail took, the place to which
+the prisoners had been conveyed.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think they take um to old fort on river,”
+he declared.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_219' id='Page_219'>219</a></span>“Then let us go there at once,” said Captain
+Sparhawk eagerly. “Is it far?”</p>
+
+<p>“No velly far through jungle. But Salloo no
+know trail. Velly bad swamp in there and if
+no know trail get in tlubble plenty quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we can’t reach them,” said Billy with a
+groan.</p>
+
+<p>“Salloo know other way,” was the reply, “we
+go round by ribber. Then climbee cliff, find fort
+at top.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then let’s start at once,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+“I don’t want to lose a second of time.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, begorry, those spalpeens may have taken
+them further on by the time we git there if we
+don’t put a good foot forward,” said Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo glanced up at the sky. A light, fleecy
+haze overspread it.</p>
+
+<p>“Nuther reason we hully,” he said. “Salloo
+think big storm come to-mollow. Rain washee
+out the tlacks.”</p>
+
+<p>They set off along a narrow track that Salloo
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_220' id='Page_220'>220</a></span>
+said would bring them to the river, whose course
+they must follow to the deserted fort. The jungle
+contained every kind of tropical growth, and huge
+ferns as big as trees waved over the path. But
+the atmosphere was close and feverish, with a
+humid heat that was very tiring. At times they
+encountered vines which had grown across the
+trail and had to be cut. Some of these were thin
+and wiry and could cut like a knife; others were
+as thick as a man’s arm and bore brilliant, though
+poisonous-looking blossoms of every color.</p>
+
+<p>“Bad traveling,” remarked Captain Sparhawk,
+“still I suppose we must expect that on a seldomly
+frequented trail.”</p>
+
+<p>“Him get velly bad further on,” was all the
+comfort Salloo could offer, “but not velly far to
+ribber once we strike udder trail.”</p>
+
+<p>Before long they came to the track he had referred
+to which branched off at right angles to
+the one along which they had been traveling.</p>
+
+<p>Several miles were covered, however, when it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_221' id='Page_221'>221</a></span>
+became time to halt for lunch. They made a
+hasty meal of canned goods instead of stopping
+to light fires, as Salloo thought it would be inadvisable
+to advertise their whereabouts by smoke
+columns in case the “enemy” had scouts out.
+They had hardly resumed their wearisome journey
+when they were startled by hearing a cry
+from a distance. Salloo came to an instant halt.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep out ob sight, all of you,” he said, “Salloo
+go see what makee noise.”</p>
+
+<p>He glided off into the dense vegetation with the
+silent, undulatory movements of a snake.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, I wonder what that critter was?”
+said Muldoon in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know. I only hope it wasn’t a band
+of natives who might prove unfriendly,” muttered
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, so far we have had more trouble with
+white men than with natives,” said Captain Sparhawk,
+a remark of which they all felt the truth.</p>
+
+<p>“It might have been monkeys chattering,”
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_222' id='Page_222'>222</a></span>
+suggested Raynor, after a pause, during which they
+all listened for some sign of Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“And spaking of the divil,” exclaimed Muldoon,
+“look, there’s a monkey looking at us now.
+See those two black oys back in the threes?”</p>
+
+<p>He pointed with his forefinger and they all
+gazed in that direction. It was Billy who first
+discovered the nature of Muldoon’s monkey.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s not a monkey. It’s a big snake! Look
+out for yourselves!” he yelled.</p>
+
+<p>“A python!” cried Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>He started back and the others did the same.
+But Muldoon tripped over a bow and fell sprawling
+headlong. As he scrambled to his feet a serpent’s
+form appeared above him as it swung from
+a big tree. The next instant there was a cry of
+horror from them all.</p>
+
+<p>The serpent had made a sudden lunge and a
+cry broke from Muldoon as, before he could make
+a move to help himself, he was enwrapped in the
+spiral folds of the great python.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_223' id='Page_223'>223</a></span>Captain Sparhawk seized his revolver from
+his belt and leveled the weapon. But the next
+moment he lowered it. To have fired would have
+been to imperil Muldoon’s life, and there might
+still be a chance of saving him.</p>
+
+<p>The monstrous reptile that had the unfortunate
+boatswain in its grip was large, even judged by
+the standards of the immense pythons of the New
+Guinea and Borneo forests. It must have been
+fully thirty-five feet long.</p>
+
+<p>Billy could not endure the sight and put his
+hands in front of his eyes. When he removed
+them it was to behold a stirring sight.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_224' id='Page_224'>224</a></span><h2 id='t5412'>CHAPTER XXX.—IN THE COILS OF A PYTHON.</h2></div>
+
+<p>From the jungle there had darted a lithe figure.
+It was Salloo. He had traced the source of the
+mysterious cries to a troop of monkeys. He was
+returning when Muldoon’s despairing cry broke
+on his ears.</p>
+
+<p>The Malay, guessing that there was serious
+trouble, glided through the jungle at the best
+speed of which he was capable, making his way
+swiftly through thickets that a white man could
+not have passed at all. There is one weapon with
+which a Malay is always armed—his kriss, a
+razor-edged sword about two feet long, with a
+“wavy” outline. This kriss Salloo now drew
+from under his single garment.</p>
+
+<p>One instant it flashed in the sunlight and the
+next, during which it was impossible to follow
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_225' id='Page_225'>225</a></span>
+its movements, so swift were they, the python’s
+head was severed. But instantly, by a convulsive
+movement, its coils tightened and Muldoon emitted
+another pitiful cry. But, fortunately, the life
+of the snake had departed and soon its coils relaxed
+and its gaudily-colored body slipped in a
+heap to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>They all sprang forward to Muldoon’s aid, for
+the man, powerful and rugged, was almost in a
+state of collapse as the result of his terrible experience.
+An examination by Captain Sparhawk
+soon showed that no bones had been broken, as
+they had at first feared, and after restoratives
+had been administered, and after a short rest,
+Muldoon announced that he was ready to march
+on again.</p>
+
+<p>“That was a close shave, Muldoon,” remarked
+Raynor, as they pressed onward, after Muldoon
+had nearly wrung the hand off Salloo in expressing
+his thanks for the Malay’s courageous act,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_226' id='Page_226'>226</a></span>
+which had undoubtedly saved the boatswain’s
+life.</p>
+
+<p>“Ouch! Don’t say a wurrud,” groaned the
+Irishman, “I thought I was a goner sure. Divil
+a bit more of snakes is it I want to see.”</p>
+
+<p>That evening they reached the river, and leaving
+them camped, Salloo set off on a scouting expedition.
+It was a long time before he returned,
+but when he came in he brought good news. He
+had located the old fort and reported that the
+ruffians who had carried off Mr. Jukes and Jack
+were all there enjoying themselves round a big
+fire and apparently in no fear of an attack.</p>
+
+<p>“Me see um white boy there, too,” he added.
+“Same boy hang round hotel at Bomobori all
+time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy. “How
+can that be possible? I can’t fit him into this at
+all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the question is, now that we have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_227' id='Page_227'>227</a></span>
+tracked the rascals, what’s the next move,” said
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think now good time attack,” counseled
+Salloo. “They no think anyone near. Give ’em
+heap big surprise.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, that’s well said, naygur,” approved
+Muldoon, “I’m aching to git a good crack at
+thim.”</p>
+
+<p>After some consultation it was decided to make
+the attack at once. If they delayed they would
+have to wait till the next night in order to surprise
+Broom’s band and there was no telling what
+might happen during the twenty-four hours
+that would elapse.</p>
+
+<p>Luckily, there was a moon, though it was somewhat
+obscured by the haze which Salloo had
+drawn attention to as presaging a storm. The
+party, piloted by Salloo, started off up the river,
+which was low, as the weather had been dry and
+there was plenty of room for them to pass between
+the bank and the water’s edge.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_228' id='Page_228'>228</a></span>At last they arrived in sight of the cliff and
+Raynor’s heart gave a bound. At the top they
+could see the red glare of the camp fire, though
+they could not see any of the men.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s one good thing, the ascent of the
+cliff will be easy,” said Billy, in a whisper, as he
+drew attention to the knotted and twisted vines
+that hung down it.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, we’ll need no scaling ladders,” rejoined
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“No need for usum vines,” declared the Malay.
+“Salloo know a path to top.”</p>
+
+<p>Telling them to remain where they were, the
+faithful fellow set off on another scouting expedition.
+His kriss glittered menacingly in the
+moonlight as he went on, trying to keep in the
+shadow of the cliff. Arrived at the path he knew
+of, he glided noiselessly up it, although it was a
+steep and tortuous one, and soon was at the top
+of the cliff. Through the gloom he made out a
+solitary figure sitting on a rock far removed
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_229' id='Page_229'>229</a></span>
+from the campfire, about which the rest were
+gathered. The Malay guessed it was a sentry,
+although the fellow was not keeping a very careful
+watch and appeared to be half asleep.</p>
+
+<p>“Me fixee you one minute,” grinned the Malay
+to himself.</p>
+
+<p>He cast himself on his stomach in the long
+grass that grew on the cliff-top and began worming
+his way round the sentry so as to approach
+him from the rear. He scarcely made a sound
+as he moved with wonderful rapidity.</p>
+
+<p>The sentry appeared to shake off his drowsiness
+suddenly and rose to his feet just as Salloo
+was within a few inches of him. But he left his
+rifle leaning against the rock on which he had
+been seated. Instantly Salloo leaped from the
+grass and the next instant the kriss was at the
+thunderstruck sentry’s throat.</p>
+
+<p>“You no speak or me killee,” grated out the
+Malay, and one glance convinced the sentry that
+Salloo would carry out his threat.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_230' id='Page_230'>230</a></span>Salloo stooped and picking up a small pebble
+cast it over the cliff. It fell almost at the feet of
+Captain Sparhawk and Billy, who were anxiously
+on the look-out for this signal, which had been
+prearranged.</p>
+
+<p>“Forward,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, who
+was in the lead. Next came Billy, then Muldoon
+and last the natives, some of whom had spears,
+and others the peculiar blow-pipes used by the
+Papuans to shoot poisoned darts.</p>
+
+<p>The advance was made in silence, and at the
+top of the cliff they found Salloo waiting for
+them. He was garmentless, having used his
+single cloak to tie up the sentry with. Grass
+stuffed in the man’s mouth had effectually gagged
+him.</p>
+
+<p>“Good for you, Salloo,” said the captain approvingly,
+to which the native replied with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we take him down below and find out
+some things from him,” said the Malay.</p>
+
+<p>The helpless prisoner was bundled back down
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_231' id='Page_231'>231</a></span>
+the trail and brought to the camp at the foot of
+the cliff. Here he was roped to a tree and the gag
+taken out of his mouth. But the sight of Salloo’s
+ever-ready kriss kept him from making any outcry.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, he said, the old, fat man and the boy were
+all right. They had not been fed though, and
+wouldn’t be till a ransom was forthcoming.</p>
+
+<p>This made the whites boil with indignation.
+Questioned as to how many were in the band,
+he said he did not know, and as he stuck to this
+it was thought best not to waste any more time
+questioning him.</p>
+
+<p>After a consultation the gag was replaced, but
+the ropes were loosened so that with a little exertion
+the man could set himself free.</p>
+
+<p>“If, for any reason, we couldn’t come back,
+and we left the ropes tight, he would perish,” said
+Captain Sparhawk, “and we want no human lives
+to our account.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me leave him there starve to death plitty
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_232' id='Page_232'>232</a></span>
+quick,” growled Salloo, with a scowl at the crestfallen
+prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>At the foot of the cliff all was now dark and
+silent as the grave. The moon was obscured by a
+cloud and it was an ideal moment for the dash
+on the camp to begin.</p>
+
+<p>“We go plenty slow or maybe take big tumble,”
+advised Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>He was in advance but Billy was close at his
+heels. Cautiously they ascended, taking great
+care not to dislodge loose stones which might
+have been fatal to their plans. At last the stream
+was far below them and the summit of the cliff
+within reach.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this moment that a torch flashed
+above them, glaring into their upturned faces.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s all this, who are you?” a voice demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“Silence if you value your life,” came from
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_233' id='Page_233'>233</a></span>“Billy Raynor,” cried the other in his turn.
+“How did you——?”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t utter another word,” ordered Captain
+Sparhawk. “Put your hands above your head,
+you young rascal.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not much I won’t!” exclaimed Judson.</p>
+
+<p>He flung his torch full in Billy’s face and then
+started at top speed for the camp fire, yelling the
+alarm at the top of his lungs.</p>
+
+<p>For a minute Billy was in peril of losing his
+balance as the torch struck him. But Salloo
+caught and held him firmly. The torch dropped
+with a splash and hiss into the waters of the river
+below.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Salloo scrambled to the cliff summit
+and made off after young Judson. Both
+reached the camp fire at about the same time.
+The others, following close on Salloo’s heels, saw
+Donald turn, catch sight of the glittering kriss,
+and then, with a yell of dismay, tumble headlong.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_234' id='Page_234'>234</a></span>
+He lay quite still and had apparently been stunned
+by the violence of the fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! Help!” It was Jack’s voice from the
+fort and was instantly recognised by Billy.</p>
+
+<p>But by this time the men about the fire, headed
+by ‘Bully’ Broom, were on their feet. There was
+no time for them to get their weapons, which had
+been left inside the fort so that they would not
+rust in the damp night air. The battle was a
+brief one, although some shots were fired, none of
+which, in the excitement, took effect.</p>
+
+<p>Billy, by a clever ruse, brought the engagement
+to a speedy termination. In the midst of
+the fight he turned toward the cliff and then raising
+his voice as if summoning help, he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>“This way, captain. Bring that company up
+here. Let the others guard the river.”</p>
+
+<p>“Get out of here, boys,” roared Broom, completely
+taken in. “I’ll settle with you later on,”
+he cried, shaking his fist as he turned and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_235' id='Page_235'>235</a></span>
+followed the rout of his followers, who, imagining
+they were being pursued by great numbers, made
+off at top speed for the jungle, which soon swallowed
+them up.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_236' id='Page_236'>236</a></span><h2 id='t5701'>CHAPTER XXXI.—THE JOURNEY RESUMED.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Thank Heaven that is over,” said Mr. Jukes,
+as he sat on an old bench in the fort after he
+and Jack had been released. “You may depend
+upon it that I shall not forget the part that Salloo
+and all of you played in our rescue.”</p>
+
+<p>It was some two hours after the “battle,” if the
+rout of the rascals who had captured Mr. Jukes
+and Jack could be termed such. The kidnappers’
+larder had been ransacked and a good meal enjoyed
+by all hands, especially, as may be imagined,
+by the two captives who had been without food
+for almost twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p>Donald Judson, looking hang-dog and abject,
+was huddled on a bench in a corner of the room.
+He had been picked up after the fray, having
+shammed insensibility to avoid being injured,
+and was easily captured by the victors.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_237' id='Page_237'>237</a></span>“You certainly came in the nick of time,” said
+Jack. “From what I could hear them saying,
+that scoundrel Broom was actually contemplating
+torturing us if that check was not signed by Mr.
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire shuddered. His experiences
+had greatly affected him.</p>
+
+<p>“That young ruffian over yonder,” he nodded
+his head toward Judson, “was the instigator of
+the idea to get money out of me, I believe,” he
+said. “He ought to be punished severely.”</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t,” whined Judson miserably, “I—I—that
+fellow Broom did it all.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the use of your lying, Judson,” exclaimed
+Jack, “you met Broom at Bomobori. It’s
+as plain as day now, and furnished him with an
+account of as much of our plans as we had confided
+to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, maybe I did,” mumbled Judson sullenly,
+“but I didn’t put him up to getting money out of
+you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_238' id='Page_238'>238</a></span>“Nonsense,” said Captain Sparhawk, “you are
+as bad as Broom is—worse, in fact, for you are
+a lad of decent upbringing.”</p>
+
+<p>No more was said to Judson that night, and
+they retired to catch a few hours sleep, leaving
+the “carriers” under Salloo on guard. The
+Malay amused himself by making hideous faces
+at the unfortunate Donald and flourishing his
+kriss under his nose. By daylight the wretched
+prisoner was half dead from fear. Captain Sparhawk
+sternly warned Salloo not to tease him
+any more, at which the Malay appeared to be
+much surprised.</p>
+
+<p>“Him enemy,” he said, “why no can do what
+like with him?”</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast, of which Donald was given his
+share, was eaten in the fort, and after that meal
+the natives were sent down to the river to bring
+up all the supplies which had been left there.
+They reported that the prisoner Salloo had made
+had succeeded, as they intended he should, in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_239' id='Page_239'>239</a></span>
+loosening his bonds during the night and had
+vanished.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boxes containing the wireless
+apparatus and the hand-generator arrived, Jack
+lost no time in setting them up and as soon as he
+raised the yacht sent a full account of Broom’s
+rascally conduct to her. The first officer at once
+left to notify the authorities and ask that a keen
+lookout be kept for Broom’s schooner.</p>
+
+<p>“Broom will never guess that we have any
+means of communicating with Bomobori,” the boy
+explained, “and if he returns there, will bungle
+into a fine trap.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, I hope he does,” commented Muldoon,
+“shure that wireless is an illigant invintion
+entirely.”</p>
+
+<p>“If Broom is captured, as many other criminals
+have been, by its aid, it will have proved its
+splendid usefulness once more,” declared Mr.
+Jukes. “Ready, you might flash another message
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_240' id='Page_240'>240</a></span>
+saying that I will give $1,000 to anyone who
+captures ‘Bully’ Broom.”</p>
+
+<p>After this had been done, the question arose
+of what to do with Donald Judson. They had
+no desire to have the young rascal as a traveling
+companion, but at the same time they did not see
+how they could very well turn him loose in the
+jungle in which he might starve to death. It was
+a problem that they were still discussing when
+Donald himself spoke up in the timid, fawning
+voice he affected when in trouble.</p>
+
+<p>“See here,” he said, “if you won’t make trouble
+for me maybe I can help you out.”</p>
+
+<p>“In what way?” sharply asked Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Why I saw Broom put a map or something
+that looked like one in a cupboard in the room
+that door opens into,” said the boy, pointing to
+the end of the room. “I thought maybe it might
+have something to do with your brother, Mr.
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Come here at once and show me,” ordered the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_241' id='Page_241'>241</a></span>
+millionaire. “I don’t suppose it was anything of
+great importance,” he added.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps not,” whimpered Donald, “but if it
+is will you let it count in my favor?”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall consider that later,” said Mr. Jukes
+sternly, as they all followed the boy into the room
+he indicated. In one corner was a rough cupboard.
+Mr. Jukes opened this and took out a
+rolled-up paper. He spread it out on the table
+and they all pressed about him.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a map!” cried Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and of this part of the country, too,”
+cried Jack. “See, there’s that village, Taroo,
+where we stopped two nights ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“And what’s this leading along the river from
+this place marked 'Fort’ on the map?” asked Mr.
+Judson, his eyes shining as his forefinger traced
+a red ink line that zig-zagged along till it left the
+river and struck inland to what appeared to be
+intended to show a range of mountains. “The
+Kini-Balu Mountains,” he read out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_242' id='Page_242'>242</a></span>“The Kini-Balu Mountains!” echoed Salloo,
+“me know them. Me bet your brother up there.
+One time ‘Bully’ Bloom he helpee Kini-Balu men
+fight big battle 'gainst Tariani tribe. Kini-Balus
+win and now heap like ‘Bully’ Bloom hide your
+brother up there.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is possible,” mused the millionaire, “and—yes,
+by jove! Look here.”</p>
+
+<p>Indicated on the map in red letters, at a spot
+in the heart of the Kini-Balu country, was a place
+marked “Cave.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think it possible that that can be
+‘Bully’ Broom’s hiding place for the other Mr.
+Jukes?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know, but it appears probable,” rejoined
+the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Me membel now sometime ‘Bully’ Bloom go
+way from Bomobori long time,” said Salloo, “nobody
+know where he go. That time when cruiser
+come look for him. Maybe he hide up there.”</p>
+
+<p>“It seems worth trying at any rate,” said Mr.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_243' id='Page_243'>243</a></span>
+Jukes, in the manner of one who has reached a
+decision.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom
+had taken your brother and his men anywhere
+on the island it would have been to some such
+inaccessible spot as that,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Well thin, what’s to privint us going up
+among the 'balloon’ men, or whativer they call
+thimsilves?” asked Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“It may be attended by some danger,” said Mr.
+Jukes. “From what Salloo said the Kini-Balu
+men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack
+us. How about that, Salloo?”</p>
+
+<p>The Malay’s reply was not one calculated to
+reassure them.</p>
+
+<p>“Kini-Balu men head hunters,” he said, “Maybe
+they no hurt us. But maybe take our heads.
+Salloo no 'fraid, though.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then, by golly, neither are we,” declared Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_244' id='Page_244'>244</a></span>After more discussion, it was decided to advance
+cautiously into the Kini-Balu country and
+then do some scouting to see how matters lay.
+If the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced
+that Mr. Jukes was really a captive among
+them, guarded by their warriors at ‘Bully’
+Broom’s orders, then they would return to Bomobori
+without risking their lives and come back
+with a strong force. If everything appeared to
+be pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated
+on the map and settle the question of
+whether or no it was actually the place of the
+pearl hunter’s confinement.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_245' id='Page_245'>245</a></span><h2 id='t5926'>CHAPTER XXXII.—A STORM IN THE JUNGLE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later, before they turned away from
+the river, they heard some news of the Kini-Balus
+from a party of natives bound down-stream in
+dug-outs. Salloo learned from them that the
+tribe was at war, at least so it was supposed by
+the canoeists from the fact that they had heard
+that the chief of the Kini-Balus had been making
+levies of cattle and corn among his subjects.</p>
+
+<p>“That sounds bad,” said Mr. Jukes, when this
+news had been interpreted to the party.</p>
+
+<p>“No, him good,” asserted Salloo positively.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you make that out?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“If Kini-Balus makee war, they leave only
+women and old men at home. They no fight us,”
+argued the Malay, and they had to admit that
+there was a good deal of truth in what he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_246' id='Page_246'>246</a></span>“We’re all going to get killed anyhow,” whimpered
+Donald, who had been taken along by the
+party, much against their will, in consideration
+of the services he had rendered in showing them
+the hiding place of the map.</p>
+
+<p>“Him heap big coward,” muttered Salloo.
+“Boy’s body, girl’s heart.”</p>
+
+<p>It was on the afternoon of the second day that
+the storm that Salloo had predicted overtook
+them. They were passing through a dense forest
+of magnificent trees when the eternal twilight
+that reigned under the great branches deepened
+till it was almost totally dark. Astonished at this
+phenomenon, for it was long before the proper
+hour for night to descend, they questioned Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“Big storm come,” he said, “me thinkee we
+better get out of here. Lightning hit a tlee maybe
+he killee us.”</p>
+
+<p>The birds of the jungle screamed discordantly,
+as if warning each other of what was coming.
+Troops of monkeys swung through the trees as if
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_247' id='Page_247'>247</a></span>
+seeking refuge, and the almost deafening chorus
+of insects and lizards gave way to total silence.
+It seemed as if nature was holding her breath
+preparatory to some great crisis.</p>
+
+<p>“We had better look for some safe place to stay
+before it breaks,” counseled Captain Sparhawk.
+“A hurricane in the jungle is a serious matter.
+Trees are rooted up and struck by lightning and
+in the forest it is very dangerous for anyone to
+be caught by such a storm.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me findee place,” said Salloo, and struck off
+down a dim trail leading toward the river. “Follow
+me, evelybody, and hully up.”</p>
+
+<p>They needed no urging. The gloom and quiet
+of the forest was overawing. It had begun to
+get on their nerves. Under Salloo’s guidance
+they soon found themselves at a great mass of
+rocks on a high bank overlooking the river. The
+great masses of stone were piled in such a way
+that the crevices among them formed regular
+caves.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_248' id='Page_248'>248</a></span>“We getee in here,” said Salloo, indicating the
+largest of them. “I send my men in annuder
+one.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not going in there,” declared Donald,
+“there might be snakes or wild beasts inside.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better come in or be blown away,” said
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly spoken, before the storm broke
+in all its fury. Donald, with a cry of alarm, followed
+the others into shelter.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, this beats anything I ever saw, even
+that storm off the Pamatous,” shouted Jack,
+above the shrieking of the wind.</p>
+
+<p>“Him blow more big bimeby,” said Salloo,
+“him big storm this. You see.”</p>
+
+<p>The trees swayed violently, and before long,
+from their shelter, they saw a big one torn up by
+the roots and hurtled from the bank into the river.
+The wind grew more violent. The dark air was
+filled with flying branches, leaves and sticks.
+Birds, large and small, were swept by, powerless
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_249' id='Page_249'>249</a></span>
+to contend with the furious gale. Donald was
+crouched back in a far corner of their shelter, too
+frightened to do anything more than mumble and
+whimper.</p>
+
+<p>The river began to rise and add its mighty
+voice to the other sounds, although no rain had
+yet fallen where they were. The darkness increased,
+but suddenly everything was lit up in a
+livid glare that made them all blink.</p>
+
+<p>“Lightning,” exclaimed Salloo, “now him comin’.”</p>
+
+<p>Then down came the rain. It literally fell in
+sheets, blotting out everything like a fog even
+when the constant flashes illuminated the scene.
+The water began to pour into their shelter from
+above, making it a very uncomfortable place.
+Soon the water was up to their knees and in the
+cave occupied by the carriers the men stood upright
+with their burdens on their heads to keep
+them out of the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, I never saw so much water come
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_250' id='Page_250'>250</a></span>
+down in my life,” exclaimed Jack. “It’s a regular—my!”</p>
+
+<p>There had come a flash, a red ribbon of flame,
+so blinding that for an instant they could not see.
+It was followed by a crack of thunder that seemed
+to have split the sky. Donald gave a yell of
+alarm.</p>
+
+<p>“Him hittee something close by for sure,” declared
+Salloo. He was right. Presently they
+saw a tall ceiba tree burst into flame like a torch.
+Fanned by the wind, it blazed fiercely even in the
+downpour. Its red glare lit up their faces in a
+ghostly manner, for it was not more than a few
+feet from their place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>“My, this is awful,” muttered Raynor. “Thank
+goodness we got out from under those trees in
+time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Amen to that,” said Captain Sparhawk solemnly.</p>
+
+<p>It rained for the rest of that night and in the
+morning they were sorry-looking objects.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_251' id='Page_251'>251</a></span>
+Everything was wet, and although they had tried to
+light a fire during the night, after the first violence
+of the storm had abated, they had not succeeded.
+But when, shortly before noon, the sun
+did come out, it shone down with a heat that made
+the whole wet earth steam. Clothes were spread
+out on the rocks to dry, as was the rest of the
+outfit. Fortunately, the bags the carriers bore
+were mostly of waterproof material, so not much
+damage was done to the contents.</p>
+
+<p>It was a scene of havoc on which they gazed.
+The river ran high and its surface was littered
+with the bodies of dead monkeys, snakes, great
+trees torn up bodily, and other debris eloquent of
+the violence of the hurricane.</p>
+
+<p>All round them lay big trees and the bodies of
+countless birds that had been dashed to death. It
+was some time before Salloo could persuade a fire
+to burn, but among the rocks, in crevices the
+rain had not penetrated, he found old dried leaves
+and sticks which made capital kindling and at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_252' id='Page_252'>252</a></span>
+last they cooked a hot meal, in need of which they
+all stood badly.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was off on the long trail again. Late
+that afternoon, just as they were making camp,
+a party of natives came along the trail. They
+carried the skins of numerous beautiful birds that
+they had brought down with their blow-pipes.
+They were friendly and the boys bought some of
+the skins. Afterward Salloo had a long talk with
+them and, this being concluded, they kept on their
+way while our party went on with its preparations
+for spending the night.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo had some news to disclose, he said. The
+natives he had been talking to knew the Kini-Balu
+Mountains well and told him, after he had
+described the cave they were looking for, that it
+was a very bad place. Nobody liked to go near it.</p>
+
+<p>“On account of the Kini-Balus?” asked Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“No, on account um ghosts,” rejoined Salloo;
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_253' id='Page_253'>253</a></span>
+“ghost of Taratao, old-time chief of Kini-Balus
+haunt him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, so long as the ghosts ain’t got a
+punch it’s sorra a bit I care for ’em,” declared
+Muldoon valiantly.</p>
+
+<p>That evening Salloo had a novelty for supper
+in the form of the flesh of a huge lizard, or
+iguana. At first the boys and their companions
+did not want to touch it, for in life it had been a
+hideous looking monster. But being pressed by
+Salloo, they consented, and found it very good
+eating. Its flesh tasted like chicken, though even
+more delicate.</p>
+
+<p>It was about an hour after the meal when they
+were preparing for bed that Jack complained
+that he was feeling poorly. He said he had a
+headache and a feeling of vertigo. The others
+then admitted experiencing the same symptoms.
+Nausea soon succeeded these and ere long they
+were all convinced that they had been poisoned
+by eating the iguana. The natives, who camped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_254' id='Page_254'>254</a></span>
+some distance off with Salloo, experienced no
+such illness but then they had eaten none of the
+iguana which, to Captain Sparhawk’s mind, made
+it all the more certain that it was the giant lizard’s
+flesh that had made them ill.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo was called from the native camp and
+bitterly reproached for inducing them to eat it.
+He protested that it could not have been the
+iguana that had made them ill. Had he not himself
+eaten it? But in the end he returned to the
+native camp with his head hung down, completely
+crushed by what he deemed the injustice of his
+white friends in blaming him for their illness.
+At first they were not greatly alarmed, not deeming
+it possible that they had actually been poisoned,
+and Captain Sparhawk administered remedies
+from the medicine chest. But, to their
+alarm, instead of decreasing in severity, their sufferings
+grew more acute as the night wore on.</p>
+
+<p>Their ideas became confused, and as in sea-sickness
+in an acute stage, they lay about, not
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_255' id='Page_255'>255</a></span>
+caring whether they lived or died. If they tried
+to rise, their heads swam, their feet tottered.
+Thus it was that Salloo found them in the morning
+when he came from the native camp.</p>
+
+<p>The faithful fellow was seriously alarmed and
+set up a mighty wailing which soon brought his
+followers running over. But the sufferers only
+turned dull eyes upon them and moaned in their
+pain. Plainly they were in such a serious condition
+that unless something was done soon to relieve
+them, death itself might put an end to their
+misery. Salloo looked about him wildly, hoping
+to catch some solution to the mystery of this sudden
+illness. He raised his eyes upward and his
+lips moved as if he were invoking the aid of some
+heathen deity.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly the expression on his countenance
+changed. His eyes were fixed on the leaves of a
+tree under which the sufferers had passed the
+night. For the first time, too, he became aware
+of a peculiarly sickening odor in the air. It
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_256' id='Page_256'>256</a></span>
+smelled like carrion. As some huge scarlet flowers
+which grew on the tree began to open to the
+daylight (they had been closed at night) this
+terrible stench became stronger. Salloo uttered
+a single shout of comprehension.</p>
+
+<p>“Upas!” It was echoed by his companions,
+whom Salloo at once directed to pick up the sufferers
+and carry them to some distance. When
+the last had been transported, Salloo got water
+from a forest pool and poured it over them. One
+by one they began to revive. Jack, who was one
+of the first to come to, rose dizzily to his feet and
+tried to walk. But Salloo gently made him lie
+down again. After an hour or so all felt better
+and partook of some soup and weak tea.</p>
+
+<p>“Salloo, you are forgiven,” said Captain Sparhawk,
+“but never persuade us to eat lizard again.
+You came near being the death of us all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, oi was niver so near the Pearly Gates
+before,” declared Muldoon emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>“Him no lizard hurt you,” declared Salloo
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_257' id='Page_257'>257</a></span>
+vehemently; “lizard heap good. Upas he hurt
+you. If I no see it and have you moved away
+you plitty soon have died.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+“Do you mean our sickness had anything to do
+with the tree we camped under?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ebblyting,” was the reply; “him tree was the
+upas.”</p>
+
+<p>“I see it all now,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk.
+“That tree was the deadly upas of which
+you may have heard. Every one in the Indian
+Archipelago knows of it. Within its great red
+blossoms are the sepulchre of birds and insects
+whose bodies, lying rotting there, give out that
+terrible odor which ought to warn all travelers
+against it. But we camped when it was getting
+dark and the flowers were closed, keeping the
+noxious reek from escaping and warning us.
+Salloo is right, and if he had not had us dragged
+from under it we should have perished miserably.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_258' id='Page_258'>258</a></span>“I remember reading somewhere of the upas,”
+said Jack, “but I always thought its deadly qualities
+were exaggerated. After our last night’s experience
+I’ll know better.”</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose the heat of our camp fire under the
+branches had something to do with it, too,” said
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly,” declared the captain. “And
+then as we sat around after supper we were, unknown
+to ourselves, inhaling the deadly vapor
+till we grew sick. Instead of moving away before
+we grew worse, as we certainly would have if
+we had known the cause of our malady, we made
+ourselves worse by lying down to sleep with that
+poisonous breath as our only atmosphere. Salloo,
+your lizard is vindicated, and to show you it
+is, the next one you shoot I’ll volunteer to eat.”</p>
+
+<p>But although recovered, they still felt weak
+from the effects of their terrible night under the
+upas, whose Latin name, if any one wishes to
+know it, is <em>antiaris toxicaria</em>. In fact, their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_259' id='Page_259'>259</a></span>
+feelings were very like those of persons just getting
+over sea-sickness. They felt buoyantly well and
+happy, but not yet quite strong enough for the
+hard work of the trail. So they remained where
+they were till the next day and then pushed on
+once more on their quest.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_260' id='Page_260'>260</a></span><h2 id='t6285'>CHAPTER XXXIII.—THE GIANT SPIDERS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>When they resumed their journey the next
+morning they encountered a new form of obstacle
+in the form of the webs of huge red bird-catching
+spiders, whose nets stretched from tree to tree in
+the forest, looked like seine nets in a fisherman’s
+village hung out to dry, or to make another comparison,
+miles of mosquito netting hung between
+the tree trunks. Through these webs they had
+to make their way for a long distance.</p>
+
+<p>The boys did not like it at all, and Donald
+Judson, who was particularly averse to spiders,
+slunk in the rear till the natives, with shouts and
+yells, cut down the webs that hung across the
+trail. The soft silky substance of the webs
+struck them in the face and clung glutinously and
+covered their clothes with a coating of white
+fleece.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_261' id='Page_261'>261</a></span>As they forced their way through this repulsive
+feature of New Guinea forest travel, they could,
+from time to time, see the hideous forms of the
+huge and venomous spiders that had spread the
+webs peering at them from dark retreats in the
+crevices of trees or else scuttling off on long,
+hairy legs to safety. It did not require much
+imagination to picture their anger at this ruthless
+destruction of their homes. That night they
+camped near the edge of a big swamp, and the
+two boys, weary of the monotony of the long
+march and tired of canned stuff and preserved
+goods, volunteered to set out with rifles and see
+if they could not bring in something more palatable.</p>
+
+<p>As they had camped early when the swamp
+crossed their path, there was plenty of time for
+them to go quite a distance in search of game.
+In a short time they had brought down two birds
+that looked something like partridges, as well as
+shooting an odd-looking bird like a huge parrot,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_262' id='Page_262'>262</a></span>
+with a gigantic bill and horny head. They were
+some distance apart, separated by a brake of
+reeds, when Jack heard a sudden cry of alarm
+from Billy.</p>
+
+<p>Disregarding the danger of snakes, he pushed
+his way through the brake at once. As he came
+in sight of Billy, who was standing staring into
+the forest as if petrified, Jack, too, received a
+shock. Not far from Billy was what he at first
+thought was a man. But such a man! Not
+even in a nightmare had the boy ever beheld such
+a hideous form.</p>
+
+<p>This man, if such he was, was covered all over
+with red hair, thick and shaggy, except on the
+face, which was darker and bereft of hair, but
+from which two yellow eyes glared malevolently.
+In an instant the true nature of this creature
+flashed upon Jack. It was an orang-outang, and
+a monster, too, that stood facing them, its long
+arms trailing in front of it. But even though
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_263' id='Page_263'>263</a></span>
+stooped over, it was as large as the average man,
+with a massive chest and shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“Take a shot at it, Jack,” urged Billy.</p>
+
+<p>But Jack shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“It looks too horribly human,” he said. “Besides,
+it doesn’t look as if it would attack us. It
+seems to be more possessed by curiosity than anything
+else.”</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the boy was right, for after eyeing
+them for a few seconds more the monstrous creature
+shuffled off for the edge of a big sheet of
+water on whose margin they stood, and began
+tearing up some sort of water plants and eating
+their roots with many grunts of satisfaction. He
+waded in almost knee deep, stuffing his bag-like
+cheeks full and chewing with huge satisfaction.
+The boys gazed at this strange picture with fascination.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly the monster stopped eating and
+stood erect. Its hair began to bristle and it uttered
+an angry sort of growl. Apparently it was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_264' id='Page_264'>264</a></span>
+not fear but anger that possessed this colossus
+of the forests as it glanced angrily about it. The
+cause of its emotion was not long in appearing.
+From the stagnant waters was approaching an
+antagonist formidable indeed—a giant saurian—a
+crocodile larger than any the boys had ever
+seen in any zoo.</p>
+
+<p>The boys naturally expected to see the orang-outang
+beat a hasty retreat. But instead it stood
+its ground, merely drawing back a few inches
+as the crocodile’s hideous snout and scaly body
+were successively protruded from the water.
+Jack now recalled what Salloo had told him one
+night in camp about the orang. The Malay had
+said it was the king of the New Guinea forests,
+fearing no man, beast or reptile, and this certainly
+appeared to be the case in this instance.</p>
+
+<p>Had it wished to beat a retreat to safety, the
+mias, as the natives called the red gorilla, might
+easily have done so. One leap and he could have
+grasped a tree trunk, up which he could have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_265' id='Page_265'>265</a></span>
+scrambled in a jiffy. On the contrary, after its
+first backward steps, which brought it almost out
+of the water, the creature stood upright and, uttering
+savage growls, beat on its hairy chest with
+its huge arms, producing a sound like the reverberations
+of a savage “tom-tom.”</p>
+
+<p>The scaly reptile continued to advance. Perhaps,
+to its eyes, the red gorilla was simply a
+native, a poor weak human being, such as possibly
+had fallen victim to the great crocodile before.
+However that may have been, the saurian,
+without undue hurry, could be seen to be making
+straight for the red ape and, maneuvering so as
+to get its monstrous armor-plated tail in position
+to give a fatal flail-like sweep, which would fling
+the orang-outang into the water, stunning it and
+making it an easy prey.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared to flatten itself as it reached shallow
+water, its ugly lizard-like legs spread out on
+each side of its scaly body almost horizontally.
+Then, with a suddenness that made the boys catch
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_266' id='Page_266'>266</a></span>
+their breaths in a quick gasp, the monster gave a
+sudden leap, aiding this maneuver by its tail,
+which it suddenly stiffened as if it had been a
+spring.</p>
+
+<p>Its whole length was launched into the air as
+it sprang, and for a flash its wide-opened jaws
+with their hideous rows of triangular teeth, appeared
+to engulf the red ape. But while the boys
+were still held spell-bound by this spectacle, such
+a one as perhaps no human being but a lone native
+hunter had ever beheld before, the red gorilla
+gave a mighty leap. It was partly straight up and
+partly to one side. As the great jaws of the
+saurian came together with a snap like that of a
+titanic steel trap, the red ape landed fair and
+square on the scaled monster’s back.</p>
+
+<p>Straddling the plated hide, the great hairy legs
+gripped the crocodile’s sides as a bronco buster
+grips his fractious mount. And now commenced
+a struggle between these two denizens of the
+deepest New Guinea forests such as the two
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_267' id='Page_267'>267</a></span>
+young spectators remembered with photographic
+vividness to the end of their lives.</p>
+
+<p>On the part of the crocodile the battle was simply
+a series of leaps and wild tail threshings in
+an effort to dislodge his nimble foe. The grass
+and weeds were mown down as if by a scythe by
+the sweeps of the great tail, but the ape held
+firm, his little eyes twinkling wickedly. With
+one arm it clutched the rough hide firmly, but
+the other was waving about like a tentacle seeking
+something to grasp.</p>
+
+<p>During the struggle the jaws of the crocodile
+had been frequently snapped, but they only closed
+on empty air. As in all the saurian tribe, during
+this process the upper jaw had pointed nearly
+vertically upward, making an opening big enough
+to swallow a canoe. Suddenly the watchers saw
+the orang’s purpose. All at once the disengaged
+arm made a swift sweep forward and grasped
+the extended upper jaw.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_268' id='Page_268'>268</a></span>“Great Scott! he’s done for now,” cried Billy.
+“That jaw will close and cut his fingers off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hold on,” warned Jack. “Watch. I’ve heard
+these creatures can bend rifle barrels as if they
+were made of lead. Perhaps—look!”</p>
+
+<p>The orang suddenly shifted his position. He
+was now kneeling on the crocodile’s back, his
+knees braced firmly on its armor-plated neck and
+his second arm aiding the first in the task of
+keeping those jaws, once apart, from ever coming
+together again. Then summoning every
+ounce of that strength that has made the orang
+the most dreaded of all the forest animals in
+that part of the world, even the Bornean tiger
+owning his supremacy, the red gorilla gave one
+grand wrench.</p>
+
+<p>There was a tearing sound as of a tree being
+torn from its roots, and the alligator’s body
+writhed and threshed about convulsively. The
+great ape sprang free from the scaly monster
+and with hoarse laughter that sounded like the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_269' id='Page_269'>269</a></span>
+merriment of a maniac, it gazed on the saurian’s
+struggles. But it was not destined to see the end
+of them. In its agony the great crocodile instinctively
+made for the water and was soon out
+of sight, threshing and writhing until a clump
+of water-cane hid it from sight.</p>
+
+<p>Then, and not till then, did the orang take its
+eyes from its conquered enemy. But when it
+had seen the last of it, the hairy creature turned
+and appeared to be contemplating fresh victory.
+The lust of battle was in its wicked little eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Down, Billy, down with you quick,” warned
+Jack, pulling his chum aside in the thicket. “If
+it comes this way, shoot at once. I wouldn’t
+want to come to close quarters with a creature
+like that. I thought Salloo was drawing the long
+bow when he told me about the <em>mias</em>, as he called
+it, but he didn’t put it on thick enough.”</p>
+
+<p>“If only we’d had a camera,” was Billy’s regret.
+But for the next few moments there were
+more important things to think about. The orang
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_270' id='Page_270'>270</a></span>
+stood upright, looking about him in a truculent
+manner. It almost appeared as if, now that his
+battle with the saurian was over, he had recollected
+the human figure he had seen not long before,
+but had paid little heed to it in his haste to
+make his evening meal among the water plants.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, he started shamblingly toward the
+brake where the boys were concealed with leveled
+rifles and fingers on triggers. But the great
+creature’s life was spared, for that time at least,
+for had the boys fired he must have fallen at the
+first bullets from the high-powered rifles. After
+advancing a few paces, he changed his mind and,
+grumbling to himself, he shuffled off and was
+soon lost in the gloom of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>“We ought to have shot him, Jack,” muttered
+Billy as they started back to camp with what
+game they bagged.</p>
+
+<p>“What, kill a fine old warrior like that without
+cause? Could you have done it, Billy?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_271' id='Page_271'>271</a></span>“Um—well—er—no, I don’t believe I could,”
+rejoined his chum. “After all, that crocodile
+started the scrap and—and I guess every American
+likes a good fighter.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_272' id='Page_272'>272</a></span><h2 id='t6554'>CHAPTER XXXIV.—A FIGHT WITH A HORNBILL.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Now me showee you something.”</p>
+
+<p>It was during the noon rest the next day and
+the Malay had asked the whites to come a little
+distance apart from the camp to a fine-looking
+banyan tree. They watched him with interest
+as with the axe he cut down several lengths of
+bamboo from a nearby cluster, and, pointing the
+ends sharply, having first separated the lengths
+into bits about two feet long, began driving them
+into the yielding bark of the tree. In this way
+he had soon made the first four rounds of a
+primitive ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Although, as yet, he had given them no hint
+of the object of all this, they were all sure that he
+had something really of interest to show them
+and forbore asking questions till he was ready
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_273' id='Page_273'>273</a></span>
+to explain the mystery. Salloo had driven the
+tenth round of his queer ladder and was about
+ten feet from the ground, when Jack drew everybody’s
+attention to a strange hissing sound that
+appeared to come from within the tree.</p>
+
+<p>“Look out for snakes, Salloo,” he warned. But
+the Malay only nodded his head confidently and
+smiled. Donald glanced about nervously. Even
+Captain Sparhawk looked apprehensive. As for
+Muldoon, he shouted, “This is no place for a son
+of St. Patrick,” and fled back to camp.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+“Are you in trouble?”</p>
+
+<p>“No trouble, Missel Boss,” rejoined Salloo.
+“Only bit what you callee good luck,” grinned the
+Malay, looking down on them and continuing
+his work.</p>
+
+<p>“How good luck?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“You see plenty soon,” was the cryptic reply,
+and the Malay drew another sharp-pointed peg
+from his girdle and drove it in with vigorous
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_274' id='Page_274'>274</a></span>
+strokes of the axe. While he did this, the hissing
+continued, mingled with a hoarse roaring like
+that which might be emitted by a disabled foghorn.
+Moreover, they could now see that a few
+feet above Salloo’s head was an object which alternately
+was thrust out from the tree trunk and
+withdrawn. It was white and sharp-pointed, like
+one of the pegs he was driving. It was assuredly
+not a snake’s head, as they had for a minute
+thought, but what was it?</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that right over your head, Salloo?”
+asked Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Him buld (bird), captain. Him plentee much
+bigee buld.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, only a bird,” said Mr. Jukes in a disappointed
+voice. “What sort of a one?”</p>
+
+<p>“Him hornbill. Ole hen hornbill. She on nest.
+Old man hornbill he shut her up in there so she
+no leave eggs. Him put mud over crack in tree
+so as she no put nothing but her beak out. That
+the way he feedee her.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_275' id='Page_275'>275</a></span>So that was the explanation of that object that
+darted in and out, and also of the hissing and
+grunting sounds. Looking closer, they now saw
+that at the spot where the bill still kept darting in
+and out there was a big longitudinal patch of mud
+which walled the hen hornbill up as effectually
+as certain prisoners were “walled up” in the days
+of old. As Salloo got within reaching distance
+of the nest, he raised his axe and smashed the
+mud wall before any of the party could check
+him. The next instant his bare arm was plunged
+fearlessly into the orifice and came out with his
+fingers clutching the old hen by the neck. In a
+moment she was fluttering, with her neck wrung,
+at the adventurers’ feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, Salloo, you shouldn’t have done that,”
+called up Jack indignantly. “That’s a shame.”</p>
+
+<p>The rest echoed his indignation at what seemed
+an act of wanton cruelty. Salloo only looked
+astonished.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_276' id='Page_276'>276</a></span>“Him plenty good eat. Roast hornbill plenty
+fine.”</p>
+
+<p>“You see, he takes a different point of view
+about these things than we do,” said Captain
+Sparhawk. “You can’t blame him. Still I wish
+we could have prevented it.”</p>
+
+<p>They examined the dead hornbill with much interest.
+It was a gorgeous bird, almost as big as
+a turkey, with a bill of a size altogether disproportionate
+to even its large size. This beak was
+like a gigantic parrot’s bill and the horny structure
+extended over almost the entire head of the
+bird. It was not unlike the one the boys had shot
+the night before and thrown away as not good for
+food.</p>
+
+<p>“Plentee eggs in there,” said Salloo as he came
+down, “but they no good eat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m glad there were no young ones
+to be starved through our interference,” said
+Billy, and the others felt as he did.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_277' id='Page_277'>277</a></span>“Say, I’m going to have a look at that nest,”
+said Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. But look out you don’t fall and
+break your neck,” warned Raynor. Jack went
+nimbly up Salloo’s queer ladder and soon reached
+a height where he could see into the nest, which
+was built in a cavity of the tree and had afterward
+been carefully walled up with mud,
+strengthened by weaving reeds into it. Jack was
+still examining the nest when a sudden shadow
+fell over him. He looked up and above him he
+saw, with somewhat of a shock, a great bird
+whose plumage flashed brilliantly in the sun and
+whose huge beak snapped viciously at the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Look out, look out, him father hornbill,” cried
+Salloo from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The hornbill made a swoop at Jack, aiming
+with that cruel beak straight for his eyes. The
+boy put up an arm to defend himself, but the bird
+seized it with its parrot-like claws, scratching it
+badly, and all the while it kept up a beating of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_278' id='Page_278'>278</a></span>
+its wings that blinded the boy. Then the bird
+suddenly changed its tactics. It swooped off
+and then made a swift dash at the boy’s head.
+It was well for Jack that he had on his stiff sun
+helmet or his skull would have been cracked like
+an egg by that huge, horny bill. As it was, the
+helmet was ripped open.</p>
+
+<p>Those below called on him to come down.
+But the attacks of the great bird so blinded and
+bewildered him that he was unable to move a
+step. Billy, at the order of Captain Sparhawk,
+brought a rifle from the camp, but so close did
+the bird stay to the boy that there was danger
+in using it. Even the most expert of shots would
+have been quite as likely to hit Jack as the enraged
+hornbill.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo had sprung into the tree, and with his
+ever ready <em>kriss</em> was ascending to the rescue
+when Captain Sparhawk saw an opportunity.
+The rifle was already at his shoulder and, as
+the hornbill rose and hovered for an instant
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_279' id='Page_279'>279</a></span>
+before making another plunge at Jack’s head, his
+finger pressed the trigger. A splendid shot, a
+broken wing, the huge bird fluttered to the earth
+and flopped and screamed on the ground till its
+strugglings were put an end to by another bullet.
+Jack remained where he was for a few seconds
+to recover his nerves and then, still somewhat
+shaken by his experience, he descended.</p>
+
+<p>His arm was badly scratched and Captain
+Sparhawk was opening the medicine chest when
+Salloo intervened. He quickly gathered a handful
+of a plant that exuded a sort of thick milk.
+Crushing the gathered stems on a stone, he soon
+had a quantity of this juice, which he spread on
+the wounds. The irritation at once left them and
+Salloo promised a speedy cure. But it may be
+said that Jack had no appetite for roast hornbill
+that night.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_280' id='Page_280'>280</a></span><h2 id='t6748'>CHAPTER XXXV.—THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The expedition now found itself advancing
+through forest that grew sparser as they progressed.
+The ground was rapidly becoming more
+rugged. Close to them now towered the range
+known as the Kini-Balu among the wild recesses
+of which the tribe of that name made its home.
+Constant vigilance was the watchword of the
+hour now. Salloo would permit no fires to be
+lighted, and he and his followers were constantly
+scouting in front of the party, while additional
+watch was kept at the rear and on both flanks.</p>
+
+<p>It was dangerous, thrilling work, but the boys,
+who loved adventure, relished every moment of
+it. But Donald Judson lived a life of misery.
+Every rustle in the bush made him turn pale.
+He was constantly giving false alarms in the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_281' id='Page_281'>281</a></span>
+night and the boys heartily wished he had been
+left behind. One afternoon—they were right in
+the mountains now—Salloo halted the party with
+a quick gesture.</p>
+
+<p>“Two men ahead of us. Up the mountain.
+Salloo go, look, see.”</p>
+
+<p>He glided off with his usual snake-like agility
+and vanished in a flash, while the party waited
+behind a mighty rock, for cover of the forest kind
+was growing scarce now. A wilder region would
+have been hard to imagine. The cliffs and mountains
+were of all sorts of extravagant shapes.
+Some of the larger rocks and peaks took on the
+outlines of monstrous animals. But they were
+still following a trail which was undoubtedly the
+one set down in red ink on Broom’s map.</p>
+
+<p>Through the glasses, which they were able to
+use without being observed, by crouching down in
+the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing
+toward the two figures on the mountain side. As
+he went he was making the peace sign, extending
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_282' id='Page_282'>282</a></span>
+his arms as if inviting the others to attack him at
+their will. But as far as they could see, the
+meeting was friendly enough. Salloo conversed
+with the two men of the mountain for a long time.
+Then he could be seen retracing his steps.</p>
+
+<p>“Well?” demanded everybody as he returned
+to the camp.</p>
+
+<p>“Ebblyting good so far,” reported Salloo.
+“Those two men velly old men. They left behind
+when tribe go to war in the north.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then the country is free of danger?” cried
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and
+did not answer. Addressing the others, he continued:</p>
+
+<p>“They say they know of cave. But no know
+if white man is there,” went on the Malay.</p>
+
+<p>“Would they be willing to guide us to it?” inquired
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“That me no know yet. Me go see ’em again
+to-night,” replied Salloo. “They say nobody but
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_283' id='Page_283'>283</a></span>
+old men, women and children left behind now
+tribe go to war. So maybe they no afraid to
+show us. You pay ’em good?”</p>
+
+<p>“Anything, any sum at all,” was the response
+of the millionaire. “No sum is too great to restore
+my brother to his family.”</p>
+
+<p>When night fell Salloo left the camp again and
+did not return till midnight. He brought the
+news that the two old men would guide them for
+three pieces of gold each. They did not want
+the coins to spend, explained Salloo, but to pierce
+and wear round their necks as ornaments.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make it six each,” declared Mr. Jukes, “if
+they lead us aright.”</p>
+
+<p>There was little sleep for anybody that night,
+and soon after daybreak the two old men appeared
+in the camp. They were odd-looking old
+fellows; unclothed except for a breech cloth, and
+were daubed with red and yellow earth, signifying
+that their tribe was at war, although their
+age barred them from taking part.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_284' id='Page_284'>284</a></span>At Salloo’s suggestion, only himself, Mr.
+Jukes, Jack and Billy were to accompany the
+guides. The others were to remain behind and
+keep as well under cover as they could till the
+rest returned with success or failure. Final instructions
+having been given, they set off behind
+the two old men, who chattered volubly with Salloo
+as they went. They knew of the cave, it
+appeared, but nothing more, for they did not
+come from that part of the mountains.</p>
+
+<p>The next day they were not far from the cave,
+their aged guides told them, and Salloo enjoined
+the strictest caution in proceeding. If they met
+a returning war party, their position would be
+ticklish in the extreme, he declared, and they
+readily agreed with him.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long after this that, high up on the
+mountain side, they became aware of a dark hole.
+The two old men chattered and pointed, and then
+Salloo said:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_285' id='Page_285'>285</a></span>“There him cave. You wait here. Salloo go,
+look, see.”</p>
+
+<p>He made off up the mountain with the two old
+tribesmen, while the others waited with what
+patience they could for his return. The boys had
+never seen Mr. Jukes so nervous. He could not
+keep still under the tension, but paced to and fro,
+regardless of Salloo’s advice to keep under cover.</p>
+
+<p>“He is taking his time,” said Jack after a
+long interval.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps something has happened to him,”
+said Mr. Jukes, apprehensively. “We’d better
+have our pistols ready. Hark! what was that?”</p>
+
+<p>There was a rustling in the bushes near at
+hand and they all sprang to their feet, only to
+burst into laughter a minute later when a rock
+coney, or small rabbit, emerged, looked at them
+for an instant and then vanished.</p>
+
+<p>“That shows how we are keyed up,” said Jack.
+“We’ve got to keep our nerve or we shall be useless
+if any emergency did happen.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_286' id='Page_286'>286</a></span>As he spoke, something whizzed over their
+heads and then sank quivering in the ground not
+far from them. They looked round and saw
+standing not far off two hideous natives, with
+frizzed hair and painted faces and bodies. Both
+were wounded and apparently had been sent back
+from “the front.” But still there was a chance
+that they might be the advance guard of a big
+body of troops.</p>
+
+<p>“We friends,” cried Jack, giving the peace sign
+as he had seen Salloo give it.</p>
+
+<p>The natives merely stared, and there is no
+knowing what might have been the outcome, but
+at that moment there came a hail from high up on
+the mountain and the old tribesmen and Salloo
+began coming toward them. The natives awaited
+their coming with their eyes fixed on the whites.
+As soon as Salloo and the others arrived there
+was a long confab and Salloo explained that the
+two warriors said that the main body of the savage
+troops was not far off, and that they had been
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_287' id='Page_287'>287</a></span>
+sent back on account of their wounds. They had
+thrown the spear because they thought the whites
+were coming to invade their country. When Salloo
+explained the object of their errand, everything
+appeared to be satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we go to the cave,” said Salloo, at the
+end of these negotiations. “Him velly big one,
+me think.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you—did you see any trace of my
+brother?” asked Mr. Jukes anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Me no see anything yet,” was the reply. “Me
+only go little way into cave.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then come, let us start at once,” said Mr.
+Jukes, stepping nimbly over the rough ground, in
+spite of his cumbersome build.</p>
+
+<p>As Salloo had said, the cave was a large one.
+It ran back fully a mile under the mountain.
+But they paid little attention to its natural beauties,
+so eager were they to find some trace of
+Jerushah Jukes. To one side was a swiftly flowing
+stream. They did not doubt that it came
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_288' id='Page_288'>288</a></span>
+from a waterfall, the noise of which they could
+hear in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Before long they stood in front of the waterfall,
+a beautiful ribbon of water falling fully a
+hundred feet into a clear pool. A sort of mist
+hung over the pool caused by the spray, which
+was lighted by a rift in the rocks above. It was
+a lovely sight and even in their anxiety to get on
+they could not help standing and admiring it for
+a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, Salloo,” said Jack abruptly, “how
+about that ghost that is supposed to haunt the
+cave?”</p>
+
+<p>“Me no know. Me——”</p>
+
+<p>“Look, look, the ghost!” cried Raynor suddenly.
+He pointed straight in front of him at
+the fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack as he too perceived
+an apparition that appeared to rise out of
+the waters. Salloo fell flat on his face in terror
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_289' id='Page_289'>289</a></span>
+and so did the two old natives, who had been
+their guides.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t talk nonsense,” said Mr. Jukes sharply.
+“I see nothing. I—for heaven’s sake!”</p>
+
+<p>Out of the mist of the pool he had seen advancing
+toward him as he stepped forward the
+gigantic form of a man. Then he glanced again.</p>
+
+<p>The ghost was Mr. Jukes himself, who certainly
+had nothing spiritualistic about him. The explanation
+of the queer sight struck the boys and
+the millionaire at the same instant. The sun,
+shining through the rift, was reflected upon the
+wet rock which in turn projected their figures
+against the watery mist that hung above the
+pool.</p>
+
+<p>“And so that’s the ghost that’s been scaring
+the natives to death,” said Jack. “Get up, Salloo,
+and I’ll show you how the trick is done.”</p>
+
+<p>After a brief demonstration the Malay was
+satisfied, but the two old men were unconvinced.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_290' id='Page_290'>290</a></span>
+They mumbled and were ill at ease till that part
+of the cave was left behind.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, here’s a path leading up past the waterfall,”
+cried Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“So there is. Let’s see where it goes,” cried
+Billy. They started up the slippery footway
+very slowly so as to avoid the consequences of
+a slip. As they went it grew lighter. They were
+coming to the upper world once more. A minute
+later and they emerged upon a small plateau in
+the heart of the mountains. It was surrounded
+by steep precipices. In the centre stood a group
+of bamboo huts.</p>
+
+<p>At sight of the white men, several women and
+children set up a shrill cry. Suddenly above the
+hub-bub came a voice that brought a thrill to
+them all:</p>
+
+<p>“Has help come at last?”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i05f.jpg'><img src='images/i05.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0004' style='width:386px;height:600px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>“Has help come at last?”</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>From behind one of the huts had stepped a tall,
+angular figure, wearing ragged white clothes and
+a battered sun helmet. Perched on his nose were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_291' id='Page_291'>291</a></span>
+a pair of huge horn-rimmed spectacles, a ragged,
+unkempt beard covered his face and his hair hung
+in matted locks about his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>At the sight of him, Mr. Jukes gave a gasp
+and then a glad cry.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_292' id='Page_292'>292</a></span><h2 id='t7041'>CHAPTER XXXVI.—FOUND AT LAST!</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Oh, my brother,” cried Mr. Jukes, “I can
+hardly believe we’ve found you at last.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank God! you have, Jacob,” returned the
+other fervently. “For a moment I thought that
+you were only one of the fantastic visions that
+have visited my brain lately.”</p>
+
+<p>“My poor brother,” exclaimed the millionaire,
+“but now thank heaven you are restored to your
+friends.”</p>
+
+<p>“But how did you ever find me? I never
+deemed it possible that rescuers could find their
+way to this place where that villain Broom, after
+stealing the pearl, marooned me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, so the pearl is gone,—but never mind that
+now. I would not have given your life for an
+ocean-full of pearls,” declared the millionaire
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_293' id='Page_293'>293</a></span>
+happily, “but I must introduce our friends who
+have shared with me the hardships of the trail.”</p>
+
+<p>The boys, and then Salloo, added their congratulations
+to Mr. Jukes, while the women and
+children gathered round and chattered frantically.
+It was plain that they objected to all this,
+yet did not see how to stop it. The white men’s
+weapons glinted menacingly and there were no
+warriors in the village.</p>
+
+<p>“And now let us hasten away from here,” said
+Jerushah Jukes. “The men are off on a fighting
+expedition and I might have escaped but without
+food or weapons I could never have made my
+way to the coast through the jungle. I suppose
+that is the reason they did not tie me up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly,” said the millionaire, “but I’m
+forgetting something,” and he doled out to the
+two old men a reward, much over what they had
+demanded. They chattered their thanks glibly,
+making all sorts of gesticulations of gratitude.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all like a dream to me so far,” said Jerushah
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_294' id='Page_294'>294</a></span>
+Jukes, as they made their way back through
+the cave and past the “haunted” waterfall.
+“Broom sent me up here with a guard of his men.
+The tribe appeared to be friendly to him and
+agreed to keep me prisoner as long as he wished.
+But my poor crew? What has become of them?”</p>
+
+<p>“That we do not know yet,” said Mr. Jukes,
+“but we will talk later. I want to put all the
+distance I can between this tribe and our party as
+soon as we can. Those women will give the
+alarm although they dared not make an active
+protest.”</p>
+
+<p>But as they emerged from the cave they met
+with a rude shock. A party of warriors with
+frizzed hair and war-paint daubing their bodies
+barred the way.</p>
+
+<p>At first the tribesmen stood motionless with
+astonishment at the sight of a party of white
+men emerging from their secret cave. But the
+next instant they broke into a savage volley of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_295' id='Page_295'>295</a></span>
+shouts and yells and raised their spears and cruel-looking
+war clubs.</p>
+
+<p>“We have come too late, my poor brother,”
+groaned Mr. Jukes. But suddenly Salloo raised
+his voice. He spoke in tones of loud authority.
+The spears and clubs were lowered. He turned
+to Mr. Jukes and in a quick low voice said:</p>
+
+<p>“Give me um map. Quick, our lives depend
+on him.”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire lost no time in producing
+‘Bully’ Broom’s map. The most be-frizzed of
+the natives pored over it for several minutes.
+Then one of them said in fair English:</p>
+
+<p>“You come from Chief Broom; all right, you
+may go. He tell us to keep white man till he send
+for him. You show Broom’s map. He all right.
+Goo’ bye,” and the warriors went on.</p>
+
+<p>Thus by the clever Malay’s strategy he had
+told the warriors, who had returned unexpectedly,
+that the white men had been sent by ‘Bully’
+Broom,—they were saved from disaster. But
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_296' id='Page_296'>296</a></span>
+the tribesmen had demanded proof of Salloo’s
+story and, in the nick of time, he had luckily
+thought of the map which satisfied their suspicions
+at once, for Broom was the only white man,
+except the prisoner, who had ever visited the secret
+cave.</p>
+
+<p>The return to the camp was made without incident
+and Jack, on reaching it, at once rigged
+up his wireless apparatus and flashed to the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span> the glad news of the rescue of the millionaire’s
+brother. But, a few minutes later, he,
+in his turn, was receiving good tidings. Broom
+had returned to Bomobori and was arrested
+while he was recruiting a crew to make a dash
+into the jungle and intercept the Jukes’ party. He
+was apprehended while rowing ashore from a
+native craft.</p>
+
+<p>As the officers of the law seized him, he was
+seen to throw something into the water. One of
+the native oarsmen instantly dived after the object
+and succeeded in grabbing it before it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_297' id='Page_297'>297</a></span>
+reached the bottom. It proved to be the great
+pearl, “The Tear of the Sea.” And there was
+yet more intelligence of a kind to hearten them
+after all their tribulations in the wild jungles of
+New Guinea.</p>
+
+<p>The first officer of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, having received
+news of a mysterious schooner anchored
+in a cove up the coast, resolved to do a little amateur
+detective work. He found that she was
+none other than the famous <em>South Sea Lass</em>. Securing
+the co-operation of the authorities, the
+vessel was raided one night and her small crew
+easily overpowered. Then cries were heard from
+below and on the removal of the hatches the crew
+of the <em>Centurion</em>, or what remained of them—for
+five had died from privation—were discovered.
+They had refused to join Broom’s band
+and he was afraid to let them loose, so they had
+been confined in the almost unlivable hold ever
+since their capture. Since Broom’s arrest, the
+Australian authorities had cabled that he was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_298' id='Page_298'>298</a></span>
+wanted there for piracy and other crimes and he
+had been sent to Melbourne on a mail steamer.
+It may be added here that British justice was
+dealt out with a heavy hand to the ruffian and
+his many victims were fully avenged. His crew
+was tried and sentenced in Bomobori and all received
+heavy terms of imprisonment. Thus were
+the South Seas rid of one of the chief of their
+many freebooters.</p>
+
+<p>The long march back to Bomobori was made
+without anything of particular interest occurring
+and one morning they stood on a rise overlooking
+the harbor. There lay the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> with
+the dear old Stars and Stripes flying, and the
+ship dressed in gay bunting; for by wireless Jack
+had notified those on board of the time of their
+arrival. A few hours more and they were among
+their friends again with their strange experiences
+behind them.</p>
+
+<p>As there was no reason for staying in Bomobori,
+except to take on board the survivors of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_299' id='Page_299'>299</a></span>
+the <em>Centurion’s</em> crew, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> steamed out
+of the harbor the next day, being saluted as she
+went, a compliment which she returned with her
+rapid-fire gun. Watching them from the wharf
+were two figures. One a tall agile Malay, who,
+with tears in his eyes, watched the yacht till she
+was hull-down on the horizon. It was Salloo.
+He had been well rewarded for his services which
+indeed, as Mr. Jukes said, were beyond price; but,
+as he watched the departure of his white friends,
+his thoughts were only with them and not with
+what were, to him, the riches of a lifetime.</p>
+
+<p>The other watcher turned away with a sneer,
+jingling the money Mr. Jukes had left him in his
+pockets:</p>
+
+<p>“So I’ve got to stick round this hole till I can
+get a steamer home,” grumbled Donald Judson,
+for, as our readers will have guessed, it was he.
+“If it hadn’t been for those boys I might have
+gone home in comfort on the yacht. Well, maybe
+some day I’ll get even with them.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_300' id='Page_300'>300</a></span>On the voyage home a stop was made at the
+Pamatou Islands; the glad news of the rescue
+had already been wirelessed home, and there was
+no great hurry except Mr. Jukes’ desire to get
+back to his business affairs after a romantic adventure
+he would never forget. As the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span> dropped anchor in the well-known harbor,
+a fleet of canoes dashed out to welcome her,
+among them you may be sure those of Anai and
+his friend, who wept tears of joy at seeing their
+white “chums” once more. Mr. Jukes, his speculative
+instinct once more in the ascendent, bought
+a large quantity of pearls on which he subsequently
+realized a good profit.</p>
+
+<p>“But we must hurry home,” he said one day.
+“My business will be going to rack and ruin without
+me and besides I’ve run out of dyspepsia pills.
+I only hope I didn’t ruin my digestion in the
+jungle.”</p>
+
+<p>And here the adventures of the Ocean Wireless
+Boys on the Pacific must be brought to a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_301' id='Page_301'>301</a></span>
+close, except that it might be mentioned that
+pretty Helen Dennis, whose father’s ship was in
+port on the return of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, now wears
+a very pretty locket, set with South Sea pearls—the
+gift of Jack Ready. And so, till we meet
+them in the next volume of this series, we will
+wish the lads and their friends good-bye.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;'>THE END</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>KINDERGARTEN</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>LIMERICKS</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By FLORENCE E. SCOTT.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>by Lucy Wheelock</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i06f.jpg'><img src='images/i06.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0005' style='width:110px;height:158px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p>The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the
+alphabet, each illustrated by a full page picture in
+colors. The verses appeal to the child’s sense of humor
+without being foolish or sensational, and will be welcomed
+by kindergartners for teaching rhythm in a most
+entertaining manner.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar.</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><em>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</em></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MATTHEW M. COLTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i07f.jpg'><img src='images/i07.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0006' style='width:110px;height:144px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong’s Vacation</em></p>
+
+<p>How Frank’s summer experiences with
+his boy friends make him into a sturdy
+young athlete through swimming, boating
+and baseball contests, and a tramp
+through the Everglades, is the subject
+of this splendid story.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong at Queens</em></p>
+
+<p>We find among the jolly boys at
+Queen’s School, Frank, the student-athlete,
+Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and
+Lewis, the unconsciously-funny youth
+who furnishes comedy for every page
+that bears his name. Fall and winter
+sports between intensely rival school
+teams are expertly described.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong’s Second Term</em></p>
+
+<p>The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background
+for the stirring events of this volume, in which David,
+Jimmy, Lewis, the “Wee One” and the “Codfish” figure, while
+Frank “saves the day.”</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker</em></p>
+
+<p>With the same persistent determination that won him success
+in swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong
+acquired the art of “drop-kicking,” and the Queen’s football
+team profits thereby.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine</em></p>
+
+<p>Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents
+by land and water make this story of Frank Armstrong
+a strong tale of school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong at College</em></p>
+
+<p>With the development of this series, the boy characters have
+developed until in this, the best story of all, they appear as
+typical college students, giving to each page the life and vigor
+of the true college spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They
+accurately describe athletics from start to finish.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Any book sent postpaid upon receipt of 60 cents, or we will
+send the six for $3.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Stories of Modern School Sports</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MORGAN SCOTT.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i08f.jpg'><img src='images/i08.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0007' style='width:110px;height:142px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>Under peculiarly trying circumstances
+Ben Stone wins his way at
+Oakdale Academy, and at the
+same time enlists our sympathy,
+interest and respect. Through the
+enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty
+of Roger Eliot and the clever work
+of the “Sleuth,” Ben is falsely accused,
+championed and vindicated.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.</span></p>
+
+<p>“One thing I will claim, and that
+is that all Grants fight open and
+square and there never was a sneak among them.” It was
+Rodney Grant, of Texas, who made the claim to his friend,
+Ben Stone, and this story shows how he proved the truth
+of this statement in the face of apparent evidence to the
+contrary.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative,
+and that means not only clear and clever descriptions of
+thrilling games, but an intimate acquaintance with the
+members of the teams who played them. The Oakdale
+Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
+and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.</span></p>
+
+<p>The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom,
+little restriction, and immediate contact with “all outdoors.”
+These conditions prevailed in the summer camp of
+the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of lively interest.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.</span></p>
+
+<p>The “Sleuth” scents a mystery! He “follows his nose.”
+The plot thickens! He makes deductions. There are
+surprises for the reader—and for the “Sleuth,” as well.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year’s
+registration of students. The old and the new standards
+of conduct in and out of school meet, battle, and cause
+sweeping changes in the lives of several of the boys.</p>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
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+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>Log Cabin to White House Series</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c., per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i09f.jpg'><img src='images/i09.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0008' style='width:110px;height:150px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD (The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>Benjamin Franklin was known in the
+scientific world for his inventions and
+discoveries, in the diplomatic world because
+of his statesmanship, and everywhere,
+because of his sound judgment,
+plain speaking, and consistent living.</p>
+
+<p>FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of George Washington). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>The story of the hatchet and other
+familiar incidents of the boyhood and
+young manhood of Washington are included
+in this book, as well as many
+less well-known accounts of his experiences
+as surveyor, soldier, emissary,
+leader, and first president of the United States.</p>
+
+<p>FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of James A. Garfield). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James
+A. Garfield was born, to the White House in Washington, and
+that it was an interesting life-journey one cannot doubt who reads
+Mr. Thayer’s account of it.</p>
+
+<p>FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people
+than was homely, humorous “Honest Abe.”</p>
+
+<p>To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an
+education, and his rise to prominence is to understand better his
+rare nature and practical wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By <em>Edward S. Ellis, A. M.</em></p>
+
+<p>Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences
+of Mr. Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few
+of them know him as the boy and man of family and school
+circles and private citizenship.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter,
+a fighter of “graft” at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and
+a just and vigorous defender of right.</p>
+
+<p>FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as
+the hero of the famous declaration: “I will fight it out on this
+line if it takes all summer.”</p>
+
+<p><em>We will mail any of the above books prepaid at 60 cents each or the six for $3.50.</em></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>REX KINGDON SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By GORDON BRADDOCK</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per volume</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i10f.jpg'><img src='images/i10.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0009' style='width:110px;height:149px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High</p>
+
+<p>A new boy moves into town. Who is
+he? What can he do? Will he make
+one of the school teams? Is his friendship
+worth having? These are the
+queries of the Ridgewood High Students.
+The story is the answer.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon in the North Woods</p>
+
+<p>Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in
+the North Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter
+to menace their safety, fire their interest and finally cement their
+friendship.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall</p>
+
+<p>Lively boarding school experiences make this the “best yet”
+of the Rex Kingdon series.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat</p>
+
+<p>The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good
+story about baseball. Boys will like it.</p>
+
+<p>Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write
+it. These stories make the best reading you can procure.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Any book sent upon receipt of 60 cents each, or we
+will send all four of them for $2.30.</span></p>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>GREAT WAR SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Price, 50c. postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i11f.jpg'><img src='images/i11.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0010' style='width:250px;height:138px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys with the Allied Armies</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys in the French War Trenches</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<p>The disastrous battle raging in Europe between Germany and
+Austria on one side and the Allied countries on the other, has
+created demand for literature on the subject. The American
+public to a large extent is ignorant of the exact locations of the
+fighting zones with its small towns and villages. Major Crockett,
+who is familiar with the present battle-fields, has undertaken to
+place before the American boy an interesting Series of War stories.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Get these three books and keep up-to-date. We will
+send any book for 50c., or the three of them for $1.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>BOY SCOUT SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><em>ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS</em></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth. Illustrated. Price 50c. Each</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i12f.jpg'><img src='images/i12.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0011' style='width:110px;height:146px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL</p>
+
+<p>In this story, self-reliance and self-defense
+through organized athletics are
+emphasized.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE</p>
+
+<p>Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona
+desert and the Harkness ranch figure in
+this tale of the Boy Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP</p>
+
+<p>The cleverness of one of the Scouts as
+an amateur inventor and the intrigues of
+his enemies to secure his inventions make
+a subject of breathless interest.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS’ MOUNTAIN CAMP</p>
+
+<p>Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the
+escape of the Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again
+in the instinctive impression, which he shares with the boys, of
+impending peril.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM</p>
+
+<p>Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization,
+but few there are who have such an opportunity for its practical
+expression as comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL</p>
+
+<p>Most timely is this authentic story of the “great ditch.” It is
+illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO</p>
+
+<p>Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present
+is this account of recent conflict.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS</p>
+
+<p>Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in
+this tale of the Great War.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE</p>
+
+<p>On the firing line—or very near—we find the Scouts in France.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION</p>
+
+<p>If you couldn’t attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even
+now in imagination with the Boy Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS</p>
+
+<p>Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the
+Government. What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that
+out by reading the book. It’s a dandy story.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS’ CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS</p>
+
+<p>Just as the Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared,” just for these reasons
+that they prepare for the country’s defense. What they do
+and how they do it makes a volume well worth reading.</p>
+
+<p>You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating
+and well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the
+Manual itself, the books give an accurate description of Boy
+Scout activities, for they are educational and instructive.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Price postpaid, 50 cents per volume, or we will send any six
+titles you select for $2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>MOTOR CYCLE SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i13f.jpg'><img src='images/i13.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0012' style='width:110px;height:149px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World</em></p>
+
+<p>Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with
+a motor cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an
+achievement greater than any he describes in his account of
+the amusing travels of Philias Fogg. This, however, is the
+purpose successfully carried out by the Motor Cycle Chums,
+and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays is one
+of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental
+information to the reader.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol</em></p>
+
+<p>The Great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and
+in it the Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more
+unusual and exciting than many of their experiences on their
+tour around the world. There is not a dull page in this
+lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant “Chinee.”</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields</em></p>
+
+<p>How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold
+and into what difficulties and novel experiences they were led,
+makes a tale of thrilling interest.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums’ Whirlwind Tour</em></p>
+
+<p>To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers
+over the border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story
+of amusing adventures and exciting episodes.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator</em></p>
+
+<p>New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add
+fresh zest to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and
+the tour described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America</em></p>
+
+<p>The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history
+was made, where interest centers to-day as never before.</p>
+
+<p>You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to
+enjoy the thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle
+Chums pass on their way to seek adventure and excitement.
+Brimful of clever episodes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>We will send prepaid any book for 50 cents or the
+six for $2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>BOY INVENTORS’ SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By RICHARD BONNER</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i14f.jpg'><img src='images/i14.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0013' style='width:110px;height:151px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Wireless Triumph</em></p>
+
+<p>Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes
+called the instinct of investigation,—favored
+with golden opportunity, and
+gifted with creative ability, the Boy Inventors
+meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest and
+convince the reader because they always
+“work” when put to the test.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors and the Vanishing Gun</em></p>
+
+<p>A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope,
+effort and final success. This too is the history of the
+daring Boy Inventors.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Diving Torpedo Boat</em></p>
+
+<p>As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and
+interesting triumphs of mechanisms are produced which become
+immediately valuable, and the stage for their proving and
+testing is again the water. On the surface and below it, the
+boys have jolly, contagious fun.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Flying Ship</em></p>
+
+<p>A Boston newspaper reporter,—a young fellow with a camera
+slung over his shoulders,—wanders into this story at the very
+beginning. He finds himself an aerial stowaway and finally a
+part of a South American exploring party. How this happens
+is an absorbing tale in itself.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Electric Hydroaeroplane</em></p>
+
+<p>The restless, inventive spirit of Jack Chadwick and the persistent
+enthusiasm of his cousin, Tom Jesson, once more clamor
+for a new expression, and this book describes the unique result
+of their labors and the use to which it is opportunely put.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Radio Telephone</em></p>
+
+<p>The determination to adopt, adapt and improve the latest
+means of communication gave a fresh impulse to the ambition
+of the Boy Inventors.</p>
+
+<p>Watch boys, and you will notice their minds naturally turn to
+mechanism. In these delightful stories, the boys try their
+genius in new inventions. Read the books and see what they
+accomplish through skill and ingenuity.</p>
+
+<p><em>Any book postpaid at 50 cents per copy or the six for $2.50.</em></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>TALES OF THE NEW NAVY</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per volume</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i15f.jpg'><img src='images/i15.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0014' style='width:110px;height:142px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on Battle Practice</em></p>
+
+<p>Especially interesting and timely is this book which
+introduces the reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the
+great ships of modern warfare and to the intimate life and
+surprising adventures of Uncle Sam’s sailors.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys Aboard a Destroyer</em></p>
+
+<p>In this story real dangers threaten and the boys’ patriotism
+is tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is
+laid on the South American coast.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on a Submarine</em></p>
+
+<p>To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this
+story has special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its
+mystery and clever action are fascinating.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on Aero Service</em></p>
+
+<p>Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and
+Herc. Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air,
+however, although they make daring and notable flights in
+the name of the Government; nor are they always able to fly
+beyond the reach of their old “enemies,” who are also airmen.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys’ World Cruise</em></p>
+
+<p>From San Francisco the boys start on their world cruise. At
+Hawaii, Japan, Egypt and Gibraltar they meet experiences
+unforeseen and eventful.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters</em></p>
+
+<p>Into mimic naval warfare creeps actual intrigue that complicates
+the defense of New York Harbor.</p>
+
+<p>It would be hard work to find a boy—young or old—who is
+not keenly alive to the achievements of our great Navy. You
+can get a good conception of what Uncle Sam is doing by reading
+these marvelous stories.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid for 50 cents per volume, or the set of six for
+$2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>BOY AVIATORS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Thrilling Airship Stories</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid.</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figright'>
+<a href='images/i16f.jpg'><img src='images/i16.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0015' style='width:110px;height:152px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA</p>
+
+<p>“Boys of all ages will be captivated by this clever story of
+two bright American lads who in an aeroplane of unusual
+construction have many adventures in Nicaragua.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE</p>
+
+<p>“Its heroes go in an airship to the Everglades of Florida,
+and use their wireless telegraph to assist in the rescue of
+a Government inventor. Japanese spies are plotting against
+them, and the result is a thrill in every chapter.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA</p>
+
+<p>“In this book the lads go to Africa in their flying machine
+and strike an aerial ivory trail. Adventures come thick and
+fast. One cannot help wishing himself fourteen years old
+once more, to take this book out back on the barn, or under
+the pear tree, to enjoy it in fashion.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ TREASURE QUEST</p>
+
+<p>“The author takes the boys on a quest after the golden galleon,
+lost in a position where it is imaginatively possible to obtain the
+treasure. The story is one of the keenest interest from the boy
+standpoint.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT</p>
+
+<p>“The story deals with aerial contests for a big prize offered by
+newspapers to fly from New York across the continent and the
+hairbreadth escapes encountered.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ POLAR DASH</p>
+
+<p>“The useful information concerning the Antarctic regions, and
+the aviation features and their technical correctness, set the book
+apart from those of simple entertainment and adventure.”</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;'>—<em>The Dallas News</em>, Dallas, Texas.</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE</p>
+
+<p>“The volume is packed with incidents from cover to cover, and
+conveys an accurate idea of modern aeroplanes.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS WITH THE AIR RAIDERS</p>
+
+<p>In view of the world-wide interest in practical aviation, this
+book is especially thrilling and timely. It pertains to the Great
+European War.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Up-to-the-minute AIRSHIP Books which record the most thrilling
+experiences any daring aviator could wish for. The Stories
+are written by a famous aviation instructor and are technically
+correct in details. One million copies have been sold.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid at 50c. per volume, any four books for
+$1.75, or the complete set of eight for $3.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>OCEAN WIRELESS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i17f.jpg'><img src='images/i17.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0016' style='width:110px;height:147px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic</em></p>
+
+<p>How a Brooklyn boy became a wireless operator and shared in
+the work of rescue on the sea makes a thrilling tale.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner</em></p>
+
+<p>This book takes the young wireless operators into southern
+waters and through grave perils.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol</em></p>
+
+<p>The sinking of the <em>Titanic</em> emphasized the usefulness of the
+wireless in the iceberg zones described in this volume.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code</em></p>
+
+<p>Combine warships and wireless, danger, intrigue, and daring
+and you have an exciting tale of the sea.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific</em></p>
+
+<p>Just as fascinating, thrilling and interesting as any of the
+preceding volumes. Plenty of action for red-blooded boys.</p>
+
+<p>The tragedies of the seas became less dreadful with the introduction
+of the wireless aboard steamships and it is to be hoped
+ultimately that the “ocean grave-yard” will be a thing of the
+past. These volumes describe daring and exciting tales.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid upon receipt of 50 cents each, or the
+five books for $2.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<p class='line pbb' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>Transcriber’s Notes</p>
+
+<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend='block;' -->
+<p class='line'>1. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p>
+<p class='line'>2. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have been preserved.</p>
+<p class='line'>3. Page-specific notes:</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_76'>76</a> restored full-stop in “Captain Sparhawk Tahiti was not far off.”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_193'>193</a> whiste -> whistle in “shrill whistle sounded”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_213'>213</a> Jordan -> Judson in “Broom and young Judson turned”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_242'>242</a> “membel” retained (for “remember”) in dialect: “Me membel now”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_262'>262</a> blared -> glared in “yellow eyes glared malevolently”</p>
+</div></div> <!-- end rend -->
+
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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #44503 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44503)
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+Project Gutenberg's The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+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 Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Arthur O. Scott
+
+Release Date: December 24, 2013 [EBook #44503]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON PACIFIC ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Demian Katz, Roger Frank and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images
+courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University
+(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/))
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Half way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near
+him.]
+
+
+
+
+                                  THE
+
+                          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS
+
+                             ON THE PACIFIC
+
+                                   BY
+
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+      AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES,” “THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS’
+        SERIES,” “THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC,” “THE
+          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER,” “THE OCEAN
+               WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICEBERG PATROL,” “THE
+                OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE,”
+                                  ETC.
+
+                             ILLUSTRATED BY
+                            ARTHUR O. SCOTT
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1916,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+                     I. On the Broad Pacific             5
+                    II. The Ocean in a Rage             14
+                   III. A Long Night                    20
+                    IV. The Derelict                    26
+                     V. The “Centurion”                 33
+                    VI. A Mystery of the Seas           39
+                   VII. An Old Enemy Oddly Met          49
+                  VIII. “Land, Ho!”                     56
+                    IX. Through Hidden Dangers          64
+                     X. Chumming with Savages           72
+                    XI. The Cave of the Pearls          78
+                   XII. A Trap!                         84
+                  XIII. On the Reef                     90
+                   XIV. Battling Man-eating Sharks      97
+                    XV. A Message from the Deep        104
+                   XVI. Alive on the Sea               113
+                  XVII. An Encounter at Bomobori       119
+                 XVIII. Donald Judson Again            126
+                   XIX. He Tells a Strange Story       132
+                    XX. A Traitor in Camp              143
+                   XXI. A Memorable Night              153
+                  XXII. Into the Jungle                164
+                 XXIII. A Dangerous Tree               171
+                  XXIV. Wireless at Work               178
+                   XXV. A Jungle Hotel                 186
+                  XXVI. Prisoners of “Bully” Broom     195
+                 XXVII. At the Old Fort                203
+                XXVIII. The Free-booter’s Demands      209
+                  XXIX. The Rescue Party               216
+                   XXX. In the Coils of a Python       224
+                  XXXI. The Journey Resumed            236
+                 XXXII. A Storm in the Jungle          245
+                XXXIII. The Giant Spiders              260
+                 XXXIV. A Fight with a Hornbill        272
+                  XXXV. The Heart of New Guinea        280
+                 XXXVI. Found at Last!                 292
+
+
+
+
+                        The Ocean Wireless Boys
+                            on the Pacific.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER I.—ON THE BROAD PACIFIC.
+
+
+Twenty days out from San Francisco in the vast, heaving desert of the
+sea, twenty days of storm, sunshine and calm, the _Sea Gypsy_, the great
+white yacht of Jacob Jukes, head of the big Atlantic and Pacific
+Shipping Combine, was making her way lazily through the dreamy South
+Seas. The vessel was capable of great speed, being known as one of the
+fastest craft of her kind. But she was bound on a mission which might
+take a long time to consummate, and economy of coal, which was piled
+even on her decks, to re-enforce the supply in the bunkers, was
+necessary.
+
+What this mission was remained, so far, a mystery to every one on board
+except Mr. Jukes himself, the iron-jawed and impenetrable organizer of
+the expedition. Up to this time he had shown no inclination to unburden
+himself of his secret, and although the craft was equipped with powerful
+wireless of the most modern type, the yacht had received no messages,
+nor had she sent any, under orders from Mr. Jukes.
+
+On this particular evening Jack Ready leaned against the door of the
+wireless-room, a converted deck cabin, and covertly watched the
+heavy-shouldered, bull-necked form of the millionaire shipping man as
+the latter gazed over the rail across the vacant waters at the gorgeous
+sunset.
+
+It was a true pageant of the heavens, such as is only to be seen in the
+Southern ocean. Great cloud-masses rose in wondrous forms, like
+glorified castle walls and turrets, glowing with purple and gold and
+red. Jack found himself following Mr. Jukes’ gaze. Although such
+spectacles had been almost nightly ones since they had steamed into the
+tropics, there was something wild and sinister about the present one
+that thrilled him.
+
+Captain Septimus Sparhawk, the brown, gaunt captain of the yacht, whose
+thin face was decorated by two little dabs of grayish whiskers forward
+of each ear, passed by.
+
+“Nothing to do but to look at the sky, eh?” he asked Jack, as a
+suspicion of a smile crept over his face.
+
+“That’s about all, sir,” rejoined Jack, with a laugh. “I expect to see
+spiders spinning webs on my instruments every day. I haven’t touched the
+key since we sailed.”
+
+The captain shook his head. He was an old and loyal employee of the
+shipping man, and not much given to words. But, apparently, now he felt
+called upon to express himself.
+
+“It’s a queer business, lad,” he said, “and it may get queerer still
+before we find out what it’s all about. I’m as much in the dark as you
+or the cabin boy. But right now that sunset worries me more than
+anything else.”
+
+“You’re on the look-out for a storm?” asked Jack, noting a sudden look
+of anxiety in the captain’s pale blue eyes, surrounded by a network of
+tiny wrinkles, due to long gazing into salty gales.
+
+“Worse than that, Ready,” was the rejoinder. “This is the hurricane
+season in these parts and the glass,—I’ve just taken a squint at
+it,—is dropping as if it never meant to stop.”
+
+“If I could use the wireless——” began Jack.
+
+“We could probably get a weather reading from some other ship,”
+interrupted the captain, starting off, “but as it is, we might as well
+not have it on board at all. The thing’s got me stumped.”
+
+He carried himself off on his long, thin legs but paused to speak to Mr.
+Jukes. The ship-owner, although Jack could not hear what was said,
+appeared to be agitated somewhat by the captain’s words, for he began
+puffing rapidly at his after-dinner cigar, sending out smoke like the
+exhaust of a locomotive funnel, a sure sign, as Jack had observed, that
+he was disturbed.
+
+“I’ll make all snug, sir,” the boy heard the captain say, as he turned
+away, “and then we will be prepared for whatever happens.”
+
+“Very well, Sparhawk,” answered Mr. Jukes, in a somewhat louder voice
+than he had used hitherto, “and be sure to see to it that the deck load
+of coal is secured safely. They tell me the bunkers are running low.”
+
+As has been stated, the _Sea Gypsy’s_ decks were piled high fore and aft
+with coal, kept in place by wooden bulkheads, which did not add to the
+appearance of the ship and encumbered progress from bow to stern. Only
+amidships, where the cabins were situated, was the deck clear. As the
+captain ascended the bridge he turned and gave an order to a petty
+officer and presently the crew could be seen at work lashing big
+tarpaulins down over the coal which was so important to keep the _Sea
+Gypsy_ moving on her mysterious mission.
+
+The news that the coal supply was running low in the bunkers was a
+surprise to Jack. He made for Billy Raynor’s cabin where the young chief
+engineer of the yacht was writing up his “log.”
+
+“Yes, it’s right,” he rejoined to Jack’s question, “the loss of that
+deck load would be a serious matter. We’re a good many hundred miles
+from land and will have to tap the supply before long.”
+
+“Billy, what on earth do you suppose is the object of this voyage?”
+demanded Jack abruptly.
+
+“Blessed if I know, but I’m well satisfied with my promotion and job,”
+declared Raynor. “Cruising these wonderful seas in a yacht that’s a
+beauty, even if her decks are all littered up like a cattle boat’s, just
+about suits me.”
+
+“That’s all right, you’ve got something to do,” complained Jack. “But
+look at my case. I have to polish up my instruments every day to keep
+them from getting rusty.”
+
+“Serves you right for not stopping ashore and enjoying yourself,”
+chuckled Raynor teasingly. “Since you sold that ‘Universal Detector’ of
+yours to the government you could surely afford to.”
+
+“Just as if I could kick my heels on shore doing nothing,” was Jack’s
+indignant reply, “but it does seem as if it’s about time we knew
+something of what this voyage is for.”
+
+“Maybe it’s just a pleasure cruise to allow Mr. Jukes to get away from
+his business troubles,” hazarded Raynor.
+
+Jack shook his head in decided negative.
+
+“There’s more in it than that,” he declared positively. “Mr. Jukes is
+first of all a man of business. He wouldn’t come skylarking across the
+Pacific for three weeks if he was just out for a cruise. He’d go where
+he could keep in touch with the market and Wall Street.”
+
+“That’s so,” Raynor was compelled to agree. “Well, I suppose when he
+gets ready to spill some information he’ll do it. In the meantime my job
+just suits me. But what made you ask about the deck coal?”
+
+“Because Captain Sparhawk says we’re in for a bad blow, maybe a
+hurricane.”
+
+Raynor’s usually cheerful face became suddenly serious.
+
+“When did he say that?” he asked.
+
+“Just now. They’re putting tarpaulins over it now. If we dropped it,
+we’d be in a bad fix, eh, Billy?”
+
+“We’d have about coal enough left for two or three days,” rejoined
+Raynor.
+
+“And after that——?”
+
+“It would be a case of ‘merrily we drift along.’”
+
+The door gave a sudden sharp slam. A puff of wind, sweeping suddenly
+over the hitherto breathless sea, had banged it shut.
+
+Jack jumped up and swung it quickly open again.
+
+“Here she comes,” he cried excitedly.
+
+At the same instant the _Sea Gypsy_ gave a sidelong lurch that sent both
+lads helter-skelter across the cabin. Outside came a sudden bawling of
+voices and a distant, disquieting roar that grew louder every second.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER II.—THE OCEAN IN A RAGE.
+
+
+Directly they recovered their sea legs, both lads made for the cabin
+door. A wonderful but alarming spectacle met their eyes. The sunset had
+been blotted out as if by magic. In its place was a ragged, inky-black
+cloud curtain that was being swept across the sky as if invisible,
+titanic hands were swiftly pulling it.
+
+The sea immediately about them was heaving wildly in great swells that
+tumbled the _Sea Gypsy_, rendered less stable by her top-heavy load,
+from side to side. Far off, under the rushing black cloud, the forefront
+of which was almost over them by this time, was a jagged line of white.
+
+Mr. Booth, the second mate, bundled up in oilskins, ran past the boys on
+his way to the bridge.
+
+“Better get under cover,” he advised as he passed. “This is going to be
+a hummer.”
+
+But, fascinated by the majestic sight, both boys stood still, clutching
+the rail and bracing themselves for the shock they felt was coming, for
+both had guessed that the jagged white line in the distance was a giant
+wave. Like a cliff of water it grew as it swept toward them, accompanied
+by a howling of the wind that sounded like a witches’ carnival. So swift
+was its advance that the boys had hardly time to run toward the cabin
+when it broke upon them.
+
+The _Sea Gypsy_ heeled like a ship that had been struck a mortal blow.
+For one instant she hung balanced as if she was about to capsize. The
+door of the cabin in which the boys had taken refuge was ripped from its
+hinges by the terrific force of the impact as if it had been matchwood.
+
+The next moment both lads were struggling for their lives in a surging,
+sweeping smother of water that filled the cabin to the roof. Jack felt
+himself clutched by the hands of his chum. Fighting to keep himself
+above water, Jack saw that Raynor had been hurled against some object
+and been wounded. There was a jagged cut in his forehead.
+
+He had hardly noticed this, when the _Sea Gypsy_ staggered back to an
+even keel. As she did so the water swept out of the cabin like a
+millrace, carrying both boys helplessly with it.
+
+Jack felt Raynor torn from his arms, and the next thing he realized he
+was struggling for his life in the waves that reared and roared above
+the floundering yacht.
+
+A month before the events we are describing took place, Jack Ready, the
+young wireless operator of the _Sea Gypsy_, and his inseparable chum,
+Billy Raynor, had been summoned to Mr. Jukes’ New York office and told
+that they were detached from duty on the big _Columbia_, the crack liner
+of the Jukes’ ships, and ordered to pack their things forthwith and meet
+the ship-owner at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco within a week.
+Neither had demurred, supposing some interest of the ship-owners called
+for their presence there. But, much to their bewilderment, they had each
+been handed a substantial check by Mr. Jukes on his arrival in the
+western metropolis, told to outfit themselves for a long voyage, and
+nothing more. Two days later the _Sea Gypsy_ cleared the harbor.
+
+The acquaintance of Jack and Mr. Jukes had its beginning in certain
+events which took place near Jack’s quaint home, which he shared with an
+eccentric uncle on an old schooner in the Erie Basin in New York. The
+rescue by Jack of Mr. Jukes’ little daughter, and the result on his
+affairs, were fully detailed in the first volume of this series, which
+was called “The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic.” This is not the
+place to re-tell all the exciting adventures that befell Jack and young
+Raynor, who was third engineer on the steamer to which Jack was
+assigned, in fulfillment of his ambition to be a “wireless man.”
+
+Nor can we do more here than to hint at the contents of the second
+volume. This was called “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner,”
+and set forth the fate of the _Tropic Queen_. In this book we found Jack
+and his inseparable chum steadily progressing in their chosen
+professions, and also met several other characters, all of whom had an
+important bearing on the events of the boys’ lives. Mr. Jukes took
+formal recognition of the part Jack played in the disaster that overtook
+the _Tropic Queen_, and inwardly resolved that his heroism and devotion
+to duty had made him a lad worth watching.
+
+Still a third volume followed, describing the boys’ further adventures.
+In the “Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol,” much interesting
+information about the manner in which the ocean lanes are guarded from
+the white menace of the north, was given. The boys shared in many
+thrilling adventures also, and ended by discovering something that an
+expedition, at the head of which was Jack’s Uncle Toby, had almost lost
+through the tricks of a band of hard characters.
+
+The fourth book setting forth their doings was called “The Ocean
+Wireless Boys and the Naval Code.” Captain Simms of the U. S. N., after
+devising a novel code for the use of this government, through the
+machinations of a band of daring rascals, found himself robbed of it.
+Wireless played a big part in the recovery of the documents in the long
+run, Jack acquitting himself to the delight of the naval officials and
+the government by his work in this connection. Some of the miscreants,
+whose tricks Jack had helped to frustrate, were sent to prison but
+others got free. These latter the boys, though they little suspected it,
+were destined to meet again.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER III.—A LONG NIGHT.
+
+
+Blinded, choked and with a red mist before his eyes, and in his ears the
+roar of waters, Jack fought the undertow of the retreat of the giant
+wave with all his strength. All at once he felt some heavy object hurled
+against him.
+
+The force of the collision almost knocked what little breath remained in
+his body out of his lungs. Instinctively he reached out for whatever it
+was that had struck him.
+
+It was a human body.
+
+The boy had hardly realized this before he found himself flung, panting
+and gasping, down upon the deck. Thanks to the stays of the foremost of
+the _Sea Gypsy’s_ two masts, against which the retreating wave had
+pitched him, he had not been drawn overboard. Instead, as the pressure
+of water relaxed, it had dropped him and the mute burden he had clasped,
+to the deck.
+
+For a few minutes Jack lay there panting, too much exhausted to exert a
+muscle or limb. The unconscious form hurtled against him by the swirling
+waters lay at his side. It was too dark for Jack to see then who it was,
+or if life remained in the motionless figure. By-and-by, as his strength
+came back, he got to his feet and dragged the limp form to a cabin. It
+proved to be the one which the great wave had swept from Jack so
+unceremoniously. Luckily, although the seas were thundering mountains
+high about the laboring yacht, none like that first terrific comber
+assailed her.
+
+Steadying himself on the rocking floor with much difficulty, Jack
+fumbled for the electric switch. He found it at last and let on a flood
+of light. The radiance shed itself on a pale face with a deeply slashed
+forehead that lay at the boy’s feet.
+
+“It’s Billy,” choked the boy. He got on his knees by Raynor’s
+unconscious form and gently raised his chum’s head. It fell back limply.
+A blood-chilling thought surged through Jack and he grew as white as the
+lad he held.
+
+He put his hand hastily over Raynor’s heart and a great wave of relief
+went through him. His chum’s heart was beating, although feebly. It was
+not too late to save him. It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across
+that bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor,
+but at last he managed to accomplish it, and deposited the injured young
+engineer in the bunk that occupied one side of the latter’s cabin. Then
+he washed and dressed the injury as best he could.
+
+“Now I’ll have to get help,” said the boy to himself. “The captain’s got
+a medicine chest and bandages, but we have no doctor. I’ll go and find
+the skipper.”
+
+[Illustration: It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across that
+bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor.]
+
+Out upon the dripping decks, over which a wave crest would every now and
+then curl, with a roar like that of a waterfall, Jack once more emerged.
+Clawing at hand-holds and desperately clinging on now and then when a
+wave threatened to tear loose his grip, he wormed his way forward. As he
+reached the bridge deck, he heard a thunderous roar forward, and the
+_Sea Gypsy_, as if she had been freed of a burden, made a sudden plunge
+skyward, with her bow pointing almost straight at the obscured heavens.
+
+“There goes the fore-deck load of coal,” thought Jack, as he made his
+way to where, in the lee of the pilot house some obscure figures stood
+huddled. Ten minutes later he and the gaunt form of Captain Sparhawk
+were bending over Raynor, as he lay white and still, in his bunk. With
+rough skill the captain dressed the wound.
+
+“It’s a wonder that Mr. Jukes wouldn’t have brought a doctor along,” he
+muttered. “He’s carrying a rapid-fire gun, so why not sawbones, too?”
+
+“Where is Mr. Jukes?” demanded Jack suddenly.
+
+“In his cabin, I guess. I haven’t seen him since this ocean tantrum
+broke out.”
+
+“The—the rapid-fire gun you spoke about?” asked Jack.
+
+The other looked at him in some confusion.
+
+“Confound my habit of talking to myself,” he exclaimed. “Did you hear
+that?”
+
+“I couldn’t help it,” apologised Jack. “Are we going to fight any one?”
+
+“You must ask Mr. Jukes that,” answered the captain, non-committally.
+“It’s up to him to tell what he wants to. All I know is that there is
+one on board. Maybe he brought it along to shoot clay pigeons with.
+Maybe not. I don’t know.”
+
+“Well,” he added, “I’ve got to get for’ard again. I guess our young
+ship-mate will do now. He had a nasty crack though. Both of you are
+lucky you’re not in Davy Jones’ locker.”
+
+All through the rest of that tempestuous night Jack sat by his chum,
+dozing off at times and then waking with a start to hear the uproar of
+the hurricane as they struggled through it. The dawn showed a troubled
+sea, leaping at the yacht as though to engulf her. The wind almost
+flattened Jack against the deck house as, Raynor having sunk into a deep
+sleep after an interval of consciousness, the young wireless man set out
+to see what chance there was for breakfast.
+
+The companionway to the dining saloon on the deck below was in the after
+part of the ship. As he was about to descend an unusually big wave
+lifted the _Sea Gypsy_ dizzily skyward, and then rushed her downward.
+There was a heave and a crash from the stern and Jack saw the after deck
+load of coal vanish like a black avalanche, to be swallowed up in the
+maw of the sea.
+
+“Worse, and more of it,” he muttered, as some of the crew who had
+narrowly escaped being overwhelmed, set up a shout; “this will be bad
+news to give poor old Billy.”
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER IV.—THE DERELICT.
+
+
+Two days later the hurricane had blown itself out. The storm-stressed
+crew were set to work putting things to rights and the yacht put on more
+of her normal appearance. But she had been sadly battered for all that.
+Two boats were stove in, ventilators smashed and stanchions bent and
+twisted by the fury of the waves.
+
+The flat, oily sea that succeeded the wild turmoil of the hurricane,
+heaved gently without a ripple as Jack and Raynor, the latter recovered
+but still wearing a bandage round his head, stood looking over the rail
+into the glassy waters.
+
+So transparent was the ocean that, under them, they could see great fish
+swimming about slowly and lazily, as if life held no hurry for them. Now
+and then a great shark glided by, nosing about the ship for scraps. His
+sharp, triangular dorsal fin stuck from his back like a blue steel knife
+cutting the surface and glistening like a thing of metal. About these
+great tigers of the deep, two smaller fish usually hovered. These were
+pilot fish, the strange sea-creatures that invariably accompany sharks,
+and are supposed by sailors to pilot them to their prey.
+
+Then there were queer-looking “gonies,” with their flat heads winging
+their way above the water and every now and then dropping, with a scream
+and a splash, in a group of a dozen to fight furiously over some
+drifting morsel. After these tussles they appeared to “run” over the
+water to give their heavy, awkward bodies a good start upward. Then,
+having attained a certain height, down they would flop again, like
+weights shooting through the air, hitting the water with a heavy splash
+and sliding, with a white wake behind them, for some feet.
+
+Schools of nautilus, too, gave them something to look at as the delicate
+little creatures, with their thin, membranous sails set, drifted by
+under the gentle breeze that hardly ruffled the water.
+
+“Doesn’t look much as if this ocean could ever have kicked up the
+ructions it did, eh, Billy?” remarked Jack, after a long silence.
+
+“It does not,” replied Raynor, with a rueful grin, “but I owe it this
+crack on the head.”
+
+“And the loss of that coal,” chimed in Jack. “No wonder you look glum,
+old fellow. We’ll never make port on what’s below.”
+
+“Not a chance of it,” was the rejoinder, “about all we can do is to use
+the sails if the worst comes to the worst.”
+
+“Well, as we don’t appear to have any port in view, and nothing to do
+but to keep on drifting about like another Flying Dutchman, I don’t see
+that it much matters where we fetch up,” commented Jack, with some
+irritation.
+
+It was at that instant that there came an interruption. The voice of the
+sea-man at the look-out forward broke the spell.
+
+“Steamer, ho!” he shouted.
+
+“Where away?” came a hoarse voice from the bridge, that of Mr. Jolliffe,
+the first officer.
+
+“Three p’ints on the starbo’d bow.”
+
+“Let’s go forward and have a look,” suggested Jack. “You’re not on watch
+for some time yet.”
+
+“I’m with you,” agreed Raynor. “Anything for variety’s sake. Wonder what
+ship it is?”
+
+“Too far off to make out yet,” said Jack, as, far off, they could just
+about see, by straining their eyes, a small dark speck on the distant
+horizon.
+
+“I don’t see any smoke,” said Raynor. “Perhaps it’s a sailing ship after
+all.”
+
+“We’ll know before long,” was Jack’s reply.
+
+During an interval in which the _Sea Gypsy_ drew steadily toward the
+craft that had, by this time, excited the attention of all on board, the
+boys saw Mr. Jukes emerge from his cabin and take his place on the
+bridge beside Captain Sparhawk. That bronzed mariner handed the
+millionaire his glasses and Mr. Jukes’ rather fat, pallid face took on
+an unwonted hue of excitement as he handed them back.
+
+The boys standing on the main deck just below the bridge heard the owner
+of the yacht putting sharp questions. He showed more animation than he
+had at any time during the voyage. The sight of the other craft appeared
+to affect him curiously.
+
+“She’s a schooner, Sparhawk.”
+
+“Undoubtedly, sir.”
+
+“But although she has her canvas set she is making no way.”
+
+“That appears to be correct. But there is little wind. Odd though that
+she doesn’t signal us.”
+
+Mr. Jukes snatched up the glasses again from the shelf where he had laid
+them down.
+
+“Blessed if I can make out a soul on board her, Sparhawk,” he exclaimed
+presently. “Here, try what you can do.”
+
+He handed the binoculars over to the master of the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain
+Sparhawk took a prolonged observation. When he, in turn, laid the
+glasses down his thin, mahogany-hued face bore a puzzled look.
+
+“It’s queer, sir, but I don’t seem to be able to make out a living soul
+either.”
+
+“A derelict, perhaps?”
+
+“Possibly,” assented the captain, and no more was said as, with all eyes
+fixed on the strange schooner, the _Sea Gypsy_ drew nearer. The boys
+could now make out every detail of the other craft. She was a
+trig-looking schooner, painted black, with a flush deck except for her
+after house and a small structure astern of the fore-mast. Her canvas
+was set but it flapped idly in the light breeze as she swung to and fro
+on the Pacific swells. No guiding hand could be seen at her wheel. Not a
+soul was visible on her deserted decks.
+
+There is no more melancholy sight than a sea derelict, the aimless prey
+of winds and currents, drifting sometimes for years over the trackless
+wastes of the ocean. The boys felt something of this as all doubt as to
+human occupancy of the schooner vanished.
+
+“Deserted, I reckon,” hazarded Jack. “Although her canvas appears
+perfect, her hull sound and——”
+
+He broke off sharply. From the abandoned ship there had suddenly come a
+sound which, under the circumstances, was particularly depressing and
+even startling.
+
+It was the measured tolling of a bell, like a funeral knell.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER V.—THE “CENTURION.”
+
+
+“Hark!” cried Raynor, as the two boys exchanged glances.
+
+“I have it,” exclaimed Jack the next instant. “That’s only the tolling
+of the ship’s bell as the schooner rolls on the sea.”
+
+“My, it gave me a jump though,” admitted Raynor. “Hullo, they are
+slowing down. Must be going to board her.”
+
+“Evidently,” agreed Jack, as the _Sea Gypsy’s_ propeller revolved more
+and more slowly.
+
+Captain Sparhawk descended from the bridge. The ponderous form of Mr.
+Jukes followed him. The millionaire’s face bore a look of strange
+excitement.
+
+“Of course that can’t be the schooner,” the boys heard him say to the
+captain, “but still I can’t pass it unsearched.”
+
+His eye fell on the boys.
+
+“Lads, we are going to board that schooner and try to find out something
+about her,” he said. “Do you want to go along?”
+
+These were the first words the boys had had with their employer in some
+days. Of course both jumped at the chance, and before many minutes
+passed, one of the yacht’s remaining boats was being sent over the sea
+at a fast clip toward the derelict. Close inspection showed the
+schooner’s condition not to be as good as it had seemed at a distance.
+Her paint was blistered and the oakum calking was spewing out of her
+sun-dried seams like Spanish moss on an aged tree. Her sails were
+mildewed and torn in many places and her ropes bleached and frayed.
+Mingling now with the incessant, melancholy tolling of the bell, came
+the monotonous creak of her booms and gaffs as they swung rhythmically
+to and fro.
+
+No name appeared on her bow, although blurred tracings of white paint
+showed that one had once been inscribed there. But there was a
+yellow-painted figurehead; a stern, Roman-nosed bust of a man,
+apparently intended for an emperor or a warrior.
+
+“We’ll row round the stern and take a look at her name,” decided Captain
+Sparhawk. “We’ll have to climb aboard from the other side anyway. There
+is no means of scrambling up from this.”
+
+The boat was turned and rowed under the graceful stern of the derelict.
+On it, in bold, raised letters, surrounded by a fanciful design, stood
+out, in fading colors, the lost craft’s name.
+
+“_Centurion_, San Francisco,” read out Jack, with an odd thrill. There
+was a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes, who had not yet been able to
+make out more than the first few letters.
+
+“What’s that?” he exclaimed, in a voice so sharp and tense that the boys
+turned and stared at him, as did the boat’s crew and Captain Sparhawk.
+
+Jack repeated his answer and, to his astonishment, Mr. Jukes, the
+iron-jawed, self-possessed business man, who had never shown signs of
+possessing any more emotion than a stone, suddenly sunk his head in his
+hands with a groan.
+
+“Too late after all,” they heard him mutter unsteadily. But when he
+again raised his face, although it was ashy pale, he appeared to have
+mastered himself.
+
+“Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey, Sparhawk,” he remarked in a
+voice that he rendered steady by an apparent effort. “Let us go on
+board, however, and see if we can find some trace of the unfortunates of
+the _Centurion_.”
+
+The captain looked as if he would have liked to ask a great many
+questions, but something in Mr. Jukes’ face rendered him silent. He gave
+the necessary orders and the boat was pulled round to the other side of
+the schooner. Here they were glad to find some dilapidated ropes
+dangling which afforded a means of getting on board. Two sailors, after
+first testing their weight-bearing qualities, scrambled up them like
+monkeys, and, under the captain’s orders, went hunting for a Jacob’s
+ladder which would support Mr. Jukes’ ponderous weight. One was found
+and lowered, and soon all stood on the silent decks which for so long
+had not echoed the footsteps of a human being.
+
+“Away forward and muzzle that bell, some of you,” ordered the captain
+briskly. “The sound of the thing gets on my nerves.”
+
+“Send them all forward,” supplemented Mr. Jukes. “Tell them to search
+the forecastle, anything to keep them busy. We will examine the cabins
+and officers’ quarters.”
+
+“Are we to accompany you, sir?” asked Jack hesitatingly.
+
+For a fraction of a second the millionaire seemed plunged in thought.
+Then he arrived at one of his characteristic quick decisions.
+
+“Why not?” he asked, half to himself it seemed. “Later I shall have
+something to say to all of you. You have wondered at the object of this
+cruise, no doubt?”
+
+Captain Sparhawk nodded gravely.
+
+“I have guessed you had some great end to serve in it, Mr. Jukes,” he
+said.
+
+“An end which has now been reached, I fear,” said the millionaire
+solemnly. “But come, let us proceed with our examination.”
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER VI.—A MYSTERY OF THE SEAS.
+
+
+At first glance Jack saw that the main cabin of the _Centurion_ was
+fitted up with a luxuriousness not common to mere trading schooners. A
+silver hanging lamp of elaborate design, silk curtains at the stern
+ports, book-cases filled with handsomely bound volumes and the thick
+carpets on the floor, clearly indicated that whoever had occupied it had
+been above the class of the rough and ready South Sea trader.
+
+In one corner stood a desk as handsome in its appointments as the rest
+of the furniture. But it had been roughly dealt with. The front had been
+smashed in, drawers pulled out and papers and documents scattered about
+all over the cabin floor. The door to a sleeping cabin leading off the
+main apartment was open. Within was the same disorder. Even mattresses
+had been ripped open in a hunt for something, the nature of which the
+boys could not guess.
+
+Mr. Jukes hastily rummaged through the contents of the desk, selecting
+some papers, casting aside others as worthless, and gathered up on his
+hands and knees those on the floor. Then every cabin was searched and in
+each the millionaire took a few papers, but the look of anxiety on his
+face did not change, and the boys judged he had not found what he was in
+search of.
+
+“Not a solitary clue,” he exclaimed with a heavy sigh as, dust-covered
+and perspiring from his exertions, he sank down at the long dining table
+in the main cabin. For a time he appeared lost in thought and the others
+stood about silently. To Jack it was almost awe-inspiring, to see this
+over-mastering man of affairs, who bullied whole corporations into his
+way of thinking, sitting there in the cabin of the derelict schooner
+utterly at a loss, and apparently defeated. At length Mr. Jukes spoke.
+His first words were a surprise:
+
+“I suppose you all have heard of my brother, Jerushah Jukes?” he asked.
+
+“The traveler and explorer?” asked Captain Sparhawk. “I guess every one
+in America knows of him, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+Paying no attention to the captain’s reply, the millionaire went on.
+
+“The papers reported some months ago that he had set out for Central
+Africa.”
+
+“I read the account,” said Jack, “but——”
+
+Mr. Jukes waved his hand. The boy fell into an abashed silence; in a
+second the millionaire had changed once more from a crushed, defeated
+human being into Jacob Jukes, millionaire and king of commerce.
+
+“He did not go to Africa,” he said. “Instead, his destination was the
+South Pacific. He chartered this schooner, the _Centurion_, and the last
+I heard of him was when he set sail from San Francisco. If no news of
+him was received within a certain time I promised him to come in search
+of him. You see,” he added with a simplicity new from him, “he was my
+younger brother and I promised my mother on her death-bed always to look
+after him.”
+
+There was a pause. In the silence of the long-deserted cabin they could
+hear the dismal creak of the neglected rudder and the bang-banging of
+the swinging spars above.
+
+“We were poor then, miserably poor, and my mother never lived to see the
+rise of our fortunes, for as I advanced in business I helped my brother
+up, too. But his bent was not for finance. He had a streak of the
+adventurous in him. But I put it to paying purpose. I seldom lose on any
+venture.” Unconsciously as it seemed, the hard vein in Jacob Jukes had
+cropped out again. “I decided to put my brother on a paying basis. The
+results were good. Concessions in South America, gold mines in Alaska,
+and certain South African enterprises were put through, largely through
+his instrumentality.
+
+“And now, to get down to the present time. The _Centurion_ was chartered
+to obtain for Mrs. Jukes, who has a craze for expensive and rare
+jewelry, the ‘Tear of the Sea,’ the most famous pearl of the South Seas.
+I had obtained information of its whereabouts in the Pomoutou
+Archipelago through means which are not important to relate here. I
+thought that an expedition to purchase the ‘Tear of the Sea’ and,
+incidentally, other pearls, would be a good investment and keep my
+brother, who was getting restless, in occupation.
+
+“In the meantime, however, a dishonest employee managed to get wind of
+what was about to take place and furnished the information to a firm of
+European jewelers with agents in New York and all over the world. From
+that moment, I rushed through the _Centurion’s_ expedition with all
+possible speed, for I knew the conditions of competition in the Pacific.
+There is little more law among pearl traders than there is north of
+fifty-three. My brother knew this as well as I did and realised the
+necessity for haste. Moreover, we knew that the European firm was
+anxious to obtain, for a royal customer, the very pearl that I was
+after. In addition, this firm was known as one of the most unscrupulous
+in gaining its ends, and maintained, in the South Pacific, a system of
+spies and bullies which brought most of the pearl hunters’ prizes into
+their hands. Ugly stories have been told of their methods of gaining
+their ends—and—and I am afraid the fate of the _Centurion_ will have
+to be added to the black list.”
+
+“There is nothing in the papers to show what happened to your brother,
+sir?” asked Captain Sparhawk presently.
+
+“Nothing. They are merely formal documents, ship’s papers, clearance
+bills and so forth. There is no memorandum relating to the pearl in any
+way.”
+
+Captain Sparhawk knitted his brows. For a minute he appeared lost in
+deep thought.
+
+“Do you mind telling us the name of that firm, sir?” he asked at last.
+
+“There is nothing we can prove against them,” said the millionaire.
+“They work without their hands showing in any of their ugly
+transactions. Their name, however, is F—— & Freres.”
+
+“Of Amsterdam?” queried the captain.
+
+“The same. They have practically a monopoly of the pearl trade of
+Europe.”
+
+“I know that, sir,” said the captain, clenching his hands. “They tried
+to work their tricks on a ship-mate of mine who went a-pearl trading.
+But, sir, to change the subject, did you ever hear of ‘Bully’ Broom?”
+
+The millionaire shook his head.
+
+“I have; and have good cause to remember him,” said the captain. “But
+none of that at this time. Sir,” he continued earnestly, “your brother
+may be as safe and sound as we are. He may have the pearl. But if
+neither of these things have happened, Bully Broom is the man to look
+for if we have to hunt him all over the Pacific. I’ve sailed these seas
+and know that ‘Bully’ Broom did F—— & Co.’s dirty work for them. He
+calls himself a trader, but, like lots of others doing business under
+that name in these waters, ‘Pirate’ would be a sight better name for
+him.”
+
+“And you think that this man ‘Bully’ Broom, as you call him, has
+something to do with this mysterious disappearance of my brother?” asked
+Mr. Jukes, who had listened with deep attention, willing to hear of any
+clue, however slight.
+
+“I ain’t dead sure,” said the captain, “but it’s my impression that if
+the firm you spoke of was after this ‘Tear of the Sea,’ then ‘Bully’
+Broom knows where Jerushah Jukes is,” and he brought his lean, gnarled
+fist down with a thump on the table.
+
+The old ginger came back into Mr. Jukes’ eyes, the wonted crisp
+authority into his voice as he snapped out:
+
+“That being the case, we’ll find ‘Bully’ Broom.”
+
+“No matter where we have to go?” asked Captain Sparhawk, raising his
+eyebrows.
+
+“We’ll scour the whole Pacific if necessary. But nobody of the _Sea
+Gypsy’s_ crew need accompany her against his will. All I ask is that
+they remain till we can touch at some civilised port, such as Papeiti or
+Honolulu and ship a man in his place. Do you boys wish to stick?”
+
+“To the finish,” came from Jack, and Raynor, standing beside him, nodded
+his assent.
+
+As for Captain Sparhawk, he simply reached out one of his brown hands
+toward the millionaire, who clasped it, and said:
+
+“I’m with you till the bottom drops out of the ship.”
+
+“Thank you, Sparhawk. It’s what I expected of you all,” said Mr. Jukes
+quietly, but his voice shook.
+
+Thus, in the desolated cabin of the derelict _Centurion_, there was
+ratified a bargain that was to lead the boys into strange seas and
+stranger adventures.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER VII.—AN OLD ENEMY ODDLY MET.
+
+
+The lads stood on the stern deck of the _Sea Gypsy_, gazing behind them.
+On the horizon hovered a tall, black column of smoke. It marked the last
+resting place of the _Centurion_, for Mr. Jukes, after ransacking the
+cabin of everything associated with his brother, had decided to burn the
+derelict, which, if she had drifted into the paths of navigation, might
+have proved a dangerous menace.
+
+“Well, Billy, the mystery is solved at last,” said Jack.
+
+“Yes, and in a way I’d never have guessed in a thousand years. Mr. Jukes
+must be very fond of his brother. It’s a new side of his character to
+me.”
+
+“Same here,” agreed Jack. “While he has always been just and kind, I
+thought him a regular man of business, with ice-water instead of red
+blood in his veins, and his heart in his enterprises only.”
+
+“Just goes to show that you are liable to run up against a streak of
+sentiment when you least expect it,” said Raynor.
+
+“I see now why an embargo was put on the wireless,” said Jack presently.
+
+“I can’t figure it out. I should have thought he would have used it to
+try and locate the _Centurion_.”
+
+“I guess he figured that if he did so, some ship might pick up the
+message and it would reach the ears of that Amsterdam firm and they
+would find out about this expedition in search of Jerushah Jukes.”
+
+“Perhaps that’s it. But there’s one thing sure and certain, Jack.”
+
+“And that is——?”
+
+“That we can’t do much without coal.”
+
+“Jove, that’s true; I’d forgotten that. What rotten luck! Where is the
+nearest coaling place?”
+
+“Papeiti, in Tahiti, I reckon.”
+
+“How close are we to that port now?”
+
+“Well, to-day’s reckoning puts us in Latitude 29 degrees, 49 minutes.”
+
+“I’ll have to look at the map, but that makes it quite a run.” The
+second mate came bustling up to Raynor.
+
+“The skipper and Mr. Jukes want to see you in the captain’s cabin,” he
+said.
+
+“Do you know what about?” asked Raynor.
+
+“Coal, I think. How much have you got to keep those old tea-kettles of
+yours chugging?”
+
+“Precious little since your gang on deck let that deck-load be washed
+overboard,” grinned Raynor, as he hurried off.
+
+The consultation lasted a long time. But at length Raynor returned with
+the news that, for as long as possible, full speed was to be made with
+the coal in hand, and that then canvas would be spread, for the _Sea
+Gypsy_ was schooner rigged and in addition carried a big square sail on
+her foremast.
+
+For two days good time was made, but when Raynor, with a rueful face,
+announced that only a few shovelfuls more coal remained in the bunkers,
+they were still many weary sea-miles from their destination. However,
+sailors are proverbially inclined to make the best of things. The _Sea
+Gypsy’s_ canvas was bent, and under a spanking breeze they glided, at a
+fair speed, over the sparkling waters, while in the engine room the
+fires were drawn and the engines grew cold.
+
+But a steam vessel, while she will behave fairly well under canvas, is
+not designed for sail and makes an astonishing amount of what sailors
+call “lee-way,” that is, the wind, if it blows a’beam, constantly drives
+her side-ways, or crab-fashion, of a direct course, so that for every
+mile she makes in a forward direction a considerable amount of lee-way
+has to be deducted. For this reason all hands looked forward to a long
+and tedious voyage before the highlands of Tahiti were sighted.
+
+Now that there was no doubt as to the fate of the _Centurion_, and no
+danger of her being captured, the _Sea Gypsy’s_ wireless was set to work
+again. But they were traveling a lonely tract of the Pacific, and no
+answer came to Jack’s messages, nor did he “listen in” on any outside
+conversations.
+
+Captain Sparhawk was in hopes of encountering an English, French or
+German cruiser, for all those nations keep war craft in these Pacific
+waters to watch out for pearl pirates and other law-breakers, but the
+wireless failed to pick any up, although Jack worked it assiduously.
+
+For two days the favoring breeze that was helping the crippled _Sea
+Gypsy_ along held. Then there fell a flat calm, and the glass began to
+drop ominously. Captain Sparhawk went about with a grave face. Jack
+gathered from a few remarks the reserved seaman had let fall, that he
+expected another hurricane. Situated as she was, the _Sea Gypsy’s_
+predicament would be a serious one if such a tornado as the one she had
+safely weathered were to strike her now. The sailors stood about in
+little knots discussing the situation and casting anxious glances at the
+horizon. Mr. Jukes and the captain and officers spent long hours on the
+bridge in careful consultation.
+
+Before the sun set, the question as to whether or no the _Sea Gypsy_ was
+in for a second fight with the elements was definitely settled. Thunder
+and lightning deafened and blinded the voyagers. Rain descended as only
+tropical rain can, flooding the decks and blinding the look-outs and the
+officers on the bridge. The _Sea Gypsy’s_ canvas was reduced, only
+enough being kept on to keep her from literally rolling her hull under
+the towering water mountains.
+
+The crew clawed their way about the decks by holding fast to life-lines
+which Captain Sparhawk had ordered stretched when the storm broke.
+Raynor, coming on deck to report that all was well below, met Jack on
+his way back to the lower regions of the ship.
+
+“Well, old fellow, this is a corker and no mistake,” he observed,
+raising his voice in order to make it audible above the frantic battle
+noises of the storm.
+
+“It’s the worst yet,” Jack agreed.
+
+“And it will be worse than ever before it gets better, according to the
+way Captain Sparhawk put it when I reported to him,” said the young
+engineer.
+
+“Hullo, what’s that?” exclaimed Jack suddenly.
+
+“We hit something,” shouted Raynor. “Look at the watch running forward.”
+
+“Storm or no storm, I’m going forward to see what’s up,” ejaculated
+Jack, and, followed by Raynor, he hurried toward the bow where several
+of the oil-skin coated crew were already clustered.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER VIII.—“LAND, HO!”
+
+
+It was a fight every inch of the way, but at last they reached the bow
+and found the sailors bending over the recumbent form of a youth.
+
+“What has happened? What did we strike?” asked Jack of one of the
+sailors.
+
+“Struck a small boat,” was the reply. “How it ever lived in this sea is
+a wonder. This fellow was in it.”
+
+“Is he all right?”
+
+“No; about half dead,” rejoined the third mate. “Carry him aft, men, and
+put him in one of the spare cabins. With care he may pull through. I’m
+going to notify the captain,” and he hurried off.
+
+Several men picked up the form of the rescued one. Jack suddenly saw his
+face, pale as death, with his wet hair hanging over his forehead.
+
+“Great guns, Billy!” he gasped.
+
+“What is it? What’s the matter? Do you know him?” queried Raynor.
+
+“Know him? I should say so. So do you. It’s Harvey Thurman.”
+
+“Impossible.”
+
+“Not at all. Take a look at him yourself.”
+
+“By George, you are right. What a strange happening,” declared Raynor,
+after taking one glance at the youth the crew were bearing off.
+
+“What in the world can he be doing in this part of the ocean in a small
+boat?” wondered Jack.
+
+“I’ve no idea. We’ll have to wait till he comes to, if he ever does. I
+remember hearing now that he had got a job on a Pacific steamer. Perhaps
+it had been wrecked and he was a castaway.”
+
+“Possibly,” agreed Jack. “I’m glad we saved him, although he has made a
+lot of trouble for us in the past.”
+
+As readers of “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code” will recall,
+it was Harvey Thurman who was assistant wireless man on the _Columbia_
+and whose dislike of Jack and Billy resulted in his joining their
+enemies in an effort to discredit them. After the stolen code was
+recovered, Thurman was not, like the rest engaged in the rascally
+business, sent to prison, but was allowed to go free at the boys’
+behest, as they believed he had been badly influenced more than anything
+else.
+
+“So you know him?” said Captain Sparhawk, as they all stood in the cabin
+to which Thurman had been taken and restoratives were administered to
+the unfortunate youth.
+
+“Indeed we do,” said both boys, and they told the captain something of
+their experiences.
+
+“He is not a desirable character then?” said the captain.
+
+“I wouldn’t say that,” said Jack. “We thought he was influenced by bad
+companions. But at any rate he had no liking for us. Is he going to get
+better?”
+
+“I think so. See, he is opening his eyes.”
+
+Thurman’s face, under the influence of the restoratives, had become
+suffused by a faint flush of color. He looked wildly about him. As his
+gaze rested first on Jack and then on Raynor he looked like a sleeper
+newly awakened from a night-mare.
+
+“Gracious, am I dreaming?” he gasped.
+
+“No, my lad,” said the captain, “but you had a close call from going
+into a sleep from which you never would have awakened.”
+
+“But Ready and Raynor! What are they doing here?”
+
+“Oh, we’re solid enough. Nothing ghostly about us,” Jack assured him,
+extending his hand. “Congratulations on your narrow escape from death,
+and—and we’ll let bygones be bygones.”
+
+“I never meant to be really bad,” said Thurman weakly.
+
+“Say no more about it,” advised Billy. “But tell us how you came to be
+adrift in such a fearful storm in that dinky little boat.”
+
+“Better let him eat some soup first,” said the captain, taking a
+steaming bowl from the steward, from whom he had ordered it for the
+relief of the castaway, “he’s half starved.”
+
+The way in which Thurman gulped down the grateful food showed that this
+statement was no exaggeration.
+
+“That’s the first food I’ve had in two days,” he declared. “You see,
+when the _Galilee_, that was the schooner I was on board of, sank in the
+storm some days ago, I escaped in the boat. We launched two altogether,
+but I guess the other one was lost.”
+
+“Begin at the beginning,” suggested Jack.
+
+“All right then. It was this way, Ready: After my—er—my little trouble
+with you I came west. I got a job as assistant wireless man at a lonely
+station on one of the Caroline Islands. But I couldn’t stand the life
+and resigned. No regular steamers touch there, so I got passage on the
+_Galilee_, a little trading schooner for Papeiti. She sprang a leak and
+sank, and there was only a loaf of bread and a few cans of meat in the
+boat when I shoved off from the sinking hulk. It was all I had time to
+put in. What happened after that till you bumped into me and saved me is
+like a bad dream. I guess I was crazy most of the time. I never expected
+to be saved, and—and I guess it has been a good lesson to me.”
+
+“If it has made you resolve to reform, it will not have been wasted,”
+said Jack. And he then told Thurman something about themselves. Captain
+Sparhawk promised that as soon as Thurman was stronger he would find a
+job for him, for the boys’ old enemy was penniless, having left his
+wallet behind him in his haste at fleeing from the sinking schooner.
+
+All that night the tempest raged with unabated fury. At times it seemed
+as if the yacht must go to pieces, so sadly was she wrenched and
+buffeted by the giant combers. There was little sleep for any on board
+that night and the day broke wildly on a worried, harried-looking crew.
+Shortly before noon the foresail tore away from the bolt ropes, and
+split with a noise like the explosion of a cannon. This accident was
+almost immediately followed by a shout from the lookout.
+
+“Land, ho!”
+
+This cry, ordinarily one hailed with delight by sailors, was not thus
+received on the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain Sparhawk had been unable to get an
+observation during the days of storm, and what with this, and the heavy
+lee drift made by the yacht, he had no idea of his whereabouts.
+
+At the shout all hands clambered to points of vantage to see what
+islands they could be approaching. As the _Sea Gypsy_ rose dizzily on
+the top of a great wave Jack saw, with a flash of alarm, that they were
+headed straight for a large island dotted with tropical verdure and
+tall, wind-bent palms about which rocks bristled menacingly like hungry
+fangs awaiting to penetrate the _Sea Gypsy’s_ stout hull.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER IX.—THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.
+
+
+Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk navigated the _Sea Gypsy_
+among the rocks with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a shout of
+dismay went up from the sailors as the yacht almost grazed some huge
+black rock or scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated with
+safety, and finally the sea-battered yacht lay snug and safe in the lee
+of the island and all hands drew a long breath of relief.
+
+“Let go the anchor,” came the command, and the cable roared out of the
+hawser holes with a savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship’s delivery.
+
+“Where under the sun are we?” asked Mr. Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as
+soon as these maneuvers had been completed.
+
+“I have no more idea than you, sir,” was the reply. “But it looks to me
+as if this island must be one of the Pamatous.”
+
+“One of the pearl islands?” asked the millionaire.
+
+“The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands are sown pretty thickly in
+this part of the Pacific.”
+
+“Are the Pamatou people cannibals?” asked Jack.
+
+“I don’t think so,” said the captain, “but before I send a boat ashore I
+am going to deal out arms to the landing party. We want to run no risks.
+I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these savages are great
+thieves and they might see a chance for some piratical tricks in our
+dilemma.”
+
+“The machine gun will come in handy then,” said Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Yes, indeed, sir. I’ll give orders to have it mounted at once in a
+conspicuous place so if any of the gentry ashore have any rascally
+designs they can see we’re ready for them with a dose of cold lead.”
+
+Jack, after some difficulty, secured permission for himself and Raynor
+to go ashore with the landing party. Mr. Jukes, who remained on board,
+was unwilling that they take the risk of a hostile attack, but at last
+he yielded, and the boys, in high glee, buckled on cartridge belts and
+selected rifles from the ship’s armory.
+
+“Keep the rifles in the bottom of the boat,” ordered the captain, as
+they shoved off, “and don’t use them unless you absolutely have to.”
+
+Although the place where they lay was sheltered, the storm was still
+howling and shrieking above the island and the sea ran rather high. The
+inclement weather, no doubt, explained why no natives had so far been
+seen.
+
+A landing was successfully made in the surf, the men leaping from the
+boat and dragging her ashore, waist-deep in water. Dense foliage, among
+which could be seen the huge fronds of the banana, and broad-leaved
+breadfruit trees grew almost down to the dazzlingly white beach. Further
+back great palms, laden with cocoanuts, towered majestically above the
+tropic growth.
+
+“There seems to be no sign of a village here,” said the captain.
+
+“Perhaps it is on the other side of the island,” suggested Jack.
+
+“Well, we’ll tramp along the beach and see what we can find,” decided
+the man in command of the “expedition.”
+
+Four men were told off to guard the boat, with orders to fire three
+shots if anything out of the way occurred. The party in search of the
+village was to signal in the same way if anything untoward happened and
+they needed help.
+
+“Shall we carry the rifles?” asked Jack.
+
+“Yes; but try to conceal them as much as possible,” counseled the
+captain.
+
+They set off along the beach, walking briskly, for the sand was firm and
+hard. Looking back at the anchored yacht, they could see the glitter of
+the machine-gun with a man stationed beside it. The gun was trained on
+the shore ready for instant use against any possible attack. After
+traversing a short distance they came in sight of what appeared to be a
+pathway. The condition of it showed that it was much traveled and
+probably it formed the high road to the village.
+
+Captain Sparhawk decided to follow it. In single file the adventurers
+advanced along the track which wound in and out, dodging trees and rocks
+in a manner peculiar to most savage trails whose makers would rather go
+round an obstacle than clear it out of the way. There was a gloomy sky
+overhead and the wind boomed dolefully among the palms, making a noise
+like sheets of rain falling as their big fan-like leaves rustled and
+scraped against each other.
+
+A hundred rods or so from the coast they found themselves in a ravine
+which towered up steeply on each side of the track. This canyon appeared
+to penetrate the centre of the island, the interior of which was hilly.
+
+“I guess the village, if there is one, must be clear round the other
+side of the island,” said Billy Raynor, between bites at a banana he had
+picked from a bush at the side of the trail. Others of the party were
+munching on oranges and a fruit the captain called a “custard apple,”
+the latter a large, brown-colored “apple,” filled with a yellow paste
+that looked and tasted like custard.
+
+“There’s one thing certain, the high cost of living need never worry
+these fellows,” remarked Jack.
+
+“Not if they’re content to be vegetarians,” said Billy.
+
+“They don’t need to be that,” said the captain, “the seas hereabouts
+teem with fish—and look there!”
+
+There was a rush and a clatter of falling stones just ahead of them as a
+flock of goats, half-wild creatures, with wonderfully agile legs, leaped
+up the sides of the canyon and then, at a safe height, stood gazing down
+at the invaders of the island.
+
+“These South Sea islanders prefer goat’s meat to anything except pork,”
+said the captain; “in fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment to
+human flesh of calling it 'long pig.’”
+
+This mention of cannibalism made the boys feel rather uncomfortable.
+Although the captain reassured them and they knew that the horrible
+practice of eating human flesh had all but died out in the South Seas,
+except in some remote islands, they did not know but the one they were
+exploring might prove to be one of the latter. It was just as their
+minds were busy with these disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp
+exclamation and came to a halt.
+
+The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly in front of the lad who
+was in advance of the party.
+
+Between the green leaves a hideous face, daubed with red and white
+paint, suddenly glared out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER X.—CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.
+
+
+So quickly had this happened that none of the others had seen it. But
+Jack quickly apprised them of his discovery.
+
+“If the man’s face was painted, would that mean he was on the war-path?”
+asked Billy rather nervously.
+
+“Not necessarily,” rejoined the captain, “but still, he might be
+hostile. On feast days the natives paint themselves up and that may have
+been the reason for his decorations.”
+
+“Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a clock or scare a locomotive off
+the track,” exclaimed Jack.
+
+“The village must be near at hand,” said the captain presently. “Let us
+press on.”
+
+They had reached the end of the ravine now, having crossed almost the
+entire island. The path widened and others branched off from it. But
+they stuck to the main thoroughfare and in a few moments came in sight
+of a native village lying not far back from the shore and amidst a grove
+of magnificent palms.
+
+The rhythmical throbbing of tom-toms reached their ears and they could
+see natives dancing in their peculiar swaying manner to the sound of the
+skin drums. Suddenly the dancing ceased. The natives in a swarm, among
+them the man with the painted face, descended on the travelers. Many
+wore flowers in their hair and others added to these decorations by
+brass rings in their noses and ear-rings composed of old china door
+knobs. The men were remarkably handsome and the women pretty.
+
+After the first uncertainty as to their reception, there was no doubt of
+their friendliness as they pressed about. Several of them could talk
+English and the captain soon learned that they were indeed on one of the
+Pamatou group, as he had surmised. The village, which was celebrating a
+feast day, was one of two on the island occupied by pearl fishers. The
+natives were civilized; schooners and ships frequently touching there.
+To the south of them they said were “bad men,” meaning cannibals, and
+the boys were glad they had not landed on one of them.
+
+Nothing would do but that the white men must sit down and partake of the
+feast which was just ready. The boys stuffed themselves with roast pork,
+goat-meat, sweet potatoes, yams, roasted bread-fruit, fish and fruit.
+They washed this down with cocoanut milk. During the meal, a young
+Pamatouan attached himself to each of the boys. Each of these lads was
+about sixteen and wore, like most of the rest, a single white garment,
+although some of the natives sported trousers, and a few even had
+shoes—which they carried in their hands!
+
+The two lads, who had thrust their services on Jack and Billy, informed
+them that they were their friends and would be so all the time the _Sea
+Gypsy_ lay at the island. They waited on the amused boys hand and foot,
+not letting them do anything. Jack’s acquisition was called Bolabola;
+Billy’s savage servitor was called, so he said, Anai. Each could speak a
+little English and they informed the boys that they were “their friends
+for always.” From the captain the lads learned that this is a common
+custom among the islanders who value the friendship of a white man
+highly, and think it an honor and a credit to wait on him. He suggested
+giving them some little presents. Jack presented Bolabola with a
+pocket-knife and Billy gave Anai a fountain pen, having nothing else
+with him. Anai promptly stuck the pen through a big hole bored in the
+lobe of his ear and capered about delighted with his new ornament.
+
+When it came time to go back to the ship, the friendly natives could not
+hear of the adventurers trudging back on foot. A great war canoe was
+launched and paddled by fifty strapping natives, singing musically, and
+so they were paddled round the island in state. On their arrival at the
+ship, the boat which had been left under guard was signalled to return,
+and presents of calico, straw hats, cheap cutlery and glass beads and
+fish-hooks and lines,—the latter highly prized,—were dealt out from
+the yacht’s stores. The natives swarmed all over the ship and it was
+hard to induce them to leave at all. As for Bolabola and Anai, they
+refused to go till they had extracted promises from their “friends,”
+Jack and Billy, to visit them ashore and visit a pearl cave they knew of
+along the coast.
+
+This exactly suited the boys, and their delight, when Mr. Jukes decided
+to stay at the island for some days, was unbounded. The reason for the
+decision to remain there was arrived at after the millionaire had held a
+consultation with Captain Sparhawk. Tahiti was not far off, and that
+night Jack was ordered to raise the wireless station on the French
+island and find out if a small vessel could not be despatched at once
+with coal to replenish the _Sea Gypsy’s_ exhausted bunkers.
+
+The next morning Jack had the satisfaction of informing Mr. Jukes that
+the details had been arranged and that a small tramp steamer might be
+expected to come to their relief in a few days. The expense was
+considerable, but this did not appear to bother Mr. Jukes, who chafed at
+the delay in his search for the survivors, if any there were, of the
+_Centurion_.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XI.—THE CAVE OF THE PEARLS.
+
+
+Two days later, following the arrival at the island of the coal ship—a
+small, rusty tramp steamer—the boys set out for the village to meet
+their friends, who had swum out to the ship almost daily, despite the
+sharks, to see the white youths. As they left the yacht they saw
+Thurman, who had been put to work in the crew, laboring with the other
+blackened “hands” at getting the fuel on board.
+
+“He doesn’t look as if he liked his job much,” said Jack.
+
+“He ought to be glad he’s alive,” supplemented Billy Raynor. “I wonder
+if he has really mended his ways or if it was just the effect of his
+scare that made him promise to reform.”
+
+“Impossible to say,” replied Jack, “but time will show, I guess.”
+
+The boys found their friends on the beach with a long, cranky-looking
+canoe, paddled with wonderfully carved paddles. In the canoe were
+bananas, roast pork and other delicacies; also several empty cocoanut
+shells.
+
+“What are those for?” asked Jack, looking at the latter.
+
+“We put um pearl in them if so be we get any,” grinned Anai.
+
+“Do you really think we’ll get any?” asked Billy.
+
+“No can say. Think cave good place. You ready?”
+
+“Whenever you are,” said Jack, taking his place in the canoe, while
+Billy followed his example. The two native lads shoved off and sprang on
+board with wonderful agility, driving the canoe through the surf and up
+onto the summit of a huge wave, where it hung poised for an instant like
+a bird. The next moment they had shot with powerful strokes through the
+rollers and were out beyond the danger line of the surf.
+
+They passed through a noisy fleet of fishers, all of whom greeted them,
+and then the canoe was headed for a green headland some distance down
+the coast. The sun glowed fiercely overhead, the surf boomed unceasingly
+on the beach and the reef beyond, the water hissed along the sides of
+the canoe as the two athletic young natives urged forward amid shouts.
+
+Looking over the side, Jack could see the coral bottom as clearly as if
+an inch instead of many feet of water separated it from the frail canoe.
+It was almost as if they were floating in the air. Fish of brilliant
+colors darted about and once a dark, sinister shade appeared beneath the
+canoe. The Kanaka boys shouted and beat the water with their paddles.
+The dark shadow melted away.
+
+“Him very bad shark,” said Anai. “White men call him tiger shark. Worst
+kind of all shark.”
+
+“I’d hate to bathe around here,” observed Jack.
+
+“Oh, him all right, most generally scare him away, kick, splash, makee
+big noise, he go 'way.”
+
+“Yes, but suppose he refused to be scared,” objected Billy.
+
+“Then maybe he takee off leg, arm, maybe swallow you all up.”
+
+The long, curved point soon hid the fishers in front of the village from
+view. Rounding it, they found themselves skimming along a coast of
+surpassing beauty. Steep, majestic cliffs arose from the clear water and
+long green creepers from the forest above trailed over them.
+
+At last the prow of the canoe was turned and the boys saw that the
+furious paddlers were heading at top speed for the cliffs.
+
+“Hey, stop that, you’ll smash the canoe!” cried Jack, as, without any
+diminution of speed, the canoe was urged with wild shouts from the
+paddlers right at the rocky escarpment.
+
+“They’ve gone crazy,” exclaimed Billy, “they——”
+
+He did not conclude what he was going to say. Instead, he set up a cry
+of alarm as the prow of the canoe was hurled at the cliff at a spot
+where a regular curtain of lianas and other forest trailers depended
+from above.
+
+Swish, whoosh, went the canoe, as it shot through the parasites and
+creepers. The boys instinctively ducked their heads. Instead of being
+dashed to destruction against the cliff, the frail craft had been guided
+into this singular cave, one of many along the coast, through the
+greenery portal. Both the Kanaka boys set up a shout of laughter at the
+expense of Jack and Billy, who looked rather sheepish at their late
+alarm.
+
+They were in a dark passage that led into an inner water cave filled
+with an eternal sunless twilight that was very refreshing to them after
+the heat and glare outside. The canoe shot through the passage and into
+the cave itself, the boys uttering a shout of admiration the while.
+
+“Look,” said Anai, pointing upward.
+
+Overhead was a marvelously perfect, natural dome, with a large hole in
+the centre through which shafts of sunlight fell into the cave and were
+reflected from the water with a greenish light.
+
+“Look,” ordered the Kanaka boy again.
+
+The boys obeyed and gazed over the side of the canoe. Below them,
+through several feet of crystal-clear water, they could see bowers of
+coral, white and pink, with fish darting in and out of the chinks and
+crossing prismatically, while others hung motionless as if suspended,
+fanning the water incessantly with their gauzy fins. It was the most
+wonderful water picture the boys had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+                          CHAPTER XII.—A TRAP!
+
+
+“We eat. Then we go get pearls,” decided Anai.
+
+The boys, whose appetites had been sharpened by the trip, were not
+averse to this, and they made a hearty meal. After it the two native
+boys produced leaves in which betel nuts had been carefully wrapped up
+and offered them to Jack and Billy, both of whom declined them. But Anai
+and his friend began chewing the spicy nuts with great zest.
+
+A canoe-length from where they floated a clear rill of water stole
+noiselessly down from above, mingling its sweet waters with the sea.
+After demolishing their betel nuts, the chewing of which is a well-nigh
+universal custom in the South Seas, the two native boys stood erect and
+then bound their long black hair in knots on the top of their heads.
+
+Then, with a shout, they balanced gracefully for a second on the edge of
+the canoe and plunged over. They floated for a minute or two and then
+dived, after inhaling immense breaths. To the boys, watching the divers
+through the clear water, it looked as if they were literally climbing
+down, head first, through the pellucid depths.
+
+Then they saw both the Kanaka lads wrenching oyster shells from their
+hold on the coral with furious energy. It seemed impossible that they
+could stay under water as long as they did, but at length, even their
+wonderful endurance gave out and, laden with shells, they shot back to
+the surface.
+
+Reaching the canoe, the two divers hung almost exhausted on the
+outrigger, regaining their breath after they had thrown several oysters
+into the canoe, which the boys opened eagerly, but only two small pearls
+rewarded them. The two Kanaka boys showed plainly the stress of the long
+time they had stayed down. Their eyes were bloodshot and their faces
+suffused. Their veins stood out on their bodies like cords.
+
+The boys begged them not to go down again, but they insisted.
+
+“How often do you mean to dive?” asked Billy.
+
+“One, maybe two, three time,” said Anai.
+
+“Nobody can dive more than three time,” declared the other. “Him bad if
+dive too many time. Makee much sick.”
+
+“I should think so,” said Jack. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible for
+any one to stay down so long. It’s wonderful.”
+
+The next two dives yielded three more pearls from a dozen or more
+oysters. None of them were of any great value but the two divers
+insisted on presenting them to the boys.
+
+“Me try get you very good pearl some udder day,” promised Anai, and his
+companion nodded to show that he meant to help in the enterprise.
+
+“Hullo, what’s that?” asked Jack suddenly, after they had chatted and
+rested for some time and began to think about returning. There was a
+booming sound in the air and the waters of the cave began to become
+agitated, rocking the canoe dangerously.
+
+Overhead, through the dome, they could see that the sky had darkened.
+
+“Me think storm come. Better get out of here,” said Anai, looking
+troubled. “Him bad time of year for storms.”
+
+“Goodness, I should say so,” declared Jack. “We’ve been in two bad ones
+already.”
+
+“That’s how we got blown here,” added Billy.
+
+“We thinkee that good storm blow you here, white boys,” said Anai.
+
+The sky grew darker, and every now and then a big roller entirely filled
+the mouth of the cavern, blinding them with spray. Having spent its
+fury, these great waves retired with a concussion that was deafening,
+dragging the canoe with fearful velocity toward the mouth of the cave by
+its suction. At such times they only saved themselves from being swept
+out to sea by grasping the hanging curtain of creepers and vines. Anai
+and his companion baled the canoe with a big shell, but the boys felt
+that their position was an awkward and even a dangerous one.
+
+Another great wave burst, sealing up the cave as if it was an air-tight
+compartment, and making the waters of the cavern boil and seethe
+furiously. The pressure of air caused by the sudden rush of water
+affected the boys’ ears as if they had been suddenly placed in a
+caisson.
+
+“This is terrible,” cried Jack.
+
+“Something will have to be done,” said Billy. “We can’t last in here
+much longer.”
+
+“Are we in danger, Anai?” asked Jack.
+
+“We in very bad fix; but we getee out all right,” the Kanaka assured
+him, stopping his bailing.
+
+“They’ve got some plan in their head,” decided Jack, and sat down in the
+bottom of the cranky, frail canoe to see what the next move was to be.
+It was a startling one. The two youths seized their paddles and then, as
+the next wave receded, they shot out of the mouth of the cave like a
+bomb from a mortar, before either Jack or Billy could guess their
+intention or stop what seemed sheer madness on the Kanakas’ part, and
+placed all their lives in grave danger. Outside they found themselves in
+the teeth of a howling gale. Spray blinded them, flying over them in
+sheets.
+
+Nothing more was said, nothing seen. The air was darkened with flying
+spume. It seemed impossible that the canoe could live a minute.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER XIII.—ON THE REEF.
+
+
+The two lads crouched, drenched through, on the bottom of the canoe,
+while the Kanaka boys paddled furiously. Giant waves, true mountains of
+water, hung above them threatening to engulf them, but the canoe rode
+them with what appeared incredible buoyancy.
+
+How long this kept up, neither Jack nor Billy ever knew. It seemed like
+years. Dizzy and sick from the riotous motions of the canoe as it swung
+wildly between sea and sky, they lost all count of everything. But the
+struggle was nearing its end.
+
+Suddenly a giant comber caught up the dugout, turtled it skyward and
+then rushed it sickeningly down. It lifted the craft over the reef and
+into the open sea. For one instant it hesitated and then spun round in
+the trough of the sea. The next moment it was smashed into slivers
+against the reef while an avalanche of waters carried all its occupants
+down into the depths before they had time to even shout their
+consternation. More dead than alive, Jack shot back to the surface
+again. Not far from him was a projecting point of the reef. He managed
+somehow to crawl to it, but as he made his progress along the lower
+lying portions of the coral wall he was swept time and again by waves
+and compelled to exert all his strength to avoid being dashed off. At
+length, with hands cut and bleeding from the rough coral, and his
+clothing in shreds, he reached his refuge and was almost immediately
+joined there, to his great relief, by Anai and his comrade, who had
+rescued Billy Raynor.
+
+But it was a miserable refuge they had found. The projecting point of
+rock hardly gave room for all of them, and frequently waves swept over
+it. At all times they were choked and blinded with spray.
+
+“Well, this is the limit,” declared Billy. “Never again for me so far as
+pearl hunting is concerned.”
+
+“Nor for me either,” said Jack. “Still, it was our fault for not
+watching the weather.”
+
+“How long will the storm last, Anai, do you think?” inquired Billy, a
+little later.
+
+The Kanaka boy looked at the weather with a practiced eye.
+
+“Him get better soon,” he said. “Him not bad storm.”
+
+“Not a bad storm!” exclaimed Jack. “Well, if this isn’t one, I never
+want to see one.”
+
+“Sometimes hurricane season come blow whole village away,” Anai assured
+him.
+
+“I hope this won’t be a hurricane,” said Jack.
+
+The Kanaka shook his head.
+
+“Bimeby him go way,” he assured them. “Look blue sky way off there now.”
+
+Sure enough, in the far north-west, from whence the hurricane had come,
+a shaft of sunlight was striking the sea. Behind them they could see the
+storm retreating. Before long the sea had quieted down and the wind
+dropped almost completely.
+
+“Well, we are better off in one respect,” said Jack, as they lay about
+on the reef, basking in the hot sun and drying their wet garments, “but
+how are we to get ashore?”
+
+The question was answered by Anai.
+
+“Me swim, get canoe. Soon back,” he said.
+
+The next moment his lithe brown form was in the water. To protect
+himself against sharks, he carried a long knife, fashioned out of iron
+wood, which was slung round his neck by a lanyard. It was as tough and
+hard as steel, and he appeared to have no doubt that he could protect
+himself with it against the great fish.
+
+Half-way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near him and the
+boys dreaded to see a tragic end to their island friend. But Anai set up
+diabolical yells and kicked up a great splashing in the water and the
+sea monster sheered off again.
+
+“Shark him big coward,” said Anai’s friend, who had remained behind with
+the boys. Directly Anai landed he turned and waved and then set off at a
+sharp run along the beach. Before they expected him he was back again
+with a canoe, and thus an adventure which might have had disastrous
+consequences ended safely. But it was a long time before the boys ever
+forgot it.
+
+The next morning Jack and Billy were leaning over the rail of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, chatting and watching the sharks that swum around the ship
+eagerly watching for scraps from the galley. The coal was nearly all
+unloaded from the small, rusty tramp that had brought it, and all hands
+were looking forward to a resumption of the journey.
+
+In the meantime, Mr. Jukes had been investigating ashore and learned,
+from some natives, that the “Tear of the Sea” had actually been bought
+by his brother, and that just after the purchase, the _Centurion_ had
+sailed away. Not long after, ‘Bully’ Broom’s ship arrived, and the sea
+rover was informed of the sale. He was furious as it appeared that, in
+accordance with his usual practice, he intended to raid the village and
+take possession of the wonderful pearl by force. Mr. Jerushah Jukes’
+arrival ahead of him had, of course, frustrated this plan. According to
+the best information he could get, the millionaire learned that “Bully”
+had at once put to sea in pursuit of the _Centurion_. The finding of the
+empty derelict left little doubt that he had attacked the schooner and
+imprisoned, or worse, perhaps killed, all those on board her.
+
+This, in its way, was well enough, but it left the fate of the party
+still a mystery, and their whereabouts unknown, for “Bully” had half a
+dozen retreats scattered through the South Seas where he might have
+taken them, for even Captain Sparhawk did not believe that the ruffian
+would have dared to kill them.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XIV.—BATTLING MAN-EATING SHARKS.
+
+
+“Like a chance to catch one uv them bastes, Mishther Riddy?” asked Tim
+Muldoon, the Irish quarter-master of the _Sea Gypsy_, who paused near
+where the boys were standing watching a mighty commotion in the water
+made by two great tiger sharks fighting desperately over a piece of
+spoiled pork that had been thrown overboard.
+
+“What would we do with it when we had it?” asked Jack with a smile.
+
+“Shure there’s a certain part of the cratirs that makes illigint ateing.
+Meself and several other la-ads in ther crew wouldn’t have iny
+objictions at all, at all to a bit of shar-ark steak if so be y’u’d
+loike to hook one.”
+
+“What do you say, Billy?” asked Jack.
+
+“That it would be good fun. But what sort of a rig do you use? No use
+taking an eight-ounce rod and a dry fly or a hand line to those
+fellows.”
+
+“Shure oi’ve got a foine shar-ark hook up forward. I’ll go git it fer
+yez,” declared Muldoon, hurrying off.
+
+He was back before long with a hook that looked like one of those used
+by butchers on which to hang whole carcasses. Attached to this was a
+length of steel chain with a swivel, and above a stout rope some hundred
+feet in length. Billy Raynor went below to the cook’s quarters and soon
+came back with a big chunk of pork which was stuck on the hook.
+
+“How’ll we haul him out if we do get one?” Billy wanted to know, as the
+bait struck the water with a splash.
+
+“Just give a holler and I’ll git some uv ther byes uv ther crew to lind
+yez a hand,” declared Muldoon. “Sure 'tis foine spor-rot ye’ll be hivin’
+intirely—wow! murtha! Watch yersilf Misther Raynor!”
+
+There had come a sudden vicious rush of one of the sea-monsters at the
+hook. Turning its hideous jaws upward, the ravenous creature had
+literally swallowed “hook, line and sinker.” It happened that at that
+precise moment Billy alone had hold of the rope.
+
+As the shark’s jaws gripped the hook and its sharp point sunk into his
+flesh, the creature made a mighty rush. It caught Billy unprepared as he
+stood by the rail, a section of which had been removed while the crew
+polished the brass work.
+
+Before he realised what was happening a coil of the rope entangled his
+legs. Like a bullet from a gun, he was whisked off the deck and through
+the air into the sea, which Jack knew was alive with sharks. It had all
+happened so suddenly that the last of Muldoon’s alarmed cries had not
+left his lips before poor Billy was towed away from the ship by the
+maddened shark, unable to make a move to extricate himself. He was
+barely able to breathe, in fact, being half submerged.
+
+Paralyzed for an instant, Jack regained his faculties with an effort.
+Captain Sparhawk, who had seen the whole affair, was the first to take
+definite action, however. He issued an order for a boat to be lowered at
+once and then dashed into his cabin for a pistol.
+
+“Hurry, Sparhawk, for Heaven’s sake,” urged Mr. Jukes, who had also been
+a witness of the accident. “The poor lad will be drowned or eaten alive
+by the other sharks if we don’t act promptly.”
+
+But the captain was already out of earshot. Muldoon and two other
+sailors were at the oars of the boat as he tumbled into it, followed by
+Jack, who, in his haste, did not stop to ask permission to come.
+Luckily, the shark, instead of taking a straight course out to sea, was
+dashing round and round in circles. This gave them a chance to save
+Billy’s life, for had the great fish pursued a straight course, Raynor’s
+fate would undoubtedly have been sealed.
+
+“Row for your lives, men,” urged the captain, standing erect, pistol in
+hand, awaiting the first opportunity for a shot at the shark.
+
+“Shure thare’s no nade to till us thot, captain, dear,” cried Muldoon.
+“We’ll git the poor lad if we have to pull our own heads off.”
+
+The shark now made a swift dash for the bow of the _Sea Gypsy_. Behind
+him, at a distance of about seventy-five feet, poor Billy’s body could
+be seen being rushed through the water with a “wake” behind it like that
+of a fast steamer. Jack could see his chum’s face, which was ashen
+white. But from the glimpse he had of it, the young wireless man was
+sure that Billy was still alive, marvelous though that seemed. For half
+the time, owing to the manner in which he was attached to the shark, the
+unfortunate lad’s head was under the surface of the water.
+
+Bang! Captain Sparhawk’s pistol spoke as the shark crossed the bow of
+the boat which had been instantly turned to follow the creature’s new
+tactics.
+
+“Missed,” he groaned.
+
+“No,” cried Jack, an instant later. “See, the water is red behind him!
+You hit him.”
+
+“Yes, but I fear not mortally. These creatures have an amazing grip on
+life,” was the despondent reply.
+
+And now a fresh element entered into the scene. Round the bow of the
+yacht, toward which the shark, with its human burden, was dashing, there
+suddenly appeared a long, slender canoe with two lithe young native
+figures propelling it. It was Anai and his friend, the sworn allies of
+the boys.
+
+For an instant, as the extraordinary scene presented itself to them,
+they stood like bronze figures. Then the full meaning of the impending
+tragedy appeared to strike them. With a simultaneous cry each grasped
+his great iron-wood knife and without the slightest hesitation leaped
+overboard.
+
+“They are going to save him!” cried Jack exultingly, as the two Kanaka
+boys fearlessly clove the shark-infested water to attack the monster
+that had abducted Billy.
+
+“And lose their own lives,” exclaimed the captain as several dark fins
+appeared in the water about the two intrepid youths.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XV.—A MESSAGE FROM THE DEEP.
+
+
+The scene that ensued was one that lingered long in the recollection of
+those who saw it. Uttering loud yells, the two native boys bore down on
+the shark that had poor Billy in tow.
+
+Each taking a side they dashed upon it with fury. As they gained its
+flanks their arms flashed up and the next instant their great iron-wood
+knives were buried hilt-deep in the tough skin. The watchers saw the
+great shark give an upward leap and the water was dyed crimson.
+
+“They reached his vitals. Hurrah for them,” cried Captain Sparhawk.
+“Bear down on Billy, lads. I reckon the shark is done for.”
+
+They were none too soon. After being disentangled from the rope that had
+caused all the trouble, Billy was hauled into the boat just in the nick
+of time. The rope had grazed and chafed his legs cruelly, but except for
+the great amount of water in his lungs he had suffered no other injury.
+
+But no sooner had this been done than another necessity arose. The brave
+Anai and his companion were surrounded by a school of sharks attracted
+by the blood of the creature the two young Kanakas had despatched. So
+far, by splashing furiously, and screeching at the top of their voices,
+the native youths had succeeded in keeping the monsters at bay, but it
+was doubtful for how long they could do so.
+
+“To the rescue, lads,” cried Captain Sparhawk, replacing the cartridge
+he had discharged. “Give way with a will. I wouldn’t wish to see either
+of those brave lads harmed.”
+
+In a few seconds they were in the midst of the school of sharks that had
+assembled as if by magic, ravenous for the flesh of their dead brother.
+The captain’s pistol spat lead right and left, and at that short range
+the effect of the bullets was deadly. In a few minutes five of the sea
+monsters were dead. But far from being scared off the rest fell
+furiously upon these, making upward rushes, exposing their huge mouths
+with their triple rows of needle-like teeth.
+
+Leaving them to their cannibal feast, Anai and his companion were hauled
+on board and at Muldoon’s special request the body of the brute that had
+almost caused Billy’s death was taken in tow.
+
+“I’ll make you byes some handsome watch-charms out of his teeth fer
+remimbrancers,” he promised.
+
+“As if we needed anything to remind us of it,” shuddered Jack.
+
+“Just think, if it hadn’t been for Anai here and Bolabola I’d have been
+past saving by now,” cried Billy, warmly ringing their hands.
+
+“You may well say that, lad,” agreed the captain. “They saved you from
+visiting Davy Jones, without a doubt.”
+
+“We your friends. Must save you even if it cost our lives,” said Anai,
+looking embarrassed.
+
+“Shure an’ thot’s more than many a white man wud say,” approved Muldoon
+warmly. “Byes, give us yer flippers. Ye may hav’ black skins, but be
+jabers yer hearts is pure gold entoirely.”
+
+The canoe was taken in tow and the whole party returned to the yacht,
+where they received more congratulations from the others on board who
+had watched the whole affair spell-bound with alarm and then with
+admiration at the Kanaka boys’ brave act. The decks rang with cheers as
+they came on board, Captain Sparhawk and Jack supporting Billy, who was
+still white and shaky.
+
+Mr. Jukes’ enthusiasm for Anai and Bolabola knew no bounds. The
+millionaire wanted them to accept a handful of gold pieces each. But the
+lads shook their heads. Gold was of little use to them. But other
+presents which were showered upon them they accepted gladly. There was
+almost a canoe-full of them, ranging from gaudy neckties to a broken
+concertina, the latter being presented by Muldoon. It could emit, upon
+coaxing, a few wheezy notes, and the brown boys appeared to prize it
+quite above any of their other gifts.
+
+In the meantime, on the foredeck, to which the body of the great shark
+had been hoisted by slings, the members of the crew, who understood such
+operations, assisted by Muldoon, were cutting up the monster. From time
+to time they flung useless bits of offal over the side. A scramble from
+such of the sharks as had disposed of the dead bodies of their
+companions instantly ensued. Sharks are the most rapacious of any
+creatures on land or sea, and their appetites appeared to have been
+slacked in no important particular by their cannibal meal.
+
+“Bad luck to yez,” exclaimed Muldoon, shaking his fist at them after one
+of these rushes, for every sailor hates a shark. “There’s many a thrue
+lad gone to his long rickonin’ through yez or yez mates. Bad cess to all
+uv yez, says Tim Muldoon.”
+
+An interested group, among whom were Jack and Billy, watched the
+proceedings from the bridge. Mr. Jukes was no less interested than the
+rest. He attentively watched the sharks as they fought. Perhaps their
+feverish rapacity reminded him of certain “big business” operations at
+home in the States where great corporations have been not unknown to
+gobble up their small competitors as hungrily as any tiger shark.
+
+“Hullo, they seem to have found something interesting,” said Jack, as a
+murmur arose among the butchers who suddenly crowded round Muldoon,
+chief of the dissectors.
+
+“It’s a bottle,” cried Billy Raynor.
+
+“Look here what I found in the hongry divil’s stomach,” exclaimed
+Muldoon, holding up his find. “Be jabers, he must hav’ a digestion a
+dispiptic millionaire would invy to ——”
+
+He stopped short, covered with confusion, as he suddenly recalled that
+Mr. Jukes suffered from the very complaint he had mentioned.
+
+“Bring that bottle here, Muldoon,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, in order to
+save what threatened to be an awkward situation, for Mr. Jukes had
+turned as red as a turkey-cock and the boys had had to turn away to hide
+their smiles.
+
+The quartermaster hastened aft with the bottle. It was encrusted with
+deposits apparently caused by the acids of the shark’s stomach. But when
+Captain Sparhawk held it to the light, he could see that contained
+within it was some object.
+
+“There’s something inside it,” he said.
+
+“By jove, perhaps a letter from some shipwrecked sailors,” exclaimed Mr.
+Jukes.
+
+“Such messages are often frauds, sir,” observed the captain. “If it
+should prove to be such, I’d be wary about replying to it.”
+
+“Well, let’s have a look at it, whatever it is,” said Mr. Jukes. “This
+is really interesting.”
+
+They all crowded about, even the Kanakas, as the captain smashed the
+bottle on the rail. A rolled-up paper dropped on the deck. Jack, at
+whose feet it had fallen, picked it up. He opened it and saw that it was
+scribbled on with pencil.
+
+“It seems ——,” he began, when a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes
+checked his further utterance.
+
+“Let me look at that paper,” commanded the millionaire, who, they now
+noticed, was breathing quickly and whose eyes shone with feverish
+excitement.
+
+Jack handed it over, while they all regarded the millionaire’s agitation
+curiously. With hands that shook, the financier scanned the letter and
+then made an electrifying announcement in a voice that was tense and
+self-controlled, but yet betrayed the excitement under which he labored
+as he spoke.
+
+“Gentlemen, the age of miracles has not passed,” he said. “When Ready
+first opened the paper, I thought I recognized a peculiar handwriting. I
+was not wrong. This message was written by my brother!”
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XVI.—ALIVE ON THE SEA.
+
+
+“Incredible!” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, unable to think of anything
+else to say at the astounding information.
+
+“But, nevertheless, true. Sparhawk, this message confirms the truth of
+your theory about ‘Bully’ Broom. That rascal attacked and overcame the
+unsuspecting crew of the _Centurion_, and obtained the 'Tear of the
+Sea’.”
+
+“The infernal scoundrel,” breathed Captain Sparhawk. “There is not
+another man in the South Seas who would have dared such a coup. But does
+the message give any clue to your brother’s fate, sir?” he added
+respectfully.
+
+The millionaire’s face glowed and suddenly lost its careworn look.
+
+“That’s the best part of it,” he explained. “But come to my cabin,
+captain—yes, Ready, you and Raynor may come, too,” he added as he
+intercepted anxious looks on the boys’ faces.
+
+Inside the cabin the millionaire spread on the table the yellowed,
+scribbled bit of paper that just then meant more to him than any
+document he had ever seen in his life.
+
+“I’ll read aloud,” he said, and then, in a clear voice, he recited the
+contents of the missive.
+
+    “Any one finding this please notify my brother Jacob Jukes of
+    New York, who will reward him lavishly for the trouble. This is
+    being written on board ‘Bully’ Broom’s schooner, _South Sea
+    Lass_. We are all prisoners and the 'Tear of the Sea’ is in the
+    ruffian’s possession. We are being taken, as I overheard, to
+    Bomobori, in New Guinea, with what object I cannot say. May
+    Heaven help us in our desperate strait. I am throwing this, with
+    a prayer to Heaven that it may be found, from the window of the
+    cabin in which I am confined.
+
+                                                    Jerushah Jukes.”
+
+“I know Bomobori well,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, as Mr. Jukes
+finished reading. “I was there in '87 and again in '89.”
+
+“What sort of a place is it?” inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Not much of a town,” was the reply. “It is at the mouth of a river that
+penetrates a wild country. If ‘Bully’ Broom wished to hide his captives,
+he could not have taken them to a better place.”
+
+“Sparhawk,” and the millionaire’s voice was vibrant with determination,
+“how long will it take us to get there?”
+
+“I should say not more than a week. But we should have to re-coal at
+Tahiti if we are to make the run at top speed. How about that, Raynor?”
+
+“You’re right, captain,” said the young engineer. “I’ll guarantee to run
+the _Sea Gypsy’s_ engines faster than they were ever run before, but
+I’ve got to have the coal to do it with.”
+
+“That steamer is through coaling us now?” asked the millionaire, after
+he had made a few calculations on a scrap of paper.
+
+“They emptied the last of their load an hour ago,” said Captain
+Sparhawk.
+
+“Good,” was Mr. Jukes’ response. “Send the captain to me and I will give
+him my check. Raynor, how soon can you have steam up?”
+
+“In an hour, sir,” responded the young engineer.
+
+“Splendid; make all the time you can. Every moment is valuable now.
+Ready——”
+
+Jack was all attention. Into the millionaire’s manner had come a snap
+and a grip of affairs that had not been there since they had sailed. He
+had something tangible to go upon now, and was plainly prepared to make
+the most of it.
+
+“Ready,” he went on, “I want you to raise Tahiti at once. Order coal to
+be ready for us when we arrive and have a force of men engaged to hustle
+it on board without loss of time.”
+
+“Yes, sir,” rejoined Jack, hurrying from the cabin.
+
+Within a few minutes the entire atmosphere of the ship appeared to be
+charged with electricity and bustle. Black smoke volleyed from the stack
+and the roar of escaping steam soon came from the relief pipe. Anai and
+his companion, almost in tears at the thought of parting with the boys,
+were sent ashore, and final preparations made for the start.
+
+Shortly before sun-down Raynor reported all ready in the engine room.
+
+“Very well, captain,” said Mr. Jukes, “you may get up your anchor.”
+
+The necessary orders were soon given and as the chains rattled home
+through the exhaust pipes the yacht swung her bow gracefully seaward. A
+big crowd of canoes and the small tramp, which had also taken up anchor,
+accompanied her some distance out to sea.
+
+The natives raised their voices in melancholy songs as they paddled, and
+from time to time cried out:
+
+“Come back, white men.”
+
+Among them Jack and Raynor recognized Anai and the other young Kanaka.
+Both lads felt a genuine regret at leaving the brave, likeable young
+natives, but ahead of them they felt lay experiences which for the time
+being put all other emotions out of their minds. The _Sea Gypsy_,
+rushing ahead at top speed, soon left the rusty tramp, her consort, far
+behind. By dark only the summit of the island was visible on the
+horizon. It sank quickly from sight, and when the first stars appeared
+the _Sea Gypsy_ was alone on the sea.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XVII.—AN ENCOUNTER AT BOMOBORI.
+
+
+It was on a clear day a little more than a week later that the lookout
+announced land dead ahead. All on board knew that it must be New Guinea,
+the wild and little known country where Mr. Jukes had confident hopes of
+finding his lost brother. Captain Sparhawk made an excellent
+“land-fall,” as sailors call it, and by night they came to anchor off
+Bomobori.
+
+It was a beautiful scene. The waves dashed against a golden strand.
+Behind lay vast and mysterious forests, looking dark and uninviting in
+the evening light. Beyond the forests rose great mountains veiled in the
+bluish mist of the far distances. As darkness fell, the lights of
+Bomobori began to twinkle, casting reflections in the still waters of
+the harbor and river, the mouth of which latter could be seen to the
+north of the town.
+
+“Well, I’m ready to go ashore,” remarked Raynor, as he joined Jack on
+deck at the conclusion of his duties in the engine-room. “It will
+certainly feel good to put foot on shore once more.”
+
+“Indeed it will,” agreed Jack, warmly. “I’m anxious to get a look at New
+Guinea too. It’s a country about which very little is known—I mean so
+far as the interior is concerned.”
+
+“Well, we are likely to have plenty of opportunity for exploration,”
+said Raynor. “I heard Mr. Jukes telling the captain that he believed,
+from what he had heard about ‘Bully’ Broom at Tahiti where he is well
+known, that the rascal has a secret hiding place in the interior
+somewhere.”
+
+“Then it’s likely to take a long time to locate him,” said Jack. “This
+is a pretty big country and very densely wooded, with big mountains and
+rivers galore. I’m afraid it’s a needle and hay-stack job.”
+
+“I expect Mr. Jukes means to get a clue in Bomobori, where Broom is
+probably well known,” hazarded Raynor.
+
+“That is probably his idea,” said Jack. “Anyhow, he is not a man who
+would give up his purpose for any ordinary difficulties.”
+
+It was decided not to leave the yacht till the morning. It can well be
+imagined then that the sleep of the boys that night was not as sound as
+usual. Both lay awake wondering what lay before them, and whether they
+would succeed or fail in the mission, for that evening Mr. Jukes had
+appointed them members of the expedition, and declared that he would
+rely upon them to the uttermost to aid him.
+
+It was then that Jack had made a suggestion. The yacht was to be left in
+the harbor with a crew to guard her, but communication with her might be
+important, even necessary, if they were driven to some other part of the
+coast and were unable to return to Bomobori.
+
+Jack’s suggestion was that, with the spare parts of the ship’s wireless,
+of which a big stock was carried, he should construct a portable radio
+apparatus by means of which they could at all times be in touch with the
+yacht. He had an idea that he could do this easily. Thurman, who had
+been conducting himself in an irreproachable manner, could be left in
+charge of the _Sea Gypsy’s_ plant with perfect safety, the boy felt
+confident. And so, subject to his success with a portable set, it was
+arranged.
+
+“This doesn’t appear to be much of a town,” observed Raynor, as they
+landed the next day, a little before noon, in a warm, gentle shower of
+rain such as frequently swept across the island at that time of the
+year.
+
+“Well, you could hardly expect to find it a New York or London, you
+know,” rejoined Jack.
+
+In truth Bomobori was a very fair specimen of a town in that section of
+the world. Along the water front, back of which squatted a line of
+tin-roofed warehouses, were moored native craft from up the river with
+bamboo cabins and great lattice sails that housed a whole family of
+natives. In spite of the rain it was warm and steamy, and a strange
+assortment of odors greeted their nostrils as the boat was run up to the
+principal dock and made fast.
+
+The population was a very mixed one. Pallid white men, who looked like
+Frenchmen for the most part, rubbed elbows on the water front with
+Chinese, Lascars, Malays, Javanese and the wild-looking Papuans from the
+interior with their frizzed hair and ornamental cloaks of bird skins and
+long spears. Here and there a stout German in white ducks waddled by
+with a sun-helmeted Englishman. There appeared to be quite a lot of
+trading going on.
+
+But they were anxious to hurry on to the hotel where Mr. Jukes hoped to
+begin the inquiries which he was sanguine would result in his finding
+his brother. The hostelry for which they were bound lay some squares
+back from the water front. It was situated, like most tropical hotels,
+in a park in which flowers and shrubs of all kinds grew luxuriantly, and
+bright colored birds flew with harsh cries, like (bright) jewels, among
+the brilliant foliage. It was a two-story affair in front of which a
+fountain plashed coolingly in the hot, heavy air. Verandas, upon which
+every room opened, completely surrounded each story.
+
+They entered the office where the hand baggage they had brought was
+picked up by barefooted, white-garmented servants. Mr. Jukes was bending
+over the register writing his name and those of his party when Jack
+caught sight of somebody lounging in a bamboo chair in the reading room
+that nearly took his breath away.
+
+“Well, if that isn’t——”
+
+“What is it, Jack?” asked Billy quickly.
+
+“Look at that chap there reading a paper. It’s Donald Judson—Donald
+Judson, as sure as you’re a foot high!”
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XVIII.—DONALD JUDSON AGAIN.
+
+
+Jack was right; the boy sitting in the reading room was indeed the
+formerly ne’er-do-well son of the man who had headed the plot to steal
+the naval code, though what he could be doing in Bomobori neither of the
+boys could guess. But so changed was he in appearance from the
+flashily-dressed, aggressively-conceited Donald Judson they had known,
+that for a moment both boys doubted the evidence of their eyes.
+
+Donald had always, in the past, been inclined to dudishness in his
+clothes. Now his clothing was dilapidated and torn, his shoes were old
+canvas ones that looked ready to fall apart, and he had a scarecrow of a
+battered straw hat on his head.
+
+Moreover, his face was careworn and his cheeks hollow and one eye
+appeared to have suffered a blow of some sort for it was blackened and
+swollen. Altogether he was a most woebegone looking specimen of
+humanity, and the boys wondered he was suffered about the hotel.
+Donald’s presence there, however, was later accounted for, although
+this, of course, the boys did not know, by a long tale of disaster and
+suffering he had sustained while gold hunting in the interior. Donald
+said he was expecting remittances from America and on this account had
+been accommodated with quarters.
+
+“My gracious, what a change,” exclaimed Billy under his breath. “He
+looks like a regular scarecrow.”
+
+“He must have been in mighty tough luck,” rejoined Jack. “But what beats
+me is what he is doing here. It’s a very odd coincidence that we should
+run into two of our old enemies on this trip.”
+
+“It is, indeed. But see, he is looking at us. I suppose we ought to
+speak to the poor chap.”
+
+Donald had dropped his paper and was staring straight at the two lads as
+if they had been ghosts. Then he got to his feet and came toward them.
+
+“Jack Ready!” he exclaimed, “where did you come from?”
+
+“We might ask the same question of you, Judson,” said Jack,
+“but—er—you’ll excuse my saying so, but you look as if you’d been in
+hard luck lately.”
+
+“I have been, oh I have been,” said Donald, in a voice far different
+from his old bragging one. “I got out of a job and shipped for a sailor.
+I’d heard it was a fine life. The ship I was on sailed away from
+Honolulu while I was still ashore after overstopping my leave. Then I
+got a job on a schooner that had a bad reputation, when I was nearly
+starved, but I had to live somehow. The captain of the _South Sea Lass_
+was a brute. He——”
+
+“Here, hold on,” cried Jack, seizing his arm which was thin and bony,
+“was his name Broom——”
+
+“Yes. ‘Bully’ Broom. He is little better than a pirate. He treated me
+worse than a dog, and finally, after blacking my eye, put me ashore here
+several days ago. He——say, hold on, what’s the matter?”
+
+Jack and Billy had seized him one on each side and were dragging him
+across the floor of the hotel office.
+
+“There’s somebody here we want you to tell your story to,” explained
+Jack. “It’ll be worth something to you, but be sure to tell the truth.”
+
+“As if I could lie, no matter what I said about that wretch, ‘Bully’
+Broom,” declared Donald. “I’m sure he was mixed up in some illegal
+business. Why we put into an island called the Pommer-Pommer——”
+
+“The Pamatous?” came from Billy.
+
+“That’s it.”
+
+“And some men were taken prisoners from a schooner called the
+_Centurion_?” demanded Jack.
+
+“Yes, but see here Ready, how in the world——?”
+
+“Never mind that. What became of those prisoners?”
+
+“He locked them up in cabins. He said that they were bad men and pearl
+robbers and that he was bringing them to justice.”
+
+“Did you ever talk with them?”
+
+“No; except one, and I never got a chance to say much to him. Broom
+watched me very closely. He’d have murdered me if he’d thought that I
+was trying to pry into his affairs.”
+
+“What was the name of the man you talked to?”
+
+“He was a kind of a leader of the party, I guess,” was the reply. “I
+used to take him his meals and there were precious few of those too, for
+we were on short rations ourselves.”
+
+“But his name—his name?” demanded Jack.
+
+“Oh, Flukes—something like that, anyhow. I never was good at names.”
+
+“Was it Jukes?”
+
+“That was it,” cried Donald, snapping his fingers.
+
+“Well, boys, what’s the matter?” demanded the missing man’s brother as
+he finished with the register and turned amazedly to face his two young
+followers grasping Donald’s ragged figure on each side as if they had a
+prisoner in custody.
+
+“Mr. Jukes, this boy has seen and talked to your brother within the last
+two weeks,” was the announcement from Jack that sent the millionaire
+staggering back against the hotel desk, for once in his life giving way
+to uncontrolled amazement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XIX.—HE TELLS A STRANGE STORY.
+
+
+“Bless my soul,” he exclaimed, when he found breath, “you boys are
+always digging up somebody. Who is this?”
+
+He regarded the ragged figure of the unfortunate Donald with some
+disapprobation. Jack explained, and then Donald, stumbling and
+stuttering somewhat under Mr. Jukes’ steady eye, told his story.
+
+“But you have not told us the most important part of it all,” said the
+millionaire, as he concluded. “Where was my unfortunate brother taken to
+by this ruffian?”
+
+“That’s just what I don’t know, sir,” rejoined the boy. “You see, they
+took good care I shouldn’t know too much about their operations. All I
+know is that I heard them saying something about 'up the river.’”
+
+“Meaning this river—the Bomobori?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“I suppose so.”
+
+“Do you know where the schooner is now?” was the millionaire’s next
+question, but Donald did not. All he knew was that, after landing him in
+Bomobori, ‘Bully’ Broom had departed under cover of night. Where he had
+headed for was a mystery.
+
+Jack whispered something to the millionaire when Donald had concluded
+his narrative and Mr. Jukes put his hand in his pocket and drew out some
+coins. Then as he moved off Jack rather hesitatingly said to Donald:
+
+“You’ve had a hard time of it for money, I suppose?”
+
+“Hard? That’s no name for it,” exclaimed the other. “That rascal Broom
+never gave me a cent, though when he shipped me he promised me wages. If
+you hadn’t arrived I don’t know what I should have done.”
+
+“Well, we are willing to let bygones be bygones,” said Jack.
+
+“It wouldn’t be fair to be rough on a fellow who is down on his luck,”
+muttered Donald rather grudgingly. “And—and I guess I’ve learned a
+lesson, fellows.”
+
+“By the way, Donald,” said Jack, handing the boy the coins Mr. Jukes had
+given him, “here is something from Mr. Jukes to help you along for the
+present. I am sure he will see to it that you do not suffer any more
+hardships in return for the valuable information you have given us.”
+
+The destitute lad’s face brightened wonderfully. The money—about twenty
+dollars—was more than he had seen in a long time. He fingered the coins
+greedily.
+
+“I—I’m much obliged to you and to your friend, too,” he muttered rather
+shamefacedly, “and—er—I’m sorry I ever played you mean tricks.”
+
+“Never mind about that now,” said Jack, cutting him short. “My advice to
+you is not to hang about here, but to get a job on the first ship that
+touches here and go home.”
+
+“I’ll go down to the shipping offices right now and see what the chances
+are,” promised Donald, and with a new spring in his step he started out
+of the hotel.
+
+“What a change,” exclaimed Jack, when he had gone. “I never thought
+Donald Judson could become so humbled.”
+
+“He is certainly blue, and that is hardly surprising,” agreed Billy.
+“But the question is whether his seeming repentance is sincere.”
+
+“Let’s hope all that he has been through has taught him a good lesson,”
+said Jack.
+
+“It surely ought to have,” said Billy, and then the subject was
+dismissed by a tall, half-clothed native striding into the lobby and
+beating stridently on a huge brass gong inscribed with queer characters.
+
+“What’s that for?” asked Jack of the clerk behind the desk who looked
+like a German.
+
+“Dot iss for Riz Tavel,” replied the clerk.
+
+“For Riz who?” asked Billy.
+
+“For Riz Tavel,” rejoined the man impatiently, as if surprised at their
+ignorance. “Riz Tavel, dot means lunch.”
+
+“Oh, I see,” replied Jack. “Well, I’m ready for it whatever they call
+it.”
+
+At the summons of the gong several guests of the hotel came into the
+lobby, appearing as if they had just got out of bed. The boys were
+amazed to see that many of the male guests wore pyjamas, while the women
+were in negligee. This, however, applied only to the half castes and
+Dutch residents. The Germans and English, who did most of the trading at
+Bomobori, wore tropical suits of conventional make.
+
+They were waited on by barefooted Malays who set before each of the boys
+and their shipmates, when these latter appeared, big soup plates full of
+rice.
+
+“They call this the 'riz-tavel,’ that means the rice table,” explained
+Captain Sparhawk, thus clearing away the secret of the mysterious words.
+“Rice is a staple all through the East, just like bread is at home.”
+
+Having filled their plates with rice, as they saw everybody else do, the
+Americans waited for the next move. The waiters had all vanished after
+depositing the rice, and Jack was moved to remark whether that was all
+they were going to get.
+
+His question was answered by the re-appearance of the barefooted
+servitors. They bore numerous dishes piled with fish, duck, chicken,
+pork, omelette, onions and peppers. The guests all piled portions of
+every one of these dishes on the top of the rice, and the visitors
+seeing that they were not expected to ask for more plates were fain to
+do the same. The boys, however, balked at a thin curried sauce which was
+supposed to be poured over this hodge-podge of edibles.
+
+Having disposed of what in itself was a mighty meal they then found that
+they were expected to despatch beefsteaks, salad and fruit.
+
+“Well, they don’t starve you here, that’s one thing sure,” said Jack.
+
+“You must remember that their 'breakfast,’ as they call it, is eaten in
+the cool of the morning and usually only consists of coffee and fruit,”
+said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+A groan from the dyspeptic Mr. Jukes, who had eaten a hearty meal, was
+followed soon after by the breaking up of the party. There was much to
+be attended to, but Captain Sparhawk said it would be useless to try to
+transact business till the late afternoon when the sea breeze sprung up.
+The interval between riz-tavel and that hour he said was set aside for
+sleeping, and nobody ever dreamed of interfering with the custom. In
+fact, he would have found nobody to transact business with.
+
+He warned the boys against walking about in the scorchingly hot
+afternoon sun also, as it was said to induce fevers. There was nothing
+left for them to do, therefore, but to pass the afternoon in their
+rooms, although they would have preferred exploring the town.
+
+When they came down again they found Donald Judson in the lobby. He
+appeared very disconsolate. He said that no ships for American ports
+would call at the port for a long time.
+
+“I guess I’m stuck here for the rest of my life,” he complained, and
+then made a sudden suggestion.
+
+“Say, why can’t you take me with you on that expedition?” he asked, for
+the boys had told him something about the object of their presence in
+New Guinea.
+
+“Um—er—I don’t know that Mr. Jukes wants anybody else along,”
+hesitated Jack.
+
+“I’d work hard and do anything I was told to,” said Donald pleadingly.
+“Won’t you ask him about it? It’s awful to be stuck here like a bump on
+a log.”
+
+“Well, perhaps we might see about it,” relented Jack, really feeling
+sorry for the unhappy plight of their former enemy, mean and despicable
+as he had proved himself to have been in the past.
+
+“Thanks, awfully,” exclaimed Donald, gratefully, and he went off through
+the gardens, saying that he was going to get himself a pair of new
+shoes. Soon after Mr. Jukes, having got over his attack of dyspepsia,
+appeared, the boys laid Donald’s request before him.
+
+“I really don’t know,” he hesitated. “Of course, the lad is in hard
+luck, but somehow I don’t exactly like his looks and I don’t see what
+use he could be to us. I’d rather leave money here to pay for his living
+till some ship arrives he could get a berth on.”
+
+“If you left him money in a place like this he might fall back into his
+old bad ways,” suggested Jack.
+
+“That is true. I wouldn’t wish to push any one down the hill when there
+was a chance of helping them up,” said the millionaire, musingly. “Well,
+I’ll see about it,” he added after an interval of thought. Just then, as
+Captain Sparhawk came up, the incident was ended and the two elders set
+out for a trading store to arrange for supplies and other necessaries
+for their dash into the interior, for Mr. Jukes had resolved to act on
+Donald Judson’s unexpected clue and make his way up the river.
+
+“I’ve got a notion that if we did take that fellow Donald along that he
+would make trouble for us,” said Raynor as soon as they were out of
+ear-shot.
+
+“I don’t see how he could, or what object he would have,” doubted Jack.
+“Still, I myself wouldn’t trust him very far, in spite of his
+declarations of reform.”
+
+But as it so happened neither of the boys need have troubled themselves
+over the matter, for that evening, when Mr. Jukes sent for Donald to
+have a talk with him, the boy’s manner had changed entirely. He was no
+longer servile and cringing as he had been earlier. In fact, he
+intimated very plainly that he wanted nothing more to do with the Jukes
+party.
+
+There was a reason for this, a reason that none of the party naturally
+was able at the time to guess. Donald’s change of front was not due to
+any mere caprice. A deep-seated reason lay behind it, and that reason
+was rooted in an encounter he had had just after he left the boys in the
+hotel garden.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XX.—A TRAITOR IN CAMP.
+
+
+Donald’s encounter had been with no less a personage than ‘Bully’ Broom
+himself, whose spies in the town had informed him that a party of
+Americans had arrived on a yacht and had been making inquiries about a
+missing man named Jukes. Broom at once knew that the half-suspected had
+happened, and that a strong party in search of the missing man had, by
+some inexplicable (to him) chance, arrived in Bomobori.
+
+He perceived at once that Donald’s presence at the hotel, where he had
+abandoned him to his fate, might result disastrously for him and he
+congratulated himself that the boy did not know more of the fate of
+Jerushah Jukes than he had already told our friends. But even that
+meager information, Broom foresaw, might be used to great advantage, so
+he posted himself in a resort frequented by men of his type of whom
+there are many in the South Seas, and despatched some of his crew to
+look for the boy he had cast off.
+
+It was not long before Donald who, to do him justice, came unwillingly
+at first, was presented to Broom by two villainous-looking half-caste
+Malay sailors, for Broom had few white men in his crew.
+
+“They talk too much,” he was wont to say.
+
+As soon as Donald appeared, the ‘Bully’ reversed his usual tactics and
+tried to make himself as pleasant as possible. He was a huge-framed
+ruffian with a tangled black beard, and burned brown enough by sun and
+wind to be taken for a negro. Donald soon saw that he had nothing to
+fear from Broom now, and being a sharp boy he proceeded to take the
+initiative after some verbal sparring.
+
+“You’ve got an awful nerve sending for me after the treatment you gave
+me,” he observed. “What do you want, anyhow?”
+
+“Now see here, boy,” bellowed Broom, in his gruff voice which he tried
+to render amiable without much success, so used was he to ruling his
+band with an iron hand, “I’ll admit that I may have used you a bit
+roughly, but that was the way of the sea. A fine young fellow like you,
+though, oughtn’t to mind that. A little knocking about is good for you.”
+
+“Yes, and it was good for me to be left stranded in this hole, too, I
+suppose,” said Donald.
+
+“I didn’t leave you stranded. I was merely out of funds and was coming
+back to pay you up and get you out of trouble,” protested Broom, with an
+earnestness that appeared genuine. “See here.”
+
+He plunged his hand into his pocket and drew out a handful of gold and
+then let it fall trickling on the table.
+
+“That doesn’t look as if I wasn’t able to do it, either, does it?” he
+demanded. “Now, see here,” he went on, “I’ve got a proposition to make
+to you. You’re a smart lad, a clever lad, and one that’s bound to get on
+the world. I’m going to help you, too.”
+
+“Well, what do you want?” demanded Donald, who was very susceptible to
+flattery, and who had a weak nature, easily played upon by any one
+skillful enough to touch the right chord.
+
+“That gang that arrived on the yacht? What about them?” came from Broom.
+
+“They are going to cook your hash if you don’t look out,” said Donald.
+“That’s Jukes’ brother, and they’re going to find him wherever you’ve
+put him and then nab you.”
+
+“So that’s the program, eh?” muttered the ‘Bully.’ “Now see here,
+Donald, I want you on my side and I’m not afraid to pay for it. A smart
+and clever boy like you could do me a deal of harm if you were sided
+with the enemy. You’ll be no loser by it. You haven’t told them anything
+about our little deal with the _Centurion_ yet, have you?”
+
+Donald did some quick thinking. He was sharp enough to see that Broom
+was afraid of what he might have said, for even in Bomobori there was
+law and if it were known to Mr. Jukes that Broom was in the vicinity it
+would be immediately invoked. He balanced his two opportunities against
+each other. Cupidity, greed for money, had always been his main fault,
+and now he thought he saw a way to make more out of Broom than he could
+out of Mr. Jukes. Besides, although he had appeared so humbled before
+the boys, and ashamed of his past conduct, his hatred still rankled, for
+the reason that he blamed all his troubles on them and had often brooded
+over plans of revenge.
+
+“No, I haven’t told them anything about the _Centurion_,” he said at
+length, fearing that if he told Broom how much the Jukes party knew the
+freebooter might withdraw from any deal he was about to make. “I simply
+gave them a cock-and-bull story about myself when they were astonished
+to find me here.”
+
+“Ah! So you know them, then? They are friends of yours?” exclaimed
+Broom.
+
+“Hardly friends,” muttered Donald. “I knew them in America.”
+
+“You’ve no particular affection for them, though?”
+
+“How do you know?”
+
+“Your tone told me that, my young friend.”
+
+“Well, I might as well admit it. I don’t like them. They wronged me in
+America and that’s why I am here now. I’ve treated them in a friendly
+way because I’m out of money.”
+
+Broom’s deep set eyes flashed.
+
+“You’ve got a good head boy, very good,” he said, approvingly. “Now to
+get down to business. I’ll give you a handsome sum to stay on my side.”
+
+“Spot cash?”
+
+“The money on the nail. I want you to do a little job for me in return.
+Keep your mouth absolutely shut, but find out all you can about their
+plans. You will always find me here when you want to report. Here’s
+something to start with,” and he pushed over the gold which lay on the
+table.
+
+Donald’s eyes sparkled greedily as he counted it.
+
+“All right, I’ll do what you say,” he remarked, as he pocketed it, “but
+tell me one thing: Where is Jerushah Jukes?”
+
+“Ah, that is for me to know and for them to find out,” was Broom’s
+reply, “but I’ll tell you all about it in proper time.”
+
+“It’s a wonder you are not afraid to be seen in the town,” said Donald.
+“Any one might tell them about your being here.”
+
+“Nobody knows about me but my friends, and there is no danger of their
+talking.”
+
+“But your schooner, which is as well known in this part of the ocean as
+a mail steamer?”
+
+Broom smiled.
+
+“You don’t think I’d be fool enough to bring my schooner in here after I
+heard about the arrival of Jukes’ yacht?” he asked. “The _South Sea
+Lass_ is safely hidden up the coast. I came here on a native canoe.”
+
+“Well, you ought to be good at covering up your tracks, you’ve had
+enough experience,” said Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for
+the ruffian.
+
+“One thing more,” said Broom, acknowledging what he chose to take as a
+compliment with a grin. “Jukes is very rich. Has he much money with him
+this trip?”
+
+“I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his money. If he has much it
+would be in some form that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man
+to take chances.”
+
+Broom nodded his massive head ponderously. He was evidently revolving
+some plan in his mind. Presently he brought down his heavy fist with a
+crash on the table.
+
+“Jukes has poked his nose into this business,” he exclaimed, “and it
+will cost him something to get out of it before he gets through.”
+
+“What do you mean?” asked Donald.
+
+“If he was made a prisoner for instance, he would pay handsomely to be
+released.”
+
+“I should say so. He’s worth about $20,000,000.”
+
+Broom smacked his lips.
+
+“Some of that’s as good as ours if you do what I tell you,” he
+exclaimed.
+
+“Ours?” A greedy look crept into the boy’s face.
+
+“Yes, when he pays up you’ll get your share and get even with the people
+you dislike at the same time.”
+
+When Donald left the place with one of his ragged pockets bulging with
+unaccustomed wealth, a compact had been formed that was to cause our
+friends a great deal of trouble in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXI.—A MEMORABLE NIGHT.
+
+
+“It’s very peculiar that Donald should have undergone such a sudden
+change of front,” said Jack later that evening, following the boy’s
+strange way of receiving Mr. Jukes’ proposal. “He certainly appeared to
+want to go along the worst way a few hours ago.”
+
+“I can’t help thinking that he has been up to some mischief,” replied
+Billy. “He’s got himself a new outfit somewhere and I saw him paying his
+hotel bill.”
+
+“Well, at any rate that’s a laudable act,” laughed Jack. “After all, we
+are not much concerned with anything that he does now.”
+
+“No, that’s true. By-the-way, how is that wireless idea of yours for a
+portable set getting along?”
+
+“First rate; I’ve got it all worked out on paper and have cut the weight
+down to fifty pounds without the aerials.”
+
+“Good for you. I’ve got a notion we can make a lot of use of it.”
+
+“At any rate it won’t be much of an extra load and it might get us out
+of a tight place, who can tell?”
+
+After some further talk the boys decided to turn in, as they had to be
+up early the next day. It was a hot, close night when the heavens seemed
+to be pressed down like a brazen lid on a pot. Far off, flashes of
+lightning illuminated the distant sky toward the mountains where, for
+all they knew, the millionaire’s abducted brother might be concealed.
+
+“Phew! It’s warm,” exclaimed Jack. “I guess I’ll take a bath before I
+turn in.”
+
+The boys’ bedroom was typical of hotels in that part of the world. Its
+floor was bare except for a strip of matting. There were two beds in it,
+hung with mosquito netting curtains, and a tiny wash basin and jug. An
+old-fashioned bell-pull hung near one of the beds and Jack decided to
+give it a tug and order a bath, when one of the native “bell boys”
+appeared. After a long interval, one of the barefooted functionaries of
+the hotel arrived. Jack made his wants known and the man hurried off
+again without a word.
+
+“That’s odd,” commented Jack, “but I guess he’s gone to fill it and will
+be back directly to say it’s ready.”
+
+They waited for some time before a soft patter of bare feet was heard in
+the hall and two of the native servants entered carrying between them a
+barrel. Another followed with a sort of dipper made out of a cocoanut.
+
+The boys stared in amazement as the men advanced to the middle of the
+room and solemnly set down the barrel and then stood about waiting with
+an expectant look on their faces.
+
+“What in the world is all this?” demanded the amazed Jack.
+
+“Him your bath, boss,” came the answer, “you gettee in him ballel, we
+washee you.”
+
+“I’ll be jiggered if you do,” exclaimed Jack. “Get out of here,” and the
+men hurried off, first staring at the boy as if they thought he was mad.
+“Well, a New Guinea bath certainly accounts for the appearance of some
+of the natives I’ve seen about,” he laughed, as soon as they had left.
+“But I suppose I must make the best of it.”
+
+So Jack’s bath consisted of dipping water out of the tub and pouring it
+over himself, trying not to flood the room. But apparently he did so,
+for soon a loud and indignant voice was heard at the door.
+
+“Who is there?” demanded the boys.
+
+“Sapristi! Eet is I. Zee landlord. You flood zee place. Zee water drip
+on me.”
+
+“Sorry,” sang out Jack, cheerfully, “but I’m doing the best I can. You
+see, I’m not used to the customs of the country yet. I don’t understand
+your way of bathing.”
+
+“What do you mean zee bathing?”
+
+“I’m trying to get a bath in this barrel that you sent me up.”
+
+“Taking a bath!” shouted the landlord in a startled voice, “a bath at
+zees time of zee night. You must be crazee. Anyhow, you drop no more of
+zee water on me. I sleep zee room undaire.”
+
+“Well, he doesn’t look as if a little water would hurt him,” commented
+Billy, as the landlord’s footsteps retreated down the passage.
+
+The boys were soon in bed, but not to sleep. Their exciting day amid new
+scenes had rendered them wakeful and then, too, the beds of the Hotel
+Bomobori were not couches of roses. The sheets and pillows smelled
+abominably of camphor and mildew, and the latter appeared to have been,
+or so Billy declared, stuffed with corn cobs. The same applied to the
+mattresses. But as if this was not enough, there came a sudden shrill
+cry from somewhere in the room:
+
+“Beck-ee! Beck-ee! Beck-ee!”
+
+“What in the nation was that?” cried Billy, considerably startled.
+
+“Somebody calling for 'Becky,’” laughed Jack, “but Rebecca won’t answer.
+Go to sleep, Billy, if you can, on these miserable beds. It must be some
+insect.”
+
+“I hope it isn’t anything venomous,” muttered Raynor.
+
+“Better keep your curtains close drawn and then it can’t get at you,
+anyhow,” advised Jack.
+
+“But then it shuts out all the air and I almost suffocate,” complained
+Billy.
+
+“Wow!” he yelled a moment later, in a tone that roused Jack, who was
+almost asleep.
+
+“What’s the matter, Billy?” he asked anxiously.
+
+“Ugh, something soft with legs on it just ran over my face,” cried
+Raynor. “For goodness’ sake get up and get a light. It may be something
+that bites or stings.”
+
+Jack lost no time in getting hurriedly out of his bed, and as he shook
+the curtains something was dislodged from them and went whirring and
+banging round the room, blundering heavily against the ceiling.
+
+“What the dickens——!” exclaimed the boy, considerably startled, when
+another cry from Billy split the air.
+
+“Ouch, for the love of Mike. A light, quick. Something just nipped my
+toe.”
+
+Jack fumbled for the matches; but, as is usual in such cases, he located
+every object in the room before he found them, finally colliding with
+the washstand and sending it with a crash to the ground floor. An
+instant later there was the noise of slamming doors below and the
+landlord came racing up the stairs to the boys’ room.
+
+“Ciel! What is zee mattaire zees time? First you try drown me, zen you
+make zee beeg crash like zee tonnaire!”
+
+“It’s all the fault of your old hotel,” exclaimed Jack angrily, going to
+the door. “This room is full of some kind of animals. It’s a regular
+menagerie.”
+
+He opened the door and the landlord, with a curious-looking night-light,
+composed of a wick floating in a tumbler full of some strong-smelling
+oil that gave out a powerful odor of sandal wood, came inside. Instantly
+there was a mighty scuffling and several ugly looking lizards darted off
+across the floor and a huge bat (no doubt the creature that had vacated
+Jack’s bed-curtains with such a prodigious flapping) went soaring out
+through the open lattice-work doors which led out on the verandah, but
+which the boys had left open for coolness. There were also a dozen other
+specimens of unclassified insects, both winged and legged, which went
+scuttling off at the sight of the light. Then the landlord’s eye fell on
+the open doors.
+
+“Sacre!” he cried, “nevaire did I such a foolishness see.”
+
+“What’s the matter now?” demanded Jack. “The only foolishness I can see
+is in our coming to this hotel.”
+
+The landlord shrugged his shoulders as if in despair.
+
+“What else do you expect but zee bat, zee scorpion, zee centipede, zee
+leezard, zee chigre, zee——”
+
+“What makes a noise like 'becky, becky, becky’?” asked Billy, breaking
+in on the catalogue.
+
+“Ah! Zee biting leezard 'ee do zat.”
+
+“Then that fellow that nipped my toe and the one that sang out for
+Rebecca must be the same individual,” cried Billy indignantly, “but go
+on with your catalogue.”
+
+The landlord looked puzzled.
+
+“Zere was zee cat and zee dog 'ere, too?” he demanded.
+
+“No, I said the catalogue. The list of insects you were rattling off.”
+
+“Oh, well, I was going to say to you not to leave zee porch doors open
+in zee night. And also nevaire go to bed wizout lighting one of zees
+lights.” He tapped the peculiar-smelling night-light he held. “See, here
+eez one 'ere on zees table.”
+
+“Well, you can’t blame us for not knowing what it was,” protested Jack,
+as he lighted it. “I thought it was some peculiar kind of drink. It’s
+the first time I ever saw light served in a tumbler.”
+
+“Zee light veree good,” said the landlord, as he was leaving the room.
+“Zee animal no like zee light, also they no like zee smell.”
+
+“I don’t blame them,” said Jack, after the man had left, and the odd
+tumbler lamp was burning with a sputtering, smoking flame, “especially
+the smell part.”
+
+“Anyhow, anything is better than sharing your bed with
+you-don’t-know-what creepy-crawly things,” declared Raynor.
+
+“Yes, and lizards that go round hollering girls’ names,” agreed Jack. “I
+fancy we’ll sleep better now. But, after all, we’ve got to get used to
+it all for we may meet worse in the jungle.”
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXII.—INTO THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+The next day was busily spent by the boys. Jack had his portable
+wireless to assemble. Raynor was assigned as “chief of baggage,” and
+Captain Sparhawk and Mr. Jukes, with Muldoon, who spoke the Papuan
+dialect after a fashion, occupied the time rounding up the native
+bearers and finding a suitable “head man.” The latter was very important
+to the success of the expedition, both to keep the other natives up to
+their work and to find trails and, if necessary, act as interpreter.
+Through the good offices of Jabez Hook, a “smart Yankee” who ran a
+“general store” at Bomobori, and was a warm friend of Captain
+Sparhawk’s, they finally found just the man they wanted. He was a tall,
+up-right Papuan with an exceptionally intelligent face, who spoke fair
+English, knew the country thoroughly and appeared about thirty years
+old. Salloo, as he called himself, agreed to have everything in
+readiness for a start into the interior by the next morning. He held out
+hopes that from some of the interior tribes they would get news of the
+lost ones, for among the natives news travels fast, and if ‘Bully’ Broom
+had conveyed prisoners into the inland some of the tribesmen would be
+sure to know about it.
+
+When Jack returned from the _Sea Gypsy_, where he had set up his
+apparatus, he reported that all was well on board and everything going
+forward smoothly under the command of the first officer. Thurman
+appeared to be delighted with his chance to vindicate himself, but
+acting under Mr. Jukes’ advice, it had been deemed prudent to refuse him
+shore liberty till the party returned. Thurman did not seem to resent
+this, and told Jack that after all he had gone through, a “soft berth”
+and good meals on the yacht appealed to him. He had seen enough of the
+tropics, so he declared, to have no especial desire to go ashore at
+Bomobori.
+
+It was not till eleven o’clock that night that they turned in. But when
+they did so it was with a satisfied feeling that every detail had been
+attended to. Not the least satisfactory result of the day had been
+Jack’s achievement of perfecting the portable wireless which would keep
+them at all times in touch with the yacht.
+
+The next morning dawned bright and clear. The boys were up before any of
+the rest of the party, dressed in khaki suits, sun helmets and stout
+leggings, for much of the way would lie through ragged bush. Each lad
+carried a water canteen, a pocket filter, compass, knife, and wore a
+service revolver attached to a cartridge belt. In these “uniforms” they
+looked very business-like, and capable of giving a good account of
+themselves in any emergency. Soon after the other members of the party
+appeared somewhat similarly attired. Mr. Jukes’ pockets bulged with
+boxes of dyspepsia pills, and Muldoon wore his sailor uniform with the
+addition of leggings and a sun helmet.
+
+“Shure I look like a sea soldier no liss,” was the way he summed up his
+appearance, and the boys couldn’t help agreeing with him.
+
+While they were at breakfast, Salloo and his “bearers” presented
+themselves.
+
+Salloo greeted them with a low “salaam,” and volunteered the information
+that:
+
+“Him welly good day for makum start. Go many miles. Good trail for first
+part of journey.”
+
+“Well, the further we go, the quicker we’ll get back,” commented Muldoon
+in true Irish style.
+
+At eight o’clock they were off. Nobody in the town knew the true object
+of their expedition, but supposed they were off on a hunt for
+entomological specimens, for New Guinea swarms with rare forms of insect
+life and many intrepid collectors have found it a happy hunting ground,
+some of them paying for their devotion to science with their lives.
+
+At first the question of traveling on horse-back had been mooted. But
+Salloo promptly vetoed this. The country was too rough and thickly grown
+to make horse-back travel feasible for more than a few miles, he
+declared. They might have used the river, but it was only navigable for
+a short distance when the swift current and the shoals made it dangerous
+for up-stream travel. Natives coming down it always abandoned their
+dugouts, which were simply hollow trees, at Bomobori, and went back to
+their villages on foot.
+
+The town was soon left behind and they struck into a trail which was
+broad and well trodden. On all sides were dense groves of tropical
+vegetation, towering palms, spreading mangoes laden with golden fruit,
+that ever-present banana and fragrant guava and lemon trees. From the
+tall lance-wood and cotton trees great creepers and lianas, looking like
+serpents, twined and coiled. There was a moist, steaming heat in the
+air.
+
+“It’s just like being in a big conservatory at home,” said Jack, and
+indeed the air had just the odor and closeness of a glass-house.
+
+“This is fever territory,” declared Mr. Jukes, administering a large
+dose of quinine to himself. “There is to be no sleeping on the ground,
+remember.”
+
+“I guess not, after the experience we had in our room at the hotel last
+night,” said Raynor, and amidst much laughter he narrated the details of
+their uncomfortable night.
+
+As they pushed onward, there came from the river, which glinted like
+molten lead in the sunshine at their left, a long-drawn cry which
+startled all the white members of the expedition. It resembled the human
+voice and appeared to be the appeal of someone in agony.
+
+“Shure there’s some poor soul in throuble over yonder forninst the
+river,” declared Muldoon, and before any one could stop him he had left
+the trail and was making for the water.
+
+“Hi you white man, you comee back,” cried Salloo.
+
+But he was too late. Hardly had Muldoon left the trail than he sank up
+to his knees in black, oozy mud which held him like liquid glue.
+
+His struggles only made matters worse, and soon he was up to his knees
+in the evil-smelling, glutinous mass which bubbled about him as it
+sucked him down.
+
+“Help! Murther! Shure, O’im kilt intirely!” cried the frightened man,
+waving his arms frantically.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIII.—A DANGEROUS TREE.
+
+
+All this time, from the river, came the same weird cries that had
+mystified them. What with these cries and Muldoon’s lusty yells for
+help, had there been an enemy within a mile they must have heard them,
+but luckily they were in a territory known to be peaceable, although
+Salloo was not quite so sure of some of the tribes who had a bad
+reputation as “head hunters.”
+
+“He’s stuck in the mud!” exclaimed Jack, and was starting forward to
+Muldoon’s assistance when Salloo grabbed his arm.
+
+“No go,” he warned, “him mud velly bad. Make drown in mud plitty quick
+no get helpee.”
+
+The native began making his way by a circuitous route toward the
+luckless Muldoon. In his hand he had a long rope. He leaped from tuft to
+tuft of the hummocks that appeared above the black soil. As soon as he
+got close enough to Muldoon he threw the struggling boatswain the end of
+the line, which Muldoon had presence of mind enough to place under his
+arm-pits. Then Salloo skipped nimbly back to the trail and all laying
+hold with a will they soon hauled Muldoon out of his disagreeable
+predicament, although he was a sorry sight to look at.
+
+“But faith,” he exclaimed, “it’s glad enough I am to know O’im not dead
+intirely. A little mud will soon dry and clean off, begob.”
+
+“Tropical places are full of just such treacherous swamps,” declared
+Captain Sparhawk. “It will be well for all of us to be very careful and
+not leave the trail except by Salloo’s advice.”
+
+But now the strange wailing sound which they had for the moment
+forgotten in the excitement of Muldoon’s rescue again startled them. The
+cause of it was quickly explained by Salloo.
+
+“Him _dugong_, allee samee sea-cow,” he said.
+
+“Oh, I know now—like the manitou they have in Florida,” cried Jack.
+
+“Me no know 'bout man or two,” said Salloo, “but him big an’mul. Live in
+river. Makee noise like heap cryee allee timee.”
+
+“It sounds as if somebody was being murdered,” commented Raynor.
+“However, I guess we’re not the first people to be scared by the
+dinner-gong, or whatever you call it.”
+
+The halt for the noon-day meal was made in a pleasant grove of tropical
+trees which stood on safe rising ground to one side of the trail. All
+the white members of the party were glad enough of the chance to take a
+rest, but the wiry natives appeared to be perfectly fresh and strong as
+when they set out, despite their heavy burdens. While the natives began
+cooking their rice and salted fish, with a sort of curry sauce, Salloo
+set about making a fire for the whites. With marvelous dexterity he
+twirled a stick between his outspread hands against some dry tinder and
+soon had a good blaze going. The boys scattered to get wood, of which
+they soon had a sufficient quantity. Then, determined to make the most
+of their halt, they flung themselves down under a peculiarly fine tree
+with wide, dark green leaves, glossy as polished leather.
+
+They were chatting about the incidents of the trip so far when Jack all
+at once felt something strike him on the arm. His first impression was
+that it was a stone. But on looking at the place where he had been
+struck he saw that the sleeve of his shirt, for he had laid aside his
+khaki coat, had been ripped in parallel lines as if a curry comb, with
+sharp teeth, had been drawn down it. He felt a sharp pain moreover, and
+then he saw blood on his arm.
+
+Billy had sprung up in alarm at his sharp exclamation of pain, and was
+peering into the brush in the dread of seeing savage faces peering at
+them. His shout of alarm brought them all, including Salloo, on the run
+to Jack’s side. The boy explained what had occurred and the faces of the
+whites grew grave. If they were attacked at this early stage of the
+journey it augured ill for the remainder of their adventure.
+
+But Salloo speedily solved the mystery. Lying on the ground beside Jack
+was a green, oval-shaped ball, about the size of those projectiles that
+one sees stacked by memorial cannons in our country. But this missile
+was covered with sharp spikes like the spines of a hedgehog. Salloo
+pointed up into the beautiful tree under which they had cast themselves
+down to rest.
+
+“Nobody throw him,” he explained, “him big fruit, some callum Durion
+nut. You comee way from there. One hittee you headee your blains getee
+knocked out.”
+
+“They deserve to be for getting up a scare like that,” laughed Jack,
+who, like Billy, stepped hastily from under the dangerous tree. “It
+seems to be a pretty good idea in this country to be always on the look
+out. Even nature seems to have it in for you.”
+
+Jack’s arm was doctored by Captain Sparhawk, for it was quite painful,
+but luckily the spines of the durion, sometimes called the Jack fruit,
+are not poisonous and it was soon all right again. But during the
+noon-day meal, which was then ready, when they heard the crashing of nut
+after nut from the durion tree, both boys felt they had had a very lucky
+escape from having their skulls fractured.
+
+“Be jabers,” commented Muldoon, “shure o’ive been in a hurricane where
+the blocks and tackle that was ripped from aloft made yez skip around
+loively to dodge thim, but this is the first toime thot iver I heard of
+a three throwing things at yez as if ye was a nigger dodger at a fair.”
+
+“You’ll discover stranger things than that, Muldoon, before we have been
+very long in New Guinea,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Faith, so long as they’re not snakes, oi dunno thot I care much,” said
+the Irishman. “Begob, o’im thinking that St. Pathrick would be a good
+man to have along in a counthry where the craturs are. Wun wave uv his
+sthick and away they’d all go, bad luck to thim.”
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIV.—WIRELESS AT WORK.
+
+
+For two days they traveled thus, making fresh discoveries constantly.
+Once, for instance, Billy triumphantly pounced on what seemed like a
+fine bit of fire-wood for the noon-day halt. But he dropped it with a
+yell, as the “stick” suddenly developed legs and on being dropped walked
+off.
+
+“Begorrah, there’s a shillalegh come to loife, so it has,” yelled
+Muldoon, as he observed the phenomenon; but the “shillalegh” was only
+one of those strange “stick insects” that abound in that part of the
+world and sometimes fool even the natives.
+
+At noon of the third day they found themselves approaching a settlement,
+as cleared ground, where grew maize, sugar cane, yams and other plants,
+testified. The village proved to be a large one where white traders and
+animal collectors often stopped and there was a native hostelry in it
+conducted by a greasy-looking Frenchman who had a native wife as
+dirty-looking as he was. The native huts were all of bamboo hung with
+cocoanut mats. Natives squatted in front of them chewing betel nuts, the
+juice crimsoning their lips and chins. All ages and both sexes indulged
+in the habit, which is universal throughout Polynesia and the South Seas
+generally.
+
+There appeared to be a lot of rivalry among the men as to who could grow
+the fuzziest, most outstanding crop of hair.
+
+“Faith, a barber would starve to death in this country,” declared
+Muldoon.
+
+Just then a young woman came down the “street,” if such the muddy track
+between the huts could be called. She held something in her arms that
+they thought at first was a baby. But it turned out to be a young pig!
+
+“We’ll rest at the hotel here,” said Mr. Jukes, “till it grows cooler.
+My dyspepsia is bad again. It comes from traveling during the heat of
+the day as we have been doing.”
+
+The mid-day meal was cooked on a sort of altar built of stones. The boys
+watched the operations in this open-air kitchen with interest. At least
+twenty natives assisted in the culinary demonstration and the chatter
+and laughter was deafening. They made a hearty meal on the native fare,
+which they were astonished to find was quite as good as anything they
+had tasted at home.
+
+As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at once after the meal they took
+it easy in several grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady, tree.
+The fact that the natives kept coming up and peering into their faces
+and that babies, chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks did
+not disturb the boys after a while, and they dropped off to sleep.
+
+“I don’t wonder the natives here are lazy,” remarked Jack, when Muldoon
+awakened him with a yell of “All hands on deck to see it rain.” “I
+rarely slept in the day-time, but here I just dozed off without knowing
+it.”
+
+“Same here,” chimed in Raynor. “I didn’t have to even half try.”
+
+“This climate is very enervating, boys,” declared Captain Sparhawk,
+joining in the conversation. “That is why this part of the globe makes
+so little progress toward civilisation. Men who are hustlers in their
+own country come here determined to make the dirt fly, but after a few
+months their energy oozes out of them like—well, say like tar out of
+the seams of a hot ship’s deck.”
+
+“That’s a good comparison,” laughed Jack.
+
+Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers’ camp, and soon
+they were on their way again. The Frenchman, whose “hotel” they had
+left, had told them that by evening they would reach another village,
+the last one they would encounter before plunging into the really wild
+jungle, where there was another “hotel.”
+
+“As it will be our last chance for many days to sleep under a roof, I
+propose we stay there to-night,” said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.
+
+This suited the rest of the party and they struck forward at a brisk
+pace after their refreshing rest and sleep. The jungle was filled with
+countless birds, but there were no feathered songsters among them. The
+air was filled with nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that set
+the teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill of seeing a bird of
+paradise, with its glorious plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flash
+across their path.
+
+The village they stopped at that evening resembled in almost every
+respect the one in which the noon-day halt had been made. There were the
+same huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens, and the same
+fuzzy-headed Papuans, many of them returning from the fields with corn
+and yams.
+
+The proprietor of the “hotel,” which had no more pretensions to the name
+than the other hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste, lacking
+one eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass ear-rings. His wife was a
+giant negress. However, they welcomed the party warmly, as they had good
+reason to do, not having had any guests for some time, and pigs and
+fowls were at once killed for supper, everything in such places being
+ordered “on the hoof,” so to speak. Mr. Jukes delighted his native
+followers by ordering an elaborate meal for them also, in celebration of
+the fact that on the morrow they would leave “civilization” behind them.
+
+Jack, at Mr. Jukes’ request, set up his wireless plant, stringing the
+aerials from a tall tree up which one of the natives swarmed like a
+monkey to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he and Billy talked.
+
+“I guess we’ll sleep with one eye open to-night,” said Jack in an
+undertone, for they were surrounded by a curious crowd watching the
+white boy “make conjure medicine.”
+
+“Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking couple,” rejoined Billy,
+“and in a country like this it’s a good thing to regard everybody with
+suspicion till you find them all right.”
+
+Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted and worked and had his word
+to put in too.
+
+“Begorrah, that Portugee don’t look like no angel,” he said, “and his
+wife looks like the ould Nick himsilf.”
+
+“Just what we were talking about, Muldoon,” said Jack. “It will be a
+good thing if we keep our eyes and ears open.”
+
+[Illustration: It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he
+received Thurman’s answering call.]
+
+At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor started to turn the
+hand-crank of the generator, for of course a gasoline engine for that
+purpose could not be carried into the jungle. When the storage batteries
+were charged, Jack began to pump out the _Sea Gypsy’s_ call. At the
+first crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark the natives
+scattered with yells. Even Salloo, who was looking on, and had to stand
+his ground to maintain his dignity before his men, looked uneasy and
+shifted about nervously.
+
+It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he received
+Thurman’s answering call.
+
+Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was no particular news from his
+end except that another party had started up-country right on the heels
+of Mr. Jukes’ expedition. It was thought they were traders, Thurman
+said. Jack gave his news and then flashed “Good-night.”
+
+He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of the start of a second
+party.
+
+“I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition,” mused Mr. Jukes,
+on receipt of this information. “But no doubt they are traders. It seems
+odd, though, that they didn’t join with us if they were coming this way,
+as is the general custom.”
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXV.—A JUNGLE HOTEL.
+
+
+The hostelry was divided into half a dozen rooms walled with bamboo, and
+all on the ground floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposed
+between the sleepers and the ground, and cockroaches and singing lizards
+abounded. But by this time the lads had become pretty well used to the
+night noises of the jungle, which are far more tumultuous after dark
+than in the day-time, and as for the hard beds, they were too tired to
+mind much where they slept.
+
+Jack had not slept long when he was awakened by someone calling to him.
+It was Muldoon. The Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement as
+he stood in the grass-curtained door-way.
+
+“Whist!” he exclaimed, holding a finger to his lips, “is thot you
+Misther Riddy?”
+
+“Yes, what’s the trouble, Muldoon?”
+
+“Shure o’ive made a discovery, sor.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing about.”
+
+“Well, what about them?”
+
+“They’re here, begob.”
+
+“Where, in the hotel?”
+
+“No, in the woods back of the house.”
+
+“Camping there?”
+
+“No, bejabbers. There’s something looks queer to me about the whole
+thing, that’s why I called yez. They’ve sent for the Dago that runs this
+shabeen, sor.”
+
+“Maybe they want to get accommodations?”
+
+“Thin why wouldn’t they stip up like min and ask for ’em?” was Muldoon’s
+unanswerable retort.
+
+Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily, appeared in the
+door-way. Behind him stood the giant negress. The millionaire had
+evidently dressed hastily.
+
+“I’ve got news, Ready,” he exclaimed in a rather excited voice. “This
+woman has just told me that her husband wants to see me outside. I
+gathered it’s on some matter connected with my brother.”
+
+“Yassir,” grinned the hideous negress, showing a double row of sharply
+filed teeth, “dat’s it, sah. It’s 'bout yo’ brudder.”
+
+Raynor had awakened by this time and was sitting up on his mat listening
+sleepily. He eyed the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasy
+conviction entered his mind that all was not well.
+
+“You’d better be cautious, sir,” warned Jack, who also felt an
+undeniable feeling of suspicion, “something may be wrong.”
+
+“What can be wrong,” demanded Mr. Jukes, rather impatiently. “I’m going
+outside to see. If it’s about my brother it’s my duty to do so at once.”
+
+“Then if you’re going I’ll go with you,” said Jack, hastily throwing on
+the garments he had divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.
+
+“And begorrah o’i second the motion,” declared Muldoon.
+
+“Wait a moment for me,” begged Billy.
+
+“No, stay here,” said Jack. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll fire three
+shots.”
+
+A minute later, followed by the native woman, the three left the place.
+As they reached the door she took the lead and conducted them through a
+bamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under which her husband and a
+big man with black beard were conversing.
+
+“You wish to see me?” asked Mr. Jukes, addressing the bearded one.
+
+“Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news for you,” said the
+landlord, spreading his hands.
+
+“Begorrah, oi don’t see no gintilmin here excipt oursilves,” muttered
+Muldoon.
+
+“Muldoon, be quiet,” ordered Mr. Jukes, then turning to the
+black-bearded man he went on with, “Well, sir, what is it you wish?”
+
+“You are Mr. Jukes?” asked the other, in a deep, gruff voice.
+
+“I am, what of it?”
+
+“I want to see you. I have news for you.”
+
+“But—but I don’t know you. Why didn’t you come to the hotel if you had
+anything to say to me?” asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.
+
+“I wanted to talk to you in private about your brother,” was the reply.
+
+“My brother! Why, we are searching for him now. That is the reason of
+our presence in the jungle. Do you know anything about him?”
+
+“I do. It was he who sent me here.”
+
+“Jerushah sent you?” the millionaire was fairly amazed now. “He is then
+alive?”
+
+“Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick. Through natives he heard of
+the arrival of your expedition and sent me even at this hour to bring
+you to him.”
+
+“That is a strange story, my man,” said Mr. Jukes suspiciously. “I might
+say it is almost incredible.”
+
+“I’ll admit it does sound strange,” said the other, “but strange things
+happen in this part of the world. I might add that the other Mr. Jukes
+wants to see you alone. Something about a pearl, I believe.”
+
+Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes’ sleeve. The lad had been peering about him
+through the dark trees and had seen something the others had not. If his
+eyes had not deceived him, and Jack did not believe they had, several
+forms were moving about in the gloom beneath the interlaced branches.
+
+“Mr. Jukes,” he whispered, “I don’t believe this man. I think we are in
+some sort of a trap. Why didn’t he come to the house with this
+cock-and-bull story?”
+
+Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this man of great affairs,
+before whom board meetings quailed, and who ruled almost supreme among
+the great money kings of New York, appeared to be lost now that he was
+out of his little world and among the great elemental things of the
+untraveled jungle.
+
+“I’m sure I don’t know, Ready,” he replied.
+
+“Ask him,” suggested Jack, with his hand on his revolver. He felt that a
+crisis of some sort was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.
+
+Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put the question. The bearded
+man’s reply was brief and to the point.
+
+“That is beside the question,” he snapped. “Are you coming with me?”
+
+Before any reply could be made the bearded man’s eye caught the glint of
+Jack’s weapon. Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees leaped
+a dozen or more men.
+
+“Howly saints! A trap!” yelled Muldoon.
+
+“A trap!” echoed Jack. He raised his pistol to cover the black-bearded
+man. But before he had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown from
+their feet by a combined attack and in a twinkling both the millionaire
+and the boy were helpless.
+
+“Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others. Come after us as quick as
+you can.”
+
+“Hold your horses there,” roared the black-bearded man, who, as our
+readers will have guessed, was ‘Bully’ Broom himself, with his band of
+renegade followers. He tried to block the boatswain’s path as Muldoon
+darted off.
+
+Biff, the old seaman’s knotted fist shot out and caught the redoubtable
+‘Bully’ between his eyes. He staggered but did not fall.
+
+“Take that, you murtherin’ spalpeen,” shouted Muldoon, as he darted off
+among the trees and was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of the
+band pursued him, but ‘Bully’ Broom called them back.
+
+“We’ve got the fellows we want,” he said; “bind and gag them and if they
+show fight don’t be too gentle with them.”
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVI.—PRISONERS OF ‘BULLY’ BROOM.
+
+
+Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless, and in return for his
+struggles received only a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser to
+remain quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had their hands tied
+behind their backs and gags of dirty grass were thrust, none too gently,
+into their mouths.
+
+“Now march, and behave yourselves or you’ll be shot,” snarled ‘Bully’
+Broom, whose temper had not been improved by the blow Muldoon’s strong
+fist had given him.
+
+As it would have been folly to have resisted, situated as they were, the
+two prisoners did as they were told. Jack wondered where they were being
+taken and why they had been attacked. Even his acute mind did not
+connect their captors with ‘Bully’ Broom and his gang. The boy thought
+they had fallen into the hands of one of those bands of free-booters,
+known to frequent parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.
+
+He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire was stout and
+accustomed to his ease. After his tiring day this night march must have
+been cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the man of millions
+received a vicious jab in the back with the stock of a rifle.
+
+Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting on the strange turn
+of the wheel of fortune that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,
+into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved, perspiring prisoner,
+in the hands of a band of men of undoubtedly desperate character. He
+wondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not contrasting this cruel
+march through the forest with his magnificent town and country houses,
+his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and his elaborate
+entertainments. If he were doing so, Jack surmised that his thoughts
+must be bitter. In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to keep his
+mind off his own misfortunes.
+
+A journey of some hours, at the close of which Mr. Jukes began to give
+every outward sign of deep physical exhaustion, brought them to a
+clearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking the river.
+Here, on a bluff about fifty feet above the water, in years gone by, a
+trading company had maintained a post. It had been built in the days
+when the natives were troublesome in that section and it was a strong
+structure like a fort. It was almost overgrown with rank tropical vines,
+but evidently the way to it was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.
+Jukes and Jack.
+
+Lanterns were lit and when the two captives had been ushered in both
+were made fast to the logs that formed the walls of the place. Jack
+glanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was assuredly a pitiable-looking
+object. His fine white shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vines
+encountered along the path, his carefully groomed appearance had given
+way to a general disreputableness that would have gained him recognition
+by any tramp as a member of the fraternity, his face was almost purple,
+from his enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.
+
+“Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy at any minute,” thought
+Jack, who, although he was in as bad a plight, characteristically did
+not spend any sympathy on himself. Perhaps the members of the band that
+had captured them noticed what Jack had, and feared fatal consequences,
+for Mr. Jukes’ gag was soon removed and so was Jack’s.
+
+When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes could recover his breath
+enough to speak, the rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,
+which was like a long mess hall and may indeed have been used at some
+time as such.
+
+“What does this outrage mean?” demanded Jack, as the black-bearded man
+strolled off last of all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.
+
+“You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?”
+
+“So you know my name?” exclaimed Jack in some surprise.
+
+“Yes, and that of your companions who will join you here before long. We
+hope to have the pleasure of your company for quite a long time.”
+
+“You abominable ruffian,” cried Jack, overcome by indignation, “you will
+pay dearly for this some time,” but at the same time the boy did not
+believe that the rest had been caught napping and captured. They were a
+strong party and, led by Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stiff
+fight.
+
+“I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes,” Jack could not help
+saying, as soon as they were left alone.
+
+“You wish it no more fervently than I do, my boy,” was the despondent
+reply. “Wall Street and New York seem like a dream to me. Only this
+horror is real.”
+
+“I would like to know what it all means,” said Jack. “These men can’t be
+just common robbers; they appear to have a regular hang-out here.”
+
+“I can’t help thinking that I’ve seen some of these ruffians loitering
+about Bomobori,” said Mr. Jukes.
+
+“That struck me, too. At any rate they must be the party Thurman
+wirelessed to me about as leaving just behind us. They’ve followed our
+trail pretty closely, too. We should have been more on our guard.”
+
+Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began to show in the narrow
+windows of the old barracks. The positions of both prisoners were most
+uncomfortable. The strain on their arms from the tightly tied cords was
+almost unbearable.
+
+“And to think I used to complain of discomfort if my chauffeur allowed
+my car to bump over a rut,” groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathos
+that would have made Jack smile had they been in any other situation.
+
+All the men had left the place, but they could hear the murmur of their
+voices outside. A smell of wood smoke drifted in and then the
+tantalising odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee combined to
+remind both prisoners that, in spite of their sufferings, they were both
+hungry and thirsty.
+
+“I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?” asked Jack, after a
+silence broken only by Mr. Jukes’ pathetic groans.
+
+“I’d risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of beans and bacon right
+now,” wailed the unhappy millionaire.
+
+“Yes,” thought Jack. “There are decidedly situations where all the
+millions in the world wouldn’t do you much good, and this, apparently,
+is one of them.”
+
+At last footsteps were heard approaching from the opposite end of the
+ramshackle building.
+
+“Somebody at last,” cried Jack.
+
+He had hardly spoken when ‘Bully’ Broom stood before them, followed
+by—Donald Judson.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXVII.—AT THE OLD FORT.
+
+
+Jack found it difficult to credit his eyesight as he gazed at the boy
+who formerly had made so much trouble for them and the gigantic ruffian
+who stood beside him.
+
+“Judson! Is it possible?” he gasped. “What brought you here?”
+
+“Are you a prisoner, too?” demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+“A prisoner?” laughed Judson. “Well, that’s a good one, I must say. Only
+fools walk into traps.”
+
+“Well, what are you doing here then, boy?” demanded the millionaire,
+recollecting his former kindness to Donald. “You ask him, Ready. He’s a
+friend of yours.”
+
+“He’s no friend of mine, Mr. Jukes,” denied Jack. “Can’t you see it
+all?”
+
+“See what?”
+
+“Why, the contemptible turn-coat is in with these rascals.”
+
+“Impossible!”
+
+“So, Judson,” went on Jack, “this is how you repay our kindness to you?”
+
+“Your kindness,” sneered the boy. “I want none of it. I’m in with a good
+crowd now. Besides, I told you in Bomobori I didn’t want to go with your
+old expedition.”
+
+“But you didn’t refuse the money I got you from Mr. Jukes,” said Jack.
+
+“Oh, he’s made of money,” chuckled Donald, “and we mean to get some more
+of it.”
+
+“You miserable young whelp,” panted the helpless millionaire, purple
+with rage, “if I had you in America——”
+
+“And anyhow,” continued Judson, thoroughly enjoying this, “you are only
+getting what’s coming to you, Ready. In the States you tried to have me
+put in pris—er that is you wanted to tell lies about me.”
+
+“I’m sorry we didn’t have you locked up, now,” said Jack bitterly. “I
+suppose you put this gang of scoundrels on our trail.”
+
+“You can suppose anything you want,” was the rejoinder, but a bit of the
+old boastfulness crept into his tone, “and you’re going to pay up, too,
+before you get out of this. Have you had them searched, Captain Broom?”
+
+“What——?” shouted the millionaire, almost beside himself at this
+sudden revelation of the black-bearded man’s identity, “are you ‘Bully’
+Broom?”
+
+“My name’s Broom all right,” was the surly reply, “but I want my proper
+handle, which is Captain.”
+
+“What have you done with my brother, you infernal rascal?” stormed the
+millionaire.
+
+“Now you ain’t going to get along any better by cutting up rough and
+losing your temper like that, pard’ner,” was the cool reminder. “You may
+be my guest for quite a time, so let’s you and me get along peaceable.
+Otherwise we’ll find a way to _make_ you keep a civil tongue in your
+head.”
+
+“Did you have them searched?” repeated Donald greedily. “If you did I
+want my share of it.”
+
+“They were searched, Judson, but they only had a few dollars; not more
+than a hundred at most.”
+
+“Bah!” growled Judson; “then they left some behind at old Baroni’s
+place. If we don’t capture the others, then——”
+
+“Never mind that, now,” commanded Broom; “you tell ’em what I told you.”
+
+“All right,” assented Judson, and then, turning to Jack, he said:
+
+“Do you know why you were brought here, Mr. Fresh?”
+
+“To be robbed, I suppose. I see no other explanation to it,” was Jack’s
+reply, with a steady look at Judson that made the other drop his eyes.
+“I always knew you were a bad lot, Judson, but I never thought you were
+as bad as this.”
+
+“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m as good as you,” stormed Judson,
+although he looked uneasy. Jack’s shot had told. “To be brief, we want
+to make money out of you.”
+
+“In what way?”
+
+“First of all, you must answer our questions.”
+
+“That’s the way,” approved ‘Bully’ Broom, stroking his huge beard. “How
+much money did you bring with you from America?”
+
+“Very little cash,” replied the millionaire, who had found it more
+prudent to control his temper, “most of the money is in the form of a
+letter of credit.”
+
+“Where is that letter of credit?” demanded Judson, interfering.
+
+“It is in Bomobori with the bankers,” was the reply, and Jack rejoiced
+to think that Mr. Jukes had managed to tell him that, as most of the
+money had been left behind at the hostelry with Captain Sparhawk, who
+had been appointed a sort of pay-master to the party.
+
+“Well, now we’ll come down to brass tacks,” growled Broom, after an
+interval of thought. “How much is your liberty worth to you?”
+
+“So that’s your game, is it, you rascally blackmailer?” sputtered the
+infuriated millionaire. “You won’t get a cent out of me.”
+
+But ‘Bully’ Broom only smiled.
+
+“Perhaps in a few days you’ll sing a different tune,” he said, and
+something, not in the words, but in the way they were uttered, sent a
+cold shiver down Jack’s spine.
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVIII.—THE FREE-BOOTER’S DEMANDS.
+
+
+“Well, what do you demand?” was the millionaire’s next question.
+
+Donald Judson drew ‘Bully’ Broom aside and whispered to him. The other
+nodded.
+
+“The least we will take is one hundred thousand dollars,” he said.
+
+The millionaire grew purple.
+
+“What?” he almost shouted.
+
+“That is for the liberty of both,” said ‘Bully’ Broom coolly. “Fifty
+thousand for the boy and fifty thousand for you. If you don’t want to
+take the boy, you can pay up fifty thousand and we will keep him.”
+
+“What would you do with him?”
+
+“Well, the river is full of hungry alligators——” grinned the wretch.
+
+“You scoundrel,” thundered Mr. Jukes, “do you suppose I’d leave him
+behind, anyway?” Jack cast him a grateful look. “But what have you done
+with my brother, you ruffian?”
+
+“Ah! I was coming to that,” said the rascal with an insolent smile, “but
+you can also have him for the very insignificant sum that I have already
+mentioned as being the price for you and the boy.”
+
+“You’re worth a whole lot more than that, Jukes,” put in Judson, with an
+equally insolent air. “You’re a regular old money-bags, you know.”
+
+“You’ll never get my money,” raged the millionaire.
+
+“We won’t, eh?”
+
+“Never.”
+
+“Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes,” smiled Broom.
+
+“So you mean to starve us into submission, eh?” demanded Jack. “I don’t
+see how such rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst young hound I
+ever heard of.”
+
+In high rage the boy’s enemy stepped up to him and deliberately struck
+him a heavy blow in the face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to
+return.
+
+“Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect accordance with what I
+know of your nature,” said Jack with menacing quietness.
+
+“You dare say that again,” screamed Donald, beside himself with anger,
+“just you dare and I’ll——” He ended with a shake of his fist.
+
+“Oh, you can’t scare me, even if I am tied,” said Jack scornfully.
+
+His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of Judson’s rage.
+
+“I’ll fix you,” he yelled, “I’ll——”
+
+“Judson, be quiet,” ordered Broom, and the boy subsided. “Now,” went on
+the free-booter to Mr. Jukes, “your best plan, if you don’t want to lose
+a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that money. Of course,
+we’ll have to keep you here till it’s safely cashed, otherwise you
+might, and probably would, stop the check. But——”
+
+“Don’t pay a cent, Mr. Jukes,” interrupted Jack.
+
+Judson stepped suddenly forward and struck the helpless lad another
+stinging blow. It was such a hard one that Jack’s senses swam for a
+minute.
+
+“Shame on you, you young villain,” cried Mr. Jukes. “He is helpless,
+otherwise you wouldn’t dare lay hands on him.”
+
+“Who says so? I could lick him any day,” swaggered Judson imprudently.
+
+“Have you people no sense of right and honesty in your compositions?”
+demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+But this appeal had no more effect on Broom than it would have had on
+adamant.
+
+“We’re no worse than you millionaires, if all the papers say is true,”
+he retorted. “You rob in your way, we rob in ours. We’re not quite so
+refined about it, perhaps. That’s the only difference, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+“You ruffian! Do you compare business,—legitimate business,—with your
+rascally trade?”
+
+“My rascally trade, as you please to term it, is business,—legitimate
+business,—to me,” returned Broom.
+
+“Are we to have any food?” demanded the millionaire abruptly.
+
+“When you listen to reason, yes.”
+
+“And your idea of reason is that I consent to pay that preposterous
+ransom?”
+
+“Your insight does you credit, Mr. Jukes. Sign that check and you shall
+have all you want to eat within the poor limits of my larder, and
+reasonable liberty till it is cashed. After that you are free to go
+where you will.”
+
+“Our friends will raise a hue and cry for us,” declared Jack. “They’ll
+find us and put you where you belong, behind the bars.”
+
+Broom and young Judson turned away and left the hut by another door from
+the one by which they had entered.
+
+“You think they will pay?” asked Broom, with some anxiety in his voice.
+
+“I’m sure they will. Even a tight-wad old millionaire will pay up when
+it comes to a choice between that and starving.”
+
+“Then you think they are sure to give in?”
+
+“Without a doubt. Then it is only a question of waiting for the money
+and getting out.”
+
+“I don’t mind that. But I didn’t like what they said about their friends
+following us here.”
+
+“Why you said nobody knew the way here through the swamps but yourself
+along that path we came last night.”
+
+“That’s true, but then there’s the river. However, it would be
+impossible to see the old fort from below and anyhow the cliff is fifty
+feet high and easily guarded.”
+
+“Of course you are foolish to worry. However, perhaps if they don’t give
+in in a day or two we had better be moving along. That young Ready’s
+chum, Billy, has given me trouble before.”
+
+“Well,” said Broom, “we’ll see how things come out. If they don’t want
+to perish in the swamps they’ll have to come by the river. From now on
+I’ll have that cliff guarded.”
+
+“Yes, and if any rescue party comes they’ll get a big surprise,” was
+young Judson’s reply.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIX.—THE RESCUE PARTY.
+
+
+“I wish I’d gone along with them,” muttered Raynor to himself as he
+slipped on his socks and boots so as to be ready instantly in case of
+alarm. “I don’t like the look of this thing at all.”
+
+For some minutes he sat there listening intently. But no sound came from
+outside.
+
+“I guess I’ll just join them anyhow,” he resolved to himself, getting on
+his feet. “This waiting is too nerve-racking. I’ll——”
+
+The boy halted where he stood. A loud shout from the jungle reached his
+ears.
+
+“Something has happened!” cried the boy.
+
+He reached for his pistol, and hastily buckling it on, he was about to
+rush out of the hostelry when a wild figure appeared.
+
+“Help! There’s murther goin’ on. Help!”
+
+It was Muldoon, fleeing before three of Broom’s followers. But as the
+pursuers came in sight of the hotel they halted. The next moment they
+were in active retreat.
+
+“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” gasped Raynor.
+
+“Those spalpeens out yonder. They’ve captured Misther Jukes and Jack
+Riddy.”
+
+“We must rouse the others at once and go in pursuit,” decided Billy.
+
+He hurried off to awaken Captain Sparhawk, while Muldoon aroused Salloo,
+who in turn, soon had his native followers astir. It did not take
+Captain Sparhawk much longer to get into his clothes when he heard
+Billy’s alarming news than it did for the natives, who were not
+embarrassed by garments, to adjust what few they did wear.
+
+It was well they had hastened, for the rascally landlord of the place
+had, by this time, aroused all the half-castes in the place and as,
+headed by Captain Sparhawk, they set off into the jungle, there was a
+scattering firing of shots behind them. Nobody was hurt, however, and
+they hastened forward to the place where Muldoon told them the capture
+had taken place.
+
+Salloo was consulted and he made a careful examination of the
+surroundings. It was considered quite safe to make this halt, as the
+tumult behind them had died out and was probably only incited by the
+hotel owner in order to get them out of the village.
+
+“Must wait till light come,” decided Salloo at last, “no can make out
+trail in dark.”
+
+It seemed a whole eternity till dawn, but at last it grew light and the
+Malay darted hither and thither in the vicinity. At last he announced to
+Captain Sparhawk that he thought he knew, from the direction the trail
+took, the place to which the prisoners had been conveyed.
+
+“Me think they take um to old fort on river,” he declared.
+
+“Then let us go there at once,” said Captain Sparhawk eagerly. “Is it
+far?”
+
+“No velly far through jungle. But Salloo no know trail. Velly bad swamp
+in there and if no know trail get in tlubble plenty quick.”
+
+“Then we can’t reach them,” said Billy with a groan.
+
+“Salloo know other way,” was the reply, “we go round by ribber. Then
+climbee cliff, find fort at top.”
+
+“Then let’s start at once,” said Captain Sparhawk. “I don’t want to lose
+a second of time.”
+
+“No, begorry, those spalpeens may have taken them further on by the time
+we git there if we don’t put a good foot forward,” said Muldoon.
+
+Salloo glanced up at the sky. A light, fleecy haze overspread it.
+
+“Nuther reason we hully,” he said. “Salloo think big storm come
+to-mollow. Rain washee out the tlacks.”
+
+They set off along a narrow track that Salloo said would bring them to
+the river, whose course they must follow to the deserted fort. The
+jungle contained every kind of tropical growth, and huge ferns as big as
+trees waved over the path. But the atmosphere was close and feverish,
+with a humid heat that was very tiring. At times they encountered vines
+which had grown across the trail and had to be cut. Some of these were
+thin and wiry and could cut like a knife; others were as thick as a
+man’s arm and bore brilliant, though poisonous-looking blossoms of every
+color.
+
+“Bad traveling,” remarked Captain Sparhawk, “still I suppose we must
+expect that on a seldomly frequented trail.”
+
+“Him get velly bad further on,” was all the comfort Salloo could offer,
+“but not velly far to ribber once we strike udder trail.”
+
+Before long they came to the track he had referred to which branched off
+at right angles to the one along which they had been traveling.
+
+Several miles were covered, however, when it became time to halt for
+lunch. They made a hasty meal of canned goods instead of stopping to
+light fires, as Salloo thought it would be inadvisable to advertise
+their whereabouts by smoke columns in case the “enemy” had scouts out.
+They had hardly resumed their wearisome journey when they were startled
+by hearing a cry from a distance. Salloo came to an instant halt.
+
+“Keep out ob sight, all of you,” he said, “Salloo go see what makee
+noise.”
+
+He glided off into the dense vegetation with the silent, undulatory
+movements of a snake.
+
+“Begorry, I wonder what that critter was?” said Muldoon in a low voice.
+
+“I don’t know. I only hope it wasn’t a band of natives who might prove
+unfriendly,” muttered Billy.
+
+“Well, so far we have had more trouble with white men than with
+natives,” said Captain Sparhawk, a remark of which they all felt the
+truth.
+
+“It might have been monkeys chattering,” suggested Raynor, after a
+pause, during which they all listened for some sign of Salloo.
+
+“And spaking of the divil,” exclaimed Muldoon, “look, there’s a monkey
+looking at us now. See those two black oys back in the threes?”
+
+He pointed with his forefinger and they all gazed in that direction. It
+was Billy who first discovered the nature of Muldoon’s monkey.
+
+“That’s not a monkey. It’s a big snake! Look out for yourselves!” he
+yelled.
+
+“A python!” cried Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He started back and the others did the same. But Muldoon tripped over a
+bow and fell sprawling headlong. As he scrambled to his feet a serpent’s
+form appeared above him as it swung from a big tree. The next instant
+there was a cry of horror from them all.
+
+The serpent had made a sudden lunge and a cry broke from Muldoon as,
+before he could make a move to help himself, he was enwrapped in the
+spiral folds of the great python.
+
+Captain Sparhawk seized his revolver from his belt and leveled the
+weapon. But the next moment he lowered it. To have fired would have been
+to imperil Muldoon’s life, and there might still be a chance of saving
+him.
+
+The monstrous reptile that had the unfortunate boatswain in its grip was
+large, even judged by the standards of the immense pythons of the New
+Guinea and Borneo forests. It must have been fully thirty-five feet
+long.
+
+Billy could not endure the sight and put his hands in front of his eyes.
+When he removed them it was to behold a stirring sight.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXX.—IN THE COILS OF A PYTHON.
+
+
+From the jungle there had darted a lithe figure. It was Salloo. He had
+traced the source of the mysterious cries to a troop of monkeys. He was
+returning when Muldoon’s despairing cry broke on his ears.
+
+The Malay, guessing that there was serious trouble, glided through the
+jungle at the best speed of which he was capable, making his way swiftly
+through thickets that a white man could not have passed at all. There is
+one weapon with which a Malay is always armed—his kriss, a razor-edged
+sword about two feet long, with a “wavy” outline. This kriss Salloo now
+drew from under his single garment.
+
+One instant it flashed in the sunlight and the next, during which it was
+impossible to follow its movements, so swift were they, the python’s
+head was severed. But instantly, by a convulsive movement, its coils
+tightened and Muldoon emitted another pitiful cry. But, fortunately, the
+life of the snake had departed and soon its coils relaxed and its
+gaudily-colored body slipped in a heap to the ground.
+
+They all sprang forward to Muldoon’s aid, for the man, powerful and
+rugged, was almost in a state of collapse as the result of his terrible
+experience. An examination by Captain Sparhawk soon showed that no bones
+had been broken, as they had at first feared, and after restoratives had
+been administered, and after a short rest, Muldoon announced that he was
+ready to march on again.
+
+“That was a close shave, Muldoon,” remarked Raynor, as they pressed
+onward, after Muldoon had nearly wrung the hand off Salloo in expressing
+his thanks for the Malay’s courageous act, which had undoubtedly saved
+the boatswain’s life.
+
+“Ouch! Don’t say a wurrud,” groaned the Irishman, “I thought I was a
+goner sure. Divil a bit more of snakes is it I want to see.”
+
+That evening they reached the river, and leaving them camped, Salloo set
+off on a scouting expedition. It was a long time before he returned, but
+when he came in he brought good news. He had located the old fort and
+reported that the ruffians who had carried off Mr. Jukes and Jack were
+all there enjoying themselves round a big fire and apparently in no fear
+of an attack.
+
+“Me see um white boy there, too,” he added. “Same boy hang round hotel
+at Bomobori all time.”
+
+“Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy. “How can that be possible? I can’t fit
+him into this at all.”
+
+“Well, the question is, now that we have tracked the rascals, what’s the
+next move,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Me think now good time attack,” counseled Salloo. “They no think anyone
+near. Give ’em heap big surprise.”
+
+“Begorry, that’s well said, naygur,” approved Muldoon, “I’m aching to
+git a good crack at thim.”
+
+After some consultation it was decided to make the attack at once. If
+they delayed they would have to wait till the next night in order to
+surprise Broom’s band and there was no telling what might happen during
+the twenty-four hours that would elapse.
+
+Luckily, there was a moon, though it was somewhat obscured by the haze
+which Salloo had drawn attention to as presaging a storm. The party,
+piloted by Salloo, started off up the river, which was low, as the
+weather had been dry and there was plenty of room for them to pass
+between the bank and the water’s edge.
+
+At last they arrived in sight of the cliff and Raynor’s heart gave a
+bound. At the top they could see the red glare of the camp fire, though
+they could not see any of the men.
+
+“There’s one good thing, the ascent of the cliff will be easy,” said
+Billy, in a whisper, as he drew attention to the knotted and twisted
+vines that hung down it.
+
+“Yes, we’ll need no scaling ladders,” rejoined Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“No need for usum vines,” declared the Malay. “Salloo know a path to
+top.”
+
+Telling them to remain where they were, the faithful fellow set off on
+another scouting expedition. His kriss glittered menacingly in the
+moonlight as he went on, trying to keep in the shadow of the cliff.
+Arrived at the path he knew of, he glided noiselessly up it, although it
+was a steep and tortuous one, and soon was at the top of the cliff.
+Through the gloom he made out a solitary figure sitting on a rock far
+removed from the campfire, about which the rest were gathered. The Malay
+guessed it was a sentry, although the fellow was not keeping a very
+careful watch and appeared to be half asleep.
+
+“Me fixee you one minute,” grinned the Malay to himself.
+
+He cast himself on his stomach in the long grass that grew on the
+cliff-top and began worming his way round the sentry so as to approach
+him from the rear. He scarcely made a sound as he moved with wonderful
+rapidity.
+
+The sentry appeared to shake off his drowsiness suddenly and rose to his
+feet just as Salloo was within a few inches of him. But he left his
+rifle leaning against the rock on which he had been seated. Instantly
+Salloo leaped from the grass and the next instant the kriss was at the
+thunderstruck sentry’s throat.
+
+“You no speak or me killee,” grated out the Malay, and one glance
+convinced the sentry that Salloo would carry out his threat.
+
+Salloo stooped and picking up a small pebble cast it over the cliff. It
+fell almost at the feet of Captain Sparhawk and Billy, who were
+anxiously on the look-out for this signal, which had been prearranged.
+
+“Forward,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, who was in the lead. Next came
+Billy, then Muldoon and last the natives, some of whom had spears, and
+others the peculiar blow-pipes used by the Papuans to shoot poisoned
+darts.
+
+The advance was made in silence, and at the top of the cliff they found
+Salloo waiting for them. He was garmentless, having used his single
+cloak to tie up the sentry with. Grass stuffed in the man’s mouth had
+effectually gagged him.
+
+“Good for you, Salloo,” said the captain approvingly, to which the
+native replied with a grin.
+
+“Now we take him down below and find out some things from him,” said the
+Malay.
+
+The helpless prisoner was bundled back down the trail and brought to the
+camp at the foot of the cliff. Here he was roped to a tree and the gag
+taken out of his mouth. But the sight of Salloo’s ever-ready kriss kept
+him from making any outcry.
+
+Yes, he said, the old, fat man and the boy were all right. They had not
+been fed though, and wouldn’t be till a ransom was forthcoming.
+
+This made the whites boil with indignation. Questioned as to how many
+were in the band, he said he did not know, and as he stuck to this it
+was thought best not to waste any more time questioning him.
+
+After a consultation the gag was replaced, but the ropes were loosened
+so that with a little exertion the man could set himself free.
+
+“If, for any reason, we couldn’t come back, and we left the ropes tight,
+he would perish,” said Captain Sparhawk, “and we want no human lives to
+our account.”
+
+“Me leave him there starve to death plitty quick,” growled Salloo, with
+a scowl at the crestfallen prisoner.
+
+At the foot of the cliff all was now dark and silent as the grave. The
+moon was obscured by a cloud and it was an ideal moment for the dash on
+the camp to begin.
+
+“We go plenty slow or maybe take big tumble,” advised Salloo.
+
+He was in advance but Billy was close at his heels. Cautiously they
+ascended, taking great care not to dislodge loose stones which might
+have been fatal to their plans. At last the stream was far below them
+and the summit of the cliff within reach.
+
+It was at this moment that a torch flashed above them, glaring into
+their upturned faces.
+
+“What’s all this, who are you?” a voice demanded.
+
+“Silence if you value your life,” came from Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“It’s Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy.
+
+“Billy Raynor,” cried the other in his turn. “How did you——?”
+
+“Don’t utter another word,” ordered Captain Sparhawk. “Put your hands
+above your head, you young rascal.”
+
+“Not much I won’t!” exclaimed Judson.
+
+He flung his torch full in Billy’s face and then started at top speed
+for the camp fire, yelling the alarm at the top of his lungs.
+
+For a minute Billy was in peril of losing his balance as the torch
+struck him. But Salloo caught and held him firmly. The torch dropped
+with a splash and hiss into the waters of the river below.
+
+By this time Salloo scrambled to the cliff summit and made off after
+young Judson. Both reached the camp fire at about the same time. The
+others, following close on Salloo’s heels, saw Donald turn, catch sight
+of the glittering kriss, and then, with a yell of dismay, tumble
+headlong. He lay quite still and had apparently been stunned by the
+violence of the fall.
+
+“Help! Help!” It was Jack’s voice from the fort and was instantly
+recognised by Billy.
+
+But by this time the men about the fire, headed by ‘Bully’ Broom, were
+on their feet. There was no time for them to get their weapons, which
+had been left inside the fort so that they would not rust in the damp
+night air. The battle was a brief one, although some shots were fired,
+none of which, in the excitement, took effect.
+
+Billy, by a clever ruse, brought the engagement to a speedy termination.
+In the midst of the fight he turned toward the cliff and then raising
+his voice as if summoning help, he shouted:
+
+“This way, captain. Bring that company up here. Let the others guard the
+river.”
+
+“Get out of here, boys,” roared Broom, completely taken in. “I’ll settle
+with you later on,” he cried, shaking his fist as he turned and followed
+the rout of his followers, who, imagining they were being pursued by
+great numbers, made off at top speed for the jungle, which soon
+swallowed them up.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXI.—THE JOURNEY RESUMED.
+
+
+“Thank Heaven that is over,” said Mr. Jukes, as he sat on an old bench
+in the fort after he and Jack had been released. “You may depend upon it
+that I shall not forget the part that Salloo and all of you played in
+our rescue.”
+
+It was some two hours after the “battle,” if the rout of the rascals who
+had captured Mr. Jukes and Jack could be termed such. The kidnappers’
+larder had been ransacked and a good meal enjoyed by all hands,
+especially, as may be imagined, by the two captives who had been without
+food for almost twenty-four hours.
+
+Donald Judson, looking hang-dog and abject, was huddled on a bench in a
+corner of the room. He had been picked up after the fray, having shammed
+insensibility to avoid being injured, and was easily captured by the
+victors.
+
+“You certainly came in the nick of time,” said Jack. “From what I could
+hear them saying, that scoundrel Broom was actually contemplating
+torturing us if that check was not signed by Mr. Jukes.”
+
+The millionaire shuddered. His experiences had greatly affected him.
+
+“That young ruffian over yonder,” he nodded his head toward Judson, “was
+the instigator of the idea to get money out of me, I believe,” he said.
+“He ought to be punished severely.”
+
+“I didn’t,” whined Judson miserably, “I—I—that fellow Broom did it
+all.”
+
+“What’s the use of your lying, Judson,” exclaimed Jack, “you met Broom
+at Bomobori. It’s as plain as day now, and furnished him with an account
+of as much of our plans as we had confided to you.”
+
+“Well, maybe I did,” mumbled Judson sullenly, “but I didn’t put him up
+to getting money out of you.”
+
+“Nonsense,” said Captain Sparhawk, “you are as bad as Broom is—worse,
+in fact, for you are a lad of decent upbringing.”
+
+No more was said to Judson that night, and they retired to catch a few
+hours sleep, leaving the “carriers” under Salloo on guard. The Malay
+amused himself by making hideous faces at the unfortunate Donald and
+flourishing his kriss under his nose. By daylight the wretched prisoner
+was half dead from fear. Captain Sparhawk sternly warned Salloo not to
+tease him any more, at which the Malay appeared to be much surprised.
+
+“Him enemy,” he said, “why no can do what like with him?”
+
+Breakfast, of which Donald was given his share, was eaten in the fort,
+and after that meal the natives were sent down to the river to bring up
+all the supplies which had been left there. They reported that the
+prisoner Salloo had made had succeeded, as they intended he should, in
+loosening his bonds during the night and had vanished.
+
+As soon as the boxes containing the wireless apparatus and the
+hand-generator arrived, Jack lost no time in setting them up and as soon
+as he raised the yacht sent a full account of Broom’s rascally conduct
+to her. The first officer at once left to notify the authorities and ask
+that a keen lookout be kept for Broom’s schooner.
+
+“Broom will never guess that we have any means of communicating with
+Bomobori,” the boy explained, “and if he returns there, will bungle into
+a fine trap.”
+
+“Begorry, I hope he does,” commented Muldoon, “shure that wireless is an
+illigant invintion entirely.”
+
+“If Broom is captured, as many other criminals have been, by its aid, it
+will have proved its splendid usefulness once more,” declared Mr. Jukes.
+“Ready, you might flash another message saying that I will give $1,000
+to anyone who captures ‘Bully’ Broom.”
+
+After this had been done, the question arose of what to do with Donald
+Judson. They had no desire to have the young rascal as a traveling
+companion, but at the same time they did not see how they could very
+well turn him loose in the jungle in which he might starve to death. It
+was a problem that they were still discussing when Donald himself spoke
+up in the timid, fawning voice he affected when in trouble.
+
+“See here,” he said, “if you won’t make trouble for me maybe I can help
+you out.”
+
+“In what way?” sharply asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“Why I saw Broom put a map or something that looked like one in a
+cupboard in the room that door opens into,” said the boy, pointing to
+the end of the room. “I thought maybe it might have something to do with
+your brother, Mr. Jukes.”
+
+“Come here at once and show me,” ordered the millionaire. “I don’t
+suppose it was anything of great importance,” he added.
+
+“Perhaps not,” whimpered Donald, “but if it is will you let it count in
+my favor?”
+
+“I shall consider that later,” said Mr. Jukes sternly, as they all
+followed the boy into the room he indicated. In one corner was a rough
+cupboard. Mr. Jukes opened this and took out a rolled-up paper. He
+spread it out on the table and they all pressed about him.
+
+“It’s a map!” cried Billy.
+
+“Yes, and of this part of the country, too,” cried Jack. “See, there’s
+that village, Taroo, where we stopped two nights ago.”
+
+“And what’s this leading along the river from this place marked 'Fort’
+on the map?” asked Mr. Judson, his eyes shining as his forefinger traced
+a red ink line that zig-zagged along till it left the river and struck
+inland to what appeared to be intended to show a range of mountains.
+“The Kini-Balu Mountains,” he read out.
+
+“The Kini-Balu Mountains!” echoed Salloo, “me know them. Me bet your
+brother up there. One time ‘Bully’ Bloom he helpee Kini-Balu men fight
+big battle 'gainst Tariani tribe. Kini-Balus win and now heap like
+‘Bully’ Bloom hide your brother up there.”
+
+“It is possible,” mused the millionaire, “and—yes, by jove! Look here.”
+
+Indicated on the map in red letters, at a spot in the heart of the
+Kini-Balu country, was a place marked “Cave.”
+
+“Do you think it possible that that can be ‘Bully’ Broom’s hiding place
+for the other Mr. Jukes?” asked Jack.
+
+“I don’t know, but it appears probable,” rejoined the millionaire.
+
+“Me membel now sometime ‘Bully’ Bloom go way from Bomobori long time,”
+said Salloo, “nobody know where he go. That time when cruiser come look
+for him. Maybe he hide up there.”
+
+“It seems worth trying at any rate,” said Mr. Jukes, in the manner of
+one who has reached a decision.
+
+“It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom had taken your brother and
+his men anywhere on the island it would have been to some such
+inaccessible spot as that,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Well thin, what’s to privint us going up among the 'balloon’ men, or
+whativer they call thimsilves?” asked Muldoon.
+
+“It may be attended by some danger,” said Mr. Jukes. “From what Salloo
+said the Kini-Balu men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack us.
+How about that, Salloo?”
+
+The Malay’s reply was not one calculated to reassure them.
+
+“Kini-Balu men head hunters,” he said, “Maybe they no hurt us. But maybe
+take our heads. Salloo no 'fraid, though.”
+
+“Then, by golly, neither are we,” declared Muldoon.
+
+After more discussion, it was decided to advance cautiously into the
+Kini-Balu country and then do some scouting to see how matters lay. If
+the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced that Mr. Jukes was
+really a captive among them, guarded by their warriors at ‘Bully’
+Broom’s orders, then they would return to Bomobori without risking their
+lives and come back with a strong force. If everything appeared to be
+pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated on the map and
+settle the question of whether or no it was actually the place of the
+pearl hunter’s confinement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXII.—A STORM IN THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+Two days later, before they turned away from the river, they heard some
+news of the Kini-Balus from a party of natives bound down-stream in
+dug-outs. Salloo learned from them that the tribe was at war, at least
+so it was supposed by the canoeists from the fact that they had heard
+that the chief of the Kini-Balus had been making levies of cattle and
+corn among his subjects.
+
+“That sounds bad,” said Mr. Jukes, when this news had been interpreted
+to the party.
+
+“No, him good,” asserted Salloo positively.
+
+“How do you make that out?” asked Jack.
+
+“If Kini-Balus makee war, they leave only women and old men at home.
+They no fight us,” argued the Malay, and they had to admit that there
+was a good deal of truth in what he said.
+
+“We’re all going to get killed anyhow,” whimpered Donald, who had been
+taken along by the party, much against their will, in consideration of
+the services he had rendered in showing them the hiding place of the
+map.
+
+“Him heap big coward,” muttered Salloo. “Boy’s body, girl’s heart.”
+
+It was on the afternoon of the second day that the storm that Salloo had
+predicted overtook them. They were passing through a dense forest of
+magnificent trees when the eternal twilight that reigned under the great
+branches deepened till it was almost totally dark. Astonished at this
+phenomenon, for it was long before the proper hour for night to descend,
+they questioned Salloo.
+
+“Big storm come,” he said, “me thinkee we better get out of here.
+Lightning hit a tlee maybe he killee us.”
+
+The birds of the jungle screamed discordantly, as if warning each other
+of what was coming. Troops of monkeys swung through the trees as if
+seeking refuge, and the almost deafening chorus of insects and lizards
+gave way to total silence. It seemed as if nature was holding her breath
+preparatory to some great crisis.
+
+“We had better look for some safe place to stay before it breaks,”
+counseled Captain Sparhawk. “A hurricane in the jungle is a serious
+matter. Trees are rooted up and struck by lightning and in the forest it
+is very dangerous for anyone to be caught by such a storm.”
+
+“Me findee place,” said Salloo, and struck off down a dim trail leading
+toward the river. “Follow me, evelybody, and hully up.”
+
+They needed no urging. The gloom and quiet of the forest was overawing.
+It had begun to get on their nerves. Under Salloo’s guidance they soon
+found themselves at a great mass of rocks on a high bank overlooking the
+river. The great masses of stone were piled in such a way that the
+crevices among them formed regular caves.
+
+“We getee in here,” said Salloo, indicating the largest of them. “I send
+my men in annuder one.”
+
+“I’m not going in there,” declared Donald, “there might be snakes or
+wild beasts inside.”
+
+“You’d better come in or be blown away,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He had hardly spoken, before the storm broke in all its fury. Donald,
+with a cry of alarm, followed the others into shelter.
+
+“Gracious, this beats anything I ever saw, even that storm off the
+Pamatous,” shouted Jack, above the shrieking of the wind.
+
+“Him blow more big bimeby,” said Salloo, “him big storm this. You see.”
+
+The trees swayed violently, and before long, from their shelter, they
+saw a big one torn up by the roots and hurtled from the bank into the
+river. The wind grew more violent. The dark air was filled with flying
+branches, leaves and sticks. Birds, large and small, were swept by,
+powerless to contend with the furious gale. Donald was crouched back in
+a far corner of their shelter, too frightened to do anything more than
+mumble and whimper.
+
+The river began to rise and add its mighty voice to the other sounds,
+although no rain had yet fallen where they were. The darkness increased,
+but suddenly everything was lit up in a livid glare that made them all
+blink.
+
+“Lightning,” exclaimed Salloo, “now him comin’.”
+
+Then down came the rain. It literally fell in sheets, blotting out
+everything like a fog even when the constant flashes illuminated the
+scene. The water began to pour into their shelter from above, making it
+a very uncomfortable place. Soon the water was up to their knees and in
+the cave occupied by the carriers the men stood upright with their
+burdens on their heads to keep them out of the water.
+
+“Gracious, I never saw so much water come down in my life,” exclaimed
+Jack. “It’s a regular—my!”
+
+There had come a flash, a red ribbon of flame, so blinding that for an
+instant they could not see. It was followed by a crack of thunder that
+seemed to have split the sky. Donald gave a yell of alarm.
+
+“Him hittee something close by for sure,” declared Salloo. He was right.
+Presently they saw a tall ceiba tree burst into flame like a torch.
+Fanned by the wind, it blazed fiercely even in the downpour. Its red
+glare lit up their faces in a ghostly manner, for it was not more than a
+few feet from their place of refuge.
+
+“My, this is awful,” muttered Raynor. “Thank goodness we got out from
+under those trees in time.”
+
+“Amen to that,” said Captain Sparhawk solemnly.
+
+It rained for the rest of that night and in the morning they were
+sorry-looking objects. Everything was wet, and although they had tried
+to light a fire during the night, after the first violence of the storm
+had abated, they had not succeeded. But when, shortly before noon, the
+sun did come out, it shone down with a heat that made the whole wet
+earth steam. Clothes were spread out on the rocks to dry, as was the
+rest of the outfit. Fortunately, the bags the carriers bore were mostly
+of waterproof material, so not much damage was done to the contents.
+
+It was a scene of havoc on which they gazed. The river ran high and its
+surface was littered with the bodies of dead monkeys, snakes, great
+trees torn up bodily, and other debris eloquent of the violence of the
+hurricane.
+
+All round them lay big trees and the bodies of countless birds that had
+been dashed to death. It was some time before Salloo could persuade a
+fire to burn, but among the rocks, in crevices the rain had not
+penetrated, he found old dried leaves and sticks which made capital
+kindling and at last they cooked a hot meal, in need of which they all
+stood badly.
+
+Then it was off on the long trail again. Late that afternoon, just as
+they were making camp, a party of natives came along the trail. They
+carried the skins of numerous beautiful birds that they had brought down
+with their blow-pipes. They were friendly and the boys bought some of
+the skins. Afterward Salloo had a long talk with them and, this being
+concluded, they kept on their way while our party went on with its
+preparations for spending the night.
+
+Salloo had some news to disclose, he said. The natives he had been
+talking to knew the Kini-Balu Mountains well and told him, after he had
+described the cave they were looking for, that it was a very bad place.
+Nobody liked to go near it.
+
+“On account of the Kini-Balus?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+“No, on account um ghosts,” rejoined Salloo; “ghost of Taratao, old-time
+chief of Kini-Balus haunt him.”
+
+“Begorry, so long as the ghosts ain’t got a punch it’s sorra a bit I
+care for ’em,” declared Muldoon valiantly.
+
+That evening Salloo had a novelty for supper in the form of the flesh of
+a huge lizard, or iguana. At first the boys and their companions did not
+want to touch it, for in life it had been a hideous looking monster. But
+being pressed by Salloo, they consented, and found it very good eating.
+Its flesh tasted like chicken, though even more delicate.
+
+It was about an hour after the meal when they were preparing for bed
+that Jack complained that he was feeling poorly. He said he had a
+headache and a feeling of vertigo. The others then admitted experiencing
+the same symptoms. Nausea soon succeeded these and ere long they were
+all convinced that they had been poisoned by eating the iguana. The
+natives, who camped some distance off with Salloo, experienced no such
+illness but then they had eaten none of the iguana which, to Captain
+Sparhawk’s mind, made it all the more certain that it was the giant
+lizard’s flesh that had made them ill.
+
+Salloo was called from the native camp and bitterly reproached for
+inducing them to eat it. He protested that it could not have been the
+iguana that had made them ill. Had he not himself eaten it? But in the
+end he returned to the native camp with his head hung down, completely
+crushed by what he deemed the injustice of his white friends in blaming
+him for their illness. At first they were not greatly alarmed, not
+deeming it possible that they had actually been poisoned, and Captain
+Sparhawk administered remedies from the medicine chest. But, to their
+alarm, instead of decreasing in severity, their sufferings grew more
+acute as the night wore on.
+
+Their ideas became confused, and as in sea-sickness in an acute stage,
+they lay about, not caring whether they lived or died. If they tried to
+rise, their heads swam, their feet tottered. Thus it was that Salloo
+found them in the morning when he came from the native camp.
+
+The faithful fellow was seriously alarmed and set up a mighty wailing
+which soon brought his followers running over. But the sufferers only
+turned dull eyes upon them and moaned in their pain. Plainly they were
+in such a serious condition that unless something was done soon to
+relieve them, death itself might put an end to their misery. Salloo
+looked about him wildly, hoping to catch some solution to the mystery of
+this sudden illness. He raised his eyes upward and his lips moved as if
+he were invoking the aid of some heathen deity.
+
+But suddenly the expression on his countenance changed. His eyes were
+fixed on the leaves of a tree under which the sufferers had passed the
+night. For the first time, too, he became aware of a peculiarly
+sickening odor in the air. It smelled like carrion. As some huge scarlet
+flowers which grew on the tree began to open to the daylight (they had
+been closed at night) this terrible stench became stronger. Salloo
+uttered a single shout of comprehension.
+
+“Upas!” It was echoed by his companions, whom Salloo at once directed to
+pick up the sufferers and carry them to some distance. When the last had
+been transported, Salloo got water from a forest pool and poured it over
+them. One by one they began to revive. Jack, who was one of the first to
+come to, rose dizzily to his feet and tried to walk. But Salloo gently
+made him lie down again. After an hour or so all felt better and partook
+of some soup and weak tea.
+
+“Salloo, you are forgiven,” said Captain Sparhawk, “but never persuade
+us to eat lizard again. You came near being the death of us all.”
+
+“Faith, oi was niver so near the Pearly Gates before,” declared Muldoon
+emphatically.
+
+“Him no lizard hurt you,” declared Salloo vehemently; “lizard heap good.
+Upas he hurt you. If I no see it and have you moved away you plitty soon
+have died.”
+
+“What do you mean, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes. “Do you mean our sickness
+had anything to do with the tree we camped under?”
+
+“Ebblyting,” was the reply; “him tree was the upas.”
+
+“I see it all now,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk. “That tree was the
+deadly upas of which you may have heard. Every one in the Indian
+Archipelago knows of it. Within its great red blossoms are the sepulchre
+of birds and insects whose bodies, lying rotting there, give out that
+terrible odor which ought to warn all travelers against it. But we
+camped when it was getting dark and the flowers were closed, keeping the
+noxious reek from escaping and warning us. Salloo is right, and if he
+had not had us dragged from under it we should have perished miserably.”
+
+“I remember reading somewhere of the upas,” said Jack, “but I always
+thought its deadly qualities were exaggerated. After our last night’s
+experience I’ll know better.”
+
+“I suppose the heat of our camp fire under the branches had something to
+do with it, too,” said Billy.
+
+“Undoubtedly,” declared the captain. “And then as we sat around after
+supper we were, unknown to ourselves, inhaling the deadly vapor till we
+grew sick. Instead of moving away before we grew worse, as we certainly
+would have if we had known the cause of our malady, we made ourselves
+worse by lying down to sleep with that poisonous breath as our only
+atmosphere. Salloo, your lizard is vindicated, and to show you it is,
+the next one you shoot I’ll volunteer to eat.”
+
+But although recovered, they still felt weak from the effects of their
+terrible night under the upas, whose Latin name, if any one wishes to
+know it, is _antiaris toxicaria_. In fact, their feelings were very like
+those of persons just getting over sea-sickness. They felt buoyantly
+well and happy, but not yet quite strong enough for the hard work of the
+trail. So they remained where they were till the next day and then
+pushed on once more on their quest.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXIII.—THE GIANT SPIDERS.
+
+
+When they resumed their journey the next morning they encountered a new
+form of obstacle in the form of the webs of huge red bird-catching
+spiders, whose nets stretched from tree to tree in the forest, looked
+like seine nets in a fisherman’s village hung out to dry, or to make
+another comparison, miles of mosquito netting hung between the tree
+trunks. Through these webs they had to make their way for a long
+distance.
+
+The boys did not like it at all, and Donald Judson, who was particularly
+averse to spiders, slunk in the rear till the natives, with shouts and
+yells, cut down the webs that hung across the trail. The soft silky
+substance of the webs struck them in the face and clung glutinously and
+covered their clothes with a coating of white fleece.
+
+As they forced their way through this repulsive feature of New Guinea
+forest travel, they could, from time to time, see the hideous forms of
+the huge and venomous spiders that had spread the webs peering at them
+from dark retreats in the crevices of trees or else scuttling off on
+long, hairy legs to safety. It did not require much imagination to
+picture their anger at this ruthless destruction of their homes. That
+night they camped near the edge of a big swamp, and the two boys, weary
+of the monotony of the long march and tired of canned stuff and
+preserved goods, volunteered to set out with rifles and see if they
+could not bring in something more palatable.
+
+As they had camped early when the swamp crossed their path, there was
+plenty of time for them to go quite a distance in search of game. In a
+short time they had brought down two birds that looked something like
+partridges, as well as shooting an odd-looking bird like a huge parrot,
+with a gigantic bill and horny head. They were some distance apart,
+separated by a brake of reeds, when Jack heard a sudden cry of alarm
+from Billy.
+
+Disregarding the danger of snakes, he pushed his way through the brake
+at once. As he came in sight of Billy, who was standing staring into the
+forest as if petrified, Jack, too, received a shock. Not far from Billy
+was what he at first thought was a man. But such a man! Not even in a
+nightmare had the boy ever beheld such a hideous form.
+
+This man, if such he was, was covered all over with red hair, thick and
+shaggy, except on the face, which was darker and bereft of hair, but
+from which two yellow eyes glared malevolently. In an instant the true
+nature of this creature flashed upon Jack. It was an orang-outang, and a
+monster, too, that stood facing them, its long arms trailing in front of
+it. But even though stooped over, it was as large as the average man,
+with a massive chest and shoulders.
+
+“Take a shot at it, Jack,” urged Billy.
+
+But Jack shook his head.
+
+“It looks too horribly human,” he said. “Besides, it doesn’t look as if
+it would attack us. It seems to be more possessed by curiosity than
+anything else.”
+
+Perhaps the boy was right, for after eyeing them for a few seconds more
+the monstrous creature shuffled off for the edge of a big sheet of water
+on whose margin they stood, and began tearing up some sort of water
+plants and eating their roots with many grunts of satisfaction. He waded
+in almost knee deep, stuffing his bag-like cheeks full and chewing with
+huge satisfaction. The boys gazed at this strange picture with
+fascination.
+
+But suddenly the monster stopped eating and stood erect. Its hair began
+to bristle and it uttered an angry sort of growl. Apparently it was not
+fear but anger that possessed this colossus of the forests as it glanced
+angrily about it. The cause of its emotion was not long in appearing.
+From the stagnant waters was approaching an antagonist formidable
+indeed—a giant saurian—a crocodile larger than any the boys had ever
+seen in any zoo.
+
+The boys naturally expected to see the orang-outang beat a hasty
+retreat. But instead it stood its ground, merely drawing back a few
+inches as the crocodile’s hideous snout and scaly body were successively
+protruded from the water. Jack now recalled what Salloo had told him one
+night in camp about the orang. The Malay had said it was the king of the
+New Guinea forests, fearing no man, beast or reptile, and this certainly
+appeared to be the case in this instance.
+
+Had it wished to beat a retreat to safety, the mias, as the natives
+called the red gorilla, might easily have done so. One leap and he could
+have grasped a tree trunk, up which he could have scrambled in a jiffy.
+On the contrary, after its first backward steps, which brought it almost
+out of the water, the creature stood upright and, uttering savage
+growls, beat on its hairy chest with its huge arms, producing a sound
+like the reverberations of a savage “tom-tom.”
+
+The scaly reptile continued to advance. Perhaps, to its eyes, the red
+gorilla was simply a native, a poor weak human being, such as possibly
+had fallen victim to the great crocodile before. However that may have
+been, the saurian, without undue hurry, could be seen to be making
+straight for the red ape and, maneuvering so as to get its monstrous
+armor-plated tail in position to give a fatal flail-like sweep, which
+would fling the orang-outang into the water, stunning it and making it
+an easy prey.
+
+It appeared to flatten itself as it reached shallow water, its ugly
+lizard-like legs spread out on each side of its scaly body almost
+horizontally. Then, with a suddenness that made the boys catch their
+breaths in a quick gasp, the monster gave a sudden leap, aiding this
+maneuver by its tail, which it suddenly stiffened as if it had been a
+spring.
+
+Its whole length was launched into the air as it sprang, and for a flash
+its wide-opened jaws with their hideous rows of triangular teeth,
+appeared to engulf the red ape. But while the boys were still held
+spell-bound by this spectacle, such a one as perhaps no human being but
+a lone native hunter had ever beheld before, the red gorilla gave a
+mighty leap. It was partly straight up and partly to one side. As the
+great jaws of the saurian came together with a snap like that of a
+titanic steel trap, the red ape landed fair and square on the scaled
+monster’s back.
+
+Straddling the plated hide, the great hairy legs gripped the crocodile’s
+sides as a bronco buster grips his fractious mount. And now commenced a
+struggle between these two denizens of the deepest New Guinea forests
+such as the two young spectators remembered with photographic vividness
+to the end of their lives.
+
+On the part of the crocodile the battle was simply a series of leaps and
+wild tail threshings in an effort to dislodge his nimble foe. The grass
+and weeds were mown down as if by a scythe by the sweeps of the great
+tail, but the ape held firm, his little eyes twinkling wickedly. With
+one arm it clutched the rough hide firmly, but the other was waving
+about like a tentacle seeking something to grasp.
+
+During the struggle the jaws of the crocodile had been frequently
+snapped, but they only closed on empty air. As in all the saurian tribe,
+during this process the upper jaw had pointed nearly vertically upward,
+making an opening big enough to swallow a canoe. Suddenly the watchers
+saw the orang’s purpose. All at once the disengaged arm made a swift
+sweep forward and grasped the extended upper jaw.
+
+“Great Scott! he’s done for now,” cried Billy. “That jaw will close and
+cut his fingers off.”
+
+“Hold on,” warned Jack. “Watch. I’ve heard these creatures can bend
+rifle barrels as if they were made of lead. Perhaps—look!”
+
+The orang suddenly shifted his position. He was now kneeling on the
+crocodile’s back, his knees braced firmly on its armor-plated neck and
+his second arm aiding the first in the task of keeping those jaws, once
+apart, from ever coming together again. Then summoning every ounce of
+that strength that has made the orang the most dreaded of all the forest
+animals in that part of the world, even the Bornean tiger owning his
+supremacy, the red gorilla gave one grand wrench.
+
+There was a tearing sound as of a tree being torn from its roots, and
+the alligator’s body writhed and threshed about convulsively. The great
+ape sprang free from the scaly monster and with hoarse laughter that
+sounded like the merriment of a maniac, it gazed on the saurian’s
+struggles. But it was not destined to see the end of them. In its agony
+the great crocodile instinctively made for the water and was soon out of
+sight, threshing and writhing until a clump of water-cane hid it from
+sight.
+
+Then, and not till then, did the orang take its eyes from its conquered
+enemy. But when it had seen the last of it, the hairy creature turned
+and appeared to be contemplating fresh victory. The lust of battle was
+in its wicked little eyes.
+
+“Down, Billy, down with you quick,” warned Jack, pulling his chum aside
+in the thicket. “If it comes this way, shoot at once. I wouldn’t want to
+come to close quarters with a creature like that. I thought Salloo was
+drawing the long bow when he told me about the _mias_, as he called it,
+but he didn’t put it on thick enough.”
+
+“If only we’d had a camera,” was Billy’s regret. But for the next few
+moments there were more important things to think about. The orang stood
+upright, looking about him in a truculent manner. It almost appeared as
+if, now that his battle with the saurian was over, he had recollected
+the human figure he had seen not long before, but had paid little heed
+to it in his haste to make his evening meal among the water plants.
+
+In fact, he started shamblingly toward the brake where the boys were
+concealed with leveled rifles and fingers on triggers. But the great
+creature’s life was spared, for that time at least, for had the boys
+fired he must have fallen at the first bullets from the high-powered
+rifles. After advancing a few paces, he changed his mind and, grumbling
+to himself, he shuffled off and was soon lost in the gloom of the
+forest.
+
+“We ought to have shot him, Jack,” muttered Billy as they started back
+to camp with what game they bagged.
+
+“What, kill a fine old warrior like that without cause? Could you have
+done it, Billy?”
+
+“Um—well—er—no, I don’t believe I could,” rejoined his chum. “After
+all, that crocodile started the scrap and—and I guess every American
+likes a good fighter.”
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XXXIV.—A FIGHT WITH A HORNBILL.
+
+
+“Now me showee you something.”
+
+It was during the noon rest the next day and the Malay had asked the
+whites to come a little distance apart from the camp to a fine-looking
+banyan tree. They watched him with interest as with the axe he cut down
+several lengths of bamboo from a nearby cluster, and, pointing the ends
+sharply, having first separated the lengths into bits about two feet
+long, began driving them into the yielding bark of the tree. In this way
+he had soon made the first four rounds of a primitive ladder.
+
+Although, as yet, he had given them no hint of the object of all this,
+they were all sure that he had something really of interest to show them
+and forbore asking questions till he was ready to explain the mystery.
+Salloo had driven the tenth round of his queer ladder and was about ten
+feet from the ground, when Jack drew everybody’s attention to a strange
+hissing sound that appeared to come from within the tree.
+
+“Look out for snakes, Salloo,” he warned. But the Malay only nodded his
+head confidently and smiled. Donald glanced about nervously. Even
+Captain Sparhawk looked apprehensive. As for Muldoon, he shouted, “This
+is no place for a son of St. Patrick,” and fled back to camp.
+
+“What’s the matter, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes. “Are you in trouble?”
+
+“No trouble, Missel Boss,” rejoined Salloo. “Only bit what you callee
+good luck,” grinned the Malay, looking down on them and continuing his
+work.
+
+“How good luck?” asked Jack.
+
+“You see plenty soon,” was the cryptic reply, and the Malay drew another
+sharp-pointed peg from his girdle and drove it in with vigorous strokes
+of the axe. While he did this, the hissing continued, mingled with a
+hoarse roaring like that which might be emitted by a disabled foghorn.
+Moreover, they could now see that a few feet above Salloo’s head was an
+object which alternately was thrust out from the tree trunk and
+withdrawn. It was white and sharp-pointed, like one of the pegs he was
+driving. It was assuredly not a snake’s head, as they had for a minute
+thought, but what was it?
+
+“What’s that right over your head, Salloo?” asked Captain Sparhawk.
+
+“Him buld (bird), captain. Him plentee much bigee buld.”
+
+“Oh, only a bird,” said Mr. Jukes in a disappointed voice. “What sort of
+a one?”
+
+“Him hornbill. Ole hen hornbill. She on nest. Old man hornbill he shut
+her up in there so she no leave eggs. Him put mud over crack in tree so
+as she no put nothing but her beak out. That the way he feedee her.”
+
+So that was the explanation of that object that darted in and out, and
+also of the hissing and grunting sounds. Looking closer, they now saw
+that at the spot where the bill still kept darting in and out there was
+a big longitudinal patch of mud which walled the hen hornbill up as
+effectually as certain prisoners were “walled up” in the days of old. As
+Salloo got within reaching distance of the nest, he raised his axe and
+smashed the mud wall before any of the party could check him. The next
+instant his bare arm was plunged fearlessly into the orifice and came
+out with his fingers clutching the old hen by the neck. In a moment she
+was fluttering, with her neck wrung, at the adventurers’ feet.
+
+“Say, Salloo, you shouldn’t have done that,” called up Jack indignantly.
+“That’s a shame.”
+
+The rest echoed his indignation at what seemed an act of wanton cruelty.
+Salloo only looked astonished.
+
+“Him plenty good eat. Roast hornbill plenty fine.”
+
+“You see, he takes a different point of view about these things than we
+do,” said Captain Sparhawk. “You can’t blame him. Still I wish we could
+have prevented it.”
+
+They examined the dead hornbill with much interest. It was a gorgeous
+bird, almost as big as a turkey, with a bill of a size altogether
+disproportionate to even its large size. This beak was like a gigantic
+parrot’s bill and the horny structure extended over almost the entire
+head of the bird. It was not unlike the one the boys had shot the night
+before and thrown away as not good for food.
+
+“Plentee eggs in there,” said Salloo as he came down, “but they no good
+eat.”
+
+“Well, I’m glad there were no young ones to be starved through our
+interference,” said Billy, and the others felt as he did.
+
+“Say, I’m going to have a look at that nest,” said Jack suddenly.
+
+“All right. But look out you don’t fall and break your neck,” warned
+Raynor. Jack went nimbly up Salloo’s queer ladder and soon reached a
+height where he could see into the nest, which was built in a cavity of
+the tree and had afterward been carefully walled up with mud,
+strengthened by weaving reeds into it. Jack was still examining the nest
+when a sudden shadow fell over him. He looked up and above him he saw,
+with somewhat of a shock, a great bird whose plumage flashed brilliantly
+in the sun and whose huge beak snapped viciously at the boy.
+
+“Look out, look out, him father hornbill,” cried Salloo from the ground.
+
+The hornbill made a swoop at Jack, aiming with that cruel beak straight
+for his eyes. The boy put up an arm to defend himself, but the bird
+seized it with its parrot-like claws, scratching it badly, and all the
+while it kept up a beating of its wings that blinded the boy. Then the
+bird suddenly changed its tactics. It swooped off and then made a swift
+dash at the boy’s head. It was well for Jack that he had on his stiff
+sun helmet or his skull would have been cracked like an egg by that
+huge, horny bill. As it was, the helmet was ripped open.
+
+Those below called on him to come down. But the attacks of the great
+bird so blinded and bewildered him that he was unable to move a step.
+Billy, at the order of Captain Sparhawk, brought a rifle from the camp,
+but so close did the bird stay to the boy that there was danger in using
+it. Even the most expert of shots would have been quite as likely to hit
+Jack as the enraged hornbill.
+
+Salloo had sprung into the tree, and with his ever ready _kriss_ was
+ascending to the rescue when Captain Sparhawk saw an opportunity. The
+rifle was already at his shoulder and, as the hornbill rose and hovered
+for an instant before making another plunge at Jack’s head, his finger
+pressed the trigger. A splendid shot, a broken wing, the huge bird
+fluttered to the earth and flopped and screamed on the ground till its
+strugglings were put an end to by another bullet. Jack remained where he
+was for a few seconds to recover his nerves and then, still somewhat
+shaken by his experience, he descended.
+
+His arm was badly scratched and Captain Sparhawk was opening the
+medicine chest when Salloo intervened. He quickly gathered a handful of
+a plant that exuded a sort of thick milk. Crushing the gathered stems on
+a stone, he soon had a quantity of this juice, which he spread on the
+wounds. The irritation at once left them and Salloo promised a speedy
+cure. But it may be said that Jack had no appetite for roast hornbill
+that night.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXV.—THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.
+
+
+The expedition now found itself advancing through forest that grew
+sparser as they progressed. The ground was rapidly becoming more rugged.
+Close to them now towered the range known as the Kini-Balu among the
+wild recesses of which the tribe of that name made its home. Constant
+vigilance was the watchword of the hour now. Salloo would permit no
+fires to be lighted, and he and his followers were constantly scouting
+in front of the party, while additional watch was kept at the rear and
+on both flanks.
+
+It was dangerous, thrilling work, but the boys, who loved adventure,
+relished every moment of it. But Donald Judson lived a life of misery.
+Every rustle in the bush made him turn pale. He was constantly giving
+false alarms in the night and the boys heartily wished he had been left
+behind. One afternoon—they were right in the mountains now—Salloo
+halted the party with a quick gesture.
+
+“Two men ahead of us. Up the mountain. Salloo go, look, see.”
+
+He glided off with his usual snake-like agility and vanished in a flash,
+while the party waited behind a mighty rock, for cover of the forest
+kind was growing scarce now. A wilder region would have been hard to
+imagine. The cliffs and mountains were of all sorts of extravagant
+shapes. Some of the larger rocks and peaks took on the outlines of
+monstrous animals. But they were still following a trail which was
+undoubtedly the one set down in red ink on Broom’s map.
+
+Through the glasses, which they were able to use without being observed,
+by crouching down in the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing
+toward the two figures on the mountain side. As he went he was making
+the peace sign, extending his arms as if inviting the others to attack
+him at their will. But as far as they could see, the meeting was
+friendly enough. Salloo conversed with the two men of the mountain for a
+long time. Then he could be seen retracing his steps.
+
+“Well?” demanded everybody as he returned to the camp.
+
+“Ebblyting good so far,” reported Salloo. “Those two men velly old men.
+They left behind when tribe go to war in the north.”
+
+“Then the country is free of danger?” cried Donald.
+
+Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and did not answer. Addressing
+the others, he continued:
+
+“They say they know of cave. But no know if white man is there,” went on
+the Malay.
+
+“Would they be willing to guide us to it?” inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+“That me no know yet. Me go see ’em again to-night,” replied Salloo.
+“They say nobody but old men, women and children left behind now tribe
+go to war. So maybe they no afraid to show us. You pay ’em good?”
+
+“Anything, any sum at all,” was the response of the millionaire. “No sum
+is too great to restore my brother to his family.”
+
+When night fell Salloo left the camp again and did not return till
+midnight. He brought the news that the two old men would guide them for
+three pieces of gold each. They did not want the coins to spend,
+explained Salloo, but to pierce and wear round their necks as ornaments.
+
+“I’ll make it six each,” declared Mr. Jukes, “if they lead us aright.”
+
+There was little sleep for anybody that night, and soon after daybreak
+the two old men appeared in the camp. They were odd-looking old fellows;
+unclothed except for a breech cloth, and were daubed with red and yellow
+earth, signifying that their tribe was at war, although their age barred
+them from taking part.
+
+At Salloo’s suggestion, only himself, Mr. Jukes, Jack and Billy were to
+accompany the guides. The others were to remain behind and keep as well
+under cover as they could till the rest returned with success or
+failure. Final instructions having been given, they set off behind the
+two old men, who chattered volubly with Salloo as they went. They knew
+of the cave, it appeared, but nothing more, for they did not come from
+that part of the mountains.
+
+The next day they were not far from the cave, their aged guides told
+them, and Salloo enjoined the strictest caution in proceeding. If they
+met a returning war party, their position would be ticklish in the
+extreme, he declared, and they readily agreed with him.
+
+It was not long after this that, high up on the mountain side, they
+became aware of a dark hole. The two old men chattered and pointed, and
+then Salloo said:
+
+“There him cave. You wait here. Salloo go, look, see.”
+
+He made off up the mountain with the two old tribesmen, while the others
+waited with what patience they could for his return. The boys had never
+seen Mr. Jukes so nervous. He could not keep still under the tension,
+but paced to and fro, regardless of Salloo’s advice to keep under cover.
+
+“He is taking his time,” said Jack after a long interval.
+
+“Perhaps something has happened to him,” said Mr. Jukes, apprehensively.
+“We’d better have our pistols ready. Hark! what was that?”
+
+There was a rustling in the bushes near at hand and they all sprang to
+their feet, only to burst into laughter a minute later when a rock
+coney, or small rabbit, emerged, looked at them for an instant and then
+vanished.
+
+“That shows how we are keyed up,” said Jack. “We’ve got to keep our
+nerve or we shall be useless if any emergency did happen.”
+
+As he spoke, something whizzed over their heads and then sank quivering
+in the ground not far from them. They looked round and saw standing not
+far off two hideous natives, with frizzed hair and painted faces and
+bodies. Both were wounded and apparently had been sent back from “the
+front.” But still there was a chance that they might be the advance
+guard of a big body of troops.
+
+“We friends,” cried Jack, giving the peace sign as he had seen Salloo
+give it.
+
+The natives merely stared, and there is no knowing what might have been
+the outcome, but at that moment there came a hail from high up on the
+mountain and the old tribesmen and Salloo began coming toward them. The
+natives awaited their coming with their eyes fixed on the whites. As
+soon as Salloo and the others arrived there was a long confab and Salloo
+explained that the two warriors said that the main body of the savage
+troops was not far off, and that they had been sent back on account of
+their wounds. They had thrown the spear because they thought the whites
+were coming to invade their country. When Salloo explained the object of
+their errand, everything appeared to be satisfactory.
+
+“Now we go to the cave,” said Salloo, at the end of these negotiations.
+“Him velly big one, me think.”
+
+“Did you—did you see any trace of my brother?” asked Mr. Jukes
+anxiously.
+
+“Me no see anything yet,” was the reply. “Me only go little way into
+cave.”
+
+“Then come, let us start at once,” said Mr. Jukes, stepping nimbly over
+the rough ground, in spite of his cumbersome build.
+
+As Salloo had said, the cave was a large one. It ran back fully a mile
+under the mountain. But they paid little attention to its natural
+beauties, so eager were they to find some trace of Jerushah Jukes. To
+one side was a swiftly flowing stream. They did not doubt that it came
+from a waterfall, the noise of which they could hear in the distance.
+
+Before long they stood in front of the waterfall, a beautiful ribbon of
+water falling fully a hundred feet into a clear pool. A sort of mist
+hung over the pool caused by the spray, which was lighted by a rift in
+the rocks above. It was a lovely sight and even in their anxiety to get
+on they could not help standing and admiring it for a few minutes.
+
+“By the way, Salloo,” said Jack abruptly, “how about that ghost that is
+supposed to haunt the cave?”
+
+“Me no know. Me——”
+
+“Look, look, the ghost!” cried Raynor suddenly. He pointed straight in
+front of him at the fall.
+
+“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack as he too perceived an apparition that
+appeared to rise out of the waters. Salloo fell flat on his face in
+terror and so did the two old natives, who had been their guides.
+
+“Don’t talk nonsense,” said Mr. Jukes sharply. “I see nothing. I—for
+heaven’s sake!”
+
+Out of the mist of the pool he had seen advancing toward him as he
+stepped forward the gigantic form of a man. Then he glanced again.
+
+The ghost was Mr. Jukes himself, who certainly had nothing
+spiritualistic about him. The explanation of the queer sight struck the
+boys and the millionaire at the same instant. The sun, shining through
+the rift, was reflected upon the wet rock which in turn projected their
+figures against the watery mist that hung above the pool.
+
+“And so that’s the ghost that’s been scaring the natives to death,” said
+Jack. “Get up, Salloo, and I’ll show you how the trick is done.”
+
+After a brief demonstration the Malay was satisfied, but the two old men
+were unconvinced. They mumbled and were ill at ease till that part of
+the cave was left behind.
+
+“Hullo, here’s a path leading up past the waterfall,” cried Jack
+suddenly.
+
+“So there is. Let’s see where it goes,” cried Billy. They started up the
+slippery footway very slowly so as to avoid the consequences of a slip.
+As they went it grew lighter. They were coming to the upper world once
+more. A minute later and they emerged upon a small plateau in the heart
+of the mountains. It was surrounded by steep precipices. In the centre
+stood a group of bamboo huts.
+
+At sight of the white men, several women and children set up a shrill
+cry. Suddenly above the hub-bub came a voice that brought a thrill to
+them all:
+
+“Has help come at last?”
+
+[Illustration: “Has help come at last?”]
+
+From behind one of the huts had stepped a tall, angular figure, wearing
+ragged white clothes and a battered sun helmet. Perched on his nose were
+a pair of huge horn-rimmed spectacles, a ragged, unkempt beard covered
+his face and his hair hung in matted locks about his shoulders.
+
+At the sight of him, Mr. Jukes gave a gasp and then a glad cry.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXVI.—FOUND AT LAST!
+
+
+“Oh, my brother,” cried Mr. Jukes, “I can hardly believe we’ve found you
+at last.”
+
+“Thank God! you have, Jacob,” returned the other fervently. “For a
+moment I thought that you were only one of the fantastic visions that
+have visited my brain lately.”
+
+“My poor brother,” exclaimed the millionaire, “but now thank heaven you
+are restored to your friends.”
+
+“But how did you ever find me? I never deemed it possible that rescuers
+could find their way to this place where that villain Broom, after
+stealing the pearl, marooned me.”
+
+“Ah, so the pearl is gone,—but never mind that now. I would not have
+given your life for an ocean-full of pearls,” declared the millionaire
+happily, “but I must introduce our friends who have shared with me the
+hardships of the trail.”
+
+The boys, and then Salloo, added their congratulations to Mr. Jukes,
+while the women and children gathered round and chattered frantically.
+It was plain that they objected to all this, yet did not see how to stop
+it. The white men’s weapons glinted menacingly and there were no
+warriors in the village.
+
+“And now let us hasten away from here,” said Jerushah Jukes. “The men
+are off on a fighting expedition and I might have escaped but without
+food or weapons I could never have made my way to the coast through the
+jungle. I suppose that is the reason they did not tie me up.”
+
+“Undoubtedly,” said the millionaire, “but I’m forgetting something,” and
+he doled out to the two old men a reward, much over what they had
+demanded. They chattered their thanks glibly, making all sorts of
+gesticulations of gratitude.
+
+“It’s all like a dream to me so far,” said Jerushah Jukes, as they made
+their way back through the cave and past the “haunted” waterfall. “Broom
+sent me up here with a guard of his men. The tribe appeared to be
+friendly to him and agreed to keep me prisoner as long as he wished. But
+my poor crew? What has become of them?”
+
+“That we do not know yet,” said Mr. Jukes, “but we will talk later. I
+want to put all the distance I can between this tribe and our party as
+soon as we can. Those women will give the alarm although they dared not
+make an active protest.”
+
+But as they emerged from the cave they met with a rude shock. A party of
+warriors with frizzed hair and war-paint daubing their bodies barred the
+way.
+
+At first the tribesmen stood motionless with astonishment at the sight
+of a party of white men emerging from their secret cave. But the next
+instant they broke into a savage volley of shouts and yells and raised
+their spears and cruel-looking war clubs.
+
+“We have come too late, my poor brother,” groaned Mr. Jukes. But
+suddenly Salloo raised his voice. He spoke in tones of loud authority.
+The spears and clubs were lowered. He turned to Mr. Jukes and in a quick
+low voice said:
+
+“Give me um map. Quick, our lives depend on him.”
+
+The millionaire lost no time in producing ‘Bully’ Broom’s map. The most
+be-frizzed of the natives pored over it for several minutes. Then one of
+them said in fair English:
+
+“You come from Chief Broom; all right, you may go. He tell us to keep
+white man till he send for him. You show Broom’s map. He all right. Goo’
+bye,” and the warriors went on.
+
+Thus by the clever Malay’s strategy he had told the warriors, who had
+returned unexpectedly, that the white men had been sent by ‘Bully’
+Broom,—they were saved from disaster. But the tribesmen had demanded
+proof of Salloo’s story and, in the nick of time, he had luckily thought
+of the map which satisfied their suspicions at once, for Broom was the
+only white man, except the prisoner, who had ever visited the secret
+cave.
+
+The return to the camp was made without incident and Jack, on reaching
+it, at once rigged up his wireless apparatus and flashed to the _Sea
+Gypsy_ the glad news of the rescue of the millionaire’s brother. But, a
+few minutes later, he, in his turn, was receiving good tidings. Broom
+had returned to Bomobori and was arrested while he was recruiting a crew
+to make a dash into the jungle and intercept the Jukes’ party. He was
+apprehended while rowing ashore from a native craft.
+
+As the officers of the law seized him, he was seen to throw something
+into the water. One of the native oarsmen instantly dived after the
+object and succeeded in grabbing it before it reached the bottom. It
+proved to be the great pearl, “The Tear of the Sea.” And there was yet
+more intelligence of a kind to hearten them after all their tribulations
+in the wild jungles of New Guinea.
+
+The first officer of the _Sea Gypsy_, having received news of a
+mysterious schooner anchored in a cove up the coast, resolved to do a
+little amateur detective work. He found that she was none other than the
+famous _South Sea Lass_. Securing the co-operation of the authorities,
+the vessel was raided one night and her small crew easily overpowered.
+Then cries were heard from below and on the removal of the hatches the
+crew of the _Centurion_, or what remained of them—for five had died
+from privation—were discovered. They had refused to join Broom’s band
+and he was afraid to let them loose, so they had been confined in the
+almost unlivable hold ever since their capture. Since Broom’s arrest,
+the Australian authorities had cabled that he was wanted there for
+piracy and other crimes and he had been sent to Melbourne on a mail
+steamer. It may be added here that British justice was dealt out with a
+heavy hand to the ruffian and his many victims were fully avenged. His
+crew was tried and sentenced in Bomobori and all received heavy terms of
+imprisonment. Thus were the South Seas rid of one of the chief of their
+many freebooters.
+
+The long march back to Bomobori was made without anything of particular
+interest occurring and one morning they stood on a rise overlooking the
+harbor. There lay the _Sea Gypsy_ with the dear old Stars and Stripes
+flying, and the ship dressed in gay bunting; for by wireless Jack had
+notified those on board of the time of their arrival. A few hours more
+and they were among their friends again with their strange experiences
+behind them.
+
+As there was no reason for staying in Bomobori, except to take on board
+the survivors of the _Centurion’s_ crew, the _Sea Gypsy_ steamed out of
+the harbor the next day, being saluted as she went, a compliment which
+she returned with her rapid-fire gun. Watching them from the wharf were
+two figures. One a tall agile Malay, who, with tears in his eyes,
+watched the yacht till she was hull-down on the horizon. It was Salloo.
+He had been well rewarded for his services which indeed, as Mr. Jukes
+said, were beyond price; but, as he watched the departure of his white
+friends, his thoughts were only with them and not with what were, to
+him, the riches of a lifetime.
+
+The other watcher turned away with a sneer, jingling the money Mr. Jukes
+had left him in his pockets:
+
+“So I’ve got to stick round this hole till I can get a steamer home,”
+grumbled Donald Judson, for, as our readers will have guessed, it was
+he. “If it hadn’t been for those boys I might have gone home in comfort
+on the yacht. Well, maybe some day I’ll get even with them.”
+
+On the voyage home a stop was made at the Pamatou Islands; the glad news
+of the rescue had already been wirelessed home, and there was no great
+hurry except Mr. Jukes’ desire to get back to his business affairs after
+a romantic adventure he would never forget. As the _Sea Gypsy_ dropped
+anchor in the well-known harbor, a fleet of canoes dashed out to welcome
+her, among them you may be sure those of Anai and his friend, who wept
+tears of joy at seeing their white “chums” once more. Mr. Jukes, his
+speculative instinct once more in the ascendent, bought a large quantity
+of pearls on which he subsequently realized a good profit.
+
+“But we must hurry home,” he said one day. “My business will be going to
+rack and ruin without me and besides I’ve run out of dyspepsia pills. I
+only hope I didn’t ruin my digestion in the jungle.”
+
+And here the adventures of the Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific must
+be brought to a close, except that it might be mentioned that pretty
+Helen Dennis, whose father’s ship was in port on the return of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, now wears a very pretty locket, set with South Sea pearls—the
+gift of Jack Ready. And so, till we meet them in the next volume of this
+series, we will wish the lads and their friends good-bye.
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+             A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture
+
+                              KINDERGARTEN
+                               LIMERICKS
+
+                         By FLORENCE E. SCOTT.
+
+              Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword
+                            by Lucy Wheelock
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each
+    illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal
+    to the child’s sense of humor without being foolish or
+    sensational, and will be welcomed by kindergartners for teaching
+    rhythm in a most entertaining manner.
+
+              Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive
+                    box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar.
+
+
+
+
+               _HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_
+
+                         FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+                          By MATTHEW M. COLTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Frank Armstrong’s Vacation_
+
+How Frank’s summer experiences with his boy friends make him into a
+sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating and baseball contests,
+and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendid
+story.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at Queens_
+
+We find among the jolly boys at Queen’s School, Frank, the
+student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears
+his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teams
+are expertly described.
+
+_Frank Armstrong’s Second Term_
+
+The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the “Wee
+One” and the “Codfish” figure, while Frank “saves the day.”
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker_
+
+With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming,
+running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of
+“drop-kicking,” and the Queen’s football team profits thereby.
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine_
+
+Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents by land
+and water make this story of Frank Armstrong a strong tale of
+school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at College_
+
+With the development of this series, the boy characters have developed
+until in this, the best story of all, they appear as typical college
+students, giving to each page the life and vigor of the true college
+spirit.
+
+Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They accurately
+describe athletics from start to finish.
+
+_Any book sent postpaid upon receipt of 60 cents, or we will send the
+six for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                         OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES
+
+                    Stories of Modern School Sports
+
+                            By MORGAN SCOTT.
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+=BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.=
+
+Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at Oakdale
+Academy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest and
+respect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliot
+and the clever work of the “Sleuth,” Ben is falsely accused, championed
+and vindicated.
+
+=BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.=
+
+“One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open and
+square and there never was a sneak among them.” It was Rodney Grant, of
+Texas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story shows
+how he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparent
+evidence to the contrary.
+
+=RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.=
+
+Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that means
+not only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but an
+intimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. The
+Oakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
+and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.
+
+=OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.=
+
+The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, little
+restriction, and immediate contact with “all outdoors.” These conditions
+prevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of
+lively interest.
+
+=THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.=
+
+The “Sleuth” scents a mystery! He “follows his nose.” The plot thickens!
+He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader—and for the
+“Sleuth,” as well.
+
+=NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.=
+
+A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year’s registration of
+students. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of school
+meet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of the
+boys.
+
+            Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+                  HURST & COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                    Log Cabin to White House Series
+
+                     LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c., per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD (The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Benjamin Franklin was known in the scientific world for his inventions
+and discoveries, in the diplomatic world because of his statesmanship,
+and everywhere, because of his sound judgment, plain speaking, and
+consistent living.
+
+FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of George Washington). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+The story of the hatchet and other familiar incidents of the boyhood and
+young manhood of Washington are included in this book, as well as many
+less well-known accounts of his experiences as surveyor, soldier,
+emissary, leader, and first president of the United States.
+
+FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of James A. Garfield). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James A. Garfield was
+born, to the White House in Washington, and that it was an interesting
+life-journey one cannot doubt who reads Mr. Thayer’s account of it.
+
+FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people than was
+homely, humorous “Honest Abe.”
+
+To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an education, and
+his rise to prominence is to understand better his rare nature and
+practical wisdom.
+
+FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By _Edward
+S. Ellis, A. M._
+
+Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences of Mr.
+Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few of them know him as the boy
+and man of family and school circles and private citizenship.
+
+Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter, a fighter
+of “graft” at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and a just and vigorous
+defender of right.
+
+FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as the hero of the
+famous declaration: “I will fight it out on this line if it takes all
+summer.”
+
+_We will mail any of the above books prepaid at 60 cents each or the six
+for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           REX KINGDON SERIES
+
+                           By GORDON BRADDOCK
+
+            Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High
+
+A new boy moves into town. Who is he? What can he do? Will he make one
+of the school teams? Is his friendship worth having? These are the
+queries of the Ridgewood High Students. The story is the answer.
+
+Rex Kingdon in the North Woods
+
+Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in the North
+Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter to menace their
+safety, fire their interest and finally cement their friendship.
+
+Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall
+
+Lively boarding school experiences make this the “best yet” of the Rex
+Kingdon series.
+
+Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat
+
+The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good story
+about baseball. Boys will like it.
+
+Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write it. These stories
+make the best reading you can procure.
+
+_Any book sent upon receipt of 60 cents each, or we will send all four
+of them for $2.30._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR
+
+                            GREAT WAR SERIES
+
+                       By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT
+
+                   Cloth Bound. Price, 50c. postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+                Two American Boys with the Allied Armies
+              Two American Boys in the French War Trenches
+          Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet
+
+The disastrous battle raging in Europe between Germany and Austria on
+one side and the Allied countries on the other, has created demand for
+literature on the subject. The American public to a large extent is
+ignorant of the exact locations of the fighting zones with its small
+towns and villages. Major Crockett, who is familiar with the present
+battle-fields, has undertaken to place before the American boy an
+interesting Series of War stories.
+
+_Get these three books and keep up-to-date. We will send any book for
+50c., or the three of them for $1.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                            BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+                 _ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS_
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+                  Cloth. Illustrated. Price 50c. Each
+
+[Illustration]
+
+BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL
+
+In this story, self-reliance and self-defense through organized
+athletics are emphasized.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE
+
+Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona desert and the Harkness ranch figure
+in this tale of the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP
+
+The cleverness of one of the Scouts as an amateur inventor and the
+intrigues of his enemies to secure his inventions make a subject of
+breathless interest.
+
+BOY SCOUTS’ MOUNTAIN CAMP
+
+Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the escape of the
+Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again in the instinctive
+impression, which he shares with the boys, of impending peril.
+
+BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM
+
+Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization, but few
+there are who have such an opportunity for its practical expression as
+comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
+
+Most timely is this authentic story of the “great ditch.” It is
+illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO
+
+Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present is
+this account of recent conflict.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS
+
+Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in this
+tale of the Great War.
+
+BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE
+
+On the firing line—or very near—we find the Scouts in France.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
+
+If you couldn’t attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even now in
+imagination with the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the Government.
+What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that out by reading the
+book. It’s a dandy story.
+
+BOY SCOUTS’ CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS
+
+Just as the Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared,” just for these reasons that
+they prepare for the country’s defense. What they do and how they do it
+makes a volume well worth reading.
+
+You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating and
+well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the Manual itself,
+the books give an accurate description of Boy Scout activities, for they
+are educational and instructive.
+
+_Price postpaid, 50 cents per volume, or we will send any six titles you
+select for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           MOTOR CYCLE SERIES
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World_
+
+Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with a motor
+cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an achievement greater
+than any he describes in his account of the amusing travels of Philias
+Fogg. This, however, is the purpose successfully carried out by the
+Motor Cycle Chums, and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays
+is one of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental information
+to the reader.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol_
+
+The Great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and in it the
+Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more unusual and exciting than
+many of their experiences on their tour around the world. There is not a
+dull page in this lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant
+“Chinee.”
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields_
+
+How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold and into
+what difficulties and novel experiences they were led, makes a tale of
+thrilling interest.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums’ Whirlwind Tour_
+
+To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers over the
+border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story of amusing
+adventures and exciting episodes.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator_
+
+New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add fresh zest
+to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and the tour
+described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America_
+
+The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history was made,
+where interest centers to-day as never before.
+
+You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to enjoy the
+thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle Chums pass on their
+way to seek adventure and excitement. Brimful of clever episodes.
+
+_We will send prepaid any book for 50 cents or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         BOY INVENTORS’ SERIES
+
+                           By RICHARD BONNER
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Wireless Triumph_
+
+Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes called the instinct of
+investigation,—favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they
+always “work” when put to the test.
+
+_The Boy Inventors and the Vanishing Gun_
+
+A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+final success. This too is the history of the daring Boy Inventors.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Diving Torpedo Boat_
+
+As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+triumphs of mechanisms are produced which become immediately valuable,
+and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On the
+surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Flying Ship_
+
+A Boston newspaper reporter,—a young fellow with a camera slung over
+his shoulders,—wanders into this story at the very beginning. He finds
+himself an aerial stowaway and finally a part of a South American
+exploring party. How this happens is an absorbing tale in itself.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Electric Hydroaeroplane_
+
+The restless, inventive spirit of Jack Chadwick and the persistent
+enthusiasm of his cousin, Tom Jesson, once more clamor for a new
+expression, and this book describes the unique result of their labors
+and the use to which it is opportunely put.
+
+_The Boy Inventors’ Radio Telephone_
+
+The determination to adopt, adapt and improve the latest means of
+communication gave a fresh impulse to the ambition of the Boy Inventors.
+
+Watch boys, and you will notice their minds naturally turn to mechanism.
+In these delightful stories, the boys try their genius in new
+inventions. Read the books and see what they accomplish through skill
+and ingenuity.
+
+_Any book postpaid at 50 cents per copy or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                        DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+                         TALES OF THE NEW NAVY
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+               Cloth. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Battle Practice_
+
+Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+Sam’s sailors.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys Aboard a Destroyer_
+
+In this story real dangers threaten and the boys’ patriotism is tested
+in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South
+American coast.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on a Submarine_
+
+To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this story has
+special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+action are fascinating.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Aero Service_
+
+Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their
+perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although they
+make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; nor are
+they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old “enemies,” who are
+also airmen.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys’ World Cruise_
+
+From San Francisco the boys start on their world cruise. At Hawaii,
+Japan, Egypt and Gibraltar they meet experiences unforeseen and
+eventful.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters_
+
+Into mimic naval warfare creeps actual intrigue that complicates the
+defense of New York Harbor.
+
+It would be hard work to find a boy—young or old—who is not keenly
+alive to the achievements of our great Navy. You can get a good
+conception of what Uncle Sam is doing by reading these marvelous
+stories.
+
+_Sent postpaid for 50 cents per volume, or the set of six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          BOY AVIATORS SERIES
+
+                       Thrilling Airship Stories
+
+                        By CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA
+
+“Boys of all ages will be captivated by this clever story of two bright
+American lads who in an aeroplane of unusual construction have many
+adventures in Nicaragua.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+“Its heroes go in an airship to the Everglades of Florida, and use their
+wireless telegraph to assist in the rescue of a Government inventor.
+Japanese spies are plotting against them, and the result is a thrill in
+every chapter.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+“In this book the lads go to Africa in their flying machine and strike
+an aerial ivory trail. Adventures come thick and fast. One cannot help
+wishing himself fourteen years old once more, to take this book out back
+on the barn, or under the pear tree, to enjoy it in fashion.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ TREASURE QUEST
+
+“The author takes the boys on a quest after the golden galleon, lost in
+a position where it is imaginatively possible to obtain the treasure.
+The story is one of the keenest interest from the boy standpoint.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+“The story deals with aerial contests for a big prize offered by
+newspapers to fly from New York across the continent and the hairbreadth
+escapes encountered.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ POLAR DASH
+
+“The useful information concerning the Antarctic regions, and the
+aviation features and their technical correctness, set the book apart
+from those of simple entertainment and adventure.”
+
+                                      —_The Dallas News_, Dallas, Texas.
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS’ FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+“The volume is packed with incidents from cover to cover, and conveys an
+accurate idea of modern aeroplanes.”
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS WITH THE AIR RAIDERS
+
+In view of the world-wide interest in practical aviation, this book is
+especially thrilling and timely. It pertains to the Great European War.
+
+_Up-to-the-minute AIRSHIP Books which record the most thrilling
+experiences any daring aviator could wish for. The Stories are written
+by a famous aviation instructor and are technically correct in details.
+One million copies have been sold._
+
+_Sent postpaid at 50c. per volume, any four books for $1.75, or the
+complete set of eight for $3.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         OCEAN WIRELESS SERIES
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic_
+
+How a Brooklyn boy became a wireless operator and shared in the work of
+rescue on the sea makes a thrilling tale.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner_
+
+This book takes the young wireless operators into southern waters and
+through grave perils.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol_
+
+The sinking of the _Titanic_ emphasized the usefulness of the wireless
+in the iceberg zones described in this volume.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code_
+
+Combine warships and wireless, danger, intrigue, and daring and you have
+an exciting tale of the sea.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific_
+
+Just as fascinating, thrilling and interesting as any of the preceding
+volumes. Plenty of action for red-blooded boys.
+
+The tragedies of the seas became less dreadful with the introduction of
+the wireless aboard steamships and it is to be hoped ultimately that the
+“ocean grave-yard” will be a thing of the past. These volumes describe
+daring and exciting tales.
+
+_Sent postpaid upon receipt of 50 cents each, or the five books for
+$2.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber’s Notes
+
+1. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
+
+2. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have
+   been preserved.
+
+3. Page-specific notes:
+
+  p. 76 restored full-stop in “Captain Sparhawk Tahiti was not far off.”
+
+  p. 193 whiste -> whistle in “shrill whistle sounded”
+
+  p. 213 Jordan -> Judson in “Broom and young Judson turned”
+
+  p. 242 “membel” retained (for “remember”) in dialect: “Me membel now”
+
+  p. 262 blared -> glared in “yellow eyes glared malevolently”
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON PACIFIC ***
+
+***** This file should be named 44503-0.txt or 44503-0.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
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+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+    <title>Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by Wilbur Lawton</title>
+    <link rel="coverpage" href="images/coverf.jpg" />
+    <meta name='DC.Title' content='Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific' />
+    <meta name='DC.Creator' content='Wilbur Lawton' />
+    <meta name='DC.Language' content='en' />
+    <meta name='DC.Created' content='1916' />
+    <style type="text/css">
+      body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; }
+      .pagenum { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver;
+               text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute;
+               border: 1px solid silver; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal;
+               font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; }
+      .it { font-style:italic; }
+      .bold { font-weight:bold; }
+      .sc { font-variant: small-caps; }
+      p { text-indent:0; margin-top:0.5em; margin-bottom:0.5em;
+          text-align: justify; }
+      div.lgc { }
+      div.lgc p { text-align:center; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; }
+      h1.title { text-align:center; font-weight:normal;
+           font-size:1.4em; margin:2em auto 1em auto}
+      h2 { text-align:center; font-weight:normal;
+           font-size:1.2em; margin:2em auto 1em auto}
+      .figright { float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1em;
+                  margin-bottom:1em; margin-top:1em; margin-right:0;
+                  padding:0; text-align:center; }
+      hr.pbk { border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;
+               width:100%; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; }
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+        .figright {float:right;}
+      }
+      .figleft  { float:left; clear:left; margin-right:1em;
+                  margin-bottom:1em; margin-top:1em; margin-left:0;
+                  padding:0; text-align:center; }
+      @media handheld {
+        .figleft {float:left;}
+      }
+      .figcenter { text-align:center; margin:1em auto;}
+      div.blockquote { margin:1em 2em; text-align:justify; }
+      p.caption { text-align:center; margin:0 auto; width:100%; }
+      h2.nobreak { }
+      p.line { text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; }
+      table.center { margin:0.5em auto; border-collapse: collapse; padding:3px; }
+      .literal-container { text-align:center; margin:0 0; }
+      .literal { display:inline-block; text-align:left; }
+      .s001 { padding: 2px 5px; text-align:right; vertical-align:top }
+      .s002 { padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:bottom }
+      .s003 { padding: 2px 5px; text-align:right; vertical-align:bottom }
+      .pbb { page-break-before: always }
+    </style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+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 Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Arthur O. Scott
+
+Release Date: December 24, 2013 [EBook #44503]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON PACIFIC ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Demian Katz, Roger Frank and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images
+courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University
+(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/))
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/coverf.jpg'><img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:379px;height:600px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='figcenter pbb'>
+<a href='images/i02f.jpg'><img src='images/i02.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:364px;height:600px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>Half way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near him.</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb'>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-size:1.4em;'>
+THE<br />OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS<br />ON THE PACIFIC</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+BY<br /><br />CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.8em;'>
+AUTHOR OF “THE BOY AVIATORS’ SERIES,” “THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS’<br />
+SERIES,” “THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC,” “THE<br />
+OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER,” “THE OCEAN<br />
+WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICEBERG PATROL,” “THE<br />
+OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE,”<br />
+ETC.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;font-style:italic;'>
+ILLUSTRATED BY<br />ARTHUR O. SCOTT</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+NEW YORK<br /><span style='font-size:larger'>HURST &amp; COMPANY</span><br /><br />PUBLISHERS</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb'>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:2em;'>
+Copyright, 1916,<br />BY<br />HURST &amp; COMPANY</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<p class='line pbb' style='text-align:center;'>CONTENTS</p>
+
+<table summary="" class='center'>
+<tr><td class='s001'>I. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>On the Broad Pacific</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>II. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Ocean in a Rage</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>III. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Long Night</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>IV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Derelict</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>V. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The “Centurion”</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_33'>33</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Mystery of the Seas</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_39'>39</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>An Old Enemy Oddly Met</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>VIII. </td><td style='padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top'> “<span class='sc'>Land, Ho!</span>” </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_56'>56</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>IX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Through Hidden Dangers</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>X. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Chumming with Savages</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_72'>72</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Cave of the Pearls</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_78'>78</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Trap!</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>On the Reef</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_90'>90</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Battling Man-eating Sharks</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Message from the Deep</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Alive on the Sea</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_113'>113</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>An Encounter at Bomobori</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_119'>119</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XVIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Donald Judson Again</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_126'>126</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XIX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>He Tells a Strange Story</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Traitor in Camp</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_143'>143</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Memorable Night</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_153'>153</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Into the Jungle</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_164'>164</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Dangerous Tree</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_171'>171</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Wireless at Work</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_178'>178</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Jungle Hotel</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_186'>186</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Prisoners of “Bully” Broom</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>At the Old Fort</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_203'>203</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXVIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Free-booter’s Demands</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_209'>209</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXIX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Rescue Party</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_216'>216</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXX. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>In the Coils of a Python</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_224'>224</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Journey Resumed</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_236'>236</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Storm in the Jungle</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_245'>245</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXIII. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Giant Spiders</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_260'>260</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXIV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>A Fight with a Hornbill</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_272'>272</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXV. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>The Heart of New Guinea</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_280'>280</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='s001'>XXXVI. </td><td class='s002'> <span class='sc'>Found at Last!</span> </td><td class='s003'>  <a href='#Page_292'>292</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<h1 class='title pbb'>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific.</h1>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_5' id='Page_5'>5</a></span><h2 class='nobreak' id='t98'>CHAPTER I.—ON THE BROAD PACIFIC.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Twenty days out from San Francisco in the
+vast, heaving desert of the sea, twenty days of
+storm, sunshine and calm, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, the
+great white yacht of Jacob Jukes, head of the big
+Atlantic and Pacific Shipping Combine, was making
+her way lazily through the dreamy South
+Seas. The vessel was capable of great speed,
+being known as one of the fastest craft of her
+kind. But she was bound on a mission which
+might take a long time to consummate, and
+economy of coal, which was piled even on her
+decks, to re-enforce the supply in the bunkers,
+was necessary.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_6' id='Page_6'>6</a></span>What this mission was remained, so far, a
+mystery to every one on board except Mr. Jukes
+himself, the iron-jawed and impenetrable organizer
+of the expedition. Up to this time he had
+shown no inclination to unburden himself of his
+secret, and although the craft was equipped with
+powerful wireless of the most modern type, the
+yacht had received no messages, nor had she
+sent any, under orders from Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular evening Jack Ready leaned
+against the door of the wireless-room, a converted
+deck cabin, and covertly watched the
+heavy-shouldered, bull-necked form of the millionaire
+shipping man as the latter gazed over
+the rail across the vacant waters at the gorgeous
+sunset.</p>
+
+<p>It was a true pageant of the heavens, such as is
+only to be seen in the Southern ocean. Great
+cloud-masses rose in wondrous forms, like glorified
+castle walls and turrets, glowing with purple
+and gold and red. Jack found himself following
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_7' id='Page_7'>7</a></span>
+Mr. Jukes’ gaze. Although such spectacles had
+been almost nightly ones since they had steamed
+into the tropics, there was something wild and
+sinister about the present one that thrilled him.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Septimus Sparhawk, the brown, gaunt
+captain of the yacht, whose thin face was decorated
+by two little dabs of grayish whiskers forward
+of each ear, passed by.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing to do but to look at the sky, eh?” he
+asked Jack, as a suspicion of a smile crept over
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s about all, sir,” rejoined Jack, with a
+laugh. “I expect to see spiders spinning webs on
+my instruments every day. I haven’t touched
+the key since we sailed.”</p>
+
+<p>The captain shook his head. He was an old
+and loyal employee of the shipping man, and not
+much given to words. But, apparently, now he
+felt called upon to express himself.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a queer business, lad,” he said, “and it
+may get queerer still before we find out what it’s
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_8' id='Page_8'>8</a></span>
+all about. I’m as much in the dark as you or
+the cabin boy. But right now that sunset worries
+me more than anything else.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re on the look-out for a storm?” asked
+Jack, noting a sudden look of anxiety in the captain’s
+pale blue eyes, surrounded by a network
+of tiny wrinkles, due to long gazing into salty
+gales.</p>
+
+<p>“Worse than that, Ready,” was the rejoinder.
+“This is the hurricane season in these parts and
+the glass,—I’ve just taken a squint at it,—is
+dropping as if it never meant to stop.”</p>
+
+<p>“If I could use the wireless——” began Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“We could probably get a weather reading
+from some other ship,” interrupted the captain,
+starting off, “but as it is, we might as well not
+have it on board at all. The thing’s got me
+stumped.”</p>
+
+<p>He carried himself off on his long, thin legs
+but paused to speak to Mr. Jukes. The ship-owner,
+although Jack could not hear what was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_9' id='Page_9'>9</a></span>
+said, appeared to be agitated somewhat by the
+captain’s words, for he began puffing rapidly at
+his after-dinner cigar, sending out smoke like
+the exhaust of a locomotive funnel, a sure sign,
+as Jack had observed, that he was disturbed.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make all snug, sir,” the boy heard the
+captain say, as he turned away, “and then we will
+be prepared for whatever happens.”</p>
+
+<p>“Very well, Sparhawk,” answered Mr. Jukes,
+in a somewhat louder voice than he had used
+hitherto, “and be sure to see to it that the deck
+load of coal is secured safely. They tell me the
+bunkers are running low.”</p>
+
+<p>As has been stated, the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> decks were
+piled high fore and aft with coal, kept in place
+by wooden bulkheads, which did not add to the
+appearance of the ship and encumbered progress
+from bow to stern. Only amidships, where the
+cabins were situated, was the deck clear. As the
+captain ascended the bridge he turned and gave
+an order to a petty officer and presently the crew
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_10' id='Page_10'>10</a></span>
+could be seen at work lashing big tarpaulins down
+over the coal which was so important to keep the
+<em>Sea Gypsy</em> moving on her mysterious mission.</p>
+
+<p>The news that the coal supply was running
+low in the bunkers was a surprise to Jack. He
+made for Billy Raynor’s cabin where the young
+chief engineer of the yacht was writing up his
+“log.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, it’s right,” he rejoined to Jack’s question,
+“the loss of that deck load would be a serious
+matter. We’re a good many hundred miles from
+land and will have to tap the supply before long.”</p>
+
+<p>“Billy, what on earth do you suppose is the
+object of this voyage?” demanded Jack abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“Blessed if I know, but I’m well satisfied with
+my promotion and job,” declared Raynor.
+“Cruising these wonderful seas in a yacht that’s a
+beauty, even if her decks are all littered up like a
+cattle boat’s, just about suits me.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s all right, you’ve got something to do,”
+complained Jack. “But look at my case. I have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_11' id='Page_11'>11</a></span>
+to polish up my instruments every day to keep
+them from getting rusty.”</p>
+
+<p>“Serves you right for not stopping ashore and
+enjoying yourself,” chuckled Raynor teasingly.
+“Since you sold that ‘Universal Detector’ of yours
+to the government you could surely afford to.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just as if I could kick my heels on shore doing
+nothing,” was Jack’s indignant reply, “but it does
+seem as if it’s about time we knew something of
+what this voyage is for.”</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe it’s just a pleasure cruise to allow Mr.
+Jukes to get away from his business troubles,”
+hazarded Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>Jack shook his head in decided negative.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s more in it than that,” he declared
+positively. “Mr. Jukes is first of all a man of
+business. He wouldn’t come skylarking across
+the Pacific for three weeks if he was just out for
+a cruise. He’d go where he could keep in touch
+with the market and Wall Street.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s so,” Raynor was compelled to agree.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_12' id='Page_12'>12</a></span>
+“Well, I suppose when he gets ready to spill some
+information he’ll do it. In the meantime my job
+just suits me. But what made you ask about
+the deck coal?”</p>
+
+<p>“Because Captain Sparhawk says we’re in for
+a bad blow, maybe a hurricane.”</p>
+
+<p>Raynor’s usually cheerful face became suddenly
+serious.</p>
+
+<p>“When did he say that?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“Just now. They’re putting tarpaulins over
+it now. If we dropped it, we’d be in a bad fix,
+eh, Billy?”</p>
+
+<p>“We’d have about coal enough left for two
+or three days,” rejoined Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“And after that——?”</p>
+
+<p>“It would be a case of ‘merrily we drift
+along.’”</p>
+
+<p>The door gave a sudden sharp slam. A puff
+of wind, sweeping suddenly over the hitherto
+breathless sea, had banged it shut.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_13' id='Page_13'>13</a></span>Jack jumped up and swung it quickly open
+again.</p>
+
+<p>“Here she comes,” he cried excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>At the same instant the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> gave a sidelong
+lurch that sent both lads helter-skelter across
+the cabin. Outside came a sudden bawling of
+voices and a distant, disquieting roar that grew
+louder every second.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_14' id='Page_14'>14</a></span><h2 id='t314'>CHAPTER II.—THE OCEAN IN A RAGE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Directly they recovered their sea legs, both lads
+made for the cabin door. A wonderful but alarming
+spectacle met their eyes. The sunset had been
+blotted out as if by magic. In its place was a
+ragged, inky-black cloud curtain that was being
+swept across the sky as if invisible, titanic hands
+were swiftly pulling it.</p>
+
+<p>The sea immediately about them was heaving
+wildly in great swells that tumbled the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+rendered less stable by her top-heavy load, from
+side to side. Far off, under the rushing black
+cloud, the forefront of which was almost over
+them by this time, was a jagged line of white.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Booth, the second mate, bundled up in oilskins,
+ran past the boys on his way to the bridge.</p>
+
+<p>“Better get under cover,” he advised as he
+passed. “This is going to be a hummer.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_15' id='Page_15'>15</a></span>But, fascinated by the majestic sight, both boys
+stood still, clutching the rail and bracing themselves
+for the shock they felt was coming, for
+both had guessed that the jagged white line in the
+distance was a giant wave. Like a cliff of water
+it grew as it swept toward them, accompanied
+by a howling of the wind that sounded like a
+witches’ carnival. So swift was its advance that
+the boys had hardly time to run toward the cabin
+when it broke upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The <em>Sea Gypsy</em> heeled like a ship that had been
+struck a mortal blow. For one instant she hung
+balanced as if she was about to capsize. The door
+of the cabin in which the boys had taken refuge
+was ripped from its hinges by the terrific force
+of the impact as if it had been matchwood.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment both lads were struggling
+for their lives in a surging, sweeping smother of
+water that filled the cabin to the roof. Jack felt
+himself clutched by the hands of his chum. Fighting
+to keep himself above water, Jack saw that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_16' id='Page_16'>16</a></span>
+Raynor had been hurled against some object and
+been wounded. There was a jagged cut in his
+forehead.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly noticed this, when the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>
+staggered back to an even keel. As she did so
+the water swept out of the cabin like a millrace,
+carrying both boys helplessly with it.</p>
+
+<p>Jack felt Raynor torn from his arms, and the
+next thing he realized he was struggling for
+his life in the waves that reared and roared above
+the floundering yacht.</p>
+
+<p>A month before the events we are describing
+took place, Jack Ready, the young wireless operator
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, and his inseparable chum,
+Billy Raynor, had been summoned to Mr. Jukes’
+New York office and told that they were detached
+from duty on the big <em>Columbia</em>, the crack liner
+of the Jukes’ ships, and ordered to pack their
+things forthwith and meet the ship-owner at the
+St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco within a week.
+Neither had demurred, supposing some interest
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_17' id='Page_17'>17</a></span>
+of the ship-owners called for their presence there.
+But, much to their bewilderment, they had each
+been handed a substantial check by Mr. Jukes on
+his arrival in the western metropolis, told to
+outfit themselves for a long voyage, and nothing
+more. Two days later the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> cleared the
+harbor.</p>
+
+<p>The acquaintance of Jack and Mr. Jukes had
+its beginning in certain events which took place
+near Jack’s quaint home, which he shared with an
+eccentric uncle on an old schooner in the Erie
+Basin in New York. The rescue by Jack of Mr.
+Jukes’ little daughter, and the result on his affairs,
+were fully detailed in the first volume of
+this series, which was called “The Ocean Wireless
+Boys on the Atlantic.” This is not the place
+to re-tell all the exciting adventures that befell
+Jack and young Raynor, who was third engineer
+on the steamer to which Jack was assigned, in
+fulfillment of his ambition to be a “wireless man.”</p>
+
+<p>Nor can we do more here than to hint at the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_18' id='Page_18'>18</a></span>
+contents of the second volume. This was called
+“The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner,”
+and set forth the fate of the <em>Tropic Queen</em>. In
+this book we found Jack and his inseparable chum
+steadily progressing in their chosen professions,
+and also met several other characters, all of whom
+had an important bearing on the events of the
+boys’ lives. Mr. Jukes took formal recognition
+of the part Jack played in the disaster that overtook
+the <em>Tropic Queen</em>, and inwardly resolved
+that his heroism and devotion to duty had made
+him a lad worth watching.</p>
+
+<p>Still a third volume followed, describing the
+boys’ further adventures. In the “Ocean Wireless
+Boys of the Iceberg Patrol,” much interesting
+information about the manner in which the
+ocean lanes are guarded from the white menace
+of the north, was given. The boys shared in
+many thrilling adventures also, and ended by discovering
+something that an expedition, at the
+head of which was Jack’s Uncle Toby, had almost
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_19' id='Page_19'>19</a></span>
+lost through the tricks of a band of hard characters.</p>
+
+<p>The fourth book setting forth their doings was
+called “The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval
+Code.” Captain Simms of the U. S. N., after
+devising a novel code for the use of this government,
+through the machinations of a band of
+daring rascals, found himself robbed of it. Wireless
+played a big part in the recovery of the documents
+in the long run, Jack acquitting himself to
+the delight of the naval officials and the government
+by his work in this connection. Some of
+the miscreants, whose tricks Jack had helped to
+frustrate, were sent to prison but others got free.
+These latter the boys, though they little suspected
+it, were destined to meet again.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_20' id='Page_20'>20</a></span><h2 id='t451'>CHAPTER III.—A LONG NIGHT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Blinded, choked and with a red mist before his
+eyes, and in his ears the roar of waters, Jack
+fought the undertow of the retreat of the giant
+wave with all his strength. All at once he felt
+some heavy object hurled against him.</p>
+
+<p>The force of the collision almost knocked what
+little breath remained in his body out of his lungs.
+Instinctively he reached out for whatever it was
+that had struck him.</p>
+
+<p>It was a human body.</p>
+
+<p>The boy had hardly realized this before he
+found himself flung, panting and gasping, down
+upon the deck. Thanks to the stays of the foremost
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> two masts, against which
+the retreating wave had pitched him, he had
+not been drawn overboard. Instead, as the pressure
+of water relaxed, it had dropped him and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_21' id='Page_21'>21</a></span>
+the mute burden he had clasped, to the deck.</p>
+
+<p>For a few minutes Jack lay there panting, too
+much exhausted to exert a muscle or limb. The
+unconscious form hurtled against him by the
+swirling waters lay at his side. It was too dark
+for Jack to see then who it was, or if life remained
+in the motionless figure. By-and-by, as
+his strength came back, he got to his feet and
+dragged the limp form to a cabin. It proved to
+be the one which the great wave had swept from
+Jack so unceremoniously. Luckily, although the
+seas were thundering mountains high about the
+laboring yacht, none like that first terrific comber
+assailed her.</p>
+
+<p>Steadying himself on the rocking floor with
+much difficulty, Jack fumbled for the electric
+switch. He found it at last and let on a flood of
+light. The radiance shed itself on a pale face
+with a deeply slashed forehead that lay at the
+boy’s feet.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Billy,” choked the boy. He got on his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_22' id='Page_22'>22</a></span>
+knees by Raynor’s unconscious form and gently
+raised his chum’s head. It fell back limply. A
+blood-chilling thought surged through Jack and
+he grew as white as the lad he held.</p>
+
+<p>He put his hand hastily over Raynor’s heart
+and a great wave of relief went through him.
+His chum’s heart was beating, although feebly.
+It was not too late to save him. It was a hard
+task for Jack to stagger across that bounding,
+reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious
+Raynor, but at last he managed to accomplish it,
+and deposited the injured young engineer in the
+bunk that occupied one side of the latter’s cabin.
+Then he washed and dressed the injury as best
+he could.</p>
+
+<p>“Now I’ll have to get help,” said the boy to
+himself. “The captain’s got a medicine chest
+and bandages, but we have no doctor. I’ll go and
+find the skipper.”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i03f.jpg'><img src='images/i03.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0002' style='width:400px;height:514px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across that bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Out upon the dripping decks, over which a
+wave crest would every now and then curl, with
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_23' id='Page_23'>23</a></span>
+a roar like that of a waterfall, Jack once more
+emerged. Clawing at hand-holds and desperately
+clinging on now and then when a wave threatened
+to tear loose his grip, he wormed his way forward.
+As he reached the bridge deck, he heard
+a thunderous roar forward, and the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+as if she had been freed of a burden, made a sudden
+plunge skyward, with her bow pointing almost
+straight at the obscured heavens.</p>
+
+<p>“There goes the fore-deck load of coal,”
+thought Jack, as he made his way to where, in
+the lee of the pilot house some obscure figures
+stood huddled. Ten minutes later he and the
+gaunt form of Captain Sparhawk were bending
+over Raynor, as he lay white and still, in his
+bunk. With rough skill the captain dressed the
+wound.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a wonder that Mr. Jukes wouldn’t have
+brought a doctor along,” he muttered. “He’s
+carrying a rapid-fire gun, so why not sawbones,
+too?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_24' id='Page_24'>24</a></span>“Where is Mr. Jukes?” demanded Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“In his cabin, I guess. I haven’t seen him since
+this ocean tantrum broke out.”</p>
+
+<p>“The—the rapid-fire gun you spoke about?”
+asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>The other looked at him in some confusion.</p>
+
+<p>“Confound my habit of talking to myself,” he
+exclaimed. “Did you hear that?”</p>
+
+<p>“I couldn’t help it,” apologised Jack. “Are we
+going to fight any one?”</p>
+
+<p>“You must ask Mr. Jukes that,” answered the
+captain, non-committally. “It’s up to him to tell
+what he wants to. All I know is that there is
+one on board. Maybe he brought it along to shoot
+clay pigeons with. Maybe not. I don’t know.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” he added, “I’ve got to get for’ard
+again. I guess our young ship-mate will do now.
+He had a nasty crack though. Both of you are
+lucky you’re not in Davy Jones’ locker.”</p>
+
+<p>All through the rest of that tempestuous night
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_25' id='Page_25'>25</a></span>
+Jack sat by his chum, dozing off at times and
+then waking with a start to hear the uproar of
+the hurricane as they struggled through it. The
+dawn showed a troubled sea, leaping at the yacht
+as though to engulf her. The wind almost flattened
+Jack against the deck house as, Raynor
+having sunk into a deep sleep after an interval of
+consciousness, the young wireless man set out
+to see what chance there was for breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>The companionway to the dining saloon on the
+deck below was in the after part of the ship. As
+he was about to descend an unusually big wave
+lifted the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> dizzily skyward, and then
+rushed her downward. There was a heave and
+a crash from the stern and Jack saw the after
+deck load of coal vanish like a black avalanche,
+to be swallowed up in the maw of the sea.</p>
+
+<p>“Worse, and more of it,” he muttered, as some
+of the crew who had narrowly escaped being
+overwhelmed, set up a shout; “this will be bad
+news to give poor old Billy.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_26' id='Page_26'>26</a></span><h2 id='t606'>CHAPTER IV.—THE DERELICT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later the hurricane had blown itself
+out. The storm-stressed crew were set to work
+putting things to rights and the yacht put on more
+of her normal appearance. But she had been
+sadly battered for all that. Two boats were stove
+in, ventilators smashed and stanchions bent and
+twisted by the fury of the waves.</p>
+
+<p>The flat, oily sea that succeeded the wild turmoil
+of the hurricane, heaved gently without a
+ripple as Jack and Raynor, the latter recovered
+but still wearing a bandage round his head, stood
+looking over the rail into the glassy waters.</p>
+
+<p>So transparent was the ocean that, under them,
+they could see great fish swimming about slowly
+and lazily, as if life held no hurry for them. Now
+and then a great shark glided by, nosing about
+the ship for scraps. His sharp, triangular dorsal
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_27' id='Page_27'>27</a></span>
+fin stuck from his back like a blue steel knife
+cutting the surface and glistening like a thing of
+metal. About these great tigers of the deep, two
+smaller fish usually hovered. These were pilot
+fish, the strange sea-creatures that invariably
+accompany sharks, and are supposed by sailors
+to pilot them to their prey.</p>
+
+<p>Then there were queer-looking “gonies,” with
+their flat heads winging their way above the
+water and every now and then dropping, with a
+scream and a splash, in a group of a dozen to fight
+furiously over some drifting morsel. After these
+tussles they appeared to “run” over the water to
+give their heavy, awkward bodies a good start
+upward. Then, having attained a certain height,
+down they would flop again, like weights shooting
+through the air, hitting the water with a heavy
+splash and sliding, with a white wake behind
+them, for some feet.</p>
+
+<p>Schools of nautilus, too, gave them something
+to look at as the delicate little creatures, with
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_28' id='Page_28'>28</a></span>
+their thin, membranous sails set, drifted by under
+the gentle breeze that hardly ruffled the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Doesn’t look much as if this ocean could ever
+have kicked up the ructions it did, eh, Billy?”
+remarked Jack, after a long silence.</p>
+
+<p>“It does not,” replied Raynor, with a rueful
+grin, “but I owe it this crack on the head.”</p>
+
+<p>“And the loss of that coal,” chimed in Jack.
+“No wonder you look glum, old fellow. We’ll
+never make port on what’s below.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a chance of it,” was the rejoinder, “about
+all we can do is to use the sails if the worst comes
+to the worst.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, as we don’t appear to have any port
+in view, and nothing to do but to keep on drifting
+about like another Flying Dutchman, I don’t see
+that it much matters where we fetch up,” commented
+Jack, with some irritation.</p>
+
+<p>It was at that instant that there came an interruption.
+The voice of the sea-man at the
+look-out forward broke the spell.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_29' id='Page_29'>29</a></span>“Steamer, ho!” he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>“Where away?” came a hoarse voice from the
+bridge, that of Mr. Jolliffe, the first officer.</p>
+
+<p>“Three p’ints on the starbo’d bow.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s go forward and have a look,” suggested
+Jack. “You’re not on watch for some time yet.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m with you,” agreed Raynor. “Anything
+for variety’s sake. Wonder what ship it is?”</p>
+
+<p>“Too far off to make out yet,” said Jack, as,
+far off, they could just about see, by straining
+their eyes, a small dark speck on the distant horizon.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see any smoke,” said Raynor. “Perhaps
+it’s a sailing ship after all.”</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll know before long,” was Jack’s reply.</p>
+
+<p>During an interval in which the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>
+drew steadily toward the craft that had, by this
+time, excited the attention of all on board, the
+boys saw Mr. Jukes emerge from his cabin and
+take his place on the bridge beside Captain Sparhawk.
+That bronzed mariner handed the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_30' id='Page_30'>30</a></span>
+millionaire his glasses and Mr. Jukes’ rather fat,
+pallid face took on an unwonted hue of excitement
+as he handed them back.</p>
+
+<p>The boys standing on the main deck just below
+the bridge heard the owner of the yacht putting
+sharp questions. He showed more animation
+than he had at any time during the voyage. The
+sight of the other craft appeared to affect him
+curiously.</p>
+
+<p>“She’s a schooner, Sparhawk.”</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly, sir.”</p>
+
+<p>“But although she has her canvas set she is
+making no way.”</p>
+
+<p>“That appears to be correct. But there is little
+wind. Odd though that she doesn’t signal us.”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes snatched up the glasses again from
+the shelf where he had laid them down.</p>
+
+<p>“Blessed if I can make out a soul on board her,
+Sparhawk,” he exclaimed presently. “Here, try
+what you can do.”</p>
+
+<p>He handed the binoculars over to the master
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_31' id='Page_31'>31</a></span>
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>. Captain Sparhawk took a prolonged
+observation. When he, in turn, laid the
+glasses down his thin, mahogany-hued face bore
+a puzzled look.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s queer, sir, but I don’t seem to be able to
+make out a living soul either.”</p>
+
+<p>“A derelict, perhaps?”</p>
+
+<p>“Possibly,” assented the captain, and no more
+was said as, with all eyes fixed on the strange
+schooner, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> drew nearer. The boys
+could now make out every detail of the other
+craft. She was a trig-looking schooner, painted
+black, with a flush deck except for her after house
+and a small structure astern of the fore-mast.
+Her canvas was set but it flapped idly in the light
+breeze as she swung to and fro on the Pacific
+swells. No guiding hand could be seen at her
+wheel. Not a soul was visible on her deserted
+decks.</p>
+
+<p>There is no more melancholy sight than a sea
+derelict, the aimless prey of winds and currents,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_32' id='Page_32'>32</a></span>
+drifting sometimes for years over the trackless
+wastes of the ocean. The boys felt something of
+this as all doubt as to human occupancy of the
+schooner vanished.</p>
+
+<p>“Deserted, I reckon,” hazarded Jack. “Although
+her canvas appears perfect, her hull sound
+and——”</p>
+
+<p>He broke off sharply. From the abandoned
+ship there had suddenly come a sound which,
+under the circumstances, was particularly depressing
+and even startling.</p>
+
+<p>It was the measured tolling of a bell, like a
+funeral knell.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_33' id='Page_33'>33</a></span><h2 id='t783'>CHAPTER V.—THE “CENTURION.”</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Hark!” cried Raynor, as the two boys exchanged
+glances.</p>
+
+<p>“I have it,” exclaimed Jack the next instant.
+“That’s only the tolling of the ship’s bell as the
+schooner rolls on the sea.”</p>
+
+<p>“My, it gave me a jump though,” admitted
+Raynor. “Hullo, they are slowing down. Must
+be going to board her.”</p>
+
+<p>“Evidently,” agreed Jack, as the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em>
+propeller revolved more and more slowly.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk descended from the bridge.
+The ponderous form of Mr. Jukes followed him.
+The millionaire’s face bore a look of strange excitement.</p>
+
+<p>“Of course that can’t be the schooner,” the
+boys heard him say to the captain, “but still I
+can’t pass it unsearched.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_34' id='Page_34'>34</a></span>His eye fell on the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Lads, we are going to board that schooner and
+try to find out something about her,” he said.
+“Do you want to go along?”</p>
+
+<p>These were the first words the boys had had
+with their employer in some days. Of course
+both jumped at the chance, and before many
+minutes passed, one of the yacht’s remaining
+boats was being sent over the sea at a fast clip
+toward the derelict. Close inspection showed the
+schooner’s condition not to be as good as it had
+seemed at a distance. Her paint was blistered
+and the oakum calking was spewing out of her
+sun-dried seams like Spanish moss on an aged
+tree. Her sails were mildewed and torn in many
+places and her ropes bleached and frayed. Mingling
+now with the incessant, melancholy tolling
+of the bell, came the monotonous creak of her
+booms and gaffs as they swung rhythmically to
+and fro.</p>
+
+<p>No name appeared on her bow, although
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_35' id='Page_35'>35</a></span>
+blurred tracings of white paint showed that one
+had once been inscribed there. But there was a
+yellow-painted figurehead; a stern, Roman-nosed
+bust of a man, apparently intended for an
+emperor or a warrior.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll row round the stern and take a look
+at her name,” decided Captain Sparhawk. “We’ll
+have to climb aboard from the other side anyway.
+There is no means of scrambling up from this.”</p>
+
+<p>The boat was turned and rowed under the
+graceful stern of the derelict. On it, in bold,
+raised letters, surrounded by a fanciful design,
+stood out, in fading colors, the lost craft’s name.</p>
+
+<p>“<em>Centurion</em>, San Francisco,” read out Jack,
+with an odd thrill. There was a sudden exclamation
+from Mr. Jukes, who had not yet been able
+to make out more than the first few letters.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that?” he exclaimed, in a voice so
+sharp and tense that the boys turned and stared
+at him, as did the boat’s crew and Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_36' id='Page_36'>36</a></span>Jack repeated his answer and, to his astonishment,
+Mr. Jukes, the iron-jawed, self-possessed
+business man, who had never shown signs of possessing
+any more emotion than a stone, suddenly
+sunk his head in his hands with a groan.</p>
+
+<p>“Too late after all,” they heard him mutter
+unsteadily. But when he again raised his face,
+although it was ashy pale, he appeared to have
+mastered himself.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey,
+Sparhawk,” he remarked in a voice that he rendered
+steady by an apparent effort. “Let us go
+on board, however, and see if we can find some
+trace of the unfortunates of the <em>Centurion</em>.”</p>
+
+<p>The captain looked as if he would have liked
+to ask a great many questions, but something in
+Mr. Jukes’ face rendered him silent. He gave
+the necessary orders and the boat was pulled
+round to the other side of the schooner. Here
+they were glad to find some dilapidated ropes
+dangling which afforded a means of getting on
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_37' id='Page_37'>37</a></span>
+board. Two sailors, after first testing their
+weight-bearing qualities, scrambled up them like
+monkeys, and, under the captain’s orders, went
+hunting for a Jacob’s ladder which would support
+Mr. Jukes’ ponderous weight. One was found
+and lowered, and soon all stood on the silent decks
+which for so long had not echoed the footsteps
+of a human being.</p>
+
+<p>“Away forward and muzzle that bell, some of
+you,” ordered the captain briskly. “The sound
+of the thing gets on my nerves.”</p>
+
+<p>“Send them all forward,” supplemented Mr.
+Jukes. “Tell them to search the forecastle, anything
+to keep them busy. We will examine the
+cabins and officers’ quarters.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are we to accompany you, sir?” asked Jack
+hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p>For a fraction of a second the millionaire
+seemed plunged in thought. Then he arrived at
+one of his characteristic quick decisions.</p>
+
+<p>“Why not?” he asked, half to himself it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_38' id='Page_38'>38</a></span>
+seemed. “Later I shall have something to say
+to all of you. You have wondered at the object
+of this cruise, no doubt?”</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk nodded gravely.</p>
+
+<p>“I have guessed you had some great end to
+serve in it, Mr. Jukes,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“An end which has now been reached, I fear,”
+said the millionaire solemnly. “But come, let us
+proceed with our examination.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_39' id='Page_39'>39</a></span><h2 id='t924'>CHAPTER VI.—A MYSTERY OF THE SEAS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>At first glance Jack saw that the main cabin of
+the <em>Centurion</em> was fitted up with a luxuriousness
+not common to mere trading schooners. A silver
+hanging lamp of elaborate design, silk curtains
+at the stern ports, book-cases filled with handsomely
+bound volumes and the thick carpets on
+the floor, clearly indicated that whoever had occupied
+it had been above the class of the rough
+and ready South Sea trader.</p>
+
+<p>In one corner stood a desk as handsome in its
+appointments as the rest of the furniture. But
+it had been roughly dealt with. The front had
+been smashed in, drawers pulled out and papers
+and documents scattered about all over the cabin
+floor. The door to a sleeping cabin leading off
+the main apartment was open. Within was the
+same disorder. Even mattresses had been ripped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_40' id='Page_40'>40</a></span>
+open in a hunt for something, the nature of which
+the boys could not guess.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes hastily rummaged through the contents
+of the desk, selecting some papers, casting
+aside others as worthless, and gathered up on his
+hands and knees those on the floor. Then every
+cabin was searched and in each the millionaire
+took a few papers, but the look of anxiety on his
+face did not change, and the boys judged he had
+not found what he was in search of.</p>
+
+<p>“Not a solitary clue,” he exclaimed with a
+heavy sigh as, dust-covered and perspiring from
+his exertions, he sank down at the long dining
+table in the main cabin. For a time he appeared
+lost in thought and the others stood about silently.
+To Jack it was almost awe-inspiring, to see this
+over-mastering man of affairs, who bullied whole
+corporations into his way of thinking, sitting
+there in the cabin of the derelict schooner utterly
+at a loss, and apparently defeated. At length Mr.
+Jukes spoke. His first words were a surprise:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_41' id='Page_41'>41</a></span>“I suppose you all have heard of my brother,
+Jerushah Jukes?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p>“The traveler and explorer?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk. “I guess every one in America knows
+of him, Mr. Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>Paying no attention to the captain’s reply, the
+millionaire went on.</p>
+
+<p>“The papers reported some months ago that
+he had set out for Central Africa.”</p>
+
+<p>“I read the account,” said Jack, “but——”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes waved his hand. The boy fell into
+an abashed silence; in a second the millionaire
+had changed once more from a crushed, defeated
+human being into Jacob Jukes, millionaire and
+king of commerce.</p>
+
+<p>“He did not go to Africa,” he said. “Instead,
+his destination was the South Pacific. He chartered
+this schooner, the <em>Centurion</em>, and the last
+I heard of him was when he set sail from San
+Francisco. If no news of him was received within
+a certain time I promised him to come in search
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_42' id='Page_42'>42</a></span>
+of him. You see,” he added with a simplicity new
+from him, “he was my younger brother and I
+promised my mother on her death-bed always to
+look after him.”</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. In the silence of the long-deserted
+cabin they could hear the dismal creak
+of the neglected rudder and the bang-banging of
+the swinging spars above.</p>
+
+<p>“We were poor then, miserably poor, and my
+mother never lived to see the rise of our fortunes,
+for as I advanced in business I helped my
+brother up, too. But his bent was not for finance.
+He had a streak of the adventurous in him. But
+I put it to paying purpose. I seldom lose on any
+venture.” Unconsciously as it seemed, the hard
+vein in Jacob Jukes had cropped out again. “I
+decided to put my brother on a paying basis. The
+results were good. Concessions in South
+America, gold mines in Alaska, and certain South
+African enterprises were put through, largely
+through his instrumentality.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_43' id='Page_43'>43</a></span>“And now, to get down to the present time.
+The <em>Centurion</em> was chartered to obtain for Mrs.
+Jukes, who has a craze for expensive and rare
+jewelry, the ‘Tear of the Sea,’ the most famous
+pearl of the South Seas. I had obtained information
+of its whereabouts in the Pomoutou Archipelago
+through means which are not important to
+relate here. I thought that an expedition to purchase
+the ‘Tear of the Sea’ and, incidentally,
+other pearls, would be a good investment and
+keep my brother, who was getting restless, in
+occupation.</p>
+
+<p>“In the meantime, however, a dishonest employee
+managed to get wind of what was about
+to take place and furnished the information to a
+firm of European jewelers with agents in New
+York and all over the world. From that moment,
+I rushed through the <em>Centurion’s</em> expedition with
+all possible speed, for I knew the conditions of
+competition in the Pacific. There is little more
+law among pearl traders than there is north of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_44' id='Page_44'>44</a></span>
+fifty-three. My brother knew this as well as I
+did and realised the necessity for haste. Moreover,
+we knew that the European firm was
+anxious to obtain, for a royal customer, the very
+pearl that I was after. In addition, this firm was
+known as one of the most unscrupulous in gaining
+its ends, and maintained, in the South Pacific,
+a system of spies and bullies which brought
+most of the pearl hunters’ prizes into their hands.
+Ugly stories have been told of their methods of
+gaining their ends—and—and I am afraid the
+fate of the <em>Centurion</em> will have to be added to the
+black list.”</p>
+
+<p>“There is nothing in the papers to show what
+happened to your brother, sir?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk presently.</p>
+
+<p>“Nothing. They are merely formal documents,
+ship’s papers, clearance bills and so forth. There
+is no memorandum relating to the pearl in any
+way.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_45' id='Page_45'>45</a></span>Captain Sparhawk knitted his brows. For a
+minute he appeared lost in deep thought.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you mind telling us the name of that firm,
+sir?” he asked at last.</p>
+
+<p>“There is nothing we can prove against them,”
+said the millionaire. “They work without their
+hands showing in any of their ugly transactions.
+Their name, however, is F—— &amp; Freres.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of Amsterdam?” queried the captain.</p>
+
+<p>“The same. They have practically a monopoly
+of the pearl trade of Europe.”</p>
+
+<p>“I know that, sir,” said the captain, clenching
+his hands. “They tried to work their tricks on
+a ship-mate of mine who went a-pearl trading.
+But, sir, to change the subject, did you ever hear
+of ‘Bully’ Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“I have; and have good cause to remember
+him,” said the captain. “But none of that at this
+time. Sir,” he continued earnestly, “your brother
+may be as safe and sound as we are. He may
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_46' id='Page_46'>46</a></span>
+have the pearl. But if neither of these things
+have happened, Bully Broom is the man to look
+for if we have to hunt him all over the Pacific.
+I’ve sailed these seas and know that ‘Bully’
+Broom did F—— &amp; Co.’s dirty work for them.
+He calls himself a trader, but, like lots of others
+doing business under that name in these waters,
+‘Pirate’ would be a sight better name for him.”</p>
+
+<p>“And you think that this man ‘Bully’ Broom,
+as you call him, has something to do with this
+mysterious disappearance of my brother?” asked
+Mr. Jukes, who had listened with deep attention,
+willing to hear of any clue, however slight.</p>
+
+<p>“I ain’t dead sure,” said the captain, “but it’s
+my impression that if the firm you spoke of was
+after this ‘Tear of the Sea,’ then ‘Bully’ Broom
+knows where Jerushah Jukes is,” and he brought
+his lean, gnarled fist down with a thump on the
+table.</p>
+
+<p>The old ginger came back into Mr. Jukes’ eyes,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_47' id='Page_47'>47</a></span>
+the wonted crisp authority into his voice as he
+snapped out:</p>
+
+<p>“That being the case, we’ll find ‘Bully’ Broom.”</p>
+
+<p>“No matter where we have to go?” asked Captain
+Sparhawk, raising his eyebrows.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll scour the whole Pacific if necessary.
+But nobody of the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> crew need accompany
+her against his will. All I ask is that they
+remain till we can touch at some civilised port,
+such as Papeiti or Honolulu and ship a man in
+his place. Do you boys wish to stick?”</p>
+
+<p>“To the finish,” came from Jack, and Raynor,
+standing beside him, nodded his assent.</p>
+
+<p>As for Captain Sparhawk, he simply reached
+out one of his brown hands toward the millionaire,
+who clasped it, and said:</p>
+
+<p>“I’m with you till the bottom drops out of the
+ship.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank you, Sparhawk. It’s what I expected
+of you all,” said Mr. Jukes quietly, but his voice
+shook.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_48' id='Page_48'>48</a></span>Thus, in the desolated cabin of the derelict
+<em>Centurion</em>, there was ratified a bargain that was
+to lead the boys into strange seas and stranger
+adventures.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_49' id='Page_49'>49</a></span><h2 id='t1158'>CHAPTER VII.—AN OLD ENEMY ODDLY MET.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The lads stood on the stern deck of the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span>, gazing behind them. On the horizon hovered
+a tall, black column of smoke. It marked
+the last resting place of the <em>Centurion</em>, for Mr.
+Jukes, after ransacking the cabin of everything
+associated with his brother, had decided to burn
+the derelict, which, if she had drifted into the
+paths of navigation, might have proved a dangerous
+menace.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, Billy, the mystery is solved at last,” said
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and in a way I’d never have guessed in
+a thousand years. Mr. Jukes must be very fond
+of his brother. It’s a new side of his character
+to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Same here,” agreed Jack. “While he has
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_50' id='Page_50'>50</a></span>
+always been just and kind, I thought him a regular
+man of business, with ice-water instead of red
+blood in his veins, and his heart in his enterprises
+only.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just goes to show that you are liable to run
+up against a streak of sentiment when you least
+expect it,” said Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“I see now why an embargo was put on the
+wireless,” said Jack presently.</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t figure it out. I should have thought
+he would have used it to try and locate the <em>Centurion</em>.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess he figured that if he did so, some ship
+might pick up the message and it would reach
+the ears of that Amsterdam firm and they would
+find out about this expedition in search of Jerushah
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps that’s it. But there’s one thing sure
+and certain, Jack.”</p>
+
+<p>“And that is——?”</p>
+
+<p>“That we can’t do much without coal.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_51' id='Page_51'>51</a></span>“Jove, that’s true; I’d forgotten that. What
+rotten luck! Where is the nearest coaling place?”</p>
+
+<p>“Papeiti, in Tahiti, I reckon.”</p>
+
+<p>“How close are we to that port now?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, to-day’s reckoning puts us in Latitude
+29 degrees, 49 minutes.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll have to look at the map, but that makes it
+quite a run.” The second mate came bustling up
+to Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“The skipper and Mr. Jukes want to see you
+in the captain’s cabin,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know what about?” asked Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Coal, I think. How much have you got to
+keep those old tea-kettles of yours chugging?”</p>
+
+<p>“Precious little since your gang on deck let
+that deck-load be washed overboard,” grinned
+Raynor, as he hurried off.</p>
+
+<p>The consultation lasted a long time. But at
+length Raynor returned with the news that, for
+as long as possible, full speed was to be made
+with the coal in hand, and that then canvas would
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_52' id='Page_52'>52</a></span>
+be spread, for the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was schooner rigged
+and in addition carried a big square sail on her
+foremast.</p>
+
+<p>For two days good time was made, but when
+Raynor, with a rueful face, announced that only
+a few shovelfuls more coal remained in the bunkers,
+they were still many weary sea-miles from
+their destination. However, sailors are proverbially
+inclined to make the best of things. The
+<em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> canvas was bent, and under a spanking
+breeze they glided, at a fair speed, over the
+sparkling waters, while in the engine room the
+fires were drawn and the engines grew cold.</p>
+
+<p>But a steam vessel, while she will behave fairly
+well under canvas, is not designed for sail and
+makes an astonishing amount of what sailors call
+“lee-way,” that is, the wind, if it blows a’beam,
+constantly drives her side-ways, or crab-fashion,
+of a direct course, so that for every mile she
+makes in a forward direction a considerable
+amount of lee-way has to be deducted. For this
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_53' id='Page_53'>53</a></span>
+reason all hands looked forward to a long and
+tedious voyage before the highlands of Tahiti
+were sighted.</p>
+
+<p>Now that there was no doubt as to the fate of
+the <em>Centurion</em>, and no danger of her being captured,
+the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> wireless was set to work
+again. But they were traveling a lonely tract of
+the Pacific, and no answer came to Jack’s
+messages, nor did he “listen in” on any outside
+conversations.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk was in hopes of encountering
+an English, French or German cruiser, for
+all those nations keep war craft in these Pacific
+waters to watch out for pearl pirates and other
+law-breakers, but the wireless failed to pick any
+up, although Jack worked it assiduously.</p>
+
+<p>For two days the favoring breeze that was helping
+the crippled <em>Sea Gypsy</em> along held. Then
+there fell a flat calm, and the glass began to drop
+ominously. Captain Sparhawk went about with
+a grave face. Jack gathered from a few remarks
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_54' id='Page_54'>54</a></span>
+the reserved seaman had let fall, that he expected
+another hurricane. Situated as she was, the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> predicament would be a serious one if
+such a tornado as the one she had safely weathered
+were to strike her now. The sailors stood
+about in little knots discussing the situation and
+casting anxious glances at the horizon. Mr.
+Jukes and the captain and officers spent long
+hours on the bridge in careful consultation.</p>
+
+<p>Before the sun set, the question as to whether
+or no the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was in for a second fight
+with the elements was definitely settled. Thunder
+and lightning deafened and blinded the voyagers.
+Rain descended as only tropical rain can,
+flooding the decks and blinding the look-outs and
+the officers on the bridge. The <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> canvas
+was reduced, only enough being kept on to
+keep her from literally rolling her hull under the
+towering water mountains.</p>
+
+<p>The crew clawed their way about the decks
+by holding fast to life-lines which Captain
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_55' id='Page_55'>55</a></span>
+Sparhawk had ordered stretched when the storm
+broke. Raynor, coming on deck to report that all
+was well below, met Jack on his way back to the
+lower regions of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, old fellow, this is a corker and no mistake,”
+he observed, raising his voice in order to
+make it audible above the frantic battle noises
+of the storm.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s the worst yet,” Jack agreed.</p>
+
+<p>“And it will be worse than ever before it gets
+better, according to the way Captain Sparhawk
+put it when I reported to him,” said the young
+engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, what’s that?” exclaimed Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“We hit something,” shouted Raynor. “Look
+at the watch running forward.”</p>
+
+<p>“Storm or no storm, I’m going forward to
+see what’s up,” ejaculated Jack, and, followed by
+Raynor, he hurried toward the bow where several
+of the oil-skin coated crew were already clustered.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_56' id='Page_56'>56</a></span><h2 id='t1340'>CHAPTER VIII.—“LAND, HO!”</h2></div>
+
+<p>It was a fight every inch of the way, but at
+last they reached the bow and found the sailors
+bending over the recumbent form of a youth.</p>
+
+<p>“What has happened? What did we strike?”
+asked Jack of one of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p>“Struck a small boat,” was the reply. “How
+it ever lived in this sea is a wonder. This fellow
+was in it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Is he all right?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; about half dead,” rejoined the third mate.
+“Carry him aft, men, and put him in one of the
+spare cabins. With care he may pull through.
+I’m going to notify the captain,” and he hurried
+off.</p>
+
+<p>Several men picked up the form of the rescued
+one. Jack suddenly saw his face, pale as
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_57' id='Page_57'>57</a></span>
+death, with his wet hair hanging over his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>“Great guns, Billy!” he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“What is it? What’s the matter? Do you
+know him?” queried Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Know him? I should say so. So do you. It’s
+Harvey Thurman.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not at all. Take a look at him yourself.”</p>
+
+<p>“By George, you are right. What a strange
+happening,” declared Raynor, after taking one
+glance at the youth the crew were bearing off.</p>
+
+<p>“What in the world can he be doing in this
+part of the ocean in a small boat?” wondered
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve no idea. We’ll have to wait till he comes
+to, if he ever does. I remember hearing now
+that he had got a job on a Pacific steamer. Perhaps
+it had been wrecked and he was a castaway.”</p>
+
+<p>“Possibly,” agreed Jack. “I’m glad we saved
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_58' id='Page_58'>58</a></span>
+him, although he has made a lot of trouble for us
+in the past.”</p>
+
+<p>As readers of “The Ocean Wireless Boys and
+the Naval Code” will recall, it was Harvey
+Thurman who was assistant wireless man on the
+<em>Columbia</em> and whose dislike of Jack and Billy resulted
+in his joining their enemies in an effort to
+discredit them. After the stolen code was recovered,
+Thurman was not, like the rest engaged
+in the rascally business, sent to prison, but was
+allowed to go free at the boys’ behest, as they
+believed he had been badly influenced more than
+anything else.</p>
+
+<p>“So you know him?” said Captain Sparhawk,
+as they all stood in the cabin to which Thurman
+had been taken and restoratives were administered
+to the unfortunate youth.</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed we do,” said both boys, and they told
+the captain something of their experiences.</p>
+
+<p>“He is not a desirable character then?” said
+the captain.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_59' id='Page_59'>59</a></span>“I wouldn’t say that,” said Jack. “We thought
+he was influenced by bad companions. But at any
+rate he had no liking for us. Is he going to get
+better?”</p>
+
+<p>“I think so. See, he is opening his eyes.”</p>
+
+<p>Thurman’s face, under the influence of the restoratives,
+had become suffused by a faint flush
+of color. He looked wildly about him. As his
+gaze rested first on Jack and then on Raynor he
+looked like a sleeper newly awakened from a
+night-mare.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, am I dreaming?” he gasped.</p>
+
+<p>“No, my lad,” said the captain, “but you had
+a close call from going into a sleep from which
+you never would have awakened.”</p>
+
+<p>“But Ready and Raynor! What are they doing
+here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, we’re solid enough. Nothing ghostly
+about us,” Jack assured him, extending his hand.
+“Congratulations on your narrow escape from
+death, and—and we’ll let bygones be bygones.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_60' id='Page_60'>60</a></span>“I never meant to be really bad,” said Thurman
+weakly.</p>
+
+<p>“Say no more about it,” advised Billy. “But
+tell us how you came to be adrift in such a fearful
+storm in that dinky little boat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Better let him eat some soup first,” said the
+captain, taking a steaming bowl from the steward,
+from whom he had ordered it for the relief
+of the castaway, “he’s half starved.”</p>
+
+<p>The way in which Thurman gulped down the
+grateful food showed that this statement was no
+exaggeration.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the first food I’ve had in two days,” he
+declared. “You see, when the <em>Galilee</em>, that was
+the schooner I was on board of, sank in the storm
+some days ago, I escaped in the boat. We
+launched two altogether, but I guess the other one
+was lost.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begin at the beginning,” suggested Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“All right then. It was this way, Ready:
+After my—er—my little trouble with you I came
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_61' id='Page_61'>61</a></span>
+west. I got a job as assistant wireless man at a
+lonely station on one of the Caroline Islands. But
+I couldn’t stand the life and resigned. No regular
+steamers touch there, so I got passage on the
+<em>Galilee</em>, a little trading schooner for Papeiti.
+She sprang a leak and sank, and there was only
+a loaf of bread and a few cans of meat in the
+boat when I shoved off from the sinking hulk.
+It was all I had time to put in. What happened
+after that till you bumped into me and saved me
+is like a bad dream. I guess I was crazy most
+of the time. I never expected to be saved, and—and
+I guess it has been a good lesson to me.”</p>
+
+<p>“If it has made you resolve to reform, it will
+not have been wasted,” said Jack. And he then
+told Thurman something about themselves. Captain
+Sparhawk promised that as soon as Thurman
+was stronger he would find a job for him, for the
+boys’ old enemy was penniless, having left his
+wallet behind him in his haste at fleeing from the
+sinking schooner.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_62' id='Page_62'>62</a></span>All that night the tempest raged with unabated
+fury. At times it seemed as if the yacht must go
+to pieces, so sadly was she wrenched and buffeted
+by the giant combers. There was little sleep for
+any on board that night and the day broke wildly
+on a worried, harried-looking crew. Shortly before
+noon the foresail tore away from the bolt
+ropes, and split with a noise like the explosion of
+a cannon. This accident was almost immediately
+followed by a shout from the lookout.</p>
+
+<p>“Land, ho!”</p>
+
+<p>This cry, ordinarily one hailed with delight by
+sailors, was not thus received on the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>.
+Captain Sparhawk had been unable to get an
+observation during the days of storm, and what
+with this, and the heavy lee drift made by the
+yacht, he had no idea of his whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>At the shout all hands clambered to points of
+vantage to see what islands they could be approaching.
+As the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> rose dizzily on the
+top of a great wave Jack saw, with a flash of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_63' id='Page_63'>63</a></span>
+alarm, that they were headed straight for a large
+island dotted with tropical verdure and tall, wind-bent
+palms about which rocks bristled menacingly
+like hungry fangs awaiting to penetrate the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> stout hull.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_64' id='Page_64'>64</a></span><h2 id='t1532'>CHAPTER IX.—THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk
+navigated the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> among the rocks
+with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a
+shout of dismay went up from the sailors as the
+yacht almost grazed some huge black rock or
+scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated
+with safety, and finally the sea-battered
+yacht lay snug and safe in the lee of the island
+and all hands drew a long breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p>“Let go the anchor,” came the command, and
+the cable roared out of the hawser holes with a
+savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship’s delivery.</p>
+
+<p>“Where under the sun are we?” asked Mr.
+Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as soon as these
+maneuvers had been completed.</p>
+
+<p>“I have no more idea than you, sir,” was the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_65' id='Page_65'>65</a></span>
+reply. “But it looks to me as if this island must
+be one of the Pamatous.”</p>
+
+<p>“One of the pearl islands?” asked the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands
+are sown pretty thickly in this part of the
+Pacific.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are the Pamatou people cannibals?” asked
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t think so,” said the captain, “but before
+I send a boat ashore I am going to deal out arms
+to the landing party. We want to run no risks.
+I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these
+savages are great thieves and they might see a
+chance for some piratical tricks in our dilemma.”</p>
+
+<p>“The machine gun will come in handy then,”
+said Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, indeed, sir. I’ll give orders to have it
+mounted at once in a conspicuous place so if
+any of the gentry ashore have any rascally
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_66' id='Page_66'>66</a></span>
+designs they can see we’re ready for them with a
+dose of cold lead.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack, after some difficulty, secured permission
+for himself and Raynor to go ashore with the
+landing party. Mr. Jukes, who remained on
+board, was unwilling that they take the risk of
+a hostile attack, but at last he yielded, and the
+boys, in high glee, buckled on cartridge belts and
+selected rifles from the ship’s armory.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep the rifles in the bottom of the boat,”
+ordered the captain, as they shoved off, “and
+don’t use them unless you absolutely have to.”</p>
+
+<p>Although the place where they lay was sheltered,
+the storm was still howling and shrieking
+above the island and the sea ran rather high. The
+inclement weather, no doubt, explained why no
+natives had so far been seen.</p>
+
+<p>A landing was successfully made in the surf,
+the men leaping from the boat and dragging her
+ashore, waist-deep in water. Dense foliage,
+among which could be seen the huge fronds of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_67' id='Page_67'>67</a></span>
+the banana, and broad-leaved breadfruit trees
+grew almost down to the dazzlingly white beach.
+Further back great palms, laden with cocoanuts,
+towered majestically above the tropic growth.</p>
+
+<p>“There seems to be no sign of a village here,”
+said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps it is on the other side of the island,”
+suggested Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we’ll tramp along the beach and see
+what we can find,” decided the man in command
+of the “expedition.”</p>
+
+<p>Four men were told off to guard the boat, with
+orders to fire three shots if anything out of the
+way occurred. The party in search of the village
+was to signal in the same way if anything
+untoward happened and they needed help.</p>
+
+<p>“Shall we carry the rifles?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; but try to conceal them as much as possible,”
+counseled the captain.</p>
+
+<p>They set off along the beach, walking briskly,
+for the sand was firm and hard. Looking back
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_68' id='Page_68'>68</a></span>
+at the anchored yacht, they could see the glitter
+of the machine-gun with a man stationed beside
+it. The gun was trained on the shore ready for
+instant use against any possible attack. After
+traversing a short distance they came in sight of
+what appeared to be a pathway. The condition
+of it showed that it was much traveled and probably
+it formed the high road to the village.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Sparhawk decided to follow it. In
+single file the adventurers advanced along the
+track which wound in and out, dodging trees and
+rocks in a manner peculiar to most savage trails
+whose makers would rather go round an obstacle
+than clear it out of the way. There was a
+gloomy sky overhead and the wind boomed dolefully
+among the palms, making a noise like sheets
+of rain falling as their big fan-like leaves rustled
+and scraped against each other.</p>
+
+<p>A hundred rods or so from the coast they
+found themselves in a ravine which towered up
+steeply on each side of the track. This canyon
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_69' id='Page_69'>69</a></span>
+appeared to penetrate the centre of the island, the
+interior of which was hilly.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess the village, if there is one, must be
+clear round the other side of the island,” said
+Billy Raynor, between bites at a banana he had
+picked from a bush at the side of the trail. Others
+of the party were munching on oranges and
+a fruit the captain called a “custard apple,” the
+latter a large, brown-colored “apple,” filled with
+a yellow paste that looked and tasted like custard.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s one thing certain, the high cost of
+living need never worry these fellows,” remarked
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Not if they’re content to be vegetarians,” said
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“They don’t need to be that,” said the captain,
+“the seas hereabouts teem with fish—and look
+there!”</p>
+
+<p>There was a rush and a clatter of falling stones
+just ahead of them as a flock of goats, half-wild
+creatures, with wonderfully agile legs, leaped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_70' id='Page_70'>70</a></span>
+up the sides of the canyon and then, at a safe
+height, stood gazing down at the invaders of the
+island.</p>
+
+<p>“These South Sea islanders prefer goat’s meat
+to anything except pork,” said the captain; “in
+fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment
+to human flesh of calling it 'long pig.’”</p>
+
+<p>This mention of cannibalism made the boys
+feel rather uncomfortable. Although the captain
+reassured them and they knew that the horrible
+practice of eating human flesh had all but
+died out in the South Seas, except in some remote
+islands, they did not know but the one they were
+exploring might prove to be one of the latter.
+It was just as their minds were busy with these
+disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp exclamation
+and came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly
+in front of the lad who was in advance of
+the party.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_71' id='Page_71'>71</a></span>Between the green leaves a hideous face,
+daubed with red and white paint, suddenly glared
+out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_72' id='Page_72'>72</a></span><h2 id='t1715'>CHAPTER X.—CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.</h2></div>
+
+<p>So quickly had this happened that none of the
+others had seen it. But Jack quickly apprised
+them of his discovery.</p>
+
+<p>“If the man’s face was painted, would that
+mean he was on the war-path?” asked Billy
+rather nervously.</p>
+
+<p>“Not necessarily,” rejoined the captain, “but
+still, he might be hostile. On feast days the natives
+paint themselves up and that may have been
+the reason for his decorations.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a
+clock or scare a locomotive off the track,” exclaimed
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“The village must be near at hand,” said the
+captain presently. “Let us press on.”</p>
+
+<p>They had reached the end of the ravine now,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_73' id='Page_73'>73</a></span>
+having crossed almost the entire island. The
+path widened and others branched off from it.
+But they stuck to the main thoroughfare and in
+a few moments came in sight of a native village
+lying not far back from the shore and amidst a
+grove of magnificent palms.</p>
+
+<p>The rhythmical throbbing of tom-toms reached
+their ears and they could see natives dancing in
+their peculiar swaying manner to the sound of
+the skin drums. Suddenly the dancing ceased.
+The natives in a swarm, among them the man
+with the painted face, descended on the travelers.
+Many wore flowers in their hair and others added
+to these decorations by brass rings in their noses
+and ear-rings composed of old china door knobs.
+The men were remarkably handsome and the
+women pretty.</p>
+
+<p>After the first uncertainty as to their reception,
+there was no doubt of their friendliness as they
+pressed about. Several of them could talk English
+and the captain soon learned that they were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_74' id='Page_74'>74</a></span>
+indeed on one of the Pamatou group, as he had
+surmised. The village, which was celebrating a
+feast day, was one of two on the island occupied
+by pearl fishers. The natives were civilized;
+schooners and ships frequently touching there.
+To the south of them they said were “bad men,”
+meaning cannibals, and the boys were glad they
+had not landed on one of them.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing would do but that the white men must
+sit down and partake of the feast which was just
+ready. The boys stuffed themselves with roast
+pork, goat-meat, sweet potatoes, yams, roasted
+bread-fruit, fish and fruit. They washed this
+down with cocoanut milk. During the meal, a
+young Pamatouan attached himself to each of the
+boys. Each of these lads was about sixteen and
+wore, like most of the rest, a single white garment,
+although some of the natives sported trousers,
+and a few even had shoes—which they carried
+in their hands!</p>
+
+<p>The two lads, who had thrust their services
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_75' id='Page_75'>75</a></span>
+on Jack and Billy, informed them that they were
+their friends and would be so all the time the
+<em>Sea Gypsy</em> lay at the island. They waited on the
+amused boys hand and foot, not letting them do
+anything. Jack’s acquisition was called Bolabola;
+Billy’s savage servitor was called, so he said,
+Anai. Each could speak a little English and they
+informed the boys that they were “their friends
+for always.” From the captain the lads learned
+that this is a common custom among the islanders
+who value the friendship of a white man highly,
+and think it an honor and a credit to wait on him.
+He suggested giving them some little presents.
+Jack presented Bolabola with a pocket-knife and
+Billy gave Anai a fountain pen, having nothing
+else with him. Anai promptly stuck the pen
+through a big hole bored in the lobe of his ear
+and capered about delighted with his new ornament.</p>
+
+<p>When it came time to go back to the ship, the
+friendly natives could not hear of the adventurers
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_76' id='Page_76'>76</a></span>
+trudging back on foot. A great war canoe was
+launched and paddled by fifty strapping natives,
+singing musically, and so they were paddled
+round the island in state. On their arrival at
+the ship, the boat which had been left under guard
+was signalled to return, and presents of calico,
+straw hats, cheap cutlery and glass beads and
+fish-hooks and lines,—the latter highly prized,—were
+dealt out from the yacht’s stores. The natives
+swarmed all over the ship and it was hard
+to induce them to leave at all. As for Bolabola
+and Anai, they refused to go till they had extracted
+promises from their “friends,” Jack and
+Billy, to visit them ashore and visit a pearl cave
+they knew of along the coast.</p>
+
+<p>This exactly suited the boys, and their delight,
+when Mr. Jukes decided to stay at the island for
+some days, was unbounded. The reason for the
+decision to remain there was arrived at after the
+millionaire had held a consultation with Captain
+Sparhawk. Tahiti was not far off, and that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_77' id='Page_77'>77</a></span>
+night Jack was ordered to raise the wireless station
+on the French island and find out if a small
+vessel could not be despatched at once with coal
+to replenish the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> exhausted bunkers.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Jack had the satisfaction of
+informing Mr. Jukes that the details had been
+arranged and that a small tramp steamer might
+be expected to come to their relief in a few days.
+The expense was considerable, but this did not
+appear to bother Mr. Jukes, who chafed at the
+delay in his search for the survivors, if any there
+were, of the <em>Centurion</em>.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_78' id='Page_78'>78</a></span><h2 id='t1846'>CHAPTER XI.—THE CAVE OF THE PEARLS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later, following the arrival at the
+island of the coal ship—a small, rusty tramp
+steamer—the boys set out for the village to meet
+their friends, who had swum out to the ship almost
+daily, despite the sharks, to see the white
+youths. As they left the yacht they saw Thurman,
+who had been put to work in the crew, laboring
+with the other blackened “hands” at getting
+the fuel on board.</p>
+
+<p>“He doesn’t look as if he liked his job much,”
+said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“He ought to be glad he’s alive,” supplemented
+Billy Raynor. “I wonder if he has really mended
+his ways or if it was just the effect of his scare
+that made him promise to reform.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible to say,” replied Jack, “but time
+will show, I guess.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_79' id='Page_79'>79</a></span>The boys found their friends on the beach with
+a long, cranky-looking canoe, paddled with wonderfully
+carved paddles. In the canoe were
+bananas, roast pork and other delicacies; also
+several empty cocoanut shells.</p>
+
+<p>“What are those for?” asked Jack, looking at
+the latter.</p>
+
+<p>“We put um pearl in them if so be we get any,”
+grinned Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Do you really think we’ll get any?” asked
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“No can say. Think cave good place. You
+ready?”</p>
+
+<p>“Whenever you are,” said Jack, taking his
+place in the canoe, while Billy followed his example.
+The two native lads shoved off and sprang
+on board with wonderful agility, driving the
+canoe through the surf and up onto the summit
+of a huge wave, where it hung poised for an instant
+like a bird. The next moment they had
+shot with powerful strokes through the rollers
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_80' id='Page_80'>80</a></span>
+and were out beyond the danger line of the surf.</p>
+
+<p>They passed through a noisy fleet of fishers, all
+of whom greeted them, and then the canoe was
+headed for a green headland some distance down
+the coast. The sun glowed fiercely overhead, the
+surf boomed unceasingly on the beach and the
+reef beyond, the water hissed along the sides of
+the canoe as the two athletic young natives urged
+forward amid shouts.</p>
+
+<p>Looking over the side, Jack could see the coral
+bottom as clearly as if an inch instead of many
+feet of water separated it from the frail canoe.
+It was almost as if they were floating in the air.
+Fish of brilliant colors darted about and once a
+dark, sinister shade appeared beneath the canoe.
+The Kanaka boys shouted and beat the water
+with their paddles. The dark shadow melted
+away.</p>
+
+<p>“Him very bad shark,” said Anai. “White
+men call him tiger shark. Worst kind of all
+shark.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_81' id='Page_81'>81</a></span>“I’d hate to bathe around here,” observed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, him all right, most generally scare him
+away, kick, splash, makee big noise, he go 'way.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but suppose he refused to be scared,” objected
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Then maybe he takee off leg, arm, maybe
+swallow you all up.”</p>
+
+<p>The long, curved point soon hid the fishers in
+front of the village from view. Rounding it, they
+found themselves skimming along a coast of surpassing
+beauty. Steep, majestic cliffs arose from
+the clear water and long green creepers from the
+forest above trailed over them.</p>
+
+<p>At last the prow of the canoe was turned and
+the boys saw that the furious paddlers were heading
+at top speed for the cliffs.</p>
+
+<p>“Hey, stop that, you’ll smash the canoe!” cried
+Jack, as, without any diminution of speed, the
+canoe was urged with wild shouts from the paddlers
+right at the rocky escarpment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_82' id='Page_82'>82</a></span>“They’ve gone crazy,” exclaimed Billy,
+“they——”</p>
+
+<p>He did not conclude what he was going to say.
+Instead, he set up a cry of alarm as the prow of
+the canoe was hurled at the cliff at a spot where
+a regular curtain of lianas and other forest trailers
+depended from above.</p>
+
+<p>Swish, whoosh, went the canoe, as it shot
+through the parasites and creepers. The boys
+instinctively ducked their heads. Instead of being
+dashed to destruction against the cliff, the
+frail craft had been guided into this singular cave,
+one of many along the coast, through the greenery
+portal. Both the Kanaka boys set up a shout
+of laughter at the expense of Jack and Billy, who
+looked rather sheepish at their late alarm.</p>
+
+<p>They were in a dark passage that led into an
+inner water cave filled with an eternal sunless twilight
+that was very refreshing to them after the
+heat and glare outside. The canoe shot through
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_83' id='Page_83'>83</a></span>
+the passage and into the cave itself, the boys uttering
+a shout of admiration the while.</p>
+
+<p>“Look,” said Anai, pointing upward.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead was a marvelously perfect, natural
+dome, with a large hole in the centre through
+which shafts of sunlight fell into the cave and
+were reflected from the water with a greenish
+light.</p>
+
+<p>“Look,” ordered the Kanaka boy again.</p>
+
+<p>The boys obeyed and gazed over the side of the
+canoe. Below them, through several feet of crystal-clear
+water, they could see bowers of coral,
+white and pink, with fish darting in and out of
+the chinks and crossing prismatically, while others
+hung motionless as if suspended, fanning the
+water incessantly with their gauzy fins. It was
+the most wonderful water picture the boys had
+ever seen.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_84' id='Page_84'>84</a></span><h2 id='t1998'>CHAPTER XII.—A TRAP!</h2></div>
+
+<p>“We eat. Then we go get pearls,” decided
+Anai.</p>
+
+<p>The boys, whose appetites had been sharpened
+by the trip, were not averse to this, and they made
+a hearty meal. After it the two native boys produced
+leaves in which betel nuts had been carefully
+wrapped up and offered them to Jack and
+Billy, both of whom declined them. But Anai and
+his friend began chewing the spicy nuts with
+great zest.</p>
+
+<p>A canoe-length from where they floated a clear
+rill of water stole noiselessly down from above,
+mingling its sweet waters with the sea. After
+demolishing their betel nuts, the chewing of
+which is a well-nigh universal custom in the
+South Seas, the two native boys stood erect and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_85' id='Page_85'>85</a></span>
+then bound their long black hair in knots on the
+top of their heads.</p>
+
+<p>Then, with a shout, they balanced gracefully
+for a second on the edge of the canoe and plunged
+over. They floated for a minute or two and then
+dived, after inhaling immense breaths. To the
+boys, watching the divers through the clear water,
+it looked as if they were literally climbing down,
+head first, through the pellucid depths.</p>
+
+<p>Then they saw both the Kanaka lads wrenching
+oyster shells from their hold on the coral with
+furious energy. It seemed impossible that they
+could stay under water as long as they did, but
+at length, even their wonderful endurance gave
+out and, laden with shells, they shot back to the
+surface.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching the canoe, the two divers hung almost
+exhausted on the outrigger, regaining their
+breath after they had thrown several oysters into
+the canoe, which the boys opened eagerly, but only
+two small pearls rewarded them. The two Kanaka
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_86' id='Page_86'>86</a></span>
+boys showed plainly the stress of the long time
+they had stayed down. Their eyes were bloodshot
+and their faces suffused. Their veins stood
+out on their bodies like cords.</p>
+
+<p>The boys begged them not to go down again,
+but they insisted.</p>
+
+<p>“How often do you mean to dive?” asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“One, maybe two, three time,” said Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody can dive more than three time,” declared
+the other. “Him bad if dive too many
+time. Makee much sick.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should think so,” said Jack. “I wouldn’t
+have thought it possible for any one to stay down
+so long. It’s wonderful.”</p>
+
+<p>The next two dives yielded three more pearls
+from a dozen or more oysters. None of them
+were of any great value but the two divers insisted
+on presenting them to the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Me try get you very good pearl some udder
+day,” promised Anai, and his companion nodded
+to show that he meant to help in the enterprise.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_87' id='Page_87'>87</a></span>“Hullo, what’s that?” asked Jack suddenly,
+after they had chatted and rested for some time
+and began to think about returning. There was
+a booming sound in the air and the waters of the
+cave began to become agitated, rocking the
+canoe dangerously.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead, through the dome, they could see
+that the sky had darkened.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think storm come. Better get out of
+here,” said Anai, looking troubled. “Him bad
+time of year for storms.”</p>
+
+<p>“Goodness, I should say so,” declared Jack.
+“We’ve been in two bad ones already.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s how we got blown here,” added Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“We thinkee that good storm blow you here,
+white boys,” said Anai.</p>
+
+<p>The sky grew darker, and every now and then
+a big roller entirely filled the mouth of the cavern,
+blinding them with spray. Having spent its fury,
+these great waves retired with a concussion that
+was deafening, dragging the canoe with fearful
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_88' id='Page_88'>88</a></span>
+velocity toward the mouth of the cave by its suction.
+At such times they only saved themselves
+from being swept out to sea by grasping the
+hanging curtain of creepers and vines. Anai and
+his companion baled the canoe with a big shell,
+but the boys felt that their position was an awkward
+and even a dangerous one.</p>
+
+<p>Another great wave burst, sealing up the cave
+as if it was an air-tight compartment, and making
+the waters of the cavern boil and seethe furiously.
+The pressure of air caused by the sudden rush of
+water affected the boys’ ears as if they had been
+suddenly placed in a caisson.</p>
+
+<p>“This is terrible,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Something will have to be done,” said Billy.
+“We can’t last in here much longer.”</p>
+
+<p>“Are we in danger, Anai?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“We in very bad fix; but we getee out all right,”
+the Kanaka assured him, stopping his bailing.</p>
+
+<p>“They’ve got some plan in their head,” decided
+Jack, and sat down in the bottom of the cranky,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_89' id='Page_89'>89</a></span>
+frail canoe to see what the next move was to be.
+It was a startling one. The two youths seized
+their paddles and then, as the next wave receded,
+they shot out of the mouth of the cave like a bomb
+from a mortar, before either Jack or Billy could
+guess their intention or stop what seemed sheer
+madness on the Kanakas’ part, and placed all their
+lives in grave danger. Outside they found themselves
+in the teeth of a howling gale. Spray
+blinded them, flying over them in sheets.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing more was said, nothing seen. The air
+was darkened with flying spume. It seemed impossible
+that the canoe could live a minute.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_90' id='Page_90'>90</a></span><h2 id='t2145'>CHAPTER XIII.—ON THE REEF.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The two lads crouched, drenched through, on
+the bottom of the canoe, while the Kanaka boys
+paddled furiously. Giant waves, true mountains
+of water, hung above them threatening to engulf
+them, but the canoe rode them with what appeared
+incredible buoyancy.</p>
+
+<p>How long this kept up, neither Jack nor Billy
+ever knew. It seemed like years. Dizzy and sick
+from the riotous motions of the canoe as it swung
+wildly between sea and sky, they lost all count of
+everything. But the struggle was nearing its
+end.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly a giant comber caught up the dugout,
+turtled it skyward and then rushed it sickeningly
+down. It lifted the craft over the reef and
+into the open sea. For one instant it hesitated
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_91' id='Page_91'>91</a></span>
+and then spun round in the trough of the sea.
+The next moment it was smashed into slivers
+against the reef while an avalanche of waters carried
+all its occupants down into the depths before
+they had time to even shout their consternation.
+More dead than alive, Jack shot back to the surface
+again. Not far from him was a projecting
+point of the reef. He managed somehow to crawl
+to it, but as he made his progress along the lower
+lying portions of the coral wall he was swept time
+and again by waves and compelled to exert all
+his strength to avoid being dashed off. At length,
+with hands cut and bleeding from the rough coral,
+and his clothing in shreds, he reached his refuge
+and was almost immediately joined there, to his
+great relief, by Anai and his comrade, who had
+rescued Billy Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>But it was a miserable refuge they had found.
+The projecting point of rock hardly gave room
+for all of them, and frequently waves swept over
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_92' id='Page_92'>92</a></span>
+it. At all times they were choked and blinded
+with spray.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, this is the limit,” declared Billy.
+“Never again for me so far as pearl hunting is
+concerned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nor for me either,” said Jack. “Still, it was
+our fault for not watching the weather.”</p>
+
+<p>“How long will the storm last, Anai, do you
+think?” inquired Billy, a little later.</p>
+
+<p>The Kanaka boy looked at the weather with a
+practiced eye.</p>
+
+<p>“Him get better soon,” he said. “Him not bad
+storm.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not a bad storm!” exclaimed Jack. “Well, if
+this isn’t one, I never want to see one.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sometimes hurricane season come blow whole
+village away,” Anai assured him.</p>
+
+<p>“I hope this won’t be a hurricane,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>The Kanaka shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“Bimeby him go way,” he assured them. “Look
+blue sky way off there now.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_93' id='Page_93'>93</a></span>Sure enough, in the far north-west, from
+whence the hurricane had come, a shaft of sunlight
+was striking the sea. Behind them they
+could see the storm retreating. Before long the
+sea had quieted down and the wind dropped almost
+completely.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we are better off in one respect,” said
+Jack, as they lay about on the reef, basking in the
+hot sun and drying their wet garments, “but how
+are we to get ashore?”</p>
+
+<p>The question was answered by Anai.</p>
+
+<p>“Me swim, get canoe. Soon back,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment his lithe brown form was in
+the water. To protect himself against sharks, he
+carried a long knife, fashioned out of iron wood,
+which was slung round his neck by a lanyard. It
+was as tough and hard as steel, and he appeared
+to have no doubt that he could protect himself
+with it against the great fish.</p>
+
+<p>Half-way to the shore a triangular fin came
+cruising near him and the boys dreaded to see a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_94' id='Page_94'>94</a></span>
+tragic end to their island friend. But Anai set
+up diabolical yells and kicked up a great splashing
+in the water and the sea monster sheered off
+again.</p>
+
+<p>“Shark him big coward,” said Anai’s friend,
+who had remained behind with the boys. Directly
+Anai landed he turned and waved and then
+set off at a sharp run along the beach. Before
+they expected him he was back again with a
+canoe, and thus an adventure which might have
+had disastrous consequences ended safely. But
+it was a long time before the boys ever forgot it.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Jack and Billy were leaning
+over the rail of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, chatting and
+watching the sharks that swum around the ship
+eagerly watching for scraps from the galley.
+The coal was nearly all unloaded from the small,
+rusty tramp that had brought it, and all hands
+were looking forward to a resumption of the
+journey.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Mr. Jukes had been investigating
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_95' id='Page_95'>95</a></span>
+ashore and learned, from some natives,
+that the “Tear of the Sea” had actually been
+bought by his brother, and that just after the purchase,
+the <em>Centurion</em> had sailed away. Not long
+after, ‘Bully’ Broom’s ship arrived, and the sea
+rover was informed of the sale. He was furious
+as it appeared that, in accordance with his usual
+practice, he intended to raid the village and take
+possession of the wonderful pearl by force. Mr.
+Jerushah Jukes’ arrival ahead of him had, of
+course, frustrated this plan. According to the
+best information he could get, the millionaire
+learned that “Bully” had at once put to sea in
+pursuit of the <em>Centurion</em>. The finding of the
+empty derelict left little doubt that he had attacked
+the schooner and imprisoned, or worse,
+perhaps killed, all those on board her.</p>
+
+<p>This, in its way, was well enough, but it left
+the fate of the party still a mystery, and their
+whereabouts unknown, for “Bully” had half a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_96' id='Page_96'>96</a></span>
+dozen retreats scattered through the South Seas
+where he might have taken them, for even Captain
+Sparhawk did not believe that the ruffian
+would have dared to kill them.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_97' id='Page_97'>97</a></span><h2 id='t2300'>CHAPTER XIV.—BATTLING MAN-EATING SHARKS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Like a chance to catch one uv them bastes,
+Mishther Riddy?” asked Tim Muldoon, the Irish
+quarter-master of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, who paused
+near where the boys were standing watching a
+mighty commotion in the water made by two
+great tiger sharks fighting desperately over a
+piece of spoiled pork that had been thrown overboard.</p>
+
+<p>“What would we do with it when we had it?”
+asked Jack with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure there’s a certain part of the cratirs that
+makes illigint ateing. Meself and several other
+la-ads in ther crew wouldn’t have iny objictions
+at all, at all to a bit of shar-ark steak if so be
+y’u’d loike to hook one.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you say, Billy?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_98' id='Page_98'>98</a></span>“That it would be good fun. But what sort
+of a rig do you use? No use taking an eight-ounce
+rod and a dry fly or a hand line to those
+fellows.”</p>
+
+<p>“Shure oi’ve got a foine shar-ark hook up forward.
+I’ll go git it fer yez,” declared Muldoon,
+hurrying off.</p>
+
+<p>He was back before long with a hook that
+looked like one of those used by butchers on
+which to hang whole carcasses. Attached to this
+was a length of steel chain with a swivel, and
+above a stout rope some hundred feet in length.
+Billy Raynor went below to the cook’s quarters
+and soon came back with a big chunk of pork
+which was stuck on the hook.</p>
+
+<p>“How’ll we haul him out if we do get one?”
+Billy wanted to know, as the bait struck the water
+with a splash.</p>
+
+<p>“Just give a holler and I’ll git some uv ther
+byes uv ther crew to lind yez a hand,” declared
+Muldoon. “Sure 'tis foine spor-rot ye’ll be hivin’
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_99' id='Page_99'>99</a></span>
+intirely—wow! murtha! Watch yersilf Misther
+Raynor!”</p>
+
+<p>There had come a sudden vicious rush of one
+of the sea-monsters at the hook. Turning its
+hideous jaws upward, the ravenous creature had
+literally swallowed “hook, line and sinker.” It
+happened that at that precise moment Billy alone
+had hold of the rope.</p>
+
+<p>As the shark’s jaws gripped the hook and its
+sharp point sunk into his flesh, the creature made
+a mighty rush. It caught Billy unprepared as
+he stood by the rail, a section of which had been
+removed while the crew polished the brass work.</p>
+
+<p>Before he realised what was happening a coil
+of the rope entangled his legs. Like a bullet from
+a gun, he was whisked off the deck and through
+the air into the sea, which Jack knew was alive
+with sharks. It had all happened so suddenly
+that the last of Muldoon’s alarmed cries had not
+left his lips before poor Billy was towed away
+from the ship by the maddened shark, unable to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_100' id='Page_100'>100</a></span>
+make a move to extricate himself. He was barely
+able to breathe, in fact, being half submerged.</p>
+
+<p>Paralyzed for an instant, Jack regained his
+faculties with an effort. Captain Sparhawk, who
+had seen the whole affair, was the first to take
+definite action, however. He issued an order for
+a boat to be lowered at once and then dashed
+into his cabin for a pistol.</p>
+
+<p>“Hurry, Sparhawk, for Heaven’s sake,” urged
+Mr. Jukes, who had also been a witness of the
+accident. “The poor lad will be drowned or eaten
+alive by the other sharks if we don’t act
+promptly.”</p>
+
+<p>But the captain was already out of earshot.
+Muldoon and two other sailors were at the oars
+of the boat as he tumbled into it, followed by
+Jack, who, in his haste, did not stop to ask permission
+to come. Luckily, the shark, instead of
+taking a straight course out to sea, was dashing
+round and round in circles. This gave them a
+chance to save Billy’s life, for had the great fish
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_101' id='Page_101'>101</a></span>
+pursued a straight course, Raynor’s fate would
+undoubtedly have been sealed.</p>
+
+<p>“Row for your lives, men,” urged the captain,
+standing erect, pistol in hand, awaiting the first
+opportunity for a shot at the shark.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure thare’s no nade to till us thot, captain,
+dear,” cried Muldoon. “We’ll git the poor lad
+if we have to pull our own heads off.”</p>
+
+<p>The shark now made a swift dash for the bow
+of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>. Behind him, at a distance of
+about seventy-five feet, poor Billy’s body could
+be seen being rushed through the water with a
+“wake” behind it like that of a fast steamer.
+Jack could see his chum’s face, which was ashen
+white. But from the glimpse he had of it, the
+young wireless man was sure that Billy was still
+alive, marvelous though that seemed. For half
+the time, owing to the manner in which he was
+attached to the shark, the unfortunate lad’s head
+was under the surface of the water.</p>
+
+<p>Bang! Captain Sparhawk’s pistol spoke as the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_102' id='Page_102'>102</a></span>
+shark crossed the bow of the boat which had
+been instantly turned to follow the creature’s new
+tactics.</p>
+
+<p>“Missed,” he groaned.</p>
+
+<p>“No,” cried Jack, an instant later. “See, the
+water is red behind him! You hit him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but I fear not mortally. These creatures
+have an amazing grip on life,” was the
+despondent reply.</p>
+
+<p>And now a fresh element entered into the
+scene. Round the bow of the yacht, toward
+which the shark, with its human burden, was
+dashing, there suddenly appeared a long, slender
+canoe with two lithe young native figures propelling
+it. It was Anai and his friend, the sworn
+allies of the boys.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant, as the extraordinary scene presented
+itself to them, they stood like bronze figures.
+Then the full meaning of the impending
+tragedy appeared to strike them. With a simultaneous
+cry each grasped his great iron-wood
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_103' id='Page_103'>103</a></span>
+knife and without the slightest hesitation leaped
+overboard.</p>
+
+<p>“They are going to save him!” cried Jack
+exultingly, as the two Kanaka boys fearlessly
+clove the shark-infested water to attack the monster
+that had abducted Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“And lose their own lives,” exclaimed the captain
+as several dark fins appeared in the water
+about the two intrepid youths.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_104' id='Page_104'>104</a></span><h2 id='t2463'>CHAPTER XV.—A MESSAGE FROM THE DEEP.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The scene that ensued was one that lingered
+long in the recollection of those who saw it.
+Uttering loud yells, the two native boys bore
+down on the shark that had poor Billy in tow.</p>
+
+<p>Each taking a side they dashed upon it with
+fury. As they gained its flanks their arms
+flashed up and the next instant their great iron-wood
+knives were buried hilt-deep in the tough
+skin. The watchers saw the great shark give
+an upward leap and the water was dyed crimson.</p>
+
+<p>“They reached his vitals. Hurrah for them,”
+cried Captain Sparhawk. “Bear down on Billy,
+lads. I reckon the shark is done for.”</p>
+
+<p>They were none too soon. After being disentangled
+from the rope that had caused all the
+trouble, Billy was hauled into the boat just in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_105' id='Page_105'>105</a></span>
+the nick of time. The rope had grazed and
+chafed his legs cruelly, but except for the great
+amount of water in his lungs he had suffered no
+other injury.</p>
+
+<p>But no sooner had this been done than another
+necessity arose. The brave Anai and his companion
+were surrounded by a school of sharks
+attracted by the blood of the creature the two
+young Kanakas had despatched. So far, by
+splashing furiously, and screeching at the top
+of their voices, the native youths had succeeded
+in keeping the monsters at bay, but it was doubtful
+for how long they could do so.</p>
+
+<p>“To the rescue, lads,” cried Captain Sparhawk,
+replacing the cartridge he had discharged.
+“Give way with a will. I wouldn’t wish to see
+either of those brave lads harmed.”</p>
+
+<p>In a few seconds they were in the midst of
+the school of sharks that had assembled as if by
+magic, ravenous for the flesh of their dead
+brother. The captain’s pistol spat lead right and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_106' id='Page_106'>106</a></span>
+left, and at that short range the effect of the
+bullets was deadly. In a few minutes five of
+the sea monsters were dead. But far from being
+scared off the rest fell furiously upon these,
+making upward rushes, exposing their huge
+mouths with their triple rows of needle-like teeth.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving them to their cannibal feast, Anai and
+his companion were hauled on board and at Muldoon’s
+special request the body of the brute that
+had almost caused Billy’s death was taken in tow.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make you byes some handsome watch-charms
+out of his teeth fer remimbrancers,” he
+promised.</p>
+
+<p>“As if we needed anything to remind us of
+it,” shuddered Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Just think, if it hadn’t been for Anai here
+and Bolabola I’d have been past saving by now,”
+cried Billy, warmly ringing their hands.</p>
+
+<p>“You may well say that, lad,” agreed the captain.
+“They saved you from visiting Davy
+Jones, without a doubt.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_107' id='Page_107'>107</a></span>“We your friends. Must save you even if it
+cost our lives,” said Anai, looking embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure an’ thot’s more than many a white
+man wud say,” approved Muldoon warmly. “Byes,
+give us yer flippers. Ye may hav’ black skins,
+but be jabers yer hearts is pure gold entoirely.”</p>
+
+<p>The canoe was taken in tow and the whole
+party returned to the yacht, where they received
+more congratulations from the others on board
+who had watched the whole affair spell-bound
+with alarm and then with admiration at the
+Kanaka boys’ brave act. The decks rang with
+cheers as they came on board, Captain Sparhawk
+and Jack supporting Billy, who was still white
+and shaky.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes’ enthusiasm for Anai and Bolabola
+knew no bounds. The millionaire wanted them
+to accept a handful of gold pieces each. But the
+lads shook their heads. Gold was of little use
+to them. But other presents which were showered
+upon them they accepted gladly. There was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_108' id='Page_108'>108</a></span>
+almost a canoe-full of them, ranging from gaudy
+neckties to a broken concertina, the latter being
+presented by Muldoon. It could emit, upon coaxing,
+a few wheezy notes, and the brown boys appeared
+to prize it quite above any of their other
+gifts.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, on the foredeck, to which
+the body of the great shark had been hoisted
+by slings, the members of the crew, who understood
+such operations, assisted by Muldoon, were
+cutting up the monster. From time to time they
+flung useless bits of offal over the side. A scramble
+from such of the sharks as had disposed of
+the dead bodies of their companions instantly
+ensued. Sharks are the most rapacious of any
+creatures on land or sea, and their appetites appeared
+to have been slacked in no important particular
+by their cannibal meal.</p>
+
+<p>“Bad luck to yez,” exclaimed Muldoon, shaking
+his fist at them after one of these rushes,
+for every sailor hates a shark. “There’s many
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_109' id='Page_109'>109</a></span>
+a thrue lad gone to his long rickonin’ through
+yez or yez mates. Bad cess to all uv yez, says
+Tim Muldoon.”</p>
+
+<p>An interested group, among whom were Jack
+and Billy, watched the proceedings from the
+bridge. Mr. Jukes was no less interested than
+the rest. He attentively watched the sharks as
+they fought. Perhaps their feverish rapacity
+reminded him of certain “big business” operations
+at home in the States where great corporations
+have been not unknown to gobble up their
+small competitors as hungrily as any tiger shark.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, they seem to have found something
+interesting,” said Jack, as a murmur arose among
+the butchers who suddenly crowded round Muldoon,
+chief of the dissectors.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a bottle,” cried Billy Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Look here what I found in the hongry divil’s
+stomach,” exclaimed Muldoon, holding up his
+find. “Be jabers, he must hav’ a digestion a
+dispiptic millionaire would invy to ——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_110' id='Page_110'>110</a></span>He stopped short, covered with confusion, as
+he suddenly recalled that Mr. Jukes suffered from
+the very complaint he had mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>“Bring that bottle here, Muldoon,” ordered
+Captain Sparhawk, in order to save what threatened
+to be an awkward situation, for Mr. Jukes
+had turned as red as a turkey-cock and the boys
+had had to turn away to hide their smiles.</p>
+
+<p>The quartermaster hastened aft with the bottle.
+It was encrusted with deposits apparently caused
+by the acids of the shark’s stomach. But when
+Captain Sparhawk held it to the light, he could
+see that contained within it was some object.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s something inside it,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>“By jove, perhaps a letter from some shipwrecked
+sailors,” exclaimed Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Such messages are often frauds, sir,” observed
+the captain. “If it should prove to be
+such, I’d be wary about replying to it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, let’s have a look at it, whatever it is,”
+said Mr. Jukes. “This is really interesting.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_111' id='Page_111'>111</a></span>They all crowded about, even the Kanakas,
+as the captain smashed the bottle on the rail.
+A rolled-up paper dropped on the deck. Jack, at
+whose feet it had fallen, picked it up. He opened
+it and saw that it was scribbled on with pencil.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems ——,” he began, when a sudden
+exclamation from Mr. Jukes checked his further
+utterance.</p>
+
+<p>“Let me look at that paper,” commanded the
+millionaire, who, they now noticed, was breathing
+quickly and whose eyes shone with feverish
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>Jack handed it over, while they all regarded
+the millionaire’s agitation curiously. With hands
+that shook, the financier scanned the letter and
+then made an electrifying announcement in a
+voice that was tense and self-controlled, but yet
+betrayed the excitement under which he labored
+as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>“Gentlemen, the age of miracles has not
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_112' id='Page_112'>112</a></span>
+passed,” he said. “When Ready first opened the
+paper, I thought I recognized a peculiar handwriting.
+I was not wrong. This message was
+written by my brother!”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_113' id='Page_113'>113</a></span><h2 id='t2673'>CHAPTER XVI.—ALIVE ON THE SEA.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Incredible!” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk,
+unable to think of anything else to say at the
+astounding information.</p>
+
+<p>“But, nevertheless, true. Sparhawk, this message
+confirms the truth of your theory about
+‘Bully’ Broom. That rascal attacked and overcame
+the unsuspecting crew of the <em>Centurion</em>, and
+obtained the 'Tear of the Sea’.”</p>
+
+<p>“The infernal scoundrel,” breathed Captain
+Sparhawk. “There is not another man in the
+South Seas who would have dared such a coup.
+But does the message give any clue to your
+brother’s fate, sir?” he added respectfully.</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire’s face glowed and suddenly
+lost its careworn look.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the best part of it,” he explained.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_114' id='Page_114'>114</a></span>
+“But come to my cabin, captain—yes, Ready, you
+and Raynor may come, too,” he added as he intercepted
+anxious looks on the boys’ faces.</p>
+
+<p>Inside the cabin the millionaire spread on the
+table the yellowed, scribbled bit of paper that
+just then meant more to him than any document
+he had ever seen in his life.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll read aloud,” he said, and then, in a clear
+voice, he recited the contents of the missive.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p>“Any one finding this please notify my brother
+Jacob Jukes of New York, who will reward him
+lavishly for the trouble. This is being written
+on board ‘Bully’ Broom’s schooner, <span class='it'>South Sea
+Lass</span>. We are all prisoners and the 'Tear of
+the Sea’ is in the ruffian’s possession. We are
+being taken, as I overheard, to Bomobori, in New
+Guinea, with what object I cannot say. May
+Heaven help us in our desperate strait. I am
+throwing this, with a prayer to Heaven that it
+may be found, from the window of the cabin in
+which I am confined.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;font-variant:small-caps;'>Jerushah Jukes.”</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p>“I know Bomobori well,” exclaimed Captain
+Sparhawk, as Mr. Jukes finished reading. “I
+was there in '87 and again in '89.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_115' id='Page_115'>115</a></span>“What sort of a place is it?” inquired Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Not much of a town,” was the reply. “It
+is at the mouth of a river that penetrates a wild
+country. If ‘Bully’ Broom wished to hide his
+captives, he could not have taken them to a better
+place.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sparhawk,” and the millionaire’s voice was
+vibrant with determination, “how long will it
+take us to get there?”</p>
+
+<p>“I should say not more than a week. But we
+should have to re-coal at Tahiti if we are to
+make the run at top speed. How about that,
+Raynor?”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re right, captain,” said the young engineer.
+“I’ll guarantee to run the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em>
+engines faster than they were ever run before,
+but I’ve got to have the coal to do it with.”</p>
+
+<p>“That steamer is through coaling us now?”
+asked the millionaire, after he had made a few
+calculations on a scrap of paper.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_116' id='Page_116'>116</a></span>“They emptied the last of their load an hour
+ago,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Good,” was Mr. Jukes’ response. “Send
+the captain to me and I will give him my check.
+Raynor, how soon can you have steam up?”</p>
+
+<p>“In an hour, sir,” responded the young engineer.</p>
+
+<p>“Splendid; make all the time you can. Every
+moment is valuable now. Ready——”</p>
+
+<p>Jack was all attention. Into the millionaire’s
+manner had come a snap and a grip of affairs
+that had not been there since they had sailed. He
+had something tangible to go upon now, and was
+plainly prepared to make the most of it.</p>
+
+<p>“Ready,” he went on, “I want you to raise
+Tahiti at once. Order coal to be ready for us
+when we arrive and have a force of men engaged
+to hustle it on board without loss of time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, sir,” rejoined Jack, hurrying from the
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Within a few minutes the entire atmosphere
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_117' id='Page_117'>117</a></span>
+of the ship appeared to be charged with electricity
+and bustle. Black smoke volleyed from
+the stack and the roar of escaping steam soon
+came from the relief pipe. Anai and his companion,
+almost in tears at the thought of parting
+with the boys, were sent ashore, and final preparations
+made for the start.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before sun-down Raynor reported all
+ready in the engine room.</p>
+
+<p>“Very well, captain,” said Mr. Jukes, “you
+may get up your anchor.”</p>
+
+<p>The necessary orders were soon given and as
+the chains rattled home through the exhaust
+pipes the yacht swung her bow gracefully seaward.
+A big crowd of canoes and the small
+tramp, which had also taken up anchor, accompanied
+her some distance out to sea.</p>
+
+<p>The natives raised their voices in melancholy
+songs as they paddled, and from time to time
+cried out:</p>
+
+<p>“Come back, white men.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_118' id='Page_118'>118</a></span>Among them Jack and Raynor recognized
+Anai and the other young Kanaka. Both lads
+felt a genuine regret at leaving the brave, likeable
+young natives, but ahead of them they felt
+lay experiences which for the time being put all
+other emotions out of their minds. The <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span>, rushing ahead at top speed, soon left the
+rusty tramp, her consort, far behind. By dark
+only the summit of the island was visible on the
+horizon. It sank quickly from sight, and when
+the first stars appeared the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> was alone
+on the sea.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_119' id='Page_119'>119</a></span><h2 id='t2827'>CHAPTER XVII.—AN ENCOUNTER AT BOMOBORI.</h2></div>
+
+<p>It was on a clear day a little more than a
+week later that the lookout announced land dead
+ahead. All on board knew that it must be New
+Guinea, the wild and little known country where
+Mr. Jukes had confident hopes of finding his lost
+brother. Captain Sparhawk made an excellent
+“land-fall,” as sailors call it, and by night they
+came to anchor off Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautiful scene. The waves dashed
+against a golden strand. Behind lay vast and
+mysterious forests, looking dark and uninviting
+in the evening light. Beyond the forests rose
+great mountains veiled in the bluish mist of the
+far distances. As darkness fell, the lights of
+Bomobori began to twinkle, casting reflections
+in the still waters of the harbor and river, the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_120' id='Page_120'>120</a></span>
+mouth of which latter could be seen to the north
+of the town.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m ready to go ashore,” remarked
+Raynor, as he joined Jack on deck at the conclusion
+of his duties in the engine-room. “It
+will certainly feel good to put foot on shore once
+more.”</p>
+
+<p>“Indeed it will,” agreed Jack, warmly. “I’m
+anxious to get a look at New Guinea too. It’s
+a country about which very little is known—I
+mean so far as the interior is concerned.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, we are likely to have plenty of opportunity
+for exploration,” said Raynor. “I heard
+Mr. Jukes telling the captain that he believed,
+from what he had heard about ‘Bully’ Broom at
+Tahiti where he is well known, that the rascal
+has a secret hiding place in the interior somewhere.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then it’s likely to take a long time to locate
+him,” said Jack. “This is a pretty big country
+and very densely wooded, with big mountains
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_121' id='Page_121'>121</a></span>
+and rivers galore. I’m afraid it’s a needle and
+hay-stack job.”</p>
+
+<p>“I expect Mr. Jukes means to get a clue in
+Bomobori, where Broom is probably well known,”
+hazarded Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“That is probably his idea,” said Jack. “Anyhow,
+he is not a man who would give up his
+purpose for any ordinary difficulties.”</p>
+
+<p>It was decided not to leave the yacht till the
+morning. It can well be imagined then that the
+sleep of the boys that night was not as sound as
+usual. Both lay awake wondering what lay before
+them, and whether they would succeed or
+fail in the mission, for that evening Mr. Jukes
+had appointed them members of the expedition,
+and declared that he would rely upon them to
+the uttermost to aid him.</p>
+
+<p>It was then that Jack had made a suggestion.
+The yacht was to be left in the harbor with a
+crew to guard her, but communication with her
+might be important, even necessary, if they were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_122' id='Page_122'>122</a></span>
+driven to some other part of the coast and were
+unable to return to Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>Jack’s suggestion was that, with the spare
+parts of the ship’s wireless, of which a big stock
+was carried, he should construct a portable radio
+apparatus by means of which they could at all
+times be in touch with the yacht. He had an
+idea that he could do this easily. Thurman, who
+had been conducting himself in an irreproachable
+manner, could be left in charge of the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy’s</span> plant with perfect safety, the boy felt
+confident. And so, subject to his success with a
+portable set, it was arranged.</p>
+
+<p>“This doesn’t appear to be much of a town,”
+observed Raynor, as they landed the next day, a
+little before noon, in a warm, gentle shower of
+rain such as frequently swept across the island
+at that time of the year.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you could hardly expect to find it a
+New York or London, you know,” rejoined Jack.</p>
+
+<p>In truth Bomobori was a very fair specimen
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_123' id='Page_123'>123</a></span>
+of a town in that section of the world. Along
+the water front, back of which squatted a line
+of tin-roofed warehouses, were moored native
+craft from up the river with bamboo cabins and
+great lattice sails that housed a whole family
+of natives. In spite of the rain it was warm
+and steamy, and a strange assortment of odors
+greeted their nostrils as the boat was run up to
+the principal dock and made fast.</p>
+
+<p>The population was a very mixed one. Pallid
+white men, who looked like Frenchmen for the
+most part, rubbed elbows on the water front with
+Chinese, Lascars, Malays, Javanese and the wild-looking
+Papuans from the interior with their
+frizzed hair and ornamental cloaks of bird skins
+and long spears. Here and there a stout German
+in white ducks waddled by with a sun-helmeted
+Englishman. There appeared to be quite a lot
+of trading going on.</p>
+
+<p>But they were anxious to hurry on to the hotel
+where Mr. Jukes hoped to begin the inquiries
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_124' id='Page_124'>124</a></span>
+which he was sanguine would result in his finding
+his brother. The hostelry for which they
+were bound lay some squares back from the
+water front. It was situated, like most tropical
+hotels, in a park in which flowers and shrubs
+of all kinds grew luxuriantly, and bright colored
+birds flew with harsh cries, like (bright) jewels,
+among the brilliant foliage. It was a two-story
+affair in front of which a fountain plashed coolingly
+in the hot, heavy air. Verandas, upon which
+every room opened, completely surrounded each
+story.</p>
+
+<p>They entered the office where the hand baggage
+they had brought was picked up by barefooted,
+white-garmented servants. Mr. Jukes
+was bending over the register writing his name
+and those of his party when Jack caught sight
+of somebody lounging in a bamboo chair in the
+reading room that nearly took his breath away.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, if that isn’t——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_125' id='Page_125'>125</a></span>“What is it, Jack?” asked Billy quickly.</p>
+
+<p>“Look at that chap there reading a paper. It’s
+Donald Judson—Donald Judson, as sure as
+you’re a foot high!”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_126' id='Page_126'>126</a></span><h2 id='t2978'>CHAPTER XVIII.—DONALD JUDSON AGAIN.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack was right; the boy sitting in the reading
+room was indeed the formerly ne’er-do-well son
+of the man who had headed the plot to steal the
+naval code, though what he could be doing in
+Bomobori neither of the boys could guess. But
+so changed was he in appearance from the flashily-dressed,
+aggressively-conceited Donald Judson
+they had known, that for a moment both boys
+doubted the evidence of their eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Donald had always, in the past, been inclined
+to dudishness in his clothes. Now his clothing
+was dilapidated and torn, his shoes were old
+canvas ones that looked ready to fall apart, and
+he had a scarecrow of a battered straw hat on
+his head.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover, his face was careworn and his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_127' id='Page_127'>127</a></span>
+cheeks hollow and one eye appeared to have suffered
+a blow of some sort for it was blackened
+and swollen. Altogether he was a most woebegone
+looking specimen of humanity, and the
+boys wondered he was suffered about the hotel.
+Donald’s presence there, however, was later accounted
+for, although this, of course, the boys
+did not know, by a long tale of disaster and suffering
+he had sustained while gold hunting in
+the interior. Donald said he was expecting remittances
+from America and on this account had
+been accommodated with quarters.</p>
+
+<p>“My gracious, what a change,” exclaimed
+Billy under his breath. “He looks like a regular
+scarecrow.”</p>
+
+<p>“He must have been in mighty tough luck,”
+rejoined Jack. “But what beats me is what he
+is doing here. It’s a very odd coincidence that
+we should run into two of our old enemies on this
+trip.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_128' id='Page_128'>128</a></span>“It is, indeed. But see, he is looking at us.
+I suppose we ought to speak to the poor chap.”</p>
+
+<p>Donald had dropped his paper and was staring
+straight at the two lads as if they had been
+ghosts. Then he got to his feet and came toward
+them.</p>
+
+<p>“Jack Ready!” he exclaimed, “where did you
+come from?”</p>
+
+<p>“We might ask the same question of you, Judson,”
+said Jack, “but—er—you’ll excuse my saying
+so, but you look as if you’d been in hard luck
+lately.”</p>
+
+<p>“I have been, oh I have been,” said Donald,
+in a voice far different from his old bragging
+one. “I got out of a job and shipped for a sailor.
+I’d heard it was a fine life. The ship I was on
+sailed away from Honolulu while I was still
+ashore after overstopping my leave. Then I
+got a job on a schooner that had a bad reputation,
+when I was nearly starved, but I had to live
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_129' id='Page_129'>129</a></span>
+somehow. The captain of the <em>South Sea Lass</em>
+was a brute. He——”</p>
+
+<p>“Here, hold on,” cried Jack, seizing his arm
+which was thin and bony, “was his name Broom——”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes. ‘Bully’ Broom. He is little better
+than a pirate. He treated me worse than a dog,
+and finally, after blacking my eye, put me ashore
+here several days ago. He——say, hold on,
+what’s the matter?”</p>
+
+<p>Jack and Billy had seized him one on each
+side and were dragging him across the floor of
+the hotel office.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s somebody here we want you to tell
+your story to,” explained Jack. “It’ll be worth
+something to you, but be sure to tell the truth.”</p>
+
+<p>“As if I could lie, no matter what I said about
+that wretch, ‘Bully’ Broom,” declared Donald.
+“I’m sure he was mixed up in some illegal business.
+Why we put into an island called the Pommer-Pommer——”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_130' id='Page_130'>130</a></span>“The Pamatous?” came from Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s it.”</p>
+
+<p>“And some men were taken prisoners from a
+schooner called the <em>Centurion</em>?” demanded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but see here Ready, how in the world——?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind that. What became of those
+prisoners?”</p>
+
+<p>“He locked them up in cabins. He said that
+they were bad men and pearl robbers and that
+he was bringing them to justice.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you ever talk with them?”</p>
+
+<p>“No; except one, and I never got a chance to
+say much to him. Broom watched me very
+closely. He’d have murdered me if he’d thought
+that I was trying to pry into his affairs.”</p>
+
+<p>“What was the name of the man you talked
+to?”</p>
+
+<p>“He was a kind of a leader of the party, I
+guess,” was the reply. “I used to take him his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_131' id='Page_131'>131</a></span>
+meals and there were precious few of those too,
+for we were on short rations ourselves.”</p>
+
+<p>“But his name—his name?” demanded Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, Flukes—something like that, anyhow.
+I never was good at names.”</p>
+
+<p>“Was it Jukes?”</p>
+
+<p>“That was it,” cried Donald, snapping his
+fingers.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, boys, what’s the matter?” demanded
+the missing man’s brother as he finished with the
+register and turned amazedly to face his two
+young followers grasping Donald’s ragged figure
+on each side as if they had a prisoner in custody.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Jukes, this boy has seen and talked to
+your brother within the last two weeks,” was the
+announcement from Jack that sent the millionaire
+staggering back against the hotel desk, for
+once in his life giving way to uncontrolled amazement.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_132' id='Page_132'>132</a></span><h2 id='t3128'>CHAPTER XIX.—HE TELLS A STRANGE STORY.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Bless my soul,” he exclaimed, when he found
+breath, “you boys are always digging up somebody.
+Who is this?”</p>
+
+<p>He regarded the ragged figure of the unfortunate
+Donald with some disapprobation. Jack
+explained, and then Donald, stumbling and stuttering
+somewhat under Mr. Jukes’ steady eye,
+told his story.</p>
+
+<p>“But you have not told us the most important
+part of it all,” said the millionaire, as he concluded.
+“Where was my unfortunate brother
+taken to by this ruffian?”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s just what I don’t know, sir,” rejoined
+the boy. “You see, they took good care I
+shouldn’t know too much about their operations.
+All I know is that I heard them saying something
+about 'up the river.’”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_133' id='Page_133'>133</a></span>“Meaning this river—the Bomobori?” asked
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose so.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know where the schooner is now?”
+was the millionaire’s next question, but Donald
+did not. All he knew was that, after landing him
+in Bomobori, ‘Bully’ Broom had departed under
+cover of night. Where he had headed for was
+a mystery.</p>
+
+<p>Jack whispered something to the millionaire
+when Donald had concluded his narrative and
+Mr. Jukes put his hand in his pocket and drew
+out some coins. Then as he moved off Jack
+rather hesitatingly said to Donald:</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve had a hard time of it for money, I
+suppose?”</p>
+
+<p>“Hard? That’s no name for it,” exclaimed
+the other. “That rascal Broom never gave me
+a cent, though when he shipped me he promised
+me wages. If you hadn’t arrived I don’t know
+what I should have done.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_134' id='Page_134'>134</a></span>“Well, we are willing to let bygones be bygones,”
+said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“It wouldn’t be fair to be rough on a fellow
+who is down on his luck,” muttered Donald
+rather grudgingly. “And—and I guess I’ve
+learned a lesson, fellows.”</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, Donald,” said Jack, handing the
+boy the coins Mr. Jukes had given him, “here is
+something from Mr. Jukes to help you along for
+the present. I am sure he will see to it that you
+do not suffer any more hardships in return for
+the valuable information you have given us.”</p>
+
+<p>The destitute lad’s face brightened wonderfully.
+The money—about twenty dollars—was
+more than he had seen in a long time. He
+fingered the coins greedily.</p>
+
+<p>“I—I’m much obliged to you and to your
+friend, too,” he muttered rather shamefacedly,
+“and—er—I’m sorry I ever played you mean
+tricks.”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind about that now,” said Jack,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_135' id='Page_135'>135</a></span>
+cutting him short. “My advice to you is not to hang
+about here, but to get a job on the first ship
+that touches here and go home.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll go down to the shipping offices right now
+and see what the chances are,” promised Donald,
+and with a new spring in his step he started out
+of the hotel.</p>
+
+<p>“What a change,” exclaimed Jack, when he
+had gone. “I never thought Donald Judson
+could become so humbled.”</p>
+
+<p>“He is certainly blue, and that is hardly surprising,”
+agreed Billy. “But the question is
+whether his seeming repentance is sincere.”</p>
+
+<p>“Let’s hope all that he has been through has
+taught him a good lesson,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“It surely ought to have,” said Billy, and then
+the subject was dismissed by a tall, half-clothed
+native striding into the lobby and beating stridently
+on a huge brass gong inscribed with queer
+characters.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_136' id='Page_136'>136</a></span>“What’s that for?” asked Jack of the clerk
+behind the desk who looked like a German.</p>
+
+<p>“Dot iss for Riz Tavel,” replied the clerk.</p>
+
+<p>“For Riz who?” asked Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“For Riz Tavel,” rejoined the man impatiently,
+as if surprised at their ignorance. “Riz
+Tavel, dot means lunch.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, I see,” replied Jack. “Well, I’m ready
+for it whatever they call it.”</p>
+
+<p>At the summons of the gong several guests
+of the hotel came into the lobby, appearing as
+if they had just got out of bed. The boys were
+amazed to see that many of the male guests wore
+pyjamas, while the women were in negligee. This,
+however, applied only to the half castes and
+Dutch residents. The Germans and English, who
+did most of the trading at Bomobori, wore tropical
+suits of conventional make.</p>
+
+<p>They were waited on by barefooted Malays
+who set before each of the boys and their shipmates,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_137' id='Page_137'>137</a></span>
+when these latter appeared, big soup
+plates full of rice.</p>
+
+<p>“They call this the 'riz-tavel,’ that means the
+rice table,” explained Captain Sparhawk, thus
+clearing away the secret of the mysterious words.
+“Rice is a staple all through the East, just like
+bread is at home.”</p>
+
+<p>Having filled their plates with rice, as they
+saw everybody else do, the Americans waited for
+the next move. The waiters had all vanished
+after depositing the rice, and Jack was moved
+to remark whether that was all they were going
+to get.</p>
+
+<p>His question was answered by the re-appearance
+of the barefooted servitors. They bore numerous
+dishes piled with fish, duck, chicken, pork,
+omelette, onions and peppers. The guests all
+piled portions of every one of these dishes on the
+top of the rice, and the visitors seeing that they
+were not expected to ask for more plates were
+fain to do the same. The boys, however, balked
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_138' id='Page_138'>138</a></span>
+at a thin curried sauce which was supposed to be
+poured over this hodge-podge of edibles.</p>
+
+<p>Having disposed of what in itself was a
+mighty meal they then found that they were
+expected to despatch beefsteaks, salad and fruit.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, they don’t starve you here, that’s one
+thing sure,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“You must remember that their 'breakfast,’
+as they call it, is eaten in the cool of the morning
+and usually only consists of coffee and fruit,”
+said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>A groan from the dyspeptic Mr. Jukes, who
+had eaten a hearty meal, was followed soon after
+by the breaking up of the party. There was
+much to be attended to, but Captain Sparhawk
+said it would be useless to try to transact business
+till the late afternoon when the sea breeze
+sprung up. The interval between riz-tavel and
+that hour he said was set aside for sleeping, and
+nobody ever dreamed of interfering with the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_139' id='Page_139'>139</a></span>
+custom. In fact, he would have found nobody to
+transact business with.</p>
+
+<p>He warned the boys against walking about in
+the scorchingly hot afternoon sun also, as it was
+said to induce fevers. There was nothing left
+for them to do, therefore, but to pass the afternoon
+in their rooms, although they would have
+preferred exploring the town.</p>
+
+<p>When they came down again they found Donald
+Judson in the lobby. He appeared very disconsolate.
+He said that no ships for American
+ports would call at the port for a long time.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess I’m stuck here for the rest of my
+life,” he complained, and then made a sudden
+suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, why can’t you take me with you on that
+expedition?” he asked, for the boys had told him
+something about the object of their presence in
+New Guinea.</p>
+
+<p>“Um—er—I don’t know that Mr. Jukes
+wants anybody else along,” hesitated Jack.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_140' id='Page_140'>140</a></span>“I’d work hard and do anything I was told
+to,” said Donald pleadingly. “Won’t you ask
+him about it? It’s awful to be stuck here like a
+bump on a log.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, perhaps we might see about it,” relented
+Jack, really feeling sorry for the unhappy
+plight of their former enemy, mean and despicable
+as he had proved himself to have been
+in the past.</p>
+
+<p>“Thanks, awfully,” exclaimed Donald, gratefully,
+and he went off through the gardens, saying
+that he was going to get himself a pair of
+new shoes. Soon after Mr. Jukes, having got
+over his attack of dyspepsia, appeared, the boys
+laid Donald’s request before him.</p>
+
+<p>“I really don’t know,” he hesitated. “Of
+course, the lad is in hard luck, but somehow I
+don’t exactly like his looks and I don’t see what
+use he could be to us. I’d rather leave money
+here to pay for his living till some ship arrives
+he could get a berth on.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_141' id='Page_141'>141</a></span>“If you left him money in a place like this he
+might fall back into his old bad ways,” suggested
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“That is true. I wouldn’t wish to push any
+one down the hill when there was a chance of
+helping them up,” said the millionaire, musingly.
+“Well, I’ll see about it,” he added after an interval
+of thought. Just then, as Captain Sparhawk
+came up, the incident was ended and the two
+elders set out for a trading store to arrange for
+supplies and other necessaries for their dash into
+the interior, for Mr. Jukes had resolved to act
+on Donald Judson’s unexpected clue and make
+his way up the river.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve got a notion that if we did take that
+fellow Donald along that he would make trouble
+for us,” said Raynor as soon as they were out
+of ear-shot.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t see how he could, or what object he
+would have,” doubted Jack. “Still, I myself
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_142' id='Page_142'>142</a></span>
+wouldn’t trust him very far, in spite of his declarations
+of reform.”</p>
+
+<p>But as it so happened neither of the boys need
+have troubled themselves over the matter, for
+that evening, when Mr. Jukes sent for Donald
+to have a talk with him, the boy’s manner had
+changed entirely. He was no longer servile and
+cringing as he had been earlier. In fact, he
+intimated very plainly that he wanted nothing
+more to do with the Jukes party.</p>
+
+<p>There was a reason for this, a reason that none
+of the party naturally was able at the time to
+guess. Donald’s change of front was not due
+to any mere caprice. A deep-seated reason lay
+behind it, and that reason was rooted in an encounter
+he had had just after he left the boys
+in the hotel garden.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_143' id='Page_143'>143</a></span><h2 id='t3409'>CHAPTER XX.—A TRAITOR IN CAMP.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Donald’s encounter had been with no less a
+personage than ‘Bully’ Broom himself, whose
+spies in the town had informed him that a party
+of Americans had arrived on a yacht and had
+been making inquiries about a missing man
+named Jukes. Broom at once knew that the half-suspected
+had happened, and that a strong party
+in search of the missing man had, by some inexplicable
+(to him) chance, arrived in Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>He perceived at once that Donald’s presence
+at the hotel, where he had abandoned him to his
+fate, might result disastrously for him and he
+congratulated himself that the boy did not know
+more of the fate of Jerushah Jukes than he had
+already told our friends. But even that meager
+information, Broom foresaw, might be used to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_144' id='Page_144'>144</a></span>
+great advantage, so he posted himself in a resort
+frequented by men of his type of whom there
+are many in the South Seas, and despatched some
+of his crew to look for the boy he had cast off.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before Donald who, to do him
+justice, came unwillingly at first, was presented
+to Broom by two villainous-looking half-caste
+Malay sailors, for Broom had few white men in
+his crew.</p>
+
+<p>“They talk too much,” he was wont to say.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Donald appeared, the ‘Bully’
+reversed his usual tactics and tried to make himself
+as pleasant as possible. He was a huge-framed
+ruffian with a tangled black beard, and
+burned brown enough by sun and wind to be
+taken for a negro. Donald soon saw that he had
+nothing to fear from Broom now, and being a
+sharp boy he proceeded to take the initiative after
+some verbal sparring.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got an awful nerve sending for me
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_145' id='Page_145'>145</a></span>
+after the treatment you gave me,” he observed.
+“What do you want, anyhow?”</p>
+
+<p>“Now see here, boy,” bellowed Broom, in his
+gruff voice which he tried to render amiable
+without much success, so used was he to ruling
+his band with an iron hand, “I’ll admit that I
+may have used you a bit roughly, but that was
+the way of the sea. A fine young fellow like you,
+though, oughtn’t to mind that. A little knocking
+about is good for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and it was good for me to be left
+stranded in this hole, too, I suppose,” said Donald.</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t leave you stranded. I was merely out
+of funds and was coming back to pay you up and
+get you out of trouble,” protested Broom, with
+an earnestness that appeared genuine. “See
+here.”</p>
+
+<p>He plunged his hand into his pocket and drew
+out a handful of gold and then let it fall trickling
+on the table.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_146' id='Page_146'>146</a></span>“That doesn’t look as if I wasn’t able to do
+it, either, does it?” he demanded. “Now, see
+here,” he went on, “I’ve got a proposition to
+make to you. You’re a smart lad, a clever lad,
+and one that’s bound to get on the world. I’m
+going to help you, too.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what do you want?” demanded Donald,
+who was very susceptible to flattery, and who
+had a weak nature, easily played upon by any one
+skillful enough to touch the right chord.</p>
+
+<p>“That gang that arrived on the yacht? What
+about them?” came from Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“They are going to cook your hash if you don’t
+look out,” said Donald. “That’s Jukes’ brother,
+and they’re going to find him wherever you’ve
+put him and then nab you.”</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s the program, eh?” muttered the
+‘Bully.’ “Now see here, Donald, I want you
+on my side and I’m not afraid to pay for it. A
+smart and clever boy like you could do me a deal
+of harm if you were sided with the enemy. You’ll
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_147' id='Page_147'>147</a></span>
+be no loser by it. You haven’t told them anything
+about our little deal with the <em>Centurion</em> yet, have
+you?”</p>
+
+<p>Donald did some quick thinking. He was
+sharp enough to see that Broom was afraid of
+what he might have said, for even in Bomobori
+there was law and if it were known to Mr. Jukes
+that Broom was in the vicinity it would be immediately
+invoked. He balanced his two opportunities
+against each other. Cupidity, greed for
+money, had always been his main fault, and now
+he thought he saw a way to make more out of
+Broom than he could out of Mr. Jukes. Besides,
+although he had appeared so humbled before the
+boys, and ashamed of his past conduct, his hatred
+still rankled, for the reason that he blamed all
+his troubles on them and had often brooded over
+plans of revenge.</p>
+
+<p>“No, I haven’t told them anything about the
+<em>Centurion</em>,” he said at length, fearing that if he
+told Broom how much the Jukes party knew
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_148' id='Page_148'>148</a></span>
+the freebooter might withdraw from any deal
+he was about to make. “I simply gave them a
+cock-and-bull story about myself when they were
+astonished to find me here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! So you know them, then? They are
+friends of yours?” exclaimed Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“Hardly friends,” muttered Donald. “I knew
+them in America.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve no particular affection for them,
+though?”</p>
+
+<p>“How do you know?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your tone told me that, my young friend.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I might as well admit it. I don’t like
+them. They wronged me in America and that’s
+why I am here now. I’ve treated them in a
+friendly way because I’m out of money.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom’s deep set eyes flashed.</p>
+
+<p>“You’ve got a good head boy, very good,” he
+said, approvingly. “Now to get down to business.
+I’ll give you a handsome sum to stay on
+my side.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_149' id='Page_149'>149</a></span>“Spot cash?”</p>
+
+<p>“The money on the nail. I want you to do a
+little job for me in return. Keep your mouth
+absolutely shut, but find out all you can about
+their plans. You will always find me here when
+you want to report. Here’s something to start
+with,” and he pushed over the gold which lay
+on the table.</p>
+
+<p>Donald’s eyes sparkled greedily as he counted
+it.</p>
+
+<p>“All right, I’ll do what you say,” he remarked,
+as he pocketed it, “but tell me one thing: Where
+is Jerushah Jukes?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, that is for me to know and for them to
+find out,” was Broom’s reply, “but I’ll tell you
+all about it in proper time.”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a wonder you are not afraid to be seen
+in the town,” said Donald. “Any one might
+tell them about your being here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody knows about me but my friends, and
+there is no danger of their talking.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_150' id='Page_150'>150</a></span>“But your schooner, which is as well known in
+this part of the ocean as a mail steamer?”</p>
+
+<p>Broom smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“You don’t think I’d be fool enough to bring
+my schooner in here after I heard about the
+arrival of Jukes’ yacht?” he asked. “The <span class='it'>South
+Sea Lass</span> is safely hidden up the coast. I came
+here on a native canoe.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you ought to be good at covering up
+your tracks, you’ve had enough experience,” said
+Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for
+the ruffian.</p>
+
+<p>“One thing more,” said Broom, acknowledging
+what he chose to take as a compliment with
+a grin. “Jukes is very rich. Has he much money
+with him this trip?”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his
+money. If he has much it would be in some form
+that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man
+to take chances.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom nodded his massive head ponderously.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_151' id='Page_151'>151</a></span>
+He was evidently revolving some plan in his
+mind. Presently he brought down his heavy
+fist with a crash on the table.</p>
+
+<p>“Jukes has poked his nose into this business,”
+he exclaimed, “and it will cost him something
+to get out of it before he gets through.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean?” asked Donald.</p>
+
+<p>“If he was made a prisoner for instance, he
+would pay handsomely to be released.”</p>
+
+<p>“I should say so. He’s worth about $20,000,000.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom smacked his lips.</p>
+
+<p>“Some of that’s as good as ours if you do what
+I tell you,” he exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>“Ours?” A greedy look crept into the boy’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, when he pays up you’ll get your share
+and get even with the people you dislike at the
+same time.”</p>
+
+<p>When Donald left the place with one of his
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_152' id='Page_152'>152</a></span>
+ragged pockets bulging with unaccustomed
+wealth, a compact had been formed that was to
+cause our friends a great deal of trouble in the
+near future.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_153' id='Page_153'>153</a></span><h2 id='t3652'>CHAPTER XXI.—A MEMORABLE NIGHT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“It’s very peculiar that Donald should have
+undergone such a sudden change of front,” said
+Jack later that evening, following the boy’s
+strange way of receiving Mr. Jukes’ proposal.
+“He certainly appeared to want to go along the
+worst way a few hours ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help thinking that he has been up to
+some mischief,” replied Billy. “He’s got himself
+a new outfit somewhere and I saw him paying
+his hotel bill.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, at any rate that’s a laudable act,”
+laughed Jack. “After all, we are not much concerned
+with anything that he does now.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, that’s true. By-the-way, how is that
+wireless idea of yours for a portable set getting
+along?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_154' id='Page_154'>154</a></span>“First rate; I’ve got it all worked out on paper
+and have cut the weight down to fifty pounds
+without the aerials.”</p>
+
+<p>“Good for you. I’ve got a notion we can make
+a lot of use of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“At any rate it won’t be much of an extra
+load and it might get us out of a tight place, who
+can tell?”</p>
+
+<p>After some further talk the boys decided to
+turn in, as they had to be up early the next
+day. It was a hot, close night when the heavens
+seemed to be pressed down like a brazen lid on
+a pot. Far off, flashes of lightning illuminated
+the distant sky toward the mountains where, for
+all they knew, the millionaire’s abducted brother
+might be concealed.</p>
+
+<p>“Phew! It’s warm,” exclaimed Jack. “I guess
+I’ll take a bath before I turn in.”</p>
+
+<p>The boys’ bedroom was typical of hotels in
+that part of the world. Its floor was bare except
+for a strip of matting. There were two beds
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_155' id='Page_155'>155</a></span>
+in it, hung with mosquito netting curtains, and
+a tiny wash basin and jug. An old-fashioned
+bell-pull hung near one of the beds and Jack decided
+to give it a tug and order a bath, when
+one of the native “bell boys” appeared. After
+a long interval, one of the barefooted functionaries
+of the hotel arrived. Jack made his wants
+known and the man hurried off again without a
+word.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s odd,” commented Jack, “but I guess
+he’s gone to fill it and will be back directly to
+say it’s ready.”</p>
+
+<p>They waited for some time before a soft patter
+of bare feet was heard in the hall and two of the
+native servants entered carrying between them
+a barrel. Another followed with a sort of dipper
+made out of a cocoanut.</p>
+
+<p>The boys stared in amazement as the men
+advanced to the middle of the room and solemnly
+set down the barrel and then stood about waiting
+with an expectant look on their faces.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_156' id='Page_156'>156</a></span>“What in the world is all this?” demanded the
+amazed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Him your bath, boss,” came the answer, “you
+gettee in him ballel, we washee you.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll be jiggered if you do,” exclaimed Jack.
+“Get out of here,” and the men hurried off, first
+staring at the boy as if they thought he was
+mad. “Well, a New Guinea bath certainly accounts
+for the appearance of some of the natives
+I’ve seen about,” he laughed, as soon as they had
+left. “But I suppose I must make the best of it.”</p>
+
+<p>So Jack’s bath consisted of dipping water out
+of the tub and pouring it over himself, trying not
+to flood the room. But apparently he did so, for
+soon a loud and indignant voice was heard at the
+door.</p>
+
+<p>“Who is there?” demanded the boys.</p>
+
+<p>“Sapristi! Eet is I. Zee landlord. You flood
+zee place. Zee water drip on me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Sorry,” sang out Jack, cheerfully, “but I’m
+doing the best I can. You see, I’m not used to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_157' id='Page_157'>157</a></span>
+the customs of the country yet. I don’t understand
+your way of bathing.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean zee bathing?”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m trying to get a bath in this barrel that
+you sent me up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Taking a bath!” shouted the landlord in a
+startled voice, “a bath at zees time of zee night.
+You must be crazee. Anyhow, you drop no more
+of zee water on me. I sleep zee room undaire.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, he doesn’t look as if a little water
+would hurt him,” commented Billy, as the landlord’s
+footsteps retreated down the passage.</p>
+
+<p>The boys were soon in bed, but not to sleep.
+Their exciting day amid new scenes had rendered
+them wakeful and then, too, the beds of the Hotel
+Bomobori were not couches of roses. The sheets
+and pillows smelled abominably of camphor and
+mildew, and the latter appeared to have been,
+or so Billy declared, stuffed with corn cobs. The
+same applied to the mattresses. But as if this
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_158' id='Page_158'>158</a></span>
+was not enough, there came a sudden shrill cry
+from somewhere in the room:</p>
+
+<p>“Beck-ee! Beck-ee! Beck-ee!”</p>
+
+<p>“What in the nation was that?” cried Billy,
+considerably startled.</p>
+
+<p>“Somebody calling for 'Becky,’” laughed
+Jack, “but Rebecca won’t answer. Go to sleep,
+Billy, if you can, on these miserable beds. It
+must be some insect.”</p>
+
+<p>“I hope it isn’t anything venomous,” muttered
+Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Better keep your curtains close drawn and
+then it can’t get at you, anyhow,” advised Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“But then it shuts out all the air and I almost
+suffocate,” complained Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Wow!” he yelled a moment later, in a tone
+that roused Jack, who was almost asleep.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter, Billy?” he asked
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Ugh, something soft with legs on it just ran
+over my face,” cried Raynor. “For goodness’
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_159' id='Page_159'>159</a></span>
+sake get up and get a light. It may be something
+that bites or stings.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack lost no time in getting hurriedly out of
+his bed, and as he shook the curtains something
+was dislodged from them and went whirring and
+banging round the room, blundering heavily
+against the ceiling.</p>
+
+<p>“What the dickens——!” exclaimed the boy,
+considerably startled, when another cry from
+Billy split the air.</p>
+
+<p>“Ouch, for the love of Mike. A light, quick.
+Something just nipped my toe.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack fumbled for the matches; but, as is usual
+in such cases, he located every object in the room
+before he found them, finally colliding with the
+washstand and sending it with a crash to the
+ground floor. An instant later there was the
+noise of slamming doors below and the landlord
+came racing up the stairs to the boys’ room.</p>
+
+<p>“Ciel! What is zee mattaire zees time? First
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_160' id='Page_160'>160</a></span>
+you try drown me, zen you make zee beeg crash
+like zee tonnaire!”</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all the fault of your old hotel,” exclaimed
+Jack angrily, going to the door. “This
+room is full of some kind of animals. It’s a regular
+menagerie.”</p>
+
+<p>He opened the door and the landlord, with a
+curious-looking night-light, composed of a wick
+floating in a tumbler full of some strong-smelling
+oil that gave out a powerful odor of sandal wood,
+came inside. Instantly there was a mighty scuffling
+and several ugly looking lizards darted off
+across the floor and a huge bat (no doubt the
+creature that had vacated Jack’s bed-curtains
+with such a prodigious flapping) went soaring
+out through the open lattice-work doors which
+led out on the verandah, but which the boys had
+left open for coolness. There were also a dozen
+other specimens of unclassified insects, both
+winged and legged, which went scuttling off at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_161' id='Page_161'>161</a></span>
+the sight of the light. Then the landlord’s eye
+fell on the open doors.</p>
+
+<p>“Sacre!” he cried, “nevaire did I such a foolishness
+see.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter now?” demanded Jack.
+“The only foolishness I can see is in our coming
+to this hotel.”</p>
+
+<p>The landlord shrugged his shoulders as if in
+despair.</p>
+
+<p>“What else do you expect but zee bat, zee scorpion,
+zee centipede, zee leezard, zee chigre,
+zee——”</p>
+
+<p>“What makes a noise like 'becky, becky,
+becky’?” asked Billy, breaking in on the catalogue.</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! Zee biting leezard 'ee do zat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then that fellow that nipped my toe and the
+one that sang out for Rebecca must be the same
+individual,” cried Billy indignantly, “but go on
+with your catalogue.”</p>
+
+<p>The landlord looked puzzled.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_162' id='Page_162'>162</a></span>“Zere was zee cat and zee dog 'ere, too?” he
+demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“No, I said the catalogue. The list of insects
+you were rattling off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, well, I was going to say to you not to
+leave zee porch doors open in zee night. And
+also nevaire go to bed wizout lighting one of zees
+lights.” He tapped the peculiar-smelling night-light
+he held. “See, here eez one 'ere on zees
+table.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, you can’t blame us for not knowing
+what it was,” protested Jack, as he lighted it.
+“I thought it was some peculiar kind of drink.
+It’s the first time I ever saw light served in a
+tumbler.”</p>
+
+<p>“Zee light veree good,” said the landlord, as
+he was leaving the room. “Zee animal no like
+zee light, also they no like zee smell.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t blame them,” said Jack, after the man
+had left, and the odd tumbler lamp was burning
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_163' id='Page_163'>163</a></span>
+with a sputtering, smoking flame, “especially
+the smell part.”</p>
+
+<p>“Anyhow, anything is better than sharing
+your bed with you-don’t-know-what creepy-crawly
+things,” declared Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and lizards that go round hollering girls’
+names,” agreed Jack. “I fancy we’ll sleep better
+now. But, after all, we’ve got to get used to it
+all for we may meet worse in the jungle.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_164' id='Page_164'>164</a></span><h2 id='t3930'>CHAPTER XXII.—INTO THE JUNGLE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The next day was busily spent by the boys.
+Jack had his portable wireless to assemble. Raynor
+was assigned as “chief of baggage,” and Captain
+Sparhawk and Mr. Jukes, with Muldoon,
+who spoke the Papuan dialect after a fashion,
+occupied the time rounding up the native bearers
+and finding a suitable “head man.” The latter
+was very important to the success of the expedition,
+both to keep the other natives up to their
+work and to find trails and, if necessary, act as
+interpreter. Through the good offices of Jabez
+Hook, a “smart Yankee” who ran a “general
+store” at Bomobori, and was a warm friend of
+Captain Sparhawk’s, they finally found just the
+man they wanted. He was a tall, up-right Papuan
+with an exceptionally intelligent face, who
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_165' id='Page_165'>165</a></span>
+spoke fair English, knew the country thoroughly
+and appeared about thirty years old. Salloo, as
+he called himself, agreed to have everything in
+readiness for a start into the interior by the next
+morning. He held out hopes that from some of
+the interior tribes they would get news of the lost
+ones, for among the natives news travels fast,
+and if ‘Bully’ Broom had conveyed prisoners into
+the inland some of the tribesmen would be sure
+to know about it.</p>
+
+<p>When Jack returned from the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>,
+where he had set up his apparatus, he reported
+that all was well on board and everything going
+forward smoothly under the command of the
+first officer. Thurman appeared to be delighted
+with his chance to vindicate himself, but acting
+under Mr. Jukes’ advice, it had been deemed
+prudent to refuse him shore liberty till the party
+returned. Thurman did not seem to resent this,
+and told Jack that after all he had gone through,
+a “soft berth” and good meals on the yacht
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_166' id='Page_166'>166</a></span>
+appealed to him. He had seen enough of the
+tropics, so he declared, to have no especial desire
+to go ashore at Bomobori.</p>
+
+<p>It was not till eleven o’clock that night that
+they turned in. But when they did so it was
+with a satisfied feeling that every detail had been
+attended to. Not the least satisfactory result
+of the day had been Jack’s achievement of perfecting
+the portable wireless which would keep
+them at all times in touch with the yacht.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning dawned bright and clear.
+The boys were up before any of the rest of the
+party, dressed in khaki suits, sun helmets and
+stout leggings, for much of the way would lie
+through ragged bush. Each lad carried a water
+canteen, a pocket filter, compass, knife, and wore
+a service revolver attached to a cartridge belt.
+In these “uniforms” they looked very business-like,
+and capable of giving a good account of
+themselves in any emergency. Soon after the
+other members of the party appeared somewhat
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_167' id='Page_167'>167</a></span>
+similarly attired. Mr. Jukes’ pockets bulged with
+boxes of dyspepsia pills, and Muldoon wore his
+sailor uniform with the addition of leggings and
+a sun helmet.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure I look like a sea soldier no liss,” was the
+way he summed up his appearance, and the boys
+couldn’t help agreeing with him.</p>
+
+<p>While they were at breakfast, Salloo and his
+“bearers” presented themselves.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo greeted them with a low “salaam,” and
+volunteered the information that:</p>
+
+<p>“Him welly good day for makum start. Go
+many miles. Good trail for first part of journey.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the further we go, the quicker we’ll get
+back,” commented Muldoon in true Irish style.</p>
+
+<p>At eight o’clock they were off. Nobody in the
+town knew the true object of their expedition, but
+supposed they were off on a hunt for entomological
+specimens, for New Guinea swarms with rare
+forms of insect life and many intrepid collectors
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_168' id='Page_168'>168</a></span>
+have found it a happy hunting ground, some of
+them paying for their devotion to science with
+their lives.</p>
+
+<p>At first the question of traveling on horse-back
+had been mooted. But Salloo promptly vetoed
+this. The country was too rough and thickly
+grown to make horse-back travel feasible for
+more than a few miles, he declared. They might
+have used the river, but it was only navigable
+for a short distance when the swift current and
+the shoals made it dangerous for up-stream
+travel. Natives coming down it always abandoned
+their dugouts, which were simply hollow
+trees, at Bomobori, and went back to their villages
+on foot.</p>
+
+<p>The town was soon left behind and they struck
+into a trail which was broad and well trodden.
+On all sides were dense groves of tropical vegetation,
+towering palms, spreading mangoes laden
+with golden fruit, that ever-present banana and
+fragrant guava and lemon trees. From the tall
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_169' id='Page_169'>169</a></span>
+lance-wood and cotton trees great creepers and
+lianas, looking like serpents, twined and coiled.
+There was a moist, steaming heat in the air.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s just like being in a big conservatory at
+home,” said Jack, and indeed the air had just the
+odor and closeness of a glass-house.</p>
+
+<p>“This is fever territory,” declared Mr. Jukes,
+administering a large dose of quinine to himself.
+“There is to be no sleeping on the ground, remember.”</p>
+
+<p>“I guess not, after the experience we had in
+our room at the hotel last night,” said Raynor,
+and amidst much laughter he narrated the details
+of their uncomfortable night.</p>
+
+<p>As they pushed onward, there came from the
+river, which glinted like molten lead in the sunshine
+at their left, a long-drawn cry which startled
+all the white members of the expedition. It resembled
+the human voice and appeared to be the
+appeal of someone in agony.</p>
+
+<p>“Shure there’s some poor soul in throuble over
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_170' id='Page_170'>170</a></span>
+yonder forninst the river,” declared Muldoon,
+and before any one could stop him he had left the
+trail and was making for the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Hi you white man, you comee back,” cried
+Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>But he was too late. Hardly had Muldoon left
+the trail than he sank up to his knees in black,
+oozy mud which held him like liquid glue.</p>
+
+<p>His struggles only made matters worse, and
+soon he was up to his knees in the evil-smelling,
+glutinous mass which bubbled about him as it
+sucked him down.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! Murther! Shure, O’im kilt intirely!”
+cried the frightened man, waving his arms frantically.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_171' id='Page_171'>171</a></span><h2 id='t4092'>CHAPTER XXIII.—A DANGEROUS TREE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>All this time, from the river, came the same
+weird cries that had mystified them. What with
+these cries and Muldoon’s lusty yells for help,
+had there been an enemy within a mile they must
+have heard them, but luckily they were in a territory
+known to be peaceable, although Salloo was
+not quite so sure of some of the tribes who had
+a bad reputation as “head hunters.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s stuck in the mud!” exclaimed Jack, and
+was starting forward to Muldoon’s assistance
+when Salloo grabbed his arm.</p>
+
+<p>“No go,” he warned, “him mud velly bad.
+Make drown in mud plitty quick no get helpee.”</p>
+
+<p>The native began making his way by a circuitous
+route toward the luckless Muldoon. In
+his hand he had a long rope. He leaped from
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_172' id='Page_172'>172</a></span>
+tuft to tuft of the hummocks that appeared above
+the black soil. As soon as he got close enough to
+Muldoon he threw the struggling boatswain the
+end of the line, which Muldoon had presence of
+mind enough to place under his arm-pits. Then
+Salloo skipped nimbly back to the trail and all
+laying hold with a will they soon hauled Muldoon
+out of his disagreeable predicament, although he
+was a sorry sight to look at.</p>
+
+<p>“But faith,” he exclaimed, “it’s glad enough I
+am to know O’im not dead intirely. A little mud
+will soon dry and clean off, begob.”</p>
+
+<p>“Tropical places are full of just such treacherous
+swamps,” declared Captain Sparhawk. “It
+will be well for all of us to be very careful and
+not leave the trail except by Salloo’s advice.”</p>
+
+<p>But now the strange wailing sound which they
+had for the moment forgotten in the excitement
+of Muldoon’s rescue again startled them. The
+cause of it was quickly explained by Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“Him <em>dugong</em>, allee samee sea-cow,” he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_173' id='Page_173'>173</a></span>“Oh, I know now—like the manitou they have
+in Florida,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Me no know 'bout man or two,” said Salloo,
+“but him big an’mul. Live in river. Makee noise
+like heap cryee allee timee.”</p>
+
+<p>“It sounds as if somebody was being murdered,”
+commented Raynor. “However, I guess
+we’re not the first people to be scared by the dinner-gong,
+or whatever you call it.”</p>
+
+<p>The halt for the noon-day meal was made in a
+pleasant grove of tropical trees which stood on
+safe rising ground to one side of the trail. All
+the white members of the party were glad enough
+of the chance to take a rest, but the wiry natives
+appeared to be perfectly fresh and strong as when
+they set out, despite their heavy burdens. While
+the natives began cooking their rice and salted
+fish, with a sort of curry sauce, Salloo set about
+making a fire for the whites. With marvelous
+dexterity he twirled a stick between his outspread
+hands against some dry tinder and soon had a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_174' id='Page_174'>174</a></span>
+good blaze going. The boys scattered to get
+wood, of which they soon had a sufficient quantity.
+Then, determined to make the most of their
+halt, they flung themselves down under a
+peculiarly fine tree with wide, dark green leaves,
+glossy as polished leather.</p>
+
+<p>They were chatting about the incidents of the
+trip so far when Jack all at once felt something
+strike him on the arm. His first impression was
+that it was a stone. But on looking at the place
+where he had been struck he saw that the sleeve
+of his shirt, for he had laid aside his khaki coat,
+had been ripped in parallel lines as if a curry comb,
+with sharp teeth, had been drawn down
+it. He felt a sharp pain moreover, and then he
+saw blood on his arm.</p>
+
+<p>Billy had sprung up in alarm at his sharp
+exclamation of pain, and was peering into the
+brush in the dread of seeing savage faces peering
+at them. His shout of alarm brought them
+all, including Salloo, on the run to Jack’s side.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_175' id='Page_175'>175</a></span>
+The boy explained what had occurred and the
+faces of the whites grew grave. If they were
+attacked at this early stage of the journey it
+augured ill for the remainder of their adventure.</p>
+
+<p>But Salloo speedily solved the mystery. Lying
+on the ground beside Jack was a green, oval-shaped
+ball, about the size of those projectiles
+that one sees stacked by memorial cannons in
+our country. But this missile was covered with
+sharp spikes like the spines of a hedgehog. Salloo
+pointed up into the beautiful tree under which
+they had cast themselves down to rest.</p>
+
+<p>“Nobody throw him,” he explained, “him big
+fruit, some callum Durion nut. You comee way
+from there. One hittee you headee your blains
+getee knocked out.”</p>
+
+<p>“They deserve to be for getting up a scare like
+that,” laughed Jack, who, like Billy, stepped
+hastily from under the dangerous tree. “It seems
+to be a pretty good idea in this country to be
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_176' id='Page_176'>176</a></span>
+always on the look out. Even nature seems to
+have it in for you.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack’s arm was doctored by Captain Sparhawk,
+for it was quite painful, but luckily the spines of
+the durion, sometimes called the Jack fruit, are
+not poisonous and it was soon all right again.
+But during the noon-day meal, which was then
+ready, when they heard the crashing of nut after
+nut from the durion tree, both boys felt they had
+had a very lucky escape from having their skulls
+fractured.</p>
+
+<p>“Be jabers,” commented Muldoon, “shure o’ive
+been in a hurricane where the blocks and tackle
+that was ripped from aloft made yez skip around
+loively to dodge thim, but this is the first toime
+thot iver I heard of a three throwing things at
+yez as if ye was a nigger dodger at a fair.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll discover stranger things than that,
+Muldoon, before we have been very long in New
+Guinea,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, so long as they’re not snakes, oi dunno
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_177' id='Page_177'>177</a></span>
+thot I care much,” said the Irishman. “Begob,
+o’im thinking that St. Pathrick would be a good
+man to have along in a counthry where the craturs
+are. Wun wave uv his sthick and away
+they’d all go, bad luck to thim.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_178' id='Page_178'>178</a></span><h2 id='t4246'>CHAPTER XXIV.—WIRELESS AT WORK.</h2></div>
+
+<p>For two days they traveled thus, making fresh
+discoveries constantly. Once, for instance, Billy
+triumphantly pounced on what seemed like a fine
+bit of fire-wood for the noon-day halt. But he
+dropped it with a yell, as the “stick” suddenly developed
+legs and on being dropped walked off.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorrah, there’s a shillalegh come to loife,
+so it has,” yelled Muldoon, as he observed the
+phenomenon; but the “shillalegh” was only one
+of those strange “stick insects” that abound in
+that part of the world and sometimes fool even
+the natives.</p>
+
+<p>At noon of the third day they found themselves
+approaching a settlement, as cleared ground,
+where grew maize, sugar cane, yams and other
+plants, testified. The village proved to be a large
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_179' id='Page_179'>179</a></span>
+one where white traders and animal collectors
+often stopped and there was a native hostelry in
+it conducted by a greasy-looking Frenchman who
+had a native wife as dirty-looking as he was.
+The native huts were all of bamboo hung with
+cocoanut mats. Natives squatted in front of
+them chewing betel nuts, the juice crimsoning
+their lips and chins. All ages and both sexes indulged
+in the habit, which is universal throughout
+Polynesia and the South Seas generally.</p>
+
+<p>There appeared to be a lot of rivalry among the
+men as to who could grow the fuzziest, most outstanding
+crop of hair.</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, a barber would starve to death in this
+country,” declared Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a young woman came down the
+“street,” if such the muddy track between the
+huts could be called. She held something in her
+arms that they thought at first was a baby. But
+it turned out to be a young pig!</p>
+
+<p>“We’ll rest at the hotel here,” said Mr. Jukes,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_180' id='Page_180'>180</a></span>
+“till it grows cooler. My dyspepsia is bad again.
+It comes from traveling during the heat of the
+day as we have been doing.”</p>
+
+<p>The mid-day meal was cooked on a sort of
+altar built of stones. The boys watched the operations
+in this open-air kitchen with interest.
+At least twenty natives assisted in the culinary
+demonstration and the chatter and laughter was
+deafening. They made a hearty meal on the
+native fare, which they were astonished to find
+was quite as good as anything they had tasted
+at home.</p>
+
+<p>As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at
+once after the meal they took it easy in several
+grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady,
+tree. The fact that the natives kept coming up
+and peering into their faces and that babies,
+chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks
+did not disturb the boys after a while, and
+they dropped off to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t wonder the natives here are lazy,”
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_181' id='Page_181'>181</a></span>
+remarked Jack, when Muldoon awakened him
+with a yell of “All hands on deck to see it rain.”
+“I rarely slept in the day-time, but here I just
+dozed off without knowing it.”</p>
+
+<p>“Same here,” chimed in Raynor. “I didn’t
+have to even half try.”</p>
+
+<p>“This climate is very enervating, boys,” declared
+Captain Sparhawk, joining in the conversation.
+“That is why this part of the globe
+makes so little progress toward civilisation. Men
+who are hustlers in their own country come here
+determined to make the dirt fly, but after a few
+months their energy oozes out of them like—well,
+say like tar out of the seams of a hot ship’s
+deck.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s a good comparison,” laughed Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers’
+camp, and soon they were on their way
+again. The Frenchman, whose “hotel” they had
+left, had told them that by evening they would
+reach another village, the last one they would
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_182' id='Page_182'>182</a></span>
+encounter before plunging into the really wild
+jungle, where there was another “hotel.”</p>
+
+<p>“As it will be our last chance for many days
+to sleep under a roof, I propose we stay there to-night,”
+said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.</p>
+
+<p>This suited the rest of the party and they
+struck forward at a brisk pace after their refreshing
+rest and sleep. The jungle was filled
+with countless birds, but there were no feathered
+songsters among them. The air was filled with
+nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that set
+the teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill
+of seeing a bird of paradise, with its glorious
+plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flash across
+their path.</p>
+
+<p>The village they stopped at that evening resembled
+in almost every respect the one in which
+the noon-day halt had been made. There were
+the same huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens,
+and the same fuzzy-headed Papuans, many
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_183' id='Page_183'>183</a></span>
+of them returning from the fields with corn and
+yams.</p>
+
+<p>The proprietor of the “hotel,” which had no
+more pretensions to the name than the other
+hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste,
+lacking one eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass
+ear-rings. His wife was a giant negress. However,
+they welcomed the party warmly, as they
+had good reason to do, not having had any guests
+for some time, and pigs and fowls were at once
+killed for supper, everything in such places being
+ordered “on the hoof,” so to speak. Mr. Jukes
+delighted his native followers by ordering an
+elaborate meal for them also, in celebration of
+the fact that on the morrow they would leave
+“civilization” behind them.</p>
+
+<p>Jack, at Mr. Jukes’ request, set up his wireless
+plant, stringing the aerials from a tall tree up
+which one of the natives swarmed like a monkey
+to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he
+and Billy talked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_184' id='Page_184'>184</a></span>“I guess we’ll sleep with one eye open to-night,”
+said Jack in an undertone, for they were surrounded
+by a curious crowd watching the white
+boy “make conjure medicine.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking
+couple,” rejoined Billy, “and in a country like this
+it’s a good thing to regard everybody with suspicion
+till you find them all right.”</p>
+
+<p>Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted
+and worked and had his word to put in too.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorrah, that Portugee don’t look like no
+angel,” he said, “and his wife looks like the ould
+Nick himsilf.”</p>
+
+<p>“Just what we were talking about, Muldoon,”
+said Jack. “It will be a good thing if we keep our
+eyes and ears open.”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i04f.jpg'><img src='images/i04.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0003' style='width:400px;height:528px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he received Thurman’s answering call.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor
+started to turn the hand-crank of the generator,
+for of course a gasoline engine for that purpose
+could not be carried into the jungle. When the
+storage batteries were charged, Jack began to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_185' id='Page_185'>185</a></span>
+pump out the <em>Sea Gypsy’s</em> call. At the first
+crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark
+the natives scattered with yells. Even Salloo,
+who was looking on, and had to stand his ground
+to maintain his dignity before his men, looked
+uneasy and shifted about nervously.</p>
+
+<p>It was some time before Jack got a reply, but
+at last he received Thurman’s answering call.</p>
+
+<p>Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was
+no particular news from his end except that
+another party had started up-country right on
+the heels of Mr. Jukes’ expedition. It was
+thought they were traders, Thurman said. Jack
+gave his news and then flashed “Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p>He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of
+the start of a second party.</p>
+
+<p>“I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition,”
+mused Mr. Jukes, on receipt of this
+information. “But no doubt they are traders. It
+seems odd, though, that they didn’t join with us
+if they were coming this way, as is the general
+custom.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_186' id='Page_186'>186</a></span><h2 id='t4451'>CHAPTER XXV.—A JUNGLE HOTEL.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The hostelry was divided into half a dozen
+rooms walled with bamboo, and all on the ground
+floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposed
+between the sleepers and the ground, and
+cockroaches and singing lizards abounded. But
+by this time the lads had become pretty well used
+to the night noises of the jungle, which are far
+more tumultuous after dark than in the day-time,
+and as for the hard beds, they were too tired to
+mind much where they slept.</p>
+
+<p>Jack had not slept long when he was awakened
+by someone calling to him. It was Muldoon. The
+Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement
+as he stood in the grass-curtained door-way.</p>
+
+<p>“Whist!” he exclaimed, holding a finger to his
+lips, “is thot you Misther Riddy?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_187' id='Page_187'>187</a></span>“Yes, what’s the trouble, Muldoon?”</p>
+
+<p>“Shure o’ive made a discovery, sor.”</p>
+
+<p>“What?”</p>
+
+<p>“Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing
+about.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what about them?”</p>
+
+<p>“They’re here, begob.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where, in the hotel?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, in the woods back of the house.”</p>
+
+<p>“Camping there?”</p>
+
+<p>“No, bejabbers. There’s something looks
+queer to me about the whole thing, that’s why I
+called yez. They’ve sent for the Dago that runs
+this shabeen, sor.”</p>
+
+<p>“Maybe they want to get accommodations?”</p>
+
+<p>“Thin why wouldn’t they stip up like min and
+ask for ’em?” was Muldoon’s unanswerable retort.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily,
+appeared in the door-way. Behind him stood
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_188' id='Page_188'>188</a></span>
+the giant negress. The millionaire had evidently
+dressed hastily.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ve got news, Ready,” he exclaimed in a
+rather excited voice. “This woman has just told
+me that her husband wants to see me outside. I
+gathered it’s on some matter connected with my
+brother.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yassir,” grinned the hideous negress, showing
+a double row of sharply filed teeth, “dat’s it, sah.
+It’s 'bout yo’ brudder.”</p>
+
+<p>Raynor had awakened by this time and was
+sitting up on his mat listening sleepily. He eyed
+the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasy
+conviction entered his mind that all was
+not well.</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better be cautious, sir,” warned Jack,
+who also felt an undeniable feeling of suspicion,
+“something may be wrong.”</p>
+
+<p>“What can be wrong,” demanded Mr. Jukes,
+rather impatiently. “I’m going outside to see.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_189' id='Page_189'>189</a></span>
+If it’s about my brother it’s my duty to do so
+at once.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then if you’re going I’ll go with you,” said
+Jack, hastily throwing on the garments he had
+divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.</p>
+
+<p>“And begorrah o’i second the motion,” declared
+Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“Wait a moment for me,” begged Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“No, stay here,” said Jack. “If anything goes
+wrong, I’ll fire three shots.”</p>
+
+<p>A minute later, followed by the native woman,
+the three left the place. As they reached the door
+she took the lead and conducted them through a
+bamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under
+which her husband and a big man with black
+beard were conversing.</p>
+
+<p>“You wish to see me?” asked Mr. Jukes, addressing
+the bearded one.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news
+for you,” said the landlord, spreading his hands.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_190' id='Page_190'>190</a></span>“Begorrah, oi don’t see no gintilmin here excipt
+oursilves,” muttered Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“Muldoon, be quiet,” ordered Mr. Jukes, then
+turning to the black-bearded man he went on
+with, “Well, sir, what is it you wish?”</p>
+
+<p>“You are Mr. Jukes?” asked the other, in a
+deep, gruff voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I am, what of it?”</p>
+
+<p>“I want to see you. I have news for you.”</p>
+
+<p>“But—but I don’t know you. Why didn’t you
+come to the hotel if you had anything to say to
+me?” asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.</p>
+
+<p>“I wanted to talk to you in private about your
+brother,” was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>“My brother! Why, we are searching for him
+now. That is the reason of our presence in the
+jungle. Do you know anything about him?”</p>
+
+<p>“I do. It was he who sent me here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Jerushah sent you?” the millionaire was fairly
+amazed now. “He is then alive?”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_191' id='Page_191'>191</a></span>
+Through natives he heard of the arrival of your
+expedition and sent me even at this hour to bring
+you to him.”</p>
+
+<p>“That is a strange story, my man,” said Mr.
+Jukes suspiciously. “I might say it is almost
+incredible.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll admit it does sound strange,” said the
+other, “but strange things happen in this part
+of the world. I might add that the other Mr.
+Jukes wants to see you alone. Something about
+a pearl, I believe.”</p>
+
+<p>Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes’ sleeve. The lad
+had been peering about him through the dark
+trees and had seen something the others had not.
+If his eyes had not deceived him, and Jack did
+not believe they had, several forms were moving
+about in the gloom beneath the interlaced
+branches.</p>
+
+<p>“Mr. Jukes,” he whispered, “I don’t believe this
+man. I think we are in some sort of a trap.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_192' id='Page_192'>192</a></span>
+Why didn’t he come to the house with this cock-and-bull
+story?”</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this
+man of great affairs, before whom board meetings
+quailed, and who ruled almost supreme
+among the great money kings of New York, appeared
+to be lost now that he was out of his little
+world and among the great elemental things of
+the untraveled jungle.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sure I don’t know, Ready,” he replied.</p>
+
+<p>“Ask him,” suggested Jack, with his hand on
+his revolver. He felt that a crisis of some sort
+was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put
+the question. The bearded man’s reply was brief
+and to the point.</p>
+
+<p>“That is beside the question,” he snapped.
+“Are you coming with me?”</p>
+
+<p>Before any reply could be made the bearded
+man’s eye caught the glint of Jack’s weapon.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_193' id='Page_193'>193</a></span>
+Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees
+leaped a dozen or more men.</p>
+
+<p>“Howly saints! A trap!” yelled Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“A trap!” echoed Jack. He raised his pistol
+to cover the black-bearded man. But before he
+had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown
+from their feet by a combined attack and in a
+twinkling both the millionaire and the boy were
+helpless.</p>
+
+<p>“Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others.
+Come after us as quick as you can.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hold your horses there,” roared the black-bearded
+man, who, as our readers will have
+guessed, was ‘Bully’ Broom himself, with his
+band of renegade followers. He tried to block
+the boatswain’s path as Muldoon darted off.</p>
+
+<p>Biff, the old seaman’s knotted fist shot out and
+caught the redoubtable ‘Bully’ between his eyes.
+He staggered but did not fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Take that, you murtherin’ spalpeen,” shouted
+Muldoon, as he darted off among the trees and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_194' id='Page_194'>194</a></span>
+was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of the
+band pursued him, but ‘Bully’ Broom called them
+back.</p>
+
+<p>“We’ve got the fellows we want,” he said;
+“bind and gag them and if they show fight don’t
+be too gentle with them.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_195' id='Page_195'>195</a></span><h2 id='t4680'>CHAPTER XXVI.—PRISONERS OF ‘BULLY’ BROOM.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless,
+and in return for his struggles received only
+a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser to remain
+quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had
+their hands tied behind their backs and gags of
+dirty grass were thrust, none too gently, into
+their mouths.</p>
+
+<p>“Now march, and behave yourselves or you’ll
+be shot,” snarled ‘Bully’ Broom, whose temper
+had not been improved by the blow Muldoon’s
+strong fist had given him.</p>
+
+<p>As it would have been folly to have resisted,
+situated as they were, the two prisoners did as
+they were told. Jack wondered where they were
+being taken and why they had been attacked.
+Even his acute mind did not connect their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_196' id='Page_196'>196</a></span>
+captors with ‘Bully’ Broom and his gang. The
+boy thought they had fallen into the hands of
+one of those bands of free-booters, known to frequent
+parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.</p>
+
+<p>He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire
+was stout and accustomed to his ease.
+After his tiring day this night march must have
+been cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the
+man of millions received a vicious jab in the back
+with the stock of a rifle.</p>
+
+<p>Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting
+on the strange turn of the wheel of fortune
+that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,
+into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved,
+perspiring prisoner, in the hands of a band of
+men of undoubtedly desperate character. He
+wondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not
+contrasting this cruel march through the forest
+with his magnificent town and country houses,
+his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_197' id='Page_197'>197</a></span>
+his elaborate entertainments. If he were doing
+so, Jack surmised that his thoughts must be bitter.
+In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to
+keep his mind off his own misfortunes.</p>
+
+<p>A journey of some hours, at the close of which
+Mr. Jukes began to give every outward sign of
+deep physical exhaustion, brought them to a
+clearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking
+the river. Here, on a bluff about fifty
+feet above the water, in years gone by, a trading
+company had maintained a post. It had been
+built in the days when the natives were troublesome
+in that section and it was a strong structure
+like a fort. It was almost overgrown with
+rank tropical vines, but evidently the way to it
+was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.
+Jukes and Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Lanterns were lit and when the two captives
+had been ushered in both were made fast to the
+logs that formed the walls of the place. Jack
+glanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_198' id='Page_198'>198</a></span>
+assuredly a pitiable-looking object. His fine white
+shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vines
+encountered along the path, his carefully
+groomed appearance had given way to a general
+disreputableness that would have gained him
+recognition by any tramp as a member of the
+fraternity, his face was almost purple, from his
+enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy
+at any minute,” thought Jack, who, although
+he was in as bad a plight, characteristically
+did not spend any sympathy on himself.
+Perhaps the members of the band that had captured
+them noticed what Jack had, and feared
+fatal consequences, for Mr. Jukes’ gag was soon
+removed and so was Jack’s.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes
+could recover his breath enough to speak, the
+rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,
+which was like a long mess hall and may
+indeed have been used at some time as such.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_199' id='Page_199'>199</a></span>“What does this outrage mean?” demanded
+Jack, as the black-bearded man strolled off last of
+all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.</p>
+
+<p>“You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?”</p>
+
+<p>“So you know my name?” exclaimed Jack in
+some surprise.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and that of your companions who will
+join you here before long. We hope to have the
+pleasure of your company for quite a long time.”</p>
+
+<p>“You abominable ruffian,” cried Jack, overcome
+by indignation, “you will pay dearly for this some
+time,” but at the same time the boy did not believe
+that the rest had been caught napping and
+captured. They were a strong party and, led by
+Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stiff fight.</p>
+
+<p>“I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes,”
+Jack could not help saying, as soon as they were
+left alone.</p>
+
+<p>“You wish it no more fervently than I do, my
+boy,” was the despondent reply. “Wall Street
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_200' id='Page_200'>200</a></span>
+and New York seem like a dream to me. Only
+this horror is real.”</p>
+
+<p>“I would like to know what it all means,” said
+Jack. “These men can’t be just common robbers;
+they appear to have a regular hang-out here.”</p>
+
+<p>“I can’t help thinking that I’ve seen some of
+these ruffians loitering about Bomobori,” said
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“That struck me, too. At any rate they must
+be the party Thurman wirelessed to me about as
+leaving just behind us. They’ve followed our
+trail pretty closely, too. We should have been
+more on our guard.”</p>
+
+<p>Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began
+to show in the narrow windows of the old barracks.
+The positions of both prisoners were
+most uncomfortable. The strain on their arms
+from the tightly tied cords was almost unbearable.</p>
+
+<p>“And to think I used to complain of discomfort
+if my chauffeur allowed my car to bump over a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_201' id='Page_201'>201</a></span>
+rut,” groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathos
+that would have made Jack smile had they been
+in any other situation.</p>
+
+<p>All the men had left the place, but they could
+hear the murmur of their voices outside. A smell
+of wood smoke drifted in and then the tantalising
+odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee
+combined to remind both prisoners that, in spite
+of their sufferings, they were both hungry and
+thirsty.</p>
+
+<p>“I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?”
+asked Jack, after a silence broken only
+by Mr. Jukes’ pathetic groans.</p>
+
+<p>“I’d risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of
+beans and bacon right now,” wailed the unhappy
+millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes,” thought Jack. “There are decidedly
+situations where all the millions in the world
+wouldn’t do you much good, and this, apparently,
+is one of them.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_202' id='Page_202'>202</a></span>At last footsteps were heard approaching from
+the opposite end of the ramshackle building.</p>
+
+<p>“Somebody at last,” cried Jack.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly spoken when ‘Bully’ Broom
+stood before them, followed by—Donald Judson.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_203' id='Page_203'>203</a></span><h2 id='t4860'>CHAPTER XXVII.—AT THE OLD FORT.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Jack found it difficult to credit his eyesight as
+he gazed at the boy who formerly had made so
+much trouble for them and the gigantic ruffian
+who stood beside him.</p>
+
+<p>“Judson! Is it possible?” he gasped. “What
+brought you here?”</p>
+
+<p>“Are you a prisoner, too?” demanded Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“A prisoner?” laughed Judson. “Well, that’s
+a good one, I must say. Only fools walk into
+traps.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, what are you doing here then, boy?”
+demanded the millionaire, recollecting his former
+kindness to Donald. “You ask him, Ready. He’s
+a friend of yours.”</p>
+
+<p>“He’s no friend of mine, Mr. Jukes,” denied
+Jack. “Can’t you see it all?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_204' id='Page_204'>204</a></span>“See what?”</p>
+
+<p>“Why, the contemptible turn-coat is in with
+these rascals.”</p>
+
+<p>“Impossible!”</p>
+
+<p>“So, Judson,” went on Jack, “this is how you
+repay our kindness to you?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your kindness,” sneered the boy. “I want
+none of it. I’m in with a good crowd now. Besides,
+I told you in Bomobori I didn’t want to
+go with your old expedition.”</p>
+
+<p>“But you didn’t refuse the money I got you
+from Mr. Jukes,” said Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, he’s made of money,” chuckled Donald,
+“and we mean to get some more of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“You miserable young whelp,” panted the
+helpless millionaire, purple with rage, “if I had
+you in America——”</p>
+
+<p>“And anyhow,” continued Judson, thoroughly
+enjoying this, “you are only getting what’s coming
+to you, Ready. In the States you tried to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_205' id='Page_205'>205</a></span>
+have me put in pris—er that is you wanted to
+tell lies about me.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sorry we didn’t have you locked up, now,”
+said Jack bitterly. “I suppose you put this gang
+of scoundrels on our trail.”</p>
+
+<p>“You can suppose anything you want,” was
+the rejoinder, but a bit of the old boastfulness
+crept into his tone, “and you’re going to pay up,
+too, before you get out of this. Have you had
+them searched, Captain Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>“What——?” shouted the millionaire, almost
+beside himself at this sudden revelation of the
+black-bearded man’s identity, “are you ‘Bully’
+Broom?”</p>
+
+<p>“My name’s Broom all right,” was the surly
+reply, “but I want my proper handle, which is
+Captain.”</p>
+
+<p>“What have you done with my brother, you
+infernal rascal?” stormed the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Now you ain’t going to get along any better
+by cutting up rough and losing your temper like
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_206' id='Page_206'>206</a></span>
+that, pard’ner,” was the cool reminder. “You
+may be my guest for quite a time, so let’s you and
+me get along peaceable. Otherwise we’ll find a
+way to <em>make</em> you keep a civil tongue in your
+head.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you have them searched?” repeated Donald
+greedily. “If you did I want my share of it.”</p>
+
+<p>“They were searched, Judson, but they only
+had a few dollars; not more than a hundred at
+most.”</p>
+
+<p>“Bah!” growled Judson; “then they left some
+behind at old Baroni’s place. If we don’t capture
+the others, then——”</p>
+
+<p>“Never mind that, now,” commanded Broom;
+“you tell ’em what I told you.”</p>
+
+<p>“All right,” assented Judson, and then, turning
+to Jack, he said:</p>
+
+<p>“Do you know why you were brought here, Mr.
+Fresh?”</p>
+
+<p>“To be robbed, I suppose. I see no other explanation
+to it,” was Jack’s reply, with a steady
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_207' id='Page_207'>207</a></span>
+look at Judson that made the other drop his eyes.
+“I always knew you were a bad lot, Judson, but
+I never thought you were as bad as this.”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t talk to me like that. I’m as good as
+you,” stormed Judson, although he looked uneasy.
+Jack’s shot had told. “To be brief, we
+want to make money out of you.”</p>
+
+<p>“In what way?”</p>
+
+<p>“First of all, you must answer our questions.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s the way,” approved ‘Bully’ Broom,
+stroking his huge beard. “How much money did
+you bring with you from America?”</p>
+
+<p>“Very little cash,” replied the millionaire, who
+had found it more prudent to control his temper,
+“most of the money is in the form of a letter of
+credit.”</p>
+
+<p>“Where is that letter of credit?” demanded
+Judson, interfering.</p>
+
+<p>“It is in Bomobori with the bankers,” was the
+reply, and Jack rejoiced to think that Mr. Jukes
+had managed to tell him that, as most of the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_208' id='Page_208'>208</a></span>
+money had been left behind at the hostelry with
+Captain Sparhawk, who had been appointed a
+sort of pay-master to the party.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, now we’ll come down to brass tacks,”
+growled Broom, after an interval of thought.
+“How much is your liberty worth to you?”</p>
+
+<p>“So that’s your game, is it, you rascally blackmailer?”
+sputtered the infuriated millionaire.
+“You won’t get a cent out of me.”</p>
+
+<p>But ‘Bully’ Broom only smiled.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps in a few days you’ll sing a different
+tune,” he said, and something, not in the words,
+but in the way they were uttered, sent a cold
+shiver down Jack’s spine.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_209' id='Page_209'>209</a></span><h2 id='t5020'>CHAPTER XXVIII.—THE FREE-BOOTER’S DEMANDS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Well, what do you demand?” was the millionaire’s
+next question.</p>
+
+<p>Donald Judson drew ‘Bully’ Broom aside and
+whispered to him. The other nodded.</p>
+
+<p>“The least we will take is one hundred thousand
+dollars,” he said.</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire grew purple.</p>
+
+<p>“What?” he almost shouted.</p>
+
+<p>“That is for the liberty of both,” said ‘Bully’
+Broom coolly. “Fifty thousand for the boy and
+fifty thousand for you. If you don’t want to
+take the boy, you can pay up fifty thousand and
+we will keep him.”</p>
+
+<p>“What would you do with him?”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the river is full of hungry alligators——”
+grinned the wretch.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_210' id='Page_210'>210</a></span>“You scoundrel,” thundered Mr. Jukes, “do
+you suppose I’d leave him behind, anyway?” Jack
+cast him a grateful look. “But what have you
+done with my brother, you ruffian?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah! I was coming to that,” said the rascal
+with an insolent smile, “but you can also have him
+for the very insignificant sum that I have already
+mentioned as being the price for you and
+the boy.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’re worth a whole lot more than that,
+Jukes,” put in Judson, with an equally insolent
+air. “You’re a regular old money-bags, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’ll never get my money,” raged the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“We won’t, eh?”</p>
+
+<p>“Never.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes,”
+smiled Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“So you mean to starve us into submission,
+eh?” demanded Jack. “I don’t see how such
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_211' id='Page_211'>211</a></span>
+rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst
+young hound I ever heard of.”</p>
+
+<p>In high rage the boy’s enemy stepped up to him
+and deliberately struck him a heavy blow in the
+face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to
+return.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect
+accordance with what I know of your nature,”
+said Jack with menacing quietness.</p>
+
+<p>“You dare say that again,” screamed Donald,
+beside himself with anger, “just you dare and
+I’ll——” He ended with a shake of his fist.</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, you can’t scare me, even if I am tied,”
+said Jack scornfully.</p>
+
+<p>His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of
+Judson’s rage.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll fix you,” he yelled, “I’ll——”</p>
+
+<p>“Judson, be quiet,” ordered Broom, and the boy
+subsided. “Now,” went on the free-booter to Mr.
+Jukes, “your best plan, if you don’t want to lose
+a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_212' id='Page_212'>212</a></span>
+money. Of course, we’ll have to keep you here
+till it’s safely cashed, otherwise you might, and
+probably would, stop the check. But——”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t pay a cent, Mr. Jukes,” interrupted
+Jack.</p>
+
+<p>Judson stepped suddenly forward and struck
+the helpless lad another stinging blow. It was
+such a hard one that Jack’s senses swam for a
+minute.</p>
+
+<p>“Shame on you, you young villain,” cried Mr.
+Jukes. “He is helpless, otherwise you wouldn’t
+dare lay hands on him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Who says so? I could lick him any day,”
+swaggered Judson imprudently.</p>
+
+<p>“Have you people no sense of right and honesty
+in your compositions?” demanded Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>But this appeal had no more effect on Broom
+than it would have had on adamant.</p>
+
+<p>“We’re no worse than you millionaires, if all
+the papers say is true,” he retorted. “You rob
+in your way, we rob in ours. We’re not quite so
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_213' id='Page_213'>213</a></span>
+refined about it, perhaps. That’s the only difference,
+Mr. Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“You ruffian! Do you compare business,—legitimate
+business,—with your rascally trade?”</p>
+
+<p>“My rascally trade, as you please to term it, is
+business,—legitimate business,—to me,” returned
+Broom.</p>
+
+<p>“Are we to have any food?” demanded the
+millionaire abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>“When you listen to reason, yes.”</p>
+
+<p>“And your idea of reason is that I consent to
+pay that preposterous ransom?”</p>
+
+<p>“Your insight does you credit, Mr. Jukes. Sign
+that check and you shall have all you want to eat
+within the poor limits of my larder, and reasonable
+liberty till it is cashed. After that you are
+free to go where you will.”</p>
+
+<p>“Our friends will raise a hue and cry for us,”
+declared Jack. “They’ll find us and put you
+where you belong, behind the bars.”</p>
+
+<p>Broom and young Judson turned away and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_214' id='Page_214'>214</a></span>
+left the hut by another door from the one by
+which they had entered.</p>
+
+<p>“You think they will pay?” asked Broom, with
+some anxiety in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I’m sure they will. Even a tight-wad old
+millionaire will pay up when it comes to a choice
+between that and starving.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then you think they are sure to give in?”</p>
+
+<p>“Without a doubt. Then it is only a question
+of waiting for the money and getting out.”</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t mind that. But I didn’t like what
+they said about their friends following us here.”</p>
+
+<p>“Why you said nobody knew the way here
+through the swamps but yourself along that path
+we came last night.”</p>
+
+<p>“That’s true, but then there’s the river. However,
+it would be impossible to see the old fort
+from below and anyhow the cliff is fifty feet high
+and easily guarded.”</p>
+
+<p>“Of course you are foolish to worry. However,
+perhaps if they don’t give in in a day or
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_215' id='Page_215'>215</a></span>
+two we had better be moving along. That young
+Ready’s chum, Billy, has given me trouble before.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well,” said Broom, “we’ll see how things
+come out. If they don’t want to perish in the
+swamps they’ll have to come by the river. From
+now on I’ll have that cliff guarded.”</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and if any rescue party comes they’ll get
+a big surprise,” was young Judson’s reply.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_216' id='Page_216'>216</a></span><h2 id='t5204'>CHAPTER XXIX.—THE RESCUE PARTY.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“I wish I’d gone along with them,” muttered
+Raynor to himself as he slipped on his socks and
+boots so as to be ready instantly in case of alarm.
+“I don’t like the look of this thing at all.”</p>
+
+<p>For some minutes he sat there listening intently.
+But no sound came from outside.</p>
+
+<p>“I guess I’ll just join them anyhow,” he resolved
+to himself, getting on his feet. “This waiting
+is too nerve-racking. I’ll——”</p>
+
+<p>The boy halted where he stood. A loud shout
+from the jungle reached his ears.</p>
+
+<p>“Something has happened!” cried the boy.</p>
+
+<p>He reached for his pistol, and hastily buckling
+it on, he was about to rush out of the hostelry
+when a wild figure appeared.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! There’s murther goin’ on. Help!”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_217' id='Page_217'>217</a></span>It was Muldoon, fleeing before three of
+Broom’s followers. But as the pursuers came in
+sight of the hotel they halted. The next moment
+they were in active retreat.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” gasped
+Raynor.</p>
+
+<p>“Those spalpeens out yonder. They’ve captured
+Misther Jukes and Jack Riddy.”</p>
+
+<p>“We must rouse the others at once and go
+in pursuit,” decided Billy.</p>
+
+<p>He hurried off to awaken Captain Sparhawk,
+while Muldoon aroused Salloo, who in turn, soon
+had his native followers astir. It did not take
+Captain Sparhawk much longer to get into his
+clothes when he heard Billy’s alarming news than
+it did for the natives, who were not embarrassed
+by garments, to adjust what few they did wear.</p>
+
+<p>It was well they had hastened, for the rascally
+landlord of the place had, by this time, aroused
+all the half-castes in the place and as, headed by
+Captain Sparhawk, they set off into the jungle,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_218' id='Page_218'>218</a></span>
+there was a scattering firing of shots behind
+them. Nobody was hurt, however, and they hastened
+forward to the place where Muldoon told
+them the capture had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo was consulted and he made a careful
+examination of the surroundings. It was considered
+quite safe to make this halt, as the tumult
+behind them had died out and was probably only
+incited by the hotel owner in order to get them
+out of the village.</p>
+
+<p>“Must wait till light come,” decided Salloo at
+last, “no can make out trail in dark.”</p>
+
+<p>It seemed a whole eternity till dawn, but at last
+it grew light and the Malay darted hither and
+thither in the vicinity. At last he announced to
+Captain Sparhawk that he thought he knew, from
+the direction the trail took, the place to which
+the prisoners had been conveyed.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think they take um to old fort on river,”
+he declared.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_219' id='Page_219'>219</a></span>“Then let us go there at once,” said Captain
+Sparhawk eagerly. “Is it far?”</p>
+
+<p>“No velly far through jungle. But Salloo no
+know trail. Velly bad swamp in there and if
+no know trail get in tlubble plenty quick.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then we can’t reach them,” said Billy with a
+groan.</p>
+
+<p>“Salloo know other way,” was the reply, “we
+go round by ribber. Then climbee cliff, find fort
+at top.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then let’s start at once,” said Captain Sparhawk.
+“I don’t want to lose a second of time.”</p>
+
+<p>“No, begorry, those spalpeens may have taken
+them further on by the time we git there if we
+don’t put a good foot forward,” said Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo glanced up at the sky. A light, fleecy
+haze overspread it.</p>
+
+<p>“Nuther reason we hully,” he said. “Salloo
+think big storm come to-mollow. Rain washee
+out the tlacks.”</p>
+
+<p>They set off along a narrow track that Salloo
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_220' id='Page_220'>220</a></span>
+said would bring them to the river, whose course
+they must follow to the deserted fort. The jungle
+contained every kind of tropical growth, and huge
+ferns as big as trees waved over the path. But
+the atmosphere was close and feverish, with a
+humid heat that was very tiring. At times they
+encountered vines which had grown across the
+trail and had to be cut. Some of these were thin
+and wiry and could cut like a knife; others were
+as thick as a man’s arm and bore brilliant, though
+poisonous-looking blossoms of every color.</p>
+
+<p>“Bad traveling,” remarked Captain Sparhawk,
+“still I suppose we must expect that on a seldomly
+frequented trail.”</p>
+
+<p>“Him get velly bad further on,” was all the
+comfort Salloo could offer, “but not velly far to
+ribber once we strike udder trail.”</p>
+
+<p>Before long they came to the track he had referred
+to which branched off at right angles to
+the one along which they had been traveling.</p>
+
+<p>Several miles were covered, however, when it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_221' id='Page_221'>221</a></span>
+became time to halt for lunch. They made a
+hasty meal of canned goods instead of stopping
+to light fires, as Salloo thought it would be inadvisable
+to advertise their whereabouts by smoke
+columns in case the “enemy” had scouts out.
+They had hardly resumed their wearisome journey
+when they were startled by hearing a cry
+from a distance. Salloo came to an instant halt.</p>
+
+<p>“Keep out ob sight, all of you,” he said, “Salloo
+go see what makee noise.”</p>
+
+<p>He glided off into the dense vegetation with the
+silent, undulatory movements of a snake.</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, I wonder what that critter was?”
+said Muldoon in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know. I only hope it wasn’t a band
+of natives who might prove unfriendly,” muttered
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Well, so far we have had more trouble with
+white men than with natives,” said Captain Sparhawk,
+a remark of which they all felt the truth.</p>
+
+<p>“It might have been monkeys chattering,”
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_222' id='Page_222'>222</a></span>
+suggested Raynor, after a pause, during which they
+all listened for some sign of Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“And spaking of the divil,” exclaimed Muldoon,
+“look, there’s a monkey looking at us now.
+See those two black oys back in the threes?”</p>
+
+<p>He pointed with his forefinger and they all
+gazed in that direction. It was Billy who first
+discovered the nature of Muldoon’s monkey.</p>
+
+<p>“That’s not a monkey. It’s a big snake! Look
+out for yourselves!” he yelled.</p>
+
+<p>“A python!” cried Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>He started back and the others did the same.
+But Muldoon tripped over a bow and fell sprawling
+headlong. As he scrambled to his feet a serpent’s
+form appeared above him as it swung from
+a big tree. The next instant there was a cry of
+horror from them all.</p>
+
+<p>The serpent had made a sudden lunge and a
+cry broke from Muldoon as, before he could make
+a move to help himself, he was enwrapped in the
+spiral folds of the great python.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_223' id='Page_223'>223</a></span>Captain Sparhawk seized his revolver from
+his belt and leveled the weapon. But the next
+moment he lowered it. To have fired would have
+been to imperil Muldoon’s life, and there might
+still be a chance of saving him.</p>
+
+<p>The monstrous reptile that had the unfortunate
+boatswain in its grip was large, even judged by
+the standards of the immense pythons of the New
+Guinea and Borneo forests. It must have been
+fully thirty-five feet long.</p>
+
+<p>Billy could not endure the sight and put his
+hands in front of his eyes. When he removed
+them it was to behold a stirring sight.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_224' id='Page_224'>224</a></span><h2 id='t5412'>CHAPTER XXX.—IN THE COILS OF A PYTHON.</h2></div>
+
+<p>From the jungle there had darted a lithe figure.
+It was Salloo. He had traced the source of the
+mysterious cries to a troop of monkeys. He was
+returning when Muldoon’s despairing cry broke
+on his ears.</p>
+
+<p>The Malay, guessing that there was serious
+trouble, glided through the jungle at the best
+speed of which he was capable, making his way
+swiftly through thickets that a white man could
+not have passed at all. There is one weapon with
+which a Malay is always armed—his kriss, a
+razor-edged sword about two feet long, with a
+“wavy” outline. This kriss Salloo now drew
+from under his single garment.</p>
+
+<p>One instant it flashed in the sunlight and the
+next, during which it was impossible to follow
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_225' id='Page_225'>225</a></span>
+its movements, so swift were they, the python’s
+head was severed. But instantly, by a convulsive
+movement, its coils tightened and Muldoon emitted
+another pitiful cry. But, fortunately, the life
+of the snake had departed and soon its coils relaxed
+and its gaudily-colored body slipped in a
+heap to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>They all sprang forward to Muldoon’s aid, for
+the man, powerful and rugged, was almost in a
+state of collapse as the result of his terrible experience.
+An examination by Captain Sparhawk
+soon showed that no bones had been broken, as
+they had at first feared, and after restoratives
+had been administered, and after a short rest,
+Muldoon announced that he was ready to march
+on again.</p>
+
+<p>“That was a close shave, Muldoon,” remarked
+Raynor, as they pressed onward, after Muldoon
+had nearly wrung the hand off Salloo in expressing
+his thanks for the Malay’s courageous act,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_226' id='Page_226'>226</a></span>
+which had undoubtedly saved the boatswain’s
+life.</p>
+
+<p>“Ouch! Don’t say a wurrud,” groaned the
+Irishman, “I thought I was a goner sure. Divil
+a bit more of snakes is it I want to see.”</p>
+
+<p>That evening they reached the river, and leaving
+them camped, Salloo set off on a scouting expedition.
+It was a long time before he returned,
+but when he came in he brought good news. He
+had located the old fort and reported that the
+ruffians who had carried off Mr. Jukes and Jack
+were all there enjoying themselves round a big
+fire and apparently in no fear of an attack.</p>
+
+<p>“Me see um white boy there, too,” he added.
+“Same boy hang round hotel at Bomobori all
+time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy. “How
+can that be possible? I can’t fit him into this at
+all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, the question is, now that we have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_227' id='Page_227'>227</a></span>
+tracked the rascals, what’s the next move,” said
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Me think now good time attack,” counseled
+Salloo. “They no think anyone near. Give ’em
+heap big surprise.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, that’s well said, naygur,” approved
+Muldoon, “I’m aching to git a good crack at
+thim.”</p>
+
+<p>After some consultation it was decided to make
+the attack at once. If they delayed they would
+have to wait till the next night in order to surprise
+Broom’s band and there was no telling what
+might happen during the twenty-four hours
+that would elapse.</p>
+
+<p>Luckily, there was a moon, though it was somewhat
+obscured by the haze which Salloo had
+drawn attention to as presaging a storm. The
+party, piloted by Salloo, started off up the river,
+which was low, as the weather had been dry and
+there was plenty of room for them to pass between
+the bank and the water’s edge.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_228' id='Page_228'>228</a></span>At last they arrived in sight of the cliff and
+Raynor’s heart gave a bound. At the top they
+could see the red glare of the camp fire, though
+they could not see any of the men.</p>
+
+<p>“There’s one good thing, the ascent of the
+cliff will be easy,” said Billy, in a whisper, as he
+drew attention to the knotted and twisted vines
+that hung down it.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, we’ll need no scaling ladders,” rejoined
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“No need for usum vines,” declared the Malay.
+“Salloo know a path to top.”</p>
+
+<p>Telling them to remain where they were, the
+faithful fellow set off on another scouting expedition.
+His kriss glittered menacingly in the
+moonlight as he went on, trying to keep in the
+shadow of the cliff. Arrived at the path he knew
+of, he glided noiselessly up it, although it was a
+steep and tortuous one, and soon was at the top
+of the cliff. Through the gloom he made out a
+solitary figure sitting on a rock far removed
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_229' id='Page_229'>229</a></span>
+from the campfire, about which the rest were
+gathered. The Malay guessed it was a sentry,
+although the fellow was not keeping a very careful
+watch and appeared to be half asleep.</p>
+
+<p>“Me fixee you one minute,” grinned the Malay
+to himself.</p>
+
+<p>He cast himself on his stomach in the long
+grass that grew on the cliff-top and began worming
+his way round the sentry so as to approach
+him from the rear. He scarcely made a sound
+as he moved with wonderful rapidity.</p>
+
+<p>The sentry appeared to shake off his drowsiness
+suddenly and rose to his feet just as Salloo
+was within a few inches of him. But he left his
+rifle leaning against the rock on which he had
+been seated. Instantly Salloo leaped from the
+grass and the next instant the kriss was at the
+thunderstruck sentry’s throat.</p>
+
+<p>“You no speak or me killee,” grated out the
+Malay, and one glance convinced the sentry that
+Salloo would carry out his threat.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_230' id='Page_230'>230</a></span>Salloo stooped and picking up a small pebble
+cast it over the cliff. It fell almost at the feet of
+Captain Sparhawk and Billy, who were anxiously
+on the look-out for this signal, which had been
+prearranged.</p>
+
+<p>“Forward,” ordered Captain Sparhawk, who
+was in the lead. Next came Billy, then Muldoon
+and last the natives, some of whom had spears,
+and others the peculiar blow-pipes used by the
+Papuans to shoot poisoned darts.</p>
+
+<p>The advance was made in silence, and at the
+top of the cliff they found Salloo waiting for
+them. He was garmentless, having used his
+single cloak to tie up the sentry with. Grass
+stuffed in the man’s mouth had effectually gagged
+him.</p>
+
+<p>“Good for you, Salloo,” said the captain approvingly,
+to which the native replied with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we take him down below and find out
+some things from him,” said the Malay.</p>
+
+<p>The helpless prisoner was bundled back down
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_231' id='Page_231'>231</a></span>
+the trail and brought to the camp at the foot of
+the cliff. Here he was roped to a tree and the gag
+taken out of his mouth. But the sight of Salloo’s
+ever-ready kriss kept him from making any outcry.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, he said, the old, fat man and the boy were
+all right. They had not been fed though, and
+wouldn’t be till a ransom was forthcoming.</p>
+
+<p>This made the whites boil with indignation.
+Questioned as to how many were in the band,
+he said he did not know, and as he stuck to this
+it was thought best not to waste any more time
+questioning him.</p>
+
+<p>After a consultation the gag was replaced, but
+the ropes were loosened so that with a little exertion
+the man could set himself free.</p>
+
+<p>“If, for any reason, we couldn’t come back,
+and we left the ropes tight, he would perish,” said
+Captain Sparhawk, “and we want no human lives
+to our account.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me leave him there starve to death plitty
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_232' id='Page_232'>232</a></span>
+quick,” growled Salloo, with a scowl at the crestfallen
+prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>At the foot of the cliff all was now dark and
+silent as the grave. The moon was obscured by a
+cloud and it was an ideal moment for the dash
+on the camp to begin.</p>
+
+<p>“We go plenty slow or maybe take big tumble,”
+advised Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>He was in advance but Billy was close at his
+heels. Cautiously they ascended, taking great
+care not to dislodge loose stones which might
+have been fatal to their plans. At last the stream
+was far below them and the summit of the cliff
+within reach.</p>
+
+<p>It was at this moment that a torch flashed
+above them, glaring into their upturned faces.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s all this, who are you?” a voice demanded.</p>
+
+<p>“Silence if you value your life,” came from
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s Donald Judson!” exclaimed Billy.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_233' id='Page_233'>233</a></span>“Billy Raynor,” cried the other in his turn.
+“How did you——?”</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t utter another word,” ordered Captain
+Sparhawk. “Put your hands above your head,
+you young rascal.”</p>
+
+<p>“Not much I won’t!” exclaimed Judson.</p>
+
+<p>He flung his torch full in Billy’s face and then
+started at top speed for the camp fire, yelling the
+alarm at the top of his lungs.</p>
+
+<p>For a minute Billy was in peril of losing his
+balance as the torch struck him. But Salloo
+caught and held him firmly. The torch dropped
+with a splash and hiss into the waters of the river
+below.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Salloo scrambled to the cliff summit
+and made off after young Judson. Both
+reached the camp fire at about the same time.
+The others, following close on Salloo’s heels, saw
+Donald turn, catch sight of the glittering kriss,
+and then, with a yell of dismay, tumble headlong.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_234' id='Page_234'>234</a></span>
+He lay quite still and had apparently been stunned
+by the violence of the fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Help! Help!” It was Jack’s voice from the
+fort and was instantly recognised by Billy.</p>
+
+<p>But by this time the men about the fire, headed
+by ‘Bully’ Broom, were on their feet. There was
+no time for them to get their weapons, which had
+been left inside the fort so that they would not
+rust in the damp night air. The battle was a
+brief one, although some shots were fired, none of
+which, in the excitement, took effect.</p>
+
+<p>Billy, by a clever ruse, brought the engagement
+to a speedy termination. In the midst of
+the fight he turned toward the cliff and then raising
+his voice as if summoning help, he shouted:</p>
+
+<p>“This way, captain. Bring that company up
+here. Let the others guard the river.”</p>
+
+<p>“Get out of here, boys,” roared Broom, completely
+taken in. “I’ll settle with you later on,”
+he cried, shaking his fist as he turned and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_235' id='Page_235'>235</a></span>
+followed the rout of his followers, who, imagining
+they were being pursued by great numbers, made
+off at top speed for the jungle, which soon swallowed
+them up.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_236' id='Page_236'>236</a></span><h2 id='t5701'>CHAPTER XXXI.—THE JOURNEY RESUMED.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Thank Heaven that is over,” said Mr. Jukes,
+as he sat on an old bench in the fort after he
+and Jack had been released. “You may depend
+upon it that I shall not forget the part that Salloo
+and all of you played in our rescue.”</p>
+
+<p>It was some two hours after the “battle,” if the
+rout of the rascals who had captured Mr. Jukes
+and Jack could be termed such. The kidnappers’
+larder had been ransacked and a good meal enjoyed
+by all hands, especially, as may be imagined,
+by the two captives who had been without food
+for almost twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p>Donald Judson, looking hang-dog and abject,
+was huddled on a bench in a corner of the room.
+He had been picked up after the fray, having
+shammed insensibility to avoid being injured,
+and was easily captured by the victors.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_237' id='Page_237'>237</a></span>“You certainly came in the nick of time,” said
+Jack. “From what I could hear them saying,
+that scoundrel Broom was actually contemplating
+torturing us if that check was not signed by Mr.
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire shuddered. His experiences
+had greatly affected him.</p>
+
+<p>“That young ruffian over yonder,” he nodded
+his head toward Judson, “was the instigator of
+the idea to get money out of me, I believe,” he
+said. “He ought to be punished severely.”</p>
+
+<p>“I didn’t,” whined Judson miserably, “I—I—that
+fellow Broom did it all.”</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the use of your lying, Judson,” exclaimed
+Jack, “you met Broom at Bomobori. It’s
+as plain as day now, and furnished him with an
+account of as much of our plans as we had confided
+to you.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, maybe I did,” mumbled Judson sullenly,
+“but I didn’t put him up to getting money out of
+you.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_238' id='Page_238'>238</a></span>“Nonsense,” said Captain Sparhawk, “you are
+as bad as Broom is—worse, in fact, for you are
+a lad of decent upbringing.”</p>
+
+<p>No more was said to Judson that night, and
+they retired to catch a few hours sleep, leaving
+the “carriers” under Salloo on guard. The
+Malay amused himself by making hideous faces
+at the unfortunate Donald and flourishing his
+kriss under his nose. By daylight the wretched
+prisoner was half dead from fear. Captain Sparhawk
+sternly warned Salloo not to tease him
+any more, at which the Malay appeared to be
+much surprised.</p>
+
+<p>“Him enemy,” he said, “why no can do what
+like with him?”</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast, of which Donald was given his
+share, was eaten in the fort, and after that meal
+the natives were sent down to the river to bring
+up all the supplies which had been left there.
+They reported that the prisoner Salloo had made
+had succeeded, as they intended he should, in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_239' id='Page_239'>239</a></span>
+loosening his bonds during the night and had
+vanished.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boxes containing the wireless
+apparatus and the hand-generator arrived, Jack
+lost no time in setting them up and as soon as he
+raised the yacht sent a full account of Broom’s
+rascally conduct to her. The first officer at once
+left to notify the authorities and ask that a keen
+lookout be kept for Broom’s schooner.</p>
+
+<p>“Broom will never guess that we have any
+means of communicating with Bomobori,” the boy
+explained, “and if he returns there, will bungle
+into a fine trap.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, I hope he does,” commented Muldoon,
+“shure that wireless is an illigant invintion
+entirely.”</p>
+
+<p>“If Broom is captured, as many other criminals
+have been, by its aid, it will have proved its
+splendid usefulness once more,” declared Mr.
+Jukes. “Ready, you might flash another message
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_240' id='Page_240'>240</a></span>
+saying that I will give $1,000 to anyone who
+captures ‘Bully’ Broom.”</p>
+
+<p>After this had been done, the question arose
+of what to do with Donald Judson. They had
+no desire to have the young rascal as a traveling
+companion, but at the same time they did not see
+how they could very well turn him loose in the
+jungle in which he might starve to death. It was
+a problem that they were still discussing when
+Donald himself spoke up in the timid, fawning
+voice he affected when in trouble.</p>
+
+<p>“See here,” he said, “if you won’t make trouble
+for me maybe I can help you out.”</p>
+
+<p>“In what way?” sharply asked Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“Why I saw Broom put a map or something
+that looked like one in a cupboard in the room
+that door opens into,” said the boy, pointing to
+the end of the room. “I thought maybe it might
+have something to do with your brother, Mr.
+Jukes.”</p>
+
+<p>“Come here at once and show me,” ordered the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_241' id='Page_241'>241</a></span>
+millionaire. “I don’t suppose it was anything of
+great importance,” he added.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps not,” whimpered Donald, “but if it
+is will you let it count in my favor?”</p>
+
+<p>“I shall consider that later,” said Mr. Jukes
+sternly, as they all followed the boy into the room
+he indicated. In one corner was a rough cupboard.
+Mr. Jukes opened this and took out a
+rolled-up paper. He spread it out on the table
+and they all pressed about him.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s a map!” cried Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Yes, and of this part of the country, too,”
+cried Jack. “See, there’s that village, Taroo,
+where we stopped two nights ago.”</p>
+
+<p>“And what’s this leading along the river from
+this place marked 'Fort’ on the map?” asked Mr.
+Judson, his eyes shining as his forefinger traced
+a red ink line that zig-zagged along till it left the
+river and struck inland to what appeared to be
+intended to show a range of mountains. “The
+Kini-Balu Mountains,” he read out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_242' id='Page_242'>242</a></span>“The Kini-Balu Mountains!” echoed Salloo,
+“me know them. Me bet your brother up there.
+One time ‘Bully’ Bloom he helpee Kini-Balu men
+fight big battle 'gainst Tariani tribe. Kini-Balus
+win and now heap like ‘Bully’ Bloom hide your
+brother up there.”</p>
+
+<p>“It is possible,” mused the millionaire, “and—yes,
+by jove! Look here.”</p>
+
+<p>Indicated on the map in red letters, at a spot
+in the heart of the Kini-Balu country, was a place
+marked “Cave.”</p>
+
+<p>“Do you think it possible that that can be
+‘Bully’ Broom’s hiding place for the other Mr.
+Jukes?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“I don’t know, but it appears probable,” rejoined
+the millionaire.</p>
+
+<p>“Me membel now sometime ‘Bully’ Bloom go
+way from Bomobori long time,” said Salloo, “nobody
+know where he go. That time when cruiser
+come look for him. Maybe he hide up there.”</p>
+
+<p>“It seems worth trying at any rate,” said Mr.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_243' id='Page_243'>243</a></span>
+Jukes, in the manner of one who has reached a
+decision.</p>
+
+<p>“It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom
+had taken your brother and his men anywhere
+on the island it would have been to some such
+inaccessible spot as that,” said Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Well thin, what’s to privint us going up
+among the 'balloon’ men, or whativer they call
+thimsilves?” asked Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p>“It may be attended by some danger,” said Mr.
+Jukes. “From what Salloo said the Kini-Balu
+men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack
+us. How about that, Salloo?”</p>
+
+<p>The Malay’s reply was not one calculated to
+reassure them.</p>
+
+<p>“Kini-Balu men head hunters,” he said, “Maybe
+they no hurt us. But maybe take our heads.
+Salloo no 'fraid, though.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then, by golly, neither are we,” declared Muldoon.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_244' id='Page_244'>244</a></span>After more discussion, it was decided to advance
+cautiously into the Kini-Balu country and
+then do some scouting to see how matters lay.
+If the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced
+that Mr. Jukes was really a captive among
+them, guarded by their warriors at ‘Bully’
+Broom’s orders, then they would return to Bomobori
+without risking their lives and come back
+with a strong force. If everything appeared to
+be pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated
+on the map and settle the question of
+whether or no it was actually the place of the
+pearl hunter’s confinement.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_245' id='Page_245'>245</a></span><h2 id='t5926'>CHAPTER XXXII.—A STORM IN THE JUNGLE.</h2></div>
+
+<p>Two days later, before they turned away from
+the river, they heard some news of the Kini-Balus
+from a party of natives bound down-stream in
+dug-outs. Salloo learned from them that the
+tribe was at war, at least so it was supposed by
+the canoeists from the fact that they had heard
+that the chief of the Kini-Balus had been making
+levies of cattle and corn among his subjects.</p>
+
+<p>“That sounds bad,” said Mr. Jukes, when this
+news had been interpreted to the party.</p>
+
+<p>“No, him good,” asserted Salloo positively.</p>
+
+<p>“How do you make that out?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“If Kini-Balus makee war, they leave only
+women and old men at home. They no fight us,”
+argued the Malay, and they had to admit that
+there was a good deal of truth in what he said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_246' id='Page_246'>246</a></span>“We’re all going to get killed anyhow,” whimpered
+Donald, who had been taken along by the
+party, much against their will, in consideration
+of the services he had rendered in showing them
+the hiding place of the map.</p>
+
+<p>“Him heap big coward,” muttered Salloo.
+“Boy’s body, girl’s heart.”</p>
+
+<p>It was on the afternoon of the second day that
+the storm that Salloo had predicted overtook
+them. They were passing through a dense forest
+of magnificent trees when the eternal twilight
+that reigned under the great branches deepened
+till it was almost totally dark. Astonished at this
+phenomenon, for it was long before the proper
+hour for night to descend, they questioned Salloo.</p>
+
+<p>“Big storm come,” he said, “me thinkee we
+better get out of here. Lightning hit a tlee maybe
+he killee us.”</p>
+
+<p>The birds of the jungle screamed discordantly,
+as if warning each other of what was coming.
+Troops of monkeys swung through the trees as if
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_247' id='Page_247'>247</a></span>
+seeking refuge, and the almost deafening chorus
+of insects and lizards gave way to total silence.
+It seemed as if nature was holding her breath
+preparatory to some great crisis.</p>
+
+<p>“We had better look for some safe place to stay
+before it breaks,” counseled Captain Sparhawk.
+“A hurricane in the jungle is a serious matter.
+Trees are rooted up and struck by lightning and
+in the forest it is very dangerous for anyone to
+be caught by such a storm.”</p>
+
+<p>“Me findee place,” said Salloo, and struck off
+down a dim trail leading toward the river. “Follow
+me, evelybody, and hully up.”</p>
+
+<p>They needed no urging. The gloom and quiet
+of the forest was overawing. It had begun to
+get on their nerves. Under Salloo’s guidance
+they soon found themselves at a great mass of
+rocks on a high bank overlooking the river. The
+great masses of stone were piled in such a way
+that the crevices among them formed regular
+caves.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_248' id='Page_248'>248</a></span>“We getee in here,” said Salloo, indicating the
+largest of them. “I send my men in annuder
+one.”</p>
+
+<p>“I’m not going in there,” declared Donald,
+“there might be snakes or wild beasts inside.”</p>
+
+<p>“You’d better come in or be blown away,” said
+Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly spoken, before the storm broke
+in all its fury. Donald, with a cry of alarm, followed
+the others into shelter.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, this beats anything I ever saw, even
+that storm off the Pamatous,” shouted Jack,
+above the shrieking of the wind.</p>
+
+<p>“Him blow more big bimeby,” said Salloo,
+“him big storm this. You see.”</p>
+
+<p>The trees swayed violently, and before long,
+from their shelter, they saw a big one torn up by
+the roots and hurtled from the bank into the river.
+The wind grew more violent. The dark air was
+filled with flying branches, leaves and sticks.
+Birds, large and small, were swept by, powerless
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_249' id='Page_249'>249</a></span>
+to contend with the furious gale. Donald was
+crouched back in a far corner of their shelter, too
+frightened to do anything more than mumble and
+whimper.</p>
+
+<p>The river began to rise and add its mighty
+voice to the other sounds, although no rain had
+yet fallen where they were. The darkness increased,
+but suddenly everything was lit up in a
+livid glare that made them all blink.</p>
+
+<p>“Lightning,” exclaimed Salloo, “now him comin’.”</p>
+
+<p>Then down came the rain. It literally fell in
+sheets, blotting out everything like a fog even
+when the constant flashes illuminated the scene.
+The water began to pour into their shelter from
+above, making it a very uncomfortable place.
+Soon the water was up to their knees and in the
+cave occupied by the carriers the men stood upright
+with their burdens on their heads to keep
+them out of the water.</p>
+
+<p>“Gracious, I never saw so much water come
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_250' id='Page_250'>250</a></span>
+down in my life,” exclaimed Jack. “It’s a regular—my!”</p>
+
+<p>There had come a flash, a red ribbon of flame,
+so blinding that for an instant they could not see.
+It was followed by a crack of thunder that seemed
+to have split the sky. Donald gave a yell of
+alarm.</p>
+
+<p>“Him hittee something close by for sure,” declared
+Salloo. He was right. Presently they
+saw a tall ceiba tree burst into flame like a torch.
+Fanned by the wind, it blazed fiercely even in the
+downpour. Its red glare lit up their faces in a
+ghostly manner, for it was not more than a few
+feet from their place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>“My, this is awful,” muttered Raynor. “Thank
+goodness we got out from under those trees in
+time.”</p>
+
+<p>“Amen to that,” said Captain Sparhawk solemnly.</p>
+
+<p>It rained for the rest of that night and in the
+morning they were sorry-looking objects.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_251' id='Page_251'>251</a></span>
+Everything was wet, and although they had tried to
+light a fire during the night, after the first violence
+of the storm had abated, they had not succeeded.
+But when, shortly before noon, the sun
+did come out, it shone down with a heat that made
+the whole wet earth steam. Clothes were spread
+out on the rocks to dry, as was the rest of the
+outfit. Fortunately, the bags the carriers bore
+were mostly of waterproof material, so not much
+damage was done to the contents.</p>
+
+<p>It was a scene of havoc on which they gazed.
+The river ran high and its surface was littered
+with the bodies of dead monkeys, snakes, great
+trees torn up bodily, and other debris eloquent of
+the violence of the hurricane.</p>
+
+<p>All round them lay big trees and the bodies of
+countless birds that had been dashed to death. It
+was some time before Salloo could persuade a fire
+to burn, but among the rocks, in crevices the
+rain had not penetrated, he found old dried leaves
+and sticks which made capital kindling and at
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_252' id='Page_252'>252</a></span>
+last they cooked a hot meal, in need of which they
+all stood badly.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was off on the long trail again. Late
+that afternoon, just as they were making camp,
+a party of natives came along the trail. They
+carried the skins of numerous beautiful birds that
+they had brought down with their blow-pipes.
+They were friendly and the boys bought some of
+the skins. Afterward Salloo had a long talk with
+them and, this being concluded, they kept on their
+way while our party went on with its preparations
+for spending the night.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo had some news to disclose, he said. The
+natives he had been talking to knew the Kini-Balu
+Mountains well and told him, after he had
+described the cave they were looking for, that it
+was a very bad place. Nobody liked to go near it.</p>
+
+<p>“On account of the Kini-Balus?” asked Mr.
+Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“No, on account um ghosts,” rejoined Salloo;
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_253' id='Page_253'>253</a></span>
+“ghost of Taratao, old-time chief of Kini-Balus
+haunt him.”</p>
+
+<p>“Begorry, so long as the ghosts ain’t got a
+punch it’s sorra a bit I care for ’em,” declared
+Muldoon valiantly.</p>
+
+<p>That evening Salloo had a novelty for supper
+in the form of the flesh of a huge lizard, or
+iguana. At first the boys and their companions
+did not want to touch it, for in life it had been a
+hideous looking monster. But being pressed by
+Salloo, they consented, and found it very good
+eating. Its flesh tasted like chicken, though even
+more delicate.</p>
+
+<p>It was about an hour after the meal when they
+were preparing for bed that Jack complained
+that he was feeling poorly. He said he had a
+headache and a feeling of vertigo. The others
+then admitted experiencing the same symptoms.
+Nausea soon succeeded these and ere long they
+were all convinced that they had been poisoned
+by eating the iguana. The natives, who camped
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_254' id='Page_254'>254</a></span>
+some distance off with Salloo, experienced no
+such illness but then they had eaten none of the
+iguana which, to Captain Sparhawk’s mind, made
+it all the more certain that it was the giant lizard’s
+flesh that had made them ill.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo was called from the native camp and
+bitterly reproached for inducing them to eat it.
+He protested that it could not have been the
+iguana that had made them ill. Had he not himself
+eaten it? But in the end he returned to the
+native camp with his head hung down, completely
+crushed by what he deemed the injustice of his
+white friends in blaming him for their illness.
+At first they were not greatly alarmed, not deeming
+it possible that they had actually been poisoned,
+and Captain Sparhawk administered remedies
+from the medicine chest. But, to their
+alarm, instead of decreasing in severity, their sufferings
+grew more acute as the night wore on.</p>
+
+<p>Their ideas became confused, and as in sea-sickness
+in an acute stage, they lay about, not
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_255' id='Page_255'>255</a></span>
+caring whether they lived or died. If they tried
+to rise, their heads swam, their feet tottered.
+Thus it was that Salloo found them in the morning
+when he came from the native camp.</p>
+
+<p>The faithful fellow was seriously alarmed and
+set up a mighty wailing which soon brought his
+followers running over. But the sufferers only
+turned dull eyes upon them and moaned in their
+pain. Plainly they were in such a serious condition
+that unless something was done soon to relieve
+them, death itself might put an end to their
+misery. Salloo looked about him wildly, hoping
+to catch some solution to the mystery of this sudden
+illness. He raised his eyes upward and his
+lips moved as if he were invoking the aid of some
+heathen deity.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly the expression on his countenance
+changed. His eyes were fixed on the leaves of a
+tree under which the sufferers had passed the
+night. For the first time, too, he became aware
+of a peculiarly sickening odor in the air. It
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_256' id='Page_256'>256</a></span>
+smelled like carrion. As some huge scarlet flowers
+which grew on the tree began to open to the
+daylight (they had been closed at night) this
+terrible stench became stronger. Salloo uttered
+a single shout of comprehension.</p>
+
+<p>“Upas!” It was echoed by his companions,
+whom Salloo at once directed to pick up the sufferers
+and carry them to some distance. When
+the last had been transported, Salloo got water
+from a forest pool and poured it over them. One
+by one they began to revive. Jack, who was one
+of the first to come to, rose dizzily to his feet and
+tried to walk. But Salloo gently made him lie
+down again. After an hour or so all felt better
+and partook of some soup and weak tea.</p>
+
+<p>“Salloo, you are forgiven,” said Captain Sparhawk,
+“but never persuade us to eat lizard again.
+You came near being the death of us all.”</p>
+
+<p>“Faith, oi was niver so near the Pearly Gates
+before,” declared Muldoon emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>“Him no lizard hurt you,” declared Salloo
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_257' id='Page_257'>257</a></span>
+vehemently; “lizard heap good. Upas he hurt
+you. If I no see it and have you moved away
+you plitty soon have died.”</p>
+
+<p>“What do you mean, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+“Do you mean our sickness had anything to do
+with the tree we camped under?”</p>
+
+<p>“Ebblyting,” was the reply; “him tree was the
+upas.”</p>
+
+<p>“I see it all now,” exclaimed Captain Sparhawk.
+“That tree was the deadly upas of which
+you may have heard. Every one in the Indian
+Archipelago knows of it. Within its great red
+blossoms are the sepulchre of birds and insects
+whose bodies, lying rotting there, give out that
+terrible odor which ought to warn all travelers
+against it. But we camped when it was getting
+dark and the flowers were closed, keeping the
+noxious reek from escaping and warning us.
+Salloo is right, and if he had not had us dragged
+from under it we should have perished miserably.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_258' id='Page_258'>258</a></span>“I remember reading somewhere of the upas,”
+said Jack, “but I always thought its deadly qualities
+were exaggerated. After our last night’s experience
+I’ll know better.”</p>
+
+<p>“I suppose the heat of our camp fire under the
+branches had something to do with it, too,” said
+Billy.</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly,” declared the captain. “And
+then as we sat around after supper we were, unknown
+to ourselves, inhaling the deadly vapor
+till we grew sick. Instead of moving away before
+we grew worse, as we certainly would have if
+we had known the cause of our malady, we made
+ourselves worse by lying down to sleep with that
+poisonous breath as our only atmosphere. Salloo,
+your lizard is vindicated, and to show you it
+is, the next one you shoot I’ll volunteer to eat.”</p>
+
+<p>But although recovered, they still felt weak
+from the effects of their terrible night under the
+upas, whose Latin name, if any one wishes to
+know it, is <em>antiaris toxicaria</em>. In fact, their
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_259' id='Page_259'>259</a></span>
+feelings were very like those of persons just getting
+over sea-sickness. They felt buoyantly well and
+happy, but not yet quite strong enough for the
+hard work of the trail. So they remained where
+they were till the next day and then pushed on
+once more on their quest.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_260' id='Page_260'>260</a></span><h2 id='t6285'>CHAPTER XXXIII.—THE GIANT SPIDERS.</h2></div>
+
+<p>When they resumed their journey the next
+morning they encountered a new form of obstacle
+in the form of the webs of huge red bird-catching
+spiders, whose nets stretched from tree to tree in
+the forest, looked like seine nets in a fisherman’s
+village hung out to dry, or to make another comparison,
+miles of mosquito netting hung between
+the tree trunks. Through these webs they had
+to make their way for a long distance.</p>
+
+<p>The boys did not like it at all, and Donald
+Judson, who was particularly averse to spiders,
+slunk in the rear till the natives, with shouts and
+yells, cut down the webs that hung across the
+trail. The soft silky substance of the webs
+struck them in the face and clung glutinously and
+covered their clothes with a coating of white
+fleece.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_261' id='Page_261'>261</a></span>As they forced their way through this repulsive
+feature of New Guinea forest travel, they could,
+from time to time, see the hideous forms of the
+huge and venomous spiders that had spread the
+webs peering at them from dark retreats in the
+crevices of trees or else scuttling off on long,
+hairy legs to safety. It did not require much
+imagination to picture their anger at this ruthless
+destruction of their homes. That night they
+camped near the edge of a big swamp, and the
+two boys, weary of the monotony of the long
+march and tired of canned stuff and preserved
+goods, volunteered to set out with rifles and see
+if they could not bring in something more palatable.</p>
+
+<p>As they had camped early when the swamp
+crossed their path, there was plenty of time for
+them to go quite a distance in search of game.
+In a short time they had brought down two birds
+that looked something like partridges, as well as
+shooting an odd-looking bird like a huge parrot,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_262' id='Page_262'>262</a></span>
+with a gigantic bill and horny head. They were
+some distance apart, separated by a brake of
+reeds, when Jack heard a sudden cry of alarm
+from Billy.</p>
+
+<p>Disregarding the danger of snakes, he pushed
+his way through the brake at once. As he came
+in sight of Billy, who was standing staring into
+the forest as if petrified, Jack, too, received a
+shock. Not far from Billy was what he at first
+thought was a man. But such a man! Not
+even in a nightmare had the boy ever beheld such
+a hideous form.</p>
+
+<p>This man, if such he was, was covered all over
+with red hair, thick and shaggy, except on the
+face, which was darker and bereft of hair, but
+from which two yellow eyes glared malevolently.
+In an instant the true nature of this creature
+flashed upon Jack. It was an orang-outang, and
+a monster, too, that stood facing them, its long
+arms trailing in front of it. But even though
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_263' id='Page_263'>263</a></span>
+stooped over, it was as large as the average man,
+with a massive chest and shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>“Take a shot at it, Jack,” urged Billy.</p>
+
+<p>But Jack shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>“It looks too horribly human,” he said. “Besides,
+it doesn’t look as if it would attack us. It
+seems to be more possessed by curiosity than anything
+else.”</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the boy was right, for after eyeing
+them for a few seconds more the monstrous creature
+shuffled off for the edge of a big sheet of
+water on whose margin they stood, and began
+tearing up some sort of water plants and eating
+their roots with many grunts of satisfaction. He
+waded in almost knee deep, stuffing his bag-like
+cheeks full and chewing with huge satisfaction.
+The boys gazed at this strange picture with fascination.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly the monster stopped eating and
+stood erect. Its hair began to bristle and it uttered
+an angry sort of growl. Apparently it was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_264' id='Page_264'>264</a></span>
+not fear but anger that possessed this colossus
+of the forests as it glanced angrily about it. The
+cause of its emotion was not long in appearing.
+From the stagnant waters was approaching an
+antagonist formidable indeed—a giant saurian—a
+crocodile larger than any the boys had ever
+seen in any zoo.</p>
+
+<p>The boys naturally expected to see the orang-outang
+beat a hasty retreat. But instead it stood
+its ground, merely drawing back a few inches
+as the crocodile’s hideous snout and scaly body
+were successively protruded from the water.
+Jack now recalled what Salloo had told him one
+night in camp about the orang. The Malay had
+said it was the king of the New Guinea forests,
+fearing no man, beast or reptile, and this certainly
+appeared to be the case in this instance.</p>
+
+<p>Had it wished to beat a retreat to safety, the
+mias, as the natives called the red gorilla, might
+easily have done so. One leap and he could have
+grasped a tree trunk, up which he could have
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_265' id='Page_265'>265</a></span>
+scrambled in a jiffy. On the contrary, after its
+first backward steps, which brought it almost out
+of the water, the creature stood upright and, uttering
+savage growls, beat on its hairy chest with
+its huge arms, producing a sound like the reverberations
+of a savage “tom-tom.”</p>
+
+<p>The scaly reptile continued to advance. Perhaps,
+to its eyes, the red gorilla was simply a
+native, a poor weak human being, such as possibly
+had fallen victim to the great crocodile before.
+However that may have been, the saurian,
+without undue hurry, could be seen to be making
+straight for the red ape and, maneuvering so as
+to get its monstrous armor-plated tail in position
+to give a fatal flail-like sweep, which would fling
+the orang-outang into the water, stunning it and
+making it an easy prey.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared to flatten itself as it reached shallow
+water, its ugly lizard-like legs spread out on
+each side of its scaly body almost horizontally.
+Then, with a suddenness that made the boys catch
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_266' id='Page_266'>266</a></span>
+their breaths in a quick gasp, the monster gave a
+sudden leap, aiding this maneuver by its tail,
+which it suddenly stiffened as if it had been a
+spring.</p>
+
+<p>Its whole length was launched into the air as
+it sprang, and for a flash its wide-opened jaws
+with their hideous rows of triangular teeth, appeared
+to engulf the red ape. But while the boys
+were still held spell-bound by this spectacle, such
+a one as perhaps no human being but a lone native
+hunter had ever beheld before, the red gorilla
+gave a mighty leap. It was partly straight up and
+partly to one side. As the great jaws of the
+saurian came together with a snap like that of a
+titanic steel trap, the red ape landed fair and
+square on the scaled monster’s back.</p>
+
+<p>Straddling the plated hide, the great hairy legs
+gripped the crocodile’s sides as a bronco buster
+grips his fractious mount. And now commenced
+a struggle between these two denizens of the
+deepest New Guinea forests such as the two
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_267' id='Page_267'>267</a></span>
+young spectators remembered with photographic
+vividness to the end of their lives.</p>
+
+<p>On the part of the crocodile the battle was simply
+a series of leaps and wild tail threshings in
+an effort to dislodge his nimble foe. The grass
+and weeds were mown down as if by a scythe by
+the sweeps of the great tail, but the ape held
+firm, his little eyes twinkling wickedly. With
+one arm it clutched the rough hide firmly, but
+the other was waving about like a tentacle seeking
+something to grasp.</p>
+
+<p>During the struggle the jaws of the crocodile
+had been frequently snapped, but they only closed
+on empty air. As in all the saurian tribe, during
+this process the upper jaw had pointed nearly
+vertically upward, making an opening big enough
+to swallow a canoe. Suddenly the watchers saw
+the orang’s purpose. All at once the disengaged
+arm made a swift sweep forward and grasped
+the extended upper jaw.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_268' id='Page_268'>268</a></span>“Great Scott! he’s done for now,” cried Billy.
+“That jaw will close and cut his fingers off.”</p>
+
+<p>“Hold on,” warned Jack. “Watch. I’ve heard
+these creatures can bend rifle barrels as if they
+were made of lead. Perhaps—look!”</p>
+
+<p>The orang suddenly shifted his position. He
+was now kneeling on the crocodile’s back, his
+knees braced firmly on its armor-plated neck and
+his second arm aiding the first in the task of
+keeping those jaws, once apart, from ever coming
+together again. Then summoning every
+ounce of that strength that has made the orang
+the most dreaded of all the forest animals in
+that part of the world, even the Bornean tiger
+owning his supremacy, the red gorilla gave one
+grand wrench.</p>
+
+<p>There was a tearing sound as of a tree being
+torn from its roots, and the alligator’s body
+writhed and threshed about convulsively. The
+great ape sprang free from the scaly monster
+and with hoarse laughter that sounded like the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_269' id='Page_269'>269</a></span>
+merriment of a maniac, it gazed on the saurian’s
+struggles. But it was not destined to see the end
+of them. In its agony the great crocodile instinctively
+made for the water and was soon out
+of sight, threshing and writhing until a clump
+of water-cane hid it from sight.</p>
+
+<p>Then, and not till then, did the orang take its
+eyes from its conquered enemy. But when it
+had seen the last of it, the hairy creature turned
+and appeared to be contemplating fresh victory.
+The lust of battle was in its wicked little eyes.</p>
+
+<p>“Down, Billy, down with you quick,” warned
+Jack, pulling his chum aside in the thicket. “If
+it comes this way, shoot at once. I wouldn’t
+want to come to close quarters with a creature
+like that. I thought Salloo was drawing the long
+bow when he told me about the <em>mias</em>, as he called
+it, but he didn’t put it on thick enough.”</p>
+
+<p>“If only we’d had a camera,” was Billy’s regret.
+But for the next few moments there were
+more important things to think about. The orang
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_270' id='Page_270'>270</a></span>
+stood upright, looking about him in a truculent
+manner. It almost appeared as if, now that his
+battle with the saurian was over, he had recollected
+the human figure he had seen not long before,
+but had paid little heed to it in his haste to
+make his evening meal among the water plants.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, he started shamblingly toward the
+brake where the boys were concealed with leveled
+rifles and fingers on triggers. But the great
+creature’s life was spared, for that time at least,
+for had the boys fired he must have fallen at the
+first bullets from the high-powered rifles. After
+advancing a few paces, he changed his mind and,
+grumbling to himself, he shuffled off and was
+soon lost in the gloom of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>“We ought to have shot him, Jack,” muttered
+Billy as they started back to camp with what
+game they bagged.</p>
+
+<p>“What, kill a fine old warrior like that without
+cause? Could you have done it, Billy?”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_271' id='Page_271'>271</a></span>“Um—well—er—no, I don’t believe I could,”
+rejoined his chum. “After all, that crocodile
+started the scrap and—and I guess every American
+likes a good fighter.”</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_272' id='Page_272'>272</a></span><h2 id='t6554'>CHAPTER XXXIV.—A FIGHT WITH A HORNBILL.</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Now me showee you something.”</p>
+
+<p>It was during the noon rest the next day and
+the Malay had asked the whites to come a little
+distance apart from the camp to a fine-looking
+banyan tree. They watched him with interest
+as with the axe he cut down several lengths of
+bamboo from a nearby cluster, and, pointing the
+ends sharply, having first separated the lengths
+into bits about two feet long, began driving them
+into the yielding bark of the tree. In this way
+he had soon made the first four rounds of a
+primitive ladder.</p>
+
+<p>Although, as yet, he had given them no hint
+of the object of all this, they were all sure that he
+had something really of interest to show them
+and forbore asking questions till he was ready
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_273' id='Page_273'>273</a></span>
+to explain the mystery. Salloo had driven the
+tenth round of his queer ladder and was about
+ten feet from the ground, when Jack drew everybody’s
+attention to a strange hissing sound that
+appeared to come from within the tree.</p>
+
+<p>“Look out for snakes, Salloo,” he warned. But
+the Malay only nodded his head confidently and
+smiled. Donald glanced about nervously. Even
+Captain Sparhawk looked apprehensive. As for
+Muldoon, he shouted, “This is no place for a son
+of St. Patrick,” and fled back to camp.</p>
+
+<p>“What’s the matter, Salloo?” asked Mr. Jukes.
+“Are you in trouble?”</p>
+
+<p>“No trouble, Missel Boss,” rejoined Salloo.
+“Only bit what you callee good luck,” grinned the
+Malay, looking down on them and continuing
+his work.</p>
+
+<p>“How good luck?” asked Jack.</p>
+
+<p>“You see plenty soon,” was the cryptic reply,
+and the Malay drew another sharp-pointed peg
+from his girdle and drove it in with vigorous
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_274' id='Page_274'>274</a></span>
+strokes of the axe. While he did this, the hissing
+continued, mingled with a hoarse roaring like
+that which might be emitted by a disabled foghorn.
+Moreover, they could now see that a few
+feet above Salloo’s head was an object which alternately
+was thrust out from the tree trunk and
+withdrawn. It was white and sharp-pointed, like
+one of the pegs he was driving. It was assuredly
+not a snake’s head, as they had for a minute
+thought, but what was it?</p>
+
+<p>“What’s that right over your head, Salloo?”
+asked Captain Sparhawk.</p>
+
+<p>“Him buld (bird), captain. Him plentee much
+bigee buld.”</p>
+
+<p>“Oh, only a bird,” said Mr. Jukes in a disappointed
+voice. “What sort of a one?”</p>
+
+<p>“Him hornbill. Ole hen hornbill. She on nest.
+Old man hornbill he shut her up in there so she
+no leave eggs. Him put mud over crack in tree
+so as she no put nothing but her beak out. That
+the way he feedee her.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_275' id='Page_275'>275</a></span>So that was the explanation of that object that
+darted in and out, and also of the hissing and
+grunting sounds. Looking closer, they now saw
+that at the spot where the bill still kept darting in
+and out there was a big longitudinal patch of mud
+which walled the hen hornbill up as effectually
+as certain prisoners were “walled up” in the days
+of old. As Salloo got within reaching distance
+of the nest, he raised his axe and smashed the
+mud wall before any of the party could check
+him. The next instant his bare arm was plunged
+fearlessly into the orifice and came out with his
+fingers clutching the old hen by the neck. In a
+moment she was fluttering, with her neck wrung,
+at the adventurers’ feet.</p>
+
+<p>“Say, Salloo, you shouldn’t have done that,”
+called up Jack indignantly. “That’s a shame.”</p>
+
+<p>The rest echoed his indignation at what seemed
+an act of wanton cruelty. Salloo only looked
+astonished.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_276' id='Page_276'>276</a></span>“Him plenty good eat. Roast hornbill plenty
+fine.”</p>
+
+<p>“You see, he takes a different point of view
+about these things than we do,” said Captain
+Sparhawk. “You can’t blame him. Still I wish
+we could have prevented it.”</p>
+
+<p>They examined the dead hornbill with much interest.
+It was a gorgeous bird, almost as big as
+a turkey, with a bill of a size altogether disproportionate
+to even its large size. This beak was
+like a gigantic parrot’s bill and the horny structure
+extended over almost the entire head of the
+bird. It was not unlike the one the boys had shot
+the night before and thrown away as not good for
+food.</p>
+
+<p>“Plentee eggs in there,” said Salloo as he came
+down, “but they no good eat.”</p>
+
+<p>“Well, I’m glad there were no young ones
+to be starved through our interference,” said
+Billy, and the others felt as he did.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_277' id='Page_277'>277</a></span>“Say, I’m going to have a look at that nest,”
+said Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“All right. But look out you don’t fall and
+break your neck,” warned Raynor. Jack went
+nimbly up Salloo’s queer ladder and soon reached
+a height where he could see into the nest, which
+was built in a cavity of the tree and had afterward
+been carefully walled up with mud,
+strengthened by weaving reeds into it. Jack was
+still examining the nest when a sudden shadow
+fell over him. He looked up and above him he
+saw, with somewhat of a shock, a great bird
+whose plumage flashed brilliantly in the sun and
+whose huge beak snapped viciously at the boy.</p>
+
+<p>“Look out, look out, him father hornbill,” cried
+Salloo from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The hornbill made a swoop at Jack, aiming
+with that cruel beak straight for his eyes. The
+boy put up an arm to defend himself, but the bird
+seized it with its parrot-like claws, scratching it
+badly, and all the while it kept up a beating of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_278' id='Page_278'>278</a></span>
+its wings that blinded the boy. Then the bird
+suddenly changed its tactics. It swooped off
+and then made a swift dash at the boy’s head.
+It was well for Jack that he had on his stiff sun
+helmet or his skull would have been cracked like
+an egg by that huge, horny bill. As it was, the
+helmet was ripped open.</p>
+
+<p>Those below called on him to come down.
+But the attacks of the great bird so blinded and
+bewildered him that he was unable to move a
+step. Billy, at the order of Captain Sparhawk,
+brought a rifle from the camp, but so close did
+the bird stay to the boy that there was danger
+in using it. Even the most expert of shots would
+have been quite as likely to hit Jack as the enraged
+hornbill.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo had sprung into the tree, and with his
+ever ready <em>kriss</em> was ascending to the rescue
+when Captain Sparhawk saw an opportunity.
+The rifle was already at his shoulder and, as
+the hornbill rose and hovered for an instant
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_279' id='Page_279'>279</a></span>
+before making another plunge at Jack’s head, his
+finger pressed the trigger. A splendid shot, a
+broken wing, the huge bird fluttered to the earth
+and flopped and screamed on the ground till its
+strugglings were put an end to by another bullet.
+Jack remained where he was for a few seconds
+to recover his nerves and then, still somewhat
+shaken by his experience, he descended.</p>
+
+<p>His arm was badly scratched and Captain
+Sparhawk was opening the medicine chest when
+Salloo intervened. He quickly gathered a handful
+of a plant that exuded a sort of thick milk.
+Crushing the gathered stems on a stone, he soon
+had a quantity of this juice, which he spread on
+the wounds. The irritation at once left them and
+Salloo promised a speedy cure. But it may be
+said that Jack had no appetite for roast hornbill
+that night.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_280' id='Page_280'>280</a></span><h2 id='t6748'>CHAPTER XXXV.—THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.</h2></div>
+
+<p>The expedition now found itself advancing
+through forest that grew sparser as they progressed.
+The ground was rapidly becoming more
+rugged. Close to them now towered the range
+known as the Kini-Balu among the wild recesses
+of which the tribe of that name made its home.
+Constant vigilance was the watchword of the
+hour now. Salloo would permit no fires to be
+lighted, and he and his followers were constantly
+scouting in front of the party, while additional
+watch was kept at the rear and on both flanks.</p>
+
+<p>It was dangerous, thrilling work, but the boys,
+who loved adventure, relished every moment of
+it. But Donald Judson lived a life of misery.
+Every rustle in the bush made him turn pale.
+He was constantly giving false alarms in the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_281' id='Page_281'>281</a></span>
+night and the boys heartily wished he had been
+left behind. One afternoon—they were right in
+the mountains now—Salloo halted the party with
+a quick gesture.</p>
+
+<p>“Two men ahead of us. Up the mountain.
+Salloo go, look, see.”</p>
+
+<p>He glided off with his usual snake-like agility
+and vanished in a flash, while the party waited
+behind a mighty rock, for cover of the forest kind
+was growing scarce now. A wilder region would
+have been hard to imagine. The cliffs and mountains
+were of all sorts of extravagant shapes.
+Some of the larger rocks and peaks took on the
+outlines of monstrous animals. But they were
+still following a trail which was undoubtedly the
+one set down in red ink on Broom’s map.</p>
+
+<p>Through the glasses, which they were able to
+use without being observed, by crouching down in
+the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing
+toward the two figures on the mountain side. As
+he went he was making the peace sign, extending
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_282' id='Page_282'>282</a></span>
+his arms as if inviting the others to attack him at
+their will. But as far as they could see, the
+meeting was friendly enough. Salloo conversed
+with the two men of the mountain for a long time.
+Then he could be seen retracing his steps.</p>
+
+<p>“Well?” demanded everybody as he returned
+to the camp.</p>
+
+<p>“Ebblyting good so far,” reported Salloo.
+“Those two men velly old men. They left behind
+when tribe go to war in the north.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then the country is free of danger?” cried
+Donald.</p>
+
+<p>Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and
+did not answer. Addressing the others, he continued:</p>
+
+<p>“They say they know of cave. But no know
+if white man is there,” went on the Malay.</p>
+
+<p>“Would they be willing to guide us to it?” inquired
+Mr. Jukes.</p>
+
+<p>“That me no know yet. Me go see ’em again
+to-night,” replied Salloo. “They say nobody but
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_283' id='Page_283'>283</a></span>
+old men, women and children left behind now
+tribe go to war. So maybe they no afraid to
+show us. You pay ’em good?”</p>
+
+<p>“Anything, any sum at all,” was the response
+of the millionaire. “No sum is too great to restore
+my brother to his family.”</p>
+
+<p>When night fell Salloo left the camp again and
+did not return till midnight. He brought the
+news that the two old men would guide them for
+three pieces of gold each. They did not want
+the coins to spend, explained Salloo, but to pierce
+and wear round their necks as ornaments.</p>
+
+<p>“I’ll make it six each,” declared Mr. Jukes, “if
+they lead us aright.”</p>
+
+<p>There was little sleep for anybody that night,
+and soon after daybreak the two old men appeared
+in the camp. They were odd-looking old
+fellows; unclothed except for a breech cloth, and
+were daubed with red and yellow earth, signifying
+that their tribe was at war, although their
+age barred them from taking part.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_284' id='Page_284'>284</a></span>At Salloo’s suggestion, only himself, Mr.
+Jukes, Jack and Billy were to accompany the
+guides. The others were to remain behind and
+keep as well under cover as they could till the
+rest returned with success or failure. Final instructions
+having been given, they set off behind
+the two old men, who chattered volubly with Salloo
+as they went. They knew of the cave, it
+appeared, but nothing more, for they did not
+come from that part of the mountains.</p>
+
+<p>The next day they were not far from the cave,
+their aged guides told them, and Salloo enjoined
+the strictest caution in proceeding. If they met
+a returning war party, their position would be
+ticklish in the extreme, he declared, and they
+readily agreed with him.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long after this that, high up on the
+mountain side, they became aware of a dark hole.
+The two old men chattered and pointed, and then
+Salloo said:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_285' id='Page_285'>285</a></span>“There him cave. You wait here. Salloo go,
+look, see.”</p>
+
+<p>He made off up the mountain with the two old
+tribesmen, while the others waited with what
+patience they could for his return. The boys had
+never seen Mr. Jukes so nervous. He could not
+keep still under the tension, but paced to and fro,
+regardless of Salloo’s advice to keep under cover.</p>
+
+<p>“He is taking his time,” said Jack after a
+long interval.</p>
+
+<p>“Perhaps something has happened to him,”
+said Mr. Jukes, apprehensively. “We’d better
+have our pistols ready. Hark! what was that?”</p>
+
+<p>There was a rustling in the bushes near at
+hand and they all sprang to their feet, only to
+burst into laughter a minute later when a rock
+coney, or small rabbit, emerged, looked at them
+for an instant and then vanished.</p>
+
+<p>“That shows how we are keyed up,” said Jack.
+“We’ve got to keep our nerve or we shall be useless
+if any emergency did happen.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_286' id='Page_286'>286</a></span>As he spoke, something whizzed over their
+heads and then sank quivering in the ground not
+far from them. They looked round and saw
+standing not far off two hideous natives, with
+frizzed hair and painted faces and bodies. Both
+were wounded and apparently had been sent back
+from “the front.” But still there was a chance
+that they might be the advance guard of a big
+body of troops.</p>
+
+<p>“We friends,” cried Jack, giving the peace sign
+as he had seen Salloo give it.</p>
+
+<p>The natives merely stared, and there is no
+knowing what might have been the outcome, but
+at that moment there came a hail from high up on
+the mountain and the old tribesmen and Salloo
+began coming toward them. The natives awaited
+their coming with their eyes fixed on the whites.
+As soon as Salloo and the others arrived there
+was a long confab and Salloo explained that the
+two warriors said that the main body of the savage
+troops was not far off, and that they had been
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_287' id='Page_287'>287</a></span>
+sent back on account of their wounds. They had
+thrown the spear because they thought the whites
+were coming to invade their country. When Salloo
+explained the object of their errand, everything
+appeared to be satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p>“Now we go to the cave,” said Salloo, at the
+end of these negotiations. “Him velly big one,
+me think.”</p>
+
+<p>“Did you—did you see any trace of my
+brother?” asked Mr. Jukes anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>“Me no see anything yet,” was the reply. “Me
+only go little way into cave.”</p>
+
+<p>“Then come, let us start at once,” said Mr.
+Jukes, stepping nimbly over the rough ground, in
+spite of his cumbersome build.</p>
+
+<p>As Salloo had said, the cave was a large one.
+It ran back fully a mile under the mountain.
+But they paid little attention to its natural beauties,
+so eager were they to find some trace of
+Jerushah Jukes. To one side was a swiftly flowing
+stream. They did not doubt that it came
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_288' id='Page_288'>288</a></span>
+from a waterfall, the noise of which they could
+hear in the distance.</p>
+
+<p>Before long they stood in front of the waterfall,
+a beautiful ribbon of water falling fully a
+hundred feet into a clear pool. A sort of mist
+hung over the pool caused by the spray, which
+was lighted by a rift in the rocks above. It was
+a lovely sight and even in their anxiety to get on
+they could not help standing and admiring it for
+a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>“By the way, Salloo,” said Jack abruptly, “how
+about that ghost that is supposed to haunt the
+cave?”</p>
+
+<p>“Me no know. Me——”</p>
+
+<p>“Look, look, the ghost!” cried Raynor suddenly.
+He pointed straight in front of him at
+the fall.</p>
+
+<p>“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack as he too perceived
+an apparition that appeared to rise out of
+the waters. Salloo fell flat on his face in terror
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_289' id='Page_289'>289</a></span>
+and so did the two old natives, who had been
+their guides.</p>
+
+<p>“Don’t talk nonsense,” said Mr. Jukes sharply.
+“I see nothing. I—for heaven’s sake!”</p>
+
+<p>Out of the mist of the pool he had seen advancing
+toward him as he stepped forward the
+gigantic form of a man. Then he glanced again.</p>
+
+<p>The ghost was Mr. Jukes himself, who certainly
+had nothing spiritualistic about him. The explanation
+of the queer sight struck the boys and
+the millionaire at the same instant. The sun,
+shining through the rift, was reflected upon the
+wet rock which in turn projected their figures
+against the watery mist that hung above the
+pool.</p>
+
+<p>“And so that’s the ghost that’s been scaring
+the natives to death,” said Jack. “Get up, Salloo,
+and I’ll show you how the trick is done.”</p>
+
+<p>After a brief demonstration the Malay was
+satisfied, but the two old men were unconvinced.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_290' id='Page_290'>290</a></span>
+They mumbled and were ill at ease till that part
+of the cave was left behind.</p>
+
+<p>“Hullo, here’s a path leading up past the waterfall,”
+cried Jack suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>“So there is. Let’s see where it goes,” cried
+Billy. They started up the slippery footway
+very slowly so as to avoid the consequences of
+a slip. As they went it grew lighter. They were
+coming to the upper world once more. A minute
+later and they emerged upon a small plateau in
+the heart of the mountains. It was surrounded
+by steep precipices. In the centre stood a group
+of bamboo huts.</p>
+
+<p>At sight of the white men, several women and
+children set up a shrill cry. Suddenly above the
+hub-bub came a voice that brought a thrill to
+them all:</p>
+
+<p>“Has help come at last?”</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i05f.jpg'><img src='images/i05.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0004' style='width:386px;height:600px;' /></a>
+<p class='caption'>“Has help come at last?”</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>From behind one of the huts had stepped a tall,
+angular figure, wearing ragged white clothes and
+a battered sun helmet. Perched on his nose were
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_291' id='Page_291'>291</a></span>
+a pair of huge horn-rimmed spectacles, a ragged,
+unkempt beard covered his face and his hair hung
+in matted locks about his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>At the sight of him, Mr. Jukes gave a gasp
+and then a glad cry.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_292' id='Page_292'>292</a></span><h2 id='t7041'>CHAPTER XXXVI.—FOUND AT LAST!</h2></div>
+
+<p>“Oh, my brother,” cried Mr. Jukes, “I can
+hardly believe we’ve found you at last.”</p>
+
+<p>“Thank God! you have, Jacob,” returned the
+other fervently. “For a moment I thought that
+you were only one of the fantastic visions that
+have visited my brain lately.”</p>
+
+<p>“My poor brother,” exclaimed the millionaire,
+“but now thank heaven you are restored to your
+friends.”</p>
+
+<p>“But how did you ever find me? I never
+deemed it possible that rescuers could find their
+way to this place where that villain Broom, after
+stealing the pearl, marooned me.”</p>
+
+<p>“Ah, so the pearl is gone,—but never mind that
+now. I would not have given your life for an
+ocean-full of pearls,” declared the millionaire
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_293' id='Page_293'>293</a></span>
+happily, “but I must introduce our friends who
+have shared with me the hardships of the trail.”</p>
+
+<p>The boys, and then Salloo, added their congratulations
+to Mr. Jukes, while the women and
+children gathered round and chattered frantically.
+It was plain that they objected to all this,
+yet did not see how to stop it. The white men’s
+weapons glinted menacingly and there were no
+warriors in the village.</p>
+
+<p>“And now let us hasten away from here,” said
+Jerushah Jukes. “The men are off on a fighting
+expedition and I might have escaped but without
+food or weapons I could never have made my
+way to the coast through the jungle. I suppose
+that is the reason they did not tie me up.”</p>
+
+<p>“Undoubtedly,” said the millionaire, “but I’m
+forgetting something,” and he doled out to the
+two old men a reward, much over what they had
+demanded. They chattered their thanks glibly,
+making all sorts of gesticulations of gratitude.</p>
+
+<p>“It’s all like a dream to me so far,” said Jerushah
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_294' id='Page_294'>294</a></span>
+Jukes, as they made their way back through
+the cave and past the “haunted” waterfall.
+“Broom sent me up here with a guard of his men.
+The tribe appeared to be friendly to him and
+agreed to keep me prisoner as long as he wished.
+But my poor crew? What has become of them?”</p>
+
+<p>“That we do not know yet,” said Mr. Jukes,
+“but we will talk later. I want to put all the
+distance I can between this tribe and our party as
+soon as we can. Those women will give the
+alarm although they dared not make an active
+protest.”</p>
+
+<p>But as they emerged from the cave they met
+with a rude shock. A party of warriors with
+frizzed hair and war-paint daubing their bodies
+barred the way.</p>
+
+<p>At first the tribesmen stood motionless with
+astonishment at the sight of a party of white
+men emerging from their secret cave. But the
+next instant they broke into a savage volley of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_295' id='Page_295'>295</a></span>
+shouts and yells and raised their spears and cruel-looking
+war clubs.</p>
+
+<p>“We have come too late, my poor brother,”
+groaned Mr. Jukes. But suddenly Salloo raised
+his voice. He spoke in tones of loud authority.
+The spears and clubs were lowered. He turned
+to Mr. Jukes and in a quick low voice said:</p>
+
+<p>“Give me um map. Quick, our lives depend
+on him.”</p>
+
+<p>The millionaire lost no time in producing
+‘Bully’ Broom’s map. The most be-frizzed of
+the natives pored over it for several minutes.
+Then one of them said in fair English:</p>
+
+<p>“You come from Chief Broom; all right, you
+may go. He tell us to keep white man till he send
+for him. You show Broom’s map. He all right.
+Goo’ bye,” and the warriors went on.</p>
+
+<p>Thus by the clever Malay’s strategy he had
+told the warriors, who had returned unexpectedly,
+that the white men had been sent by ‘Bully’
+Broom,—they were saved from disaster. But
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_296' id='Page_296'>296</a></span>
+the tribesmen had demanded proof of Salloo’s
+story and, in the nick of time, he had luckily
+thought of the map which satisfied their suspicions
+at once, for Broom was the only white man,
+except the prisoner, who had ever visited the secret
+cave.</p>
+
+<p>The return to the camp was made without incident
+and Jack, on reaching it, at once rigged
+up his wireless apparatus and flashed to the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span> the glad news of the rescue of the millionaire’s
+brother. But, a few minutes later, he,
+in his turn, was receiving good tidings. Broom
+had returned to Bomobori and was arrested
+while he was recruiting a crew to make a dash
+into the jungle and intercept the Jukes’ party. He
+was apprehended while rowing ashore from a
+native craft.</p>
+
+<p>As the officers of the law seized him, he was
+seen to throw something into the water. One of
+the native oarsmen instantly dived after the object
+and succeeded in grabbing it before it
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_297' id='Page_297'>297</a></span>
+reached the bottom. It proved to be the great
+pearl, “The Tear of the Sea.” And there was
+yet more intelligence of a kind to hearten them
+after all their tribulations in the wild jungles of
+New Guinea.</p>
+
+<p>The first officer of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, having received
+news of a mysterious schooner anchored
+in a cove up the coast, resolved to do a little amateur
+detective work. He found that she was
+none other than the famous <em>South Sea Lass</em>. Securing
+the co-operation of the authorities, the
+vessel was raided one night and her small crew
+easily overpowered. Then cries were heard from
+below and on the removal of the hatches the crew
+of the <em>Centurion</em>, or what remained of them—for
+five had died from privation—were discovered.
+They had refused to join Broom’s band
+and he was afraid to let them loose, so they had
+been confined in the almost unlivable hold ever
+since their capture. Since Broom’s arrest, the
+Australian authorities had cabled that he was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_298' id='Page_298'>298</a></span>
+wanted there for piracy and other crimes and he
+had been sent to Melbourne on a mail steamer.
+It may be added here that British justice was
+dealt out with a heavy hand to the ruffian and
+his many victims were fully avenged. His crew
+was tried and sentenced in Bomobori and all received
+heavy terms of imprisonment. Thus were
+the South Seas rid of one of the chief of their
+many freebooters.</p>
+
+<p>The long march back to Bomobori was made
+without anything of particular interest occurring
+and one morning they stood on a rise overlooking
+the harbor. There lay the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> with
+the dear old Stars and Stripes flying, and the
+ship dressed in gay bunting; for by wireless Jack
+had notified those on board of the time of their
+arrival. A few hours more and they were among
+their friends again with their strange experiences
+behind them.</p>
+
+<p>As there was no reason for staying in Bomobori,
+except to take on board the survivors of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_299' id='Page_299'>299</a></span>
+the <em>Centurion’s</em> crew, the <em>Sea Gypsy</em> steamed out
+of the harbor the next day, being saluted as she
+went, a compliment which she returned with her
+rapid-fire gun. Watching them from the wharf
+were two figures. One a tall agile Malay, who,
+with tears in his eyes, watched the yacht till she
+was hull-down on the horizon. It was Salloo.
+He had been well rewarded for his services which
+indeed, as Mr. Jukes said, were beyond price; but,
+as he watched the departure of his white friends,
+his thoughts were only with them and not with
+what were, to him, the riches of a lifetime.</p>
+
+<p>The other watcher turned away with a sneer,
+jingling the money Mr. Jukes had left him in his
+pockets:</p>
+
+<p>“So I’ve got to stick round this hole till I can
+get a steamer home,” grumbled Donald Judson,
+for, as our readers will have guessed, it was he.
+“If it hadn’t been for those boys I might have
+gone home in comfort on the yacht. Well, maybe
+some day I’ll get even with them.”</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_300' id='Page_300'>300</a></span>On the voyage home a stop was made at the
+Pamatou Islands; the glad news of the rescue
+had already been wirelessed home, and there was
+no great hurry except Mr. Jukes’ desire to get
+back to his business affairs after a romantic adventure
+he would never forget. As the <span class='it'>Sea
+Gypsy</span> dropped anchor in the well-known harbor,
+a fleet of canoes dashed out to welcome her,
+among them you may be sure those of Anai and
+his friend, who wept tears of joy at seeing their
+white “chums” once more. Mr. Jukes, his speculative
+instinct once more in the ascendent, bought
+a large quantity of pearls on which he subsequently
+realized a good profit.</p>
+
+<p>“But we must hurry home,” he said one day.
+“My business will be going to rack and ruin without
+me and besides I’ve run out of dyspepsia pills.
+I only hope I didn’t ruin my digestion in the
+jungle.”</p>
+
+<p>And here the adventures of the Ocean Wireless
+Boys on the Pacific must be brought to a
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='Page_301' id='Page_301'>301</a></span>
+close, except that it might be mentioned that
+pretty Helen Dennis, whose father’s ship was in
+port on the return of the <em>Sea Gypsy</em>, now wears
+a very pretty locket, set with South Sea pearls—the
+gift of Jack Ready. And so, till we meet
+them in the next volume of this series, we will
+wish the lads and their friends good-bye.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;'>THE END</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>KINDERGARTEN</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>LIMERICKS</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By FLORENCE E. SCOTT.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>by Lucy Wheelock</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i06f.jpg'><img src='images/i06.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0005' style='width:110px;height:158px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p>The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the
+alphabet, each illustrated by a full page picture in
+colors. The verses appeal to the child’s sense of humor
+without being foolish or sensational, and will be welcomed
+by kindergartners for teaching rhythm in a most
+entertaining manner.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar.</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><em>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</em></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MATTHEW M. COLTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i07f.jpg'><img src='images/i07.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0006' style='width:110px;height:144px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong’s Vacation</em></p>
+
+<p>How Frank’s summer experiences with
+his boy friends make him into a sturdy
+young athlete through swimming, boating
+and baseball contests, and a tramp
+through the Everglades, is the subject
+of this splendid story.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong at Queens</em></p>
+
+<p>We find among the jolly boys at
+Queen’s School, Frank, the student-athlete,
+Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and
+Lewis, the unconsciously-funny youth
+who furnishes comedy for every page
+that bears his name. Fall and winter
+sports between intensely rival school
+teams are expertly described.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong’s Second Term</em></p>
+
+<p>The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background
+for the stirring events of this volume, in which David,
+Jimmy, Lewis, the “Wee One” and the “Codfish” figure, while
+Frank “saves the day.”</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker</em></p>
+
+<p>With the same persistent determination that won him success
+in swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong
+acquired the art of “drop-kicking,” and the Queen’s football
+team profits thereby.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine</em></p>
+
+<p>Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents
+by land and water make this story of Frank Armstrong
+a strong tale of school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.</p>
+
+<p><em>Frank Armstrong at College</em></p>
+
+<p>With the development of this series, the boy characters have
+developed until in this, the best story of all, they appear as
+typical college students, giving to each page the life and vigor
+of the true college spirit.</p>
+
+<p>Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They
+accurately describe athletics from start to finish.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Any book sent postpaid upon receipt of 60 cents, or we will
+send the six for $3.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Stories of Modern School Sports</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MORGAN SCOTT.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i08f.jpg'><img src='images/i08.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0007' style='width:110px;height:142px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>Under peculiarly trying circumstances
+Ben Stone wins his way at
+Oakdale Academy, and at the
+same time enlists our sympathy,
+interest and respect. Through the
+enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty
+of Roger Eliot and the clever work
+of the “Sleuth,” Ben is falsely accused,
+championed and vindicated.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.</span></p>
+
+<p>“One thing I will claim, and that
+is that all Grants fight open and
+square and there never was a sneak among them.” It was
+Rodney Grant, of Texas, who made the claim to his friend,
+Ben Stone, and this story shows how he proved the truth
+of this statement in the face of apparent evidence to the
+contrary.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative,
+and that means not only clear and clever descriptions of
+thrilling games, but an intimate acquaintance with the
+members of the teams who played them. The Oakdale
+Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
+and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.</span></p>
+
+<p>The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom,
+little restriction, and immediate contact with “all outdoors.”
+These conditions prevailed in the summer camp of
+the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of lively interest.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.</span></p>
+
+<p>The “Sleuth” scents a mystery! He “follows his nose.”
+The plot thickens! He makes deductions. There are
+surprises for the reader—and for the “Sleuth,” as well.</p>
+
+<p><span class='bold'>NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.</span></p>
+
+<p>A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year’s
+registration of students. The old and the new standards
+of conduct in and out of school meet, battle, and cause
+sweeping changes in the lives of several of the boys.</p>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY—Publishers—NEW YORK</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
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+
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+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
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+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>Log Cabin to White House Series</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c., per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i09f.jpg'><img src='images/i09.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0008' style='width:110px;height:150px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD (The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>Benjamin Franklin was known in the
+scientific world for his inventions and
+discoveries, in the diplomatic world because
+of his statesmanship, and everywhere,
+because of his sound judgment,
+plain speaking, and consistent living.</p>
+
+<p>FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of George Washington). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>The story of the hatchet and other
+familiar incidents of the boyhood and
+young manhood of Washington are included
+in this book, as well as many
+less well-known accounts of his experiences
+as surveyor, soldier, emissary,
+leader, and first president of the United States.</p>
+
+<p>FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of James A. Garfield). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James
+A. Garfield was born, to the White House in Washington, and
+that it was an interesting life-journey one cannot doubt who reads
+Mr. Thayer’s account of it.</p>
+
+<p>FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people
+than was homely, humorous “Honest Abe.”</p>
+
+<p>To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an
+education, and his rise to prominence is to understand better his
+rare nature and practical wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By <em>Edward S. Ellis, A. M.</em></p>
+
+<p>Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences
+of Mr. Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few
+of them know him as the boy and man of family and school
+circles and private citizenship.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter,
+a fighter of “graft” at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and
+a just and vigorous defender of right.</p>
+
+<p>FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By <em>Wm. M. Thayer</em>.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as
+the hero of the famous declaration: “I will fight it out on this
+line if it takes all summer.”</p>
+
+<p><em>We will mail any of the above books prepaid at 60 cents each or the six for $3.50.</em></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>REX KINGDON SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By GORDON BRADDOCK</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per volume</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i10f.jpg'><img src='images/i10.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0009' style='width:110px;height:149px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High</p>
+
+<p>A new boy moves into town. Who is
+he? What can he do? Will he make
+one of the school teams? Is his friendship
+worth having? These are the
+queries of the Ridgewood High Students.
+The story is the answer.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon in the North Woods</p>
+
+<p>Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in
+the North Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter
+to menace their safety, fire their interest and finally cement their
+friendship.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall</p>
+
+<p>Lively boarding school experiences make this the “best yet”
+of the Rex Kingdon series.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='font-style:italic;'>Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat</p>
+
+<p>The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good
+story about baseball. Boys will like it.</p>
+
+<p>Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write
+it. These stories make the best reading you can procure.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Any book sent upon receipt of 60 cents each, or we
+will send all four of them for $2.30.</span></p>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>GREAT WAR SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Price, 50c. postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<a href='images/i11f.jpg'><img src='images/i11.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0010' style='width:250px;height:138px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys with the Allied Armies</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys in the French War Trenches</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-style:italic;'>Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<p>The disastrous battle raging in Europe between Germany and
+Austria on one side and the Allied countries on the other, has
+created demand for literature on the subject. The American
+public to a large extent is ignorant of the exact locations of the
+fighting zones with its small towns and villages. Major Crockett,
+who is familiar with the present battle-fields, has undertaken to
+place before the American boy an interesting Series of War stories.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Get these three books and keep up-to-date. We will
+send any book for 50c., or the three of them for $1.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>BOY SCOUT SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><em>ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS</em></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth. Illustrated. Price 50c. Each</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i12f.jpg'><img src='images/i12.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0011' style='width:110px;height:146px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL</p>
+
+<p>In this story, self-reliance and self-defense
+through organized athletics are
+emphasized.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE</p>
+
+<p>Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona
+desert and the Harkness ranch figure in
+this tale of the Boy Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP</p>
+
+<p>The cleverness of one of the Scouts as
+an amateur inventor and the intrigues of
+his enemies to secure his inventions make
+a subject of breathless interest.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS’ MOUNTAIN CAMP</p>
+
+<p>Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the
+escape of the Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again
+in the instinctive impression, which he shares with the boys, of
+impending peril.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM</p>
+
+<p>Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization,
+but few there are who have such an opportunity for its practical
+expression as comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL</p>
+
+<p>Most timely is this authentic story of the “great ditch.” It is
+illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO</p>
+
+<p>Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present
+is this account of recent conflict.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS</p>
+
+<p>Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in
+this tale of the Great War.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE</p>
+
+<p>On the firing line—or very near—we find the Scouts in France.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION</p>
+
+<p>If you couldn’t attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even
+now in imagination with the Boy Scouts.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS</p>
+
+<p>Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the
+Government. What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that
+out by reading the book. It’s a dandy story.</p>
+
+<p>BOY SCOUTS’ CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS</p>
+
+<p>Just as the Scouts’ motto is “Be Prepared,” just for these reasons
+that they prepare for the country’s defense. What they do
+and how they do it makes a volume well worth reading.</p>
+
+<p>You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating
+and well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the
+Manual itself, the books give an accurate description of Boy
+Scout activities, for they are educational and instructive.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Price postpaid, 50 cents per volume, or we will send any six
+titles you select for $2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>MOTOR CYCLE SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i13f.jpg'><img src='images/i13.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0012' style='width:110px;height:149px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World</em></p>
+
+<p>Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with
+a motor cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an
+achievement greater than any he describes in his account of
+the amusing travels of Philias Fogg. This, however, is the
+purpose successfully carried out by the Motor Cycle Chums,
+and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays is one
+of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental
+information to the reader.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol</em></p>
+
+<p>The Great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and
+in it the Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more
+unusual and exciting than many of their experiences on their
+tour around the world. There is not a dull page in this
+lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant “Chinee.”</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields</em></p>
+
+<p>How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold
+and into what difficulties and novel experiences they were led,
+makes a tale of thrilling interest.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums’ Whirlwind Tour</em></p>
+
+<p>To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers
+over the border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story
+of amusing adventures and exciting episodes.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator</em></p>
+
+<p>New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add
+fresh zest to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and
+the tour described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America</em></p>
+
+<p>The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history
+was made, where interest centers to-day as never before.</p>
+
+<p>You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to
+enjoy the thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle
+Chums pass on their way to seek adventure and excitement.
+Brimful of clever episodes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>We will send prepaid any book for 50 cents or the
+six for $2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>BOY INVENTORS’ SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By RICHARD BONNER</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i14f.jpg'><img src='images/i14.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0013' style='width:110px;height:151px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Wireless Triumph</em></p>
+
+<p>Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes
+called the instinct of investigation,—favored
+with golden opportunity, and
+gifted with creative ability, the Boy Inventors
+meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest and
+convince the reader because they always
+“work” when put to the test.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors and the Vanishing Gun</em></p>
+
+<p>A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope,
+effort and final success. This too is the history of the
+daring Boy Inventors.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Diving Torpedo Boat</em></p>
+
+<p>As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and
+interesting triumphs of mechanisms are produced which become
+immediately valuable, and the stage for their proving and
+testing is again the water. On the surface and below it, the
+boys have jolly, contagious fun.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Flying Ship</em></p>
+
+<p>A Boston newspaper reporter,—a young fellow with a camera
+slung over his shoulders,—wanders into this story at the very
+beginning. He finds himself an aerial stowaway and finally a
+part of a South American exploring party. How this happens
+is an absorbing tale in itself.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Electric Hydroaeroplane</em></p>
+
+<p>The restless, inventive spirit of Jack Chadwick and the persistent
+enthusiasm of his cousin, Tom Jesson, once more clamor
+for a new expression, and this book describes the unique result
+of their labors and the use to which it is opportunely put.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Boy Inventors’ Radio Telephone</em></p>
+
+<p>The determination to adopt, adapt and improve the latest
+means of communication gave a fresh impulse to the ambition
+of the Boy Inventors.</p>
+
+<p>Watch boys, and you will notice their minds naturally turn to
+mechanism. In these delightful stories, the boys try their
+genius in new inventions. Read the books and see what they
+accomplish through skill and ingenuity.</p>
+
+<p><em>Any book postpaid at 50 cents per copy or the six for $2.50.</em></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>TALES OF THE NEW NAVY</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per volume</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i15f.jpg'><img src='images/i15.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0014' style='width:110px;height:142px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on Battle Practice</em></p>
+
+<p>Especially interesting and timely is this book which
+introduces the reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the
+great ships of modern warfare and to the intimate life and
+surprising adventures of Uncle Sam’s sailors.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys Aboard a Destroyer</em></p>
+
+<p>In this story real dangers threaten and the boys’ patriotism
+is tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is
+laid on the South American coast.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on a Submarine</em></p>
+
+<p>To the inventive genius—trade-school boy or mechanic—this
+story has special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its
+mystery and clever action are fascinating.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys on Aero Service</em></p>
+
+<p>Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and
+Herc. Their perilous adventures are not confined to the air,
+however, although they make daring and notable flights in
+the name of the Government; nor are they always able to fly
+beyond the reach of their old “enemies,” who are also airmen.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys’ World Cruise</em></p>
+
+<p>From San Francisco the boys start on their world cruise. At
+Hawaii, Japan, Egypt and Gibraltar they meet experiences
+unforeseen and eventful.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters</em></p>
+
+<p>Into mimic naval warfare creeps actual intrigue that complicates
+the defense of New York Harbor.</p>
+
+<p>It would be hard work to find a boy—young or old—who is
+not keenly alive to the achievements of our great Navy. You
+can get a good conception of what Uncle Sam is doing by reading
+these marvelous stories.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid for 50 cents per volume, or the set of six for
+$2.50.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>BOY AVIATORS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Thrilling Airship Stories</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid.</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figright'>
+<a href='images/i16f.jpg'><img src='images/i16.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0015' style='width:110px;height:152px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA</p>
+
+<p>“Boys of all ages will be captivated by this clever story of
+two bright American lads who in an aeroplane of unusual
+construction have many adventures in Nicaragua.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE</p>
+
+<p>“Its heroes go in an airship to the Everglades of Florida,
+and use their wireless telegraph to assist in the rescue of
+a Government inventor. Japanese spies are plotting against
+them, and the result is a thrill in every chapter.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA</p>
+
+<p>“In this book the lads go to Africa in their flying machine
+and strike an aerial ivory trail. Adventures come thick and
+fast. One cannot help wishing himself fourteen years old
+once more, to take this book out back on the barn, or under
+the pear tree, to enjoy it in fashion.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ TREASURE QUEST</p>
+
+<p>“The author takes the boys on a quest after the golden galleon,
+lost in a position where it is imaginatively possible to obtain the
+treasure. The story is one of the keenest interest from the boy
+standpoint.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT</p>
+
+<p>“The story deals with aerial contests for a big prize offered by
+newspapers to fly from New York across the continent and the
+hairbreadth escapes encountered.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ POLAR DASH</p>
+
+<p>“The useful information concerning the Antarctic regions, and
+the aviation features and their technical correctness, set the book
+apart from those of simple entertainment and adventure.”</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:0em;'>—<em>The Dallas News</em>, Dallas, Texas.</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS’ FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE</p>
+
+<p>“The volume is packed with incidents from cover to cover, and
+conveys an accurate idea of modern aeroplanes.”</p>
+
+<p>THE BOY AVIATORS WITH THE AIR RAIDERS</p>
+
+<p>In view of the world-wide interest in practical aviation, this
+book is especially thrilling and timely. It pertains to the Great
+European War.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Up-to-the-minute AIRSHIP Books which record the most thrilling
+experiences any daring aviator could wish for. The Stories
+are written by a famous aviation instructor and are technically
+correct in details. One million copies have been sold.</span></p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid at 50c. per volume, any four books for
+$1.75, or the complete set of eight for $3.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<div class='lgc pbb' style=''> <!-- rend='center;' -->
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY’S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.2em;'>OCEAN WIRELESS SERIES</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<div class='figleft'>
+<a href='images/i17f.jpg'><img src='images/i17.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0016' style='width:110px;height:147px;' /></a>
+</div>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic</em></p>
+
+<p>How a Brooklyn boy became a wireless operator and shared in
+the work of rescue on the sea makes a thrilling tale.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner</em></p>
+
+<p>This book takes the young wireless operators into southern
+waters and through grave perils.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol</em></p>
+
+<p>The sinking of the <em>Titanic</em> emphasized the usefulness of the
+wireless in the iceberg zones described in this volume.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code</em></p>
+
+<p>Combine warships and wireless, danger, intrigue, and daring
+and you have an exciting tale of the sea.</p>
+
+<p><em>The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific</em></p>
+
+<p>Just as fascinating, thrilling and interesting as any of the
+preceding volumes. Plenty of action for red-blooded boys.</p>
+
+<p>The tragedies of the seas became less dreadful with the introduction
+of the wireless aboard steamships and it is to be hoped
+ultimately that the “ocean grave-yard” will be a thing of the
+past. These volumes describe daring and exciting tales.</p>
+
+<p><span class='it'>Sent postpaid upon receipt of 50 cents each, or the
+five books for $2.25.</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>HURST &amp; COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='pbk' />
+
+<p class='line pbb' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>Transcriber’s Notes</p>
+
+<div class='literal-container' style=''><div class='literal'> <!-- rend='block;' -->
+<p class='line'>1. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p>
+<p class='line'>2. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have been preserved.</p>
+<p class='line'>3. Page-specific notes:</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_76'>76</a> restored full-stop in “Captain Sparhawk Tahiti was not far off.”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_193'>193</a> whiste -> whistle in “shrill whistle sounded”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_213'>213</a> Jordan -> Judson in “Broom and young Judson turned”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_242'>242</a> “membel” retained (for “remember”) in dialect: “Me membel now”</p>
+<p class='line'>&ensp;&ensp;p. <a href='#Page_262'>262</a> blared -> glared in “yellow eyes glared malevolently”</p>
+</div></div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
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+</pre>
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+  </body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg's The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by Wilbur Lawton
+
+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 Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific
+
+Author: Wilbur Lawton
+
+Illustrator: Arthur O. Scott
+
+Release Date: December 24, 2013 [EBook #44503]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON PACIFIC ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Demian Katz, Roger Frank and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Images
+courtesy of the Digital Library@Villanova University
+(http://digital.library.villanova.edu/))
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Half way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near
+him.]
+
+
+
+
+                                  THE
+
+                          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS
+
+                             ON THE PACIFIC
+
+                                   BY
+
+                         CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+      AUTHOR OF "THE BOY AVIATORS' SERIES," "THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS'
+        SERIES," "THE OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC," "THE
+          OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE LOST LINER," "THE OCEAN
+               WIRELESS BOYS OF THE ICEBERG PATROL," "THE
+                OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS AND THE NAVAL CODE,"
+                                  ETC.
+
+                             ILLUSTRATED BY
+                            ARTHUR O. SCOTT
+
+                                NEW YORK
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+                               PUBLISHERS
+
+
+
+
+                            Copyright, 1916,
+                                   BY
+                            HURST & COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+                     I. On the Broad Pacific             5
+                    II. The Ocean in a Rage             14
+                   III. A Long Night                    20
+                    IV. The Derelict                    26
+                     V. The "Centurion"                 33
+                    VI. A Mystery of the Seas           39
+                   VII. An Old Enemy Oddly Met          49
+                  VIII. "Land, Ho!"                     56
+                    IX. Through Hidden Dangers          64
+                     X. Chumming with Savages           72
+                    XI. The Cave of the Pearls          78
+                   XII. A Trap!                         84
+                  XIII. On the Reef                     90
+                   XIV. Battling Man-eating Sharks      97
+                    XV. A Message from the Deep        104
+                   XVI. Alive on the Sea               113
+                  XVII. An Encounter at Bomobori       119
+                 XVIII. Donald Judson Again            126
+                   XIX. He Tells a Strange Story       132
+                    XX. A Traitor in Camp              143
+                   XXI. A Memorable Night              153
+                  XXII. Into the Jungle                164
+                 XXIII. A Dangerous Tree               171
+                  XXIV. Wireless at Work               178
+                   XXV. A Jungle Hotel                 186
+                  XXVI. Prisoners of "Bully" Broom     195
+                 XXVII. At the Old Fort                203
+                XXVIII. The Free-booter's Demands      209
+                  XXIX. The Rescue Party               216
+                   XXX. In the Coils of a Python       224
+                  XXXI. The Journey Resumed            236
+                 XXXII. A Storm in the Jungle          245
+                XXXIII. The Giant Spiders              260
+                 XXXIV. A Fight with a Hornbill        272
+                  XXXV. The Heart of New Guinea        280
+                 XXXVI. Found at Last!                 292
+
+
+
+
+                        The Ocean Wireless Boys
+                            on the Pacific.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER I.--ON THE BROAD PACIFIC.
+
+
+Twenty days out from San Francisco in the vast, heaving desert of the
+sea, twenty days of storm, sunshine and calm, the _Sea Gypsy_, the great
+white yacht of Jacob Jukes, head of the big Atlantic and Pacific
+Shipping Combine, was making her way lazily through the dreamy South
+Seas. The vessel was capable of great speed, being known as one of the
+fastest craft of her kind. But she was bound on a mission which might
+take a long time to consummate, and economy of coal, which was piled
+even on her decks, to re-enforce the supply in the bunkers, was
+necessary.
+
+What this mission was remained, so far, a mystery to every one on board
+except Mr. Jukes himself, the iron-jawed and impenetrable organizer of
+the expedition. Up to this time he had shown no inclination to unburden
+himself of his secret, and although the craft was equipped with powerful
+wireless of the most modern type, the yacht had received no messages,
+nor had she sent any, under orders from Mr. Jukes.
+
+On this particular evening Jack Ready leaned against the door of the
+wireless-room, a converted deck cabin, and covertly watched the
+heavy-shouldered, bull-necked form of the millionaire shipping man as
+the latter gazed over the rail across the vacant waters at the gorgeous
+sunset.
+
+It was a true pageant of the heavens, such as is only to be seen in the
+Southern ocean. Great cloud-masses rose in wondrous forms, like
+glorified castle walls and turrets, glowing with purple and gold and
+red. Jack found himself following Mr. Jukes' gaze. Although such
+spectacles had been almost nightly ones since they had steamed into the
+tropics, there was something wild and sinister about the present one
+that thrilled him.
+
+Captain Septimus Sparhawk, the brown, gaunt captain of the yacht, whose
+thin face was decorated by two little dabs of grayish whiskers forward
+of each ear, passed by.
+
+"Nothing to do but to look at the sky, eh?" he asked Jack, as a
+suspicion of a smile crept over his face.
+
+"That's about all, sir," rejoined Jack, with a laugh. "I expect to see
+spiders spinning webs on my instruments every day. I haven't touched the
+key since we sailed."
+
+The captain shook his head. He was an old and loyal employee of the
+shipping man, and not much given to words. But, apparently, now he felt
+called upon to express himself.
+
+"It's a queer business, lad," he said, "and it may get queerer still
+before we find out what it's all about. I'm as much in the dark as you
+or the cabin boy. But right now that sunset worries me more than
+anything else."
+
+"You're on the look-out for a storm?" asked Jack, noting a sudden look
+of anxiety in the captain's pale blue eyes, surrounded by a network of
+tiny wrinkles, due to long gazing into salty gales.
+
+"Worse than that, Ready," was the rejoinder. "This is the hurricane
+season in these parts and the glass,--I've just taken a squint at
+it,--is dropping as if it never meant to stop."
+
+"If I could use the wireless----" began Jack.
+
+"We could probably get a weather reading from some other ship,"
+interrupted the captain, starting off, "but as it is, we might as well
+not have it on board at all. The thing's got me stumped."
+
+He carried himself off on his long, thin legs but paused to speak to Mr.
+Jukes. The ship-owner, although Jack could not hear what was said,
+appeared to be agitated somewhat by the captain's words, for he began
+puffing rapidly at his after-dinner cigar, sending out smoke like the
+exhaust of a locomotive funnel, a sure sign, as Jack had observed, that
+he was disturbed.
+
+"I'll make all snug, sir," the boy heard the captain say, as he turned
+away, "and then we will be prepared for whatever happens."
+
+"Very well, Sparhawk," answered Mr. Jukes, in a somewhat louder voice
+than he had used hitherto, "and be sure to see to it that the deck load
+of coal is secured safely. They tell me the bunkers are running low."
+
+As has been stated, the _Sea Gypsy's_ decks were piled high fore and aft
+with coal, kept in place by wooden bulkheads, which did not add to the
+appearance of the ship and encumbered progress from bow to stern. Only
+amidships, where the cabins were situated, was the deck clear. As the
+captain ascended the bridge he turned and gave an order to a petty
+officer and presently the crew could be seen at work lashing big
+tarpaulins down over the coal which was so important to keep the _Sea
+Gypsy_ moving on her mysterious mission.
+
+The news that the coal supply was running low in the bunkers was a
+surprise to Jack. He made for Billy Raynor's cabin where the young chief
+engineer of the yacht was writing up his "log."
+
+"Yes, it's right," he rejoined to Jack's question, "the loss of that
+deck load would be a serious matter. We're a good many hundred miles
+from land and will have to tap the supply before long."
+
+"Billy, what on earth do you suppose is the object of this voyage?"
+demanded Jack abruptly.
+
+"Blessed if I know, but I'm well satisfied with my promotion and job,"
+declared Raynor. "Cruising these wonderful seas in a yacht that's a
+beauty, even if her decks are all littered up like a cattle boat's, just
+about suits me."
+
+"That's all right, you've got something to do," complained Jack. "But
+look at my case. I have to polish up my instruments every day to keep
+them from getting rusty."
+
+"Serves you right for not stopping ashore and enjoying yourself,"
+chuckled Raynor teasingly. "Since you sold that 'Universal Detector' of
+yours to the government you could surely afford to."
+
+"Just as if I could kick my heels on shore doing nothing," was Jack's
+indignant reply, "but it does seem as if it's about time we knew
+something of what this voyage is for."
+
+"Maybe it's just a pleasure cruise to allow Mr. Jukes to get away from
+his business troubles," hazarded Raynor.
+
+Jack shook his head in decided negative.
+
+"There's more in it than that," he declared positively. "Mr. Jukes is
+first of all a man of business. He wouldn't come skylarking across the
+Pacific for three weeks if he was just out for a cruise. He'd go where
+he could keep in touch with the market and Wall Street."
+
+"That's so," Raynor was compelled to agree. "Well, I suppose when he
+gets ready to spill some information he'll do it. In the meantime my job
+just suits me. But what made you ask about the deck coal?"
+
+"Because Captain Sparhawk says we're in for a bad blow, maybe a
+hurricane."
+
+Raynor's usually cheerful face became suddenly serious.
+
+"When did he say that?" he asked.
+
+"Just now. They're putting tarpaulins over it now. If we dropped it,
+we'd be in a bad fix, eh, Billy?"
+
+"We'd have about coal enough left for two or three days," rejoined
+Raynor.
+
+"And after that----?"
+
+"It would be a case of 'merrily we drift along.'"
+
+The door gave a sudden sharp slam. A puff of wind, sweeping suddenly
+over the hitherto breathless sea, had banged it shut.
+
+Jack jumped up and swung it quickly open again.
+
+"Here she comes," he cried excitedly.
+
+At the same instant the _Sea Gypsy_ gave a sidelong lurch that sent both
+lads helter-skelter across the cabin. Outside came a sudden bawling of
+voices and a distant, disquieting roar that grew louder every second.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER II.--THE OCEAN IN A RAGE.
+
+
+Directly they recovered their sea legs, both lads made for the cabin
+door. A wonderful but alarming spectacle met their eyes. The sunset had
+been blotted out as if by magic. In its place was a ragged, inky-black
+cloud curtain that was being swept across the sky as if invisible,
+titanic hands were swiftly pulling it.
+
+The sea immediately about them was heaving wildly in great swells that
+tumbled the _Sea Gypsy_, rendered less stable by her top-heavy load,
+from side to side. Far off, under the rushing black cloud, the forefront
+of which was almost over them by this time, was a jagged line of white.
+
+Mr. Booth, the second mate, bundled up in oilskins, ran past the boys on
+his way to the bridge.
+
+"Better get under cover," he advised as he passed. "This is going to be
+a hummer."
+
+But, fascinated by the majestic sight, both boys stood still, clutching
+the rail and bracing themselves for the shock they felt was coming, for
+both had guessed that the jagged white line in the distance was a giant
+wave. Like a cliff of water it grew as it swept toward them, accompanied
+by a howling of the wind that sounded like a witches' carnival. So swift
+was its advance that the boys had hardly time to run toward the cabin
+when it broke upon them.
+
+The _Sea Gypsy_ heeled like a ship that had been struck a mortal blow.
+For one instant she hung balanced as if she was about to capsize. The
+door of the cabin in which the boys had taken refuge was ripped from its
+hinges by the terrific force of the impact as if it had been matchwood.
+
+The next moment both lads were struggling for their lives in a surging,
+sweeping smother of water that filled the cabin to the roof. Jack felt
+himself clutched by the hands of his chum. Fighting to keep himself
+above water, Jack saw that Raynor had been hurled against some object
+and been wounded. There was a jagged cut in his forehead.
+
+He had hardly noticed this, when the _Sea Gypsy_ staggered back to an
+even keel. As she did so the water swept out of the cabin like a
+millrace, carrying both boys helplessly with it.
+
+Jack felt Raynor torn from his arms, and the next thing he realized he
+was struggling for his life in the waves that reared and roared above
+the floundering yacht.
+
+A month before the events we are describing took place, Jack Ready, the
+young wireless operator of the _Sea Gypsy_, and his inseparable chum,
+Billy Raynor, had been summoned to Mr. Jukes' New York office and told
+that they were detached from duty on the big _Columbia_, the crack liner
+of the Jukes' ships, and ordered to pack their things forthwith and meet
+the ship-owner at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco within a week.
+Neither had demurred, supposing some interest of the ship-owners called
+for their presence there. But, much to their bewilderment, they had each
+been handed a substantial check by Mr. Jukes on his arrival in the
+western metropolis, told to outfit themselves for a long voyage, and
+nothing more. Two days later the _Sea Gypsy_ cleared the harbor.
+
+The acquaintance of Jack and Mr. Jukes had its beginning in certain
+events which took place near Jack's quaint home, which he shared with an
+eccentric uncle on an old schooner in the Erie Basin in New York. The
+rescue by Jack of Mr. Jukes' little daughter, and the result on his
+affairs, were fully detailed in the first volume of this series, which
+was called "The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic." This is not the
+place to re-tell all the exciting adventures that befell Jack and young
+Raynor, who was third engineer on the steamer to which Jack was
+assigned, in fulfillment of his ambition to be a "wireless man."
+
+Nor can we do more here than to hint at the contents of the second
+volume. This was called "The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner,"
+and set forth the fate of the _Tropic Queen_. In this book we found Jack
+and his inseparable chum steadily progressing in their chosen
+professions, and also met several other characters, all of whom had an
+important bearing on the events of the boys' lives. Mr. Jukes took
+formal recognition of the part Jack played in the disaster that overtook
+the _Tropic Queen_, and inwardly resolved that his heroism and devotion
+to duty had made him a lad worth watching.
+
+Still a third volume followed, describing the boys' further adventures.
+In the "Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol," much interesting
+information about the manner in which the ocean lanes are guarded from
+the white menace of the north, was given. The boys shared in many
+thrilling adventures also, and ended by discovering something that an
+expedition, at the head of which was Jack's Uncle Toby, had almost lost
+through the tricks of a band of hard characters.
+
+The fourth book setting forth their doings was called "The Ocean
+Wireless Boys and the Naval Code." Captain Simms of the U. S. N., after
+devising a novel code for the use of this government, through the
+machinations of a band of daring rascals, found himself robbed of it.
+Wireless played a big part in the recovery of the documents in the long
+run, Jack acquitting himself to the delight of the naval officials and
+the government by his work in this connection. Some of the miscreants,
+whose tricks Jack had helped to frustrate, were sent to prison but
+others got free. These latter the boys, though they little suspected it,
+were destined to meet again.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER III.--A LONG NIGHT.
+
+
+Blinded, choked and with a red mist before his eyes, and in his ears the
+roar of waters, Jack fought the undertow of the retreat of the giant
+wave with all his strength. All at once he felt some heavy object hurled
+against him.
+
+The force of the collision almost knocked what little breath remained in
+his body out of his lungs. Instinctively he reached out for whatever it
+was that had struck him.
+
+It was a human body.
+
+The boy had hardly realized this before he found himself flung, panting
+and gasping, down upon the deck. Thanks to the stays of the foremost of
+the _Sea Gypsy's_ two masts, against which the retreating wave had
+pitched him, he had not been drawn overboard. Instead, as the pressure
+of water relaxed, it had dropped him and the mute burden he had clasped,
+to the deck.
+
+For a few minutes Jack lay there panting, too much exhausted to exert a
+muscle or limb. The unconscious form hurtled against him by the swirling
+waters lay at his side. It was too dark for Jack to see then who it was,
+or if life remained in the motionless figure. By-and-by, as his strength
+came back, he got to his feet and dragged the limp form to a cabin. It
+proved to be the one which the great wave had swept from Jack so
+unceremoniously. Luckily, although the seas were thundering mountains
+high about the laboring yacht, none like that first terrific comber
+assailed her.
+
+Steadying himself on the rocking floor with much difficulty, Jack
+fumbled for the electric switch. He found it at last and let on a flood
+of light. The radiance shed itself on a pale face with a deeply slashed
+forehead that lay at the boy's feet.
+
+"It's Billy," choked the boy. He got on his knees by Raynor's
+unconscious form and gently raised his chum's head. It fell back limply.
+A blood-chilling thought surged through Jack and he grew as white as the
+lad he held.
+
+He put his hand hastily over Raynor's heart and a great wave of relief
+went through him. His chum's heart was beating, although feebly. It was
+not too late to save him. It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across
+that bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor,
+but at last he managed to accomplish it, and deposited the injured young
+engineer in the bunk that occupied one side of the latter's cabin. Then
+he washed and dressed the injury as best he could.
+
+"Now I'll have to get help," said the boy to himself. "The captain's got
+a medicine chest and bandages, but we have no doctor. I'll go and find
+the skipper."
+
+[Illustration: It was a hard task for Jack to stagger across that
+bounding, reeling floor, carrying the limp and unconscious Raynor.]
+
+Out upon the dripping decks, over which a wave crest would every now and
+then curl, with a roar like that of a waterfall, Jack once more emerged.
+Clawing at hand-holds and desperately clinging on now and then when a
+wave threatened to tear loose his grip, he wormed his way forward. As he
+reached the bridge deck, he heard a thunderous roar forward, and the
+_Sea Gypsy_, as if she had been freed of a burden, made a sudden plunge
+skyward, with her bow pointing almost straight at the obscured heavens.
+
+"There goes the fore-deck load of coal," thought Jack, as he made his
+way to where, in the lee of the pilot house some obscure figures stood
+huddled. Ten minutes later he and the gaunt form of Captain Sparhawk
+were bending over Raynor, as he lay white and still, in his bunk. With
+rough skill the captain dressed the wound.
+
+"It's a wonder that Mr. Jukes wouldn't have brought a doctor along," he
+muttered. "He's carrying a rapid-fire gun, so why not sawbones, too?"
+
+"Where is Mr. Jukes?" demanded Jack suddenly.
+
+"In his cabin, I guess. I haven't seen him since this ocean tantrum
+broke out."
+
+"The--the rapid-fire gun you spoke about?" asked Jack.
+
+The other looked at him in some confusion.
+
+"Confound my habit of talking to myself," he exclaimed. "Did you hear
+that?"
+
+"I couldn't help it," apologised Jack. "Are we going to fight any one?"
+
+"You must ask Mr. Jukes that," answered the captain, non-committally.
+"It's up to him to tell what he wants to. All I know is that there is
+one on board. Maybe he brought it along to shoot clay pigeons with.
+Maybe not. I don't know."
+
+"Well," he added, "I've got to get for'ard again. I guess our young
+ship-mate will do now. He had a nasty crack though. Both of you are
+lucky you're not in Davy Jones' locker."
+
+All through the rest of that tempestuous night Jack sat by his chum,
+dozing off at times and then waking with a start to hear the uproar of
+the hurricane as they struggled through it. The dawn showed a troubled
+sea, leaping at the yacht as though to engulf her. The wind almost
+flattened Jack against the deck house as, Raynor having sunk into a deep
+sleep after an interval of consciousness, the young wireless man set out
+to see what chance there was for breakfast.
+
+The companionway to the dining saloon on the deck below was in the after
+part of the ship. As he was about to descend an unusually big wave
+lifted the _Sea Gypsy_ dizzily skyward, and then rushed her downward.
+There was a heave and a crash from the stern and Jack saw the after deck
+load of coal vanish like a black avalanche, to be swallowed up in the
+maw of the sea.
+
+"Worse, and more of it," he muttered, as some of the crew who had
+narrowly escaped being overwhelmed, set up a shout; "this will be bad
+news to give poor old Billy."
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER IV.--THE DERELICT.
+
+
+Two days later the hurricane had blown itself out. The storm-stressed
+crew were set to work putting things to rights and the yacht put on more
+of her normal appearance. But she had been sadly battered for all that.
+Two boats were stove in, ventilators smashed and stanchions bent and
+twisted by the fury of the waves.
+
+The flat, oily sea that succeeded the wild turmoil of the hurricane,
+heaved gently without a ripple as Jack and Raynor, the latter recovered
+but still wearing a bandage round his head, stood looking over the rail
+into the glassy waters.
+
+So transparent was the ocean that, under them, they could see great fish
+swimming about slowly and lazily, as if life held no hurry for them. Now
+and then a great shark glided by, nosing about the ship for scraps. His
+sharp, triangular dorsal fin stuck from his back like a blue steel knife
+cutting the surface and glistening like a thing of metal. About these
+great tigers of the deep, two smaller fish usually hovered. These were
+pilot fish, the strange sea-creatures that invariably accompany sharks,
+and are supposed by sailors to pilot them to their prey.
+
+Then there were queer-looking "gonies," with their flat heads winging
+their way above the water and every now and then dropping, with a scream
+and a splash, in a group of a dozen to fight furiously over some
+drifting morsel. After these tussles they appeared to "run" over the
+water to give their heavy, awkward bodies a good start upward. Then,
+having attained a certain height, down they would flop again, like
+weights shooting through the air, hitting the water with a heavy splash
+and sliding, with a white wake behind them, for some feet.
+
+Schools of nautilus, too, gave them something to look at as the delicate
+little creatures, with their thin, membranous sails set, drifted by
+under the gentle breeze that hardly ruffled the water.
+
+"Doesn't look much as if this ocean could ever have kicked up the
+ructions it did, eh, Billy?" remarked Jack, after a long silence.
+
+"It does not," replied Raynor, with a rueful grin, "but I owe it this
+crack on the head."
+
+"And the loss of that coal," chimed in Jack. "No wonder you look glum,
+old fellow. We'll never make port on what's below."
+
+"Not a chance of it," was the rejoinder, "about all we can do is to use
+the sails if the worst comes to the worst."
+
+"Well, as we don't appear to have any port in view, and nothing to do
+but to keep on drifting about like another Flying Dutchman, I don't see
+that it much matters where we fetch up," commented Jack, with some
+irritation.
+
+It was at that instant that there came an interruption. The voice of the
+sea-man at the look-out forward broke the spell.
+
+"Steamer, ho!" he shouted.
+
+"Where away?" came a hoarse voice from the bridge, that of Mr. Jolliffe,
+the first officer.
+
+"Three p'ints on the starbo'd bow."
+
+"Let's go forward and have a look," suggested Jack. "You're not on watch
+for some time yet."
+
+"I'm with you," agreed Raynor. "Anything for variety's sake. Wonder what
+ship it is?"
+
+"Too far off to make out yet," said Jack, as, far off, they could just
+about see, by straining their eyes, a small dark speck on the distant
+horizon.
+
+"I don't see any smoke," said Raynor. "Perhaps it's a sailing ship after
+all."
+
+"We'll know before long," was Jack's reply.
+
+During an interval in which the _Sea Gypsy_ drew steadily toward the
+craft that had, by this time, excited the attention of all on board, the
+boys saw Mr. Jukes emerge from his cabin and take his place on the
+bridge beside Captain Sparhawk. That bronzed mariner handed the
+millionaire his glasses and Mr. Jukes' rather fat, pallid face took on
+an unwonted hue of excitement as he handed them back.
+
+The boys standing on the main deck just below the bridge heard the owner
+of the yacht putting sharp questions. He showed more animation than he
+had at any time during the voyage. The sight of the other craft appeared
+to affect him curiously.
+
+"She's a schooner, Sparhawk."
+
+"Undoubtedly, sir."
+
+"But although she has her canvas set she is making no way."
+
+"That appears to be correct. But there is little wind. Odd though that
+she doesn't signal us."
+
+Mr. Jukes snatched up the glasses again from the shelf where he had laid
+them down.
+
+"Blessed if I can make out a soul on board her, Sparhawk," he exclaimed
+presently. "Here, try what you can do."
+
+He handed the binoculars over to the master of the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain
+Sparhawk took a prolonged observation. When he, in turn, laid the
+glasses down his thin, mahogany-hued face bore a puzzled look.
+
+"It's queer, sir, but I don't seem to be able to make out a living soul
+either."
+
+"A derelict, perhaps?"
+
+"Possibly," assented the captain, and no more was said as, with all eyes
+fixed on the strange schooner, the _Sea Gypsy_ drew nearer. The boys
+could now make out every detail of the other craft. She was a
+trig-looking schooner, painted black, with a flush deck except for her
+after house and a small structure astern of the fore-mast. Her canvas
+was set but it flapped idly in the light breeze as she swung to and fro
+on the Pacific swells. No guiding hand could be seen at her wheel. Not a
+soul was visible on her deserted decks.
+
+There is no more melancholy sight than a sea derelict, the aimless prey
+of winds and currents, drifting sometimes for years over the trackless
+wastes of the ocean. The boys felt something of this as all doubt as to
+human occupancy of the schooner vanished.
+
+"Deserted, I reckon," hazarded Jack. "Although her canvas appears
+perfect, her hull sound and----"
+
+He broke off sharply. From the abandoned ship there had suddenly come a
+sound which, under the circumstances, was particularly depressing and
+even startling.
+
+It was the measured tolling of a bell, like a funeral knell.
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER V.--THE "CENTURION."
+
+
+"Hark!" cried Raynor, as the two boys exchanged glances.
+
+"I have it," exclaimed Jack the next instant. "That's only the tolling
+of the ship's bell as the schooner rolls on the sea."
+
+"My, it gave me a jump though," admitted Raynor. "Hullo, they are
+slowing down. Must be going to board her."
+
+"Evidently," agreed Jack, as the _Sea Gypsy's_ propeller revolved more
+and more slowly.
+
+Captain Sparhawk descended from the bridge. The ponderous form of Mr.
+Jukes followed him. The millionaire's face bore a look of strange
+excitement.
+
+"Of course that can't be the schooner," the boys heard him say to the
+captain, "but still I can't pass it unsearched."
+
+His eye fell on the boys.
+
+"Lads, we are going to board that schooner and try to find out something
+about her," he said. "Do you want to go along?"
+
+These were the first words the boys had had with their employer in some
+days. Of course both jumped at the chance, and before many minutes
+passed, one of the yacht's remaining boats was being sent over the sea
+at a fast clip toward the derelict. Close inspection showed the
+schooner's condition not to be as good as it had seemed at a distance.
+Her paint was blistered and the oakum calking was spewing out of her
+sun-dried seams like Spanish moss on an aged tree. Her sails were
+mildewed and torn in many places and her ropes bleached and frayed.
+Mingling now with the incessant, melancholy tolling of the bell, came
+the monotonous creak of her booms and gaffs as they swung rhythmically
+to and fro.
+
+No name appeared on her bow, although blurred tracings of white paint
+showed that one had once been inscribed there. But there was a
+yellow-painted figurehead; a stern, Roman-nosed bust of a man,
+apparently intended for an emperor or a warrior.
+
+"We'll row round the stern and take a look at her name," decided Captain
+Sparhawk. "We'll have to climb aboard from the other side anyway. There
+is no means of scrambling up from this."
+
+The boat was turned and rowed under the graceful stern of the derelict.
+On it, in bold, raised letters, surrounded by a fanciful design, stood
+out, in fading colors, the lost craft's name.
+
+"_Centurion_, San Francisco," read out Jack, with an odd thrill. There
+was a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes, who had not yet been able to
+make out more than the first few letters.
+
+"What's that?" he exclaimed, in a voice so sharp and tense that the boys
+turned and stared at him, as did the boat's crew and Captain Sparhawk.
+
+Jack repeated his answer and, to his astonishment, Mr. Jukes, the
+iron-jawed, self-possessed business man, who had never shown signs of
+possessing any more emotion than a stone, suddenly sunk his head in his
+hands with a groan.
+
+"Too late after all," they heard him mutter unsteadily. But when he
+again raised his face, although it was ashy pale, he appeared to have
+mastered himself.
+
+"Well, we've reached the end of our journey, Sparhawk," he remarked in a
+voice that he rendered steady by an apparent effort. "Let us go on
+board, however, and see if we can find some trace of the unfortunates of
+the _Centurion_."
+
+The captain looked as if he would have liked to ask a great many
+questions, but something in Mr. Jukes' face rendered him silent. He gave
+the necessary orders and the boat was pulled round to the other side of
+the schooner. Here they were glad to find some dilapidated ropes
+dangling which afforded a means of getting on board. Two sailors, after
+first testing their weight-bearing qualities, scrambled up them like
+monkeys, and, under the captain's orders, went hunting for a Jacob's
+ladder which would support Mr. Jukes' ponderous weight. One was found
+and lowered, and soon all stood on the silent decks which for so long
+had not echoed the footsteps of a human being.
+
+"Away forward and muzzle that bell, some of you," ordered the captain
+briskly. "The sound of the thing gets on my nerves."
+
+"Send them all forward," supplemented Mr. Jukes. "Tell them to search
+the forecastle, anything to keep them busy. We will examine the cabins
+and officers' quarters."
+
+"Are we to accompany you, sir?" asked Jack hesitatingly.
+
+For a fraction of a second the millionaire seemed plunged in thought.
+Then he arrived at one of his characteristic quick decisions.
+
+"Why not?" he asked, half to himself it seemed. "Later I shall have
+something to say to all of you. You have wondered at the object of this
+cruise, no doubt?"
+
+Captain Sparhawk nodded gravely.
+
+"I have guessed you had some great end to serve in it, Mr. Jukes," he
+said.
+
+"An end which has now been reached, I fear," said the millionaire
+solemnly. "But come, let us proceed with our examination."
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER VI.--A MYSTERY OF THE SEAS.
+
+
+At first glance Jack saw that the main cabin of the _Centurion_ was
+fitted up with a luxuriousness not common to mere trading schooners. A
+silver hanging lamp of elaborate design, silk curtains at the stern
+ports, book-cases filled with handsomely bound volumes and the thick
+carpets on the floor, clearly indicated that whoever had occupied it had
+been above the class of the rough and ready South Sea trader.
+
+In one corner stood a desk as handsome in its appointments as the rest
+of the furniture. But it had been roughly dealt with. The front had been
+smashed in, drawers pulled out and papers and documents scattered about
+all over the cabin floor. The door to a sleeping cabin leading off the
+main apartment was open. Within was the same disorder. Even mattresses
+had been ripped open in a hunt for something, the nature of which the
+boys could not guess.
+
+Mr. Jukes hastily rummaged through the contents of the desk, selecting
+some papers, casting aside others as worthless, and gathered up on his
+hands and knees those on the floor. Then every cabin was searched and in
+each the millionaire took a few papers, but the look of anxiety on his
+face did not change, and the boys judged he had not found what he was in
+search of.
+
+"Not a solitary clue," he exclaimed with a heavy sigh as, dust-covered
+and perspiring from his exertions, he sank down at the long dining table
+in the main cabin. For a time he appeared lost in thought and the others
+stood about silently. To Jack it was almost awe-inspiring, to see this
+over-mastering man of affairs, who bullied whole corporations into his
+way of thinking, sitting there in the cabin of the derelict schooner
+utterly at a loss, and apparently defeated. At length Mr. Jukes spoke.
+His first words were a surprise:
+
+"I suppose you all have heard of my brother, Jerushah Jukes?" he asked.
+
+"The traveler and explorer?" asked Captain Sparhawk. "I guess every one
+in America knows of him, Mr. Jukes."
+
+Paying no attention to the captain's reply, the millionaire went on.
+
+"The papers reported some months ago that he had set out for Central
+Africa."
+
+"I read the account," said Jack, "but----"
+
+Mr. Jukes waved his hand. The boy fell into an abashed silence; in a
+second the millionaire had changed once more from a crushed, defeated
+human being into Jacob Jukes, millionaire and king of commerce.
+
+"He did not go to Africa," he said. "Instead, his destination was the
+South Pacific. He chartered this schooner, the _Centurion_, and the last
+I heard of him was when he set sail from San Francisco. If no news of
+him was received within a certain time I promised him to come in search
+of him. You see," he added with a simplicity new from him, "he was my
+younger brother and I promised my mother on her death-bed always to look
+after him."
+
+There was a pause. In the silence of the long-deserted cabin they could
+hear the dismal creak of the neglected rudder and the bang-banging of
+the swinging spars above.
+
+"We were poor then, miserably poor, and my mother never lived to see the
+rise of our fortunes, for as I advanced in business I helped my brother
+up, too. But his bent was not for finance. He had a streak of the
+adventurous in him. But I put it to paying purpose. I seldom lose on any
+venture." Unconsciously as it seemed, the hard vein in Jacob Jukes had
+cropped out again. "I decided to put my brother on a paying basis. The
+results were good. Concessions in South America, gold mines in Alaska,
+and certain South African enterprises were put through, largely through
+his instrumentality.
+
+"And now, to get down to the present time. The _Centurion_ was chartered
+to obtain for Mrs. Jukes, who has a craze for expensive and rare
+jewelry, the 'Tear of the Sea,' the most famous pearl of the South Seas.
+I had obtained information of its whereabouts in the Pomoutou
+Archipelago through means which are not important to relate here. I
+thought that an expedition to purchase the 'Tear of the Sea' and,
+incidentally, other pearls, would be a good investment and keep my
+brother, who was getting restless, in occupation.
+
+"In the meantime, however, a dishonest employee managed to get wind of
+what was about to take place and furnished the information to a firm of
+European jewelers with agents in New York and all over the world. From
+that moment, I rushed through the _Centurion's_ expedition with all
+possible speed, for I knew the conditions of competition in the Pacific.
+There is little more law among pearl traders than there is north of
+fifty-three. My brother knew this as well as I did and realised the
+necessity for haste. Moreover, we knew that the European firm was
+anxious to obtain, for a royal customer, the very pearl that I was
+after. In addition, this firm was known as one of the most unscrupulous
+in gaining its ends, and maintained, in the South Pacific, a system of
+spies and bullies which brought most of the pearl hunters' prizes into
+their hands. Ugly stories have been told of their methods of gaining
+their ends--and--and I am afraid the fate of the _Centurion_ will have
+to be added to the black list."
+
+"There is nothing in the papers to show what happened to your brother,
+sir?" asked Captain Sparhawk presently.
+
+"Nothing. They are merely formal documents, ship's papers, clearance
+bills and so forth. There is no memorandum relating to the pearl in any
+way."
+
+Captain Sparhawk knitted his brows. For a minute he appeared lost in
+deep thought.
+
+"Do you mind telling us the name of that firm, sir?" he asked at last.
+
+"There is nothing we can prove against them," said the millionaire.
+"They work without their hands showing in any of their ugly
+transactions. Their name, however, is F---- & Freres."
+
+"Of Amsterdam?" queried the captain.
+
+"The same. They have practically a monopoly of the pearl trade of
+Europe."
+
+"I know that, sir," said the captain, clenching his hands. "They tried
+to work their tricks on a ship-mate of mine who went a-pearl trading.
+But, sir, to change the subject, did you ever hear of 'Bully' Broom?"
+
+The millionaire shook his head.
+
+"I have; and have good cause to remember him," said the captain. "But
+none of that at this time. Sir," he continued earnestly, "your brother
+may be as safe and sound as we are. He may have the pearl. But if
+neither of these things have happened, Bully Broom is the man to look
+for if we have to hunt him all over the Pacific. I've sailed these seas
+and know that 'Bully' Broom did F---- & Co.'s dirty work for them. He
+calls himself a trader, but, like lots of others doing business under
+that name in these waters, 'Pirate' would be a sight better name for
+him."
+
+"And you think that this man 'Bully' Broom, as you call him, has
+something to do with this mysterious disappearance of my brother?" asked
+Mr. Jukes, who had listened with deep attention, willing to hear of any
+clue, however slight.
+
+"I ain't dead sure," said the captain, "but it's my impression that if
+the firm you spoke of was after this 'Tear of the Sea,' then 'Bully'
+Broom knows where Jerushah Jukes is," and he brought his lean, gnarled
+fist down with a thump on the table.
+
+The old ginger came back into Mr. Jukes' eyes, the wonted crisp
+authority into his voice as he snapped out:
+
+"That being the case, we'll find 'Bully' Broom."
+
+"No matter where we have to go?" asked Captain Sparhawk, raising his
+eyebrows.
+
+"We'll scour the whole Pacific if necessary. But nobody of the _Sea
+Gypsy's_ crew need accompany her against his will. All I ask is that
+they remain till we can touch at some civilised port, such as Papeiti or
+Honolulu and ship a man in his place. Do you boys wish to stick?"
+
+"To the finish," came from Jack, and Raynor, standing beside him, nodded
+his assent.
+
+As for Captain Sparhawk, he simply reached out one of his brown hands
+toward the millionaire, who clasped it, and said:
+
+"I'm with you till the bottom drops out of the ship."
+
+"Thank you, Sparhawk. It's what I expected of you all," said Mr. Jukes
+quietly, but his voice shook.
+
+Thus, in the desolated cabin of the derelict _Centurion_, there was
+ratified a bargain that was to lead the boys into strange seas and
+stranger adventures.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER VII.--AN OLD ENEMY ODDLY MET.
+
+
+The lads stood on the stern deck of the _Sea Gypsy_, gazing behind them.
+On the horizon hovered a tall, black column of smoke. It marked the last
+resting place of the _Centurion_, for Mr. Jukes, after ransacking the
+cabin of everything associated with his brother, had decided to burn the
+derelict, which, if she had drifted into the paths of navigation, might
+have proved a dangerous menace.
+
+"Well, Billy, the mystery is solved at last," said Jack.
+
+"Yes, and in a way I'd never have guessed in a thousand years. Mr. Jukes
+must be very fond of his brother. It's a new side of his character to
+me."
+
+"Same here," agreed Jack. "While he has always been just and kind, I
+thought him a regular man of business, with ice-water instead of red
+blood in his veins, and his heart in his enterprises only."
+
+"Just goes to show that you are liable to run up against a streak of
+sentiment when you least expect it," said Raynor.
+
+"I see now why an embargo was put on the wireless," said Jack presently.
+
+"I can't figure it out. I should have thought he would have used it to
+try and locate the _Centurion_."
+
+"I guess he figured that if he did so, some ship might pick up the
+message and it would reach the ears of that Amsterdam firm and they
+would find out about this expedition in search of Jerushah Jukes."
+
+"Perhaps that's it. But there's one thing sure and certain, Jack."
+
+"And that is----?"
+
+"That we can't do much without coal."
+
+"Jove, that's true; I'd forgotten that. What rotten luck! Where is the
+nearest coaling place?"
+
+"Papeiti, in Tahiti, I reckon."
+
+"How close are we to that port now?"
+
+"Well, to-day's reckoning puts us in Latitude 29 degrees, 49 minutes."
+
+"I'll have to look at the map, but that makes it quite a run." The
+second mate came bustling up to Raynor.
+
+"The skipper and Mr. Jukes want to see you in the captain's cabin," he
+said.
+
+"Do you know what about?" asked Raynor.
+
+"Coal, I think. How much have you got to keep those old tea-kettles of
+yours chugging?"
+
+"Precious little since your gang on deck let that deck-load be washed
+overboard," grinned Raynor, as he hurried off.
+
+The consultation lasted a long time. But at length Raynor returned with
+the news that, for as long as possible, full speed was to be made with
+the coal in hand, and that then canvas would be spread, for the _Sea
+Gypsy_ was schooner rigged and in addition carried a big square sail on
+her foremast.
+
+For two days good time was made, but when Raynor, with a rueful face,
+announced that only a few shovelfuls more coal remained in the bunkers,
+they were still many weary sea-miles from their destination. However,
+sailors are proverbially inclined to make the best of things. The _Sea
+Gypsy's_ canvas was bent, and under a spanking breeze they glided, at a
+fair speed, over the sparkling waters, while in the engine room the
+fires were drawn and the engines grew cold.
+
+But a steam vessel, while she will behave fairly well under canvas, is
+not designed for sail and makes an astonishing amount of what sailors
+call "lee-way," that is, the wind, if it blows a'beam, constantly drives
+her side-ways, or crab-fashion, of a direct course, so that for every
+mile she makes in a forward direction a considerable amount of lee-way
+has to be deducted. For this reason all hands looked forward to a long
+and tedious voyage before the highlands of Tahiti were sighted.
+
+Now that there was no doubt as to the fate of the _Centurion_, and no
+danger of her being captured, the _Sea Gypsy's_ wireless was set to work
+again. But they were traveling a lonely tract of the Pacific, and no
+answer came to Jack's messages, nor did he "listen in" on any outside
+conversations.
+
+Captain Sparhawk was in hopes of encountering an English, French or
+German cruiser, for all those nations keep war craft in these Pacific
+waters to watch out for pearl pirates and other law-breakers, but the
+wireless failed to pick any up, although Jack worked it assiduously.
+
+For two days the favoring breeze that was helping the crippled _Sea
+Gypsy_ along held. Then there fell a flat calm, and the glass began to
+drop ominously. Captain Sparhawk went about with a grave face. Jack
+gathered from a few remarks the reserved seaman had let fall, that he
+expected another hurricane. Situated as she was, the _Sea Gypsy's_
+predicament would be a serious one if such a tornado as the one she had
+safely weathered were to strike her now. The sailors stood about in
+little knots discussing the situation and casting anxious glances at the
+horizon. Mr. Jukes and the captain and officers spent long hours on the
+bridge in careful consultation.
+
+Before the sun set, the question as to whether or no the _Sea Gypsy_ was
+in for a second fight with the elements was definitely settled. Thunder
+and lightning deafened and blinded the voyagers. Rain descended as only
+tropical rain can, flooding the decks and blinding the look-outs and the
+officers on the bridge. The _Sea Gypsy's_ canvas was reduced, only
+enough being kept on to keep her from literally rolling her hull under
+the towering water mountains.
+
+The crew clawed their way about the decks by holding fast to life-lines
+which Captain Sparhawk had ordered stretched when the storm broke.
+Raynor, coming on deck to report that all was well below, met Jack on
+his way back to the lower regions of the ship.
+
+"Well, old fellow, this is a corker and no mistake," he observed,
+raising his voice in order to make it audible above the frantic battle
+noises of the storm.
+
+"It's the worst yet," Jack agreed.
+
+"And it will be worse than ever before it gets better, according to the
+way Captain Sparhawk put it when I reported to him," said the young
+engineer.
+
+"Hullo, what's that?" exclaimed Jack suddenly.
+
+"We hit something," shouted Raynor. "Look at the watch running forward."
+
+"Storm or no storm, I'm going forward to see what's up," ejaculated
+Jack, and, followed by Raynor, he hurried toward the bow where several
+of the oil-skin coated crew were already clustered.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER VIII.--"LAND, HO!"
+
+
+It was a fight every inch of the way, but at last they reached the bow
+and found the sailors bending over the recumbent form of a youth.
+
+"What has happened? What did we strike?" asked Jack of one of the
+sailors.
+
+"Struck a small boat," was the reply. "How it ever lived in this sea is
+a wonder. This fellow was in it."
+
+"Is he all right?"
+
+"No; about half dead," rejoined the third mate. "Carry him aft, men, and
+put him in one of the spare cabins. With care he may pull through. I'm
+going to notify the captain," and he hurried off.
+
+Several men picked up the form of the rescued one. Jack suddenly saw his
+face, pale as death, with his wet hair hanging over his forehead.
+
+"Great guns, Billy!" he gasped.
+
+"What is it? What's the matter? Do you know him?" queried Raynor.
+
+"Know him? I should say so. So do you. It's Harvey Thurman."
+
+"Impossible."
+
+"Not at all. Take a look at him yourself."
+
+"By George, you are right. What a strange happening," declared Raynor,
+after taking one glance at the youth the crew were bearing off.
+
+"What in the world can he be doing in this part of the ocean in a small
+boat?" wondered Jack.
+
+"I've no idea. We'll have to wait till he comes to, if he ever does. I
+remember hearing now that he had got a job on a Pacific steamer. Perhaps
+it had been wrecked and he was a castaway."
+
+"Possibly," agreed Jack. "I'm glad we saved him, although he has made a
+lot of trouble for us in the past."
+
+As readers of "The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code" will recall,
+it was Harvey Thurman who was assistant wireless man on the _Columbia_
+and whose dislike of Jack and Billy resulted in his joining their
+enemies in an effort to discredit them. After the stolen code was
+recovered, Thurman was not, like the rest engaged in the rascally
+business, sent to prison, but was allowed to go free at the boys'
+behest, as they believed he had been badly influenced more than anything
+else.
+
+"So you know him?" said Captain Sparhawk, as they all stood in the cabin
+to which Thurman had been taken and restoratives were administered to
+the unfortunate youth.
+
+"Indeed we do," said both boys, and they told the captain something of
+their experiences.
+
+"He is not a desirable character then?" said the captain.
+
+"I wouldn't say that," said Jack. "We thought he was influenced by bad
+companions. But at any rate he had no liking for us. Is he going to get
+better?"
+
+"I think so. See, he is opening his eyes."
+
+Thurman's face, under the influence of the restoratives, had become
+suffused by a faint flush of color. He looked wildly about him. As his
+gaze rested first on Jack and then on Raynor he looked like a sleeper
+newly awakened from a night-mare.
+
+"Gracious, am I dreaming?" he gasped.
+
+"No, my lad," said the captain, "but you had a close call from going
+into a sleep from which you never would have awakened."
+
+"But Ready and Raynor! What are they doing here?"
+
+"Oh, we're solid enough. Nothing ghostly about us," Jack assured him,
+extending his hand. "Congratulations on your narrow escape from death,
+and--and we'll let bygones be bygones."
+
+"I never meant to be really bad," said Thurman weakly.
+
+"Say no more about it," advised Billy. "But tell us how you came to be
+adrift in such a fearful storm in that dinky little boat."
+
+"Better let him eat some soup first," said the captain, taking a
+steaming bowl from the steward, from whom he had ordered it for the
+relief of the castaway, "he's half starved."
+
+The way in which Thurman gulped down the grateful food showed that this
+statement was no exaggeration.
+
+"That's the first food I've had in two days," he declared. "You see,
+when the _Galilee_, that was the schooner I was on board of, sank in the
+storm some days ago, I escaped in the boat. We launched two altogether,
+but I guess the other one was lost."
+
+"Begin at the beginning," suggested Jack.
+
+"All right then. It was this way, Ready: After my--er--my little trouble
+with you I came west. I got a job as assistant wireless man at a lonely
+station on one of the Caroline Islands. But I couldn't stand the life
+and resigned. No regular steamers touch there, so I got passage on the
+_Galilee_, a little trading schooner for Papeiti. She sprang a leak and
+sank, and there was only a loaf of bread and a few cans of meat in the
+boat when I shoved off from the sinking hulk. It was all I had time to
+put in. What happened after that till you bumped into me and saved me is
+like a bad dream. I guess I was crazy most of the time. I never expected
+to be saved, and--and I guess it has been a good lesson to me."
+
+"If it has made you resolve to reform, it will not have been wasted,"
+said Jack. And he then told Thurman something about themselves. Captain
+Sparhawk promised that as soon as Thurman was stronger he would find a
+job for him, for the boys' old enemy was penniless, having left his
+wallet behind him in his haste at fleeing from the sinking schooner.
+
+All that night the tempest raged with unabated fury. At times it seemed
+as if the yacht must go to pieces, so sadly was she wrenched and
+buffeted by the giant combers. There was little sleep for any on board
+that night and the day broke wildly on a worried, harried-looking crew.
+Shortly before noon the foresail tore away from the bolt ropes, and
+split with a noise like the explosion of a cannon. This accident was
+almost immediately followed by a shout from the lookout.
+
+"Land, ho!"
+
+This cry, ordinarily one hailed with delight by sailors, was not thus
+received on the _Sea Gypsy_. Captain Sparhawk had been unable to get an
+observation during the days of storm, and what with this, and the heavy
+lee drift made by the yacht, he had no idea of his whereabouts.
+
+At the shout all hands clambered to points of vantage to see what
+islands they could be approaching. As the _Sea Gypsy_ rose dizzily on
+the top of a great wave Jack saw, with a flash of alarm, that they were
+headed straight for a large island dotted with tropical verdure and
+tall, wind-bent palms about which rocks bristled menacingly like hungry
+fangs awaiting to penetrate the _Sea Gypsy's_ stout hull.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER IX.--THROUGH HIDDEN DANGERS.
+
+
+Critical moments followed. Captain Sparhawk navigated the _Sea Gypsy_
+among the rocks with marvelous seamanship. Time and again a shout of
+dismay went up from the sailors as the yacht almost grazed some huge
+black rock or scraped a coral reef. But the passage was negotiated with
+safety, and finally the sea-battered yacht lay snug and safe in the lee
+of the island and all hands drew a long breath of relief.
+
+"Let go the anchor," came the command, and the cable roared out of the
+hawser holes with a savage shout, as if of joy, at the ship's delivery.
+
+"Where under the sun are we?" asked Mr. Jukes of Captain Sparhawk, as
+soon as these maneuvers had been completed.
+
+"I have no more idea than you, sir," was the reply. "But it looks to me
+as if this island must be one of the Pamatous."
+
+"One of the pearl islands?" asked the millionaire.
+
+"The very same. But I cannot be sure. Islands are sown pretty thickly in
+this part of the Pacific."
+
+"Are the Pamatou people cannibals?" asked Jack.
+
+"I don't think so," said the captain, "but before I send a boat ashore I
+am going to deal out arms to the landing party. We want to run no risks.
+I shall also put a guard on the ship, for these savages are great
+thieves and they might see a chance for some piratical tricks in our
+dilemma."
+
+"The machine gun will come in handy then," said Mr. Jukes.
+
+"Yes, indeed, sir. I'll give orders to have it mounted at once in a
+conspicuous place so if any of the gentry ashore have any rascally
+designs they can see we're ready for them with a dose of cold lead."
+
+Jack, after some difficulty, secured permission for himself and Raynor
+to go ashore with the landing party. Mr. Jukes, who remained on board,
+was unwilling that they take the risk of a hostile attack, but at last
+he yielded, and the boys, in high glee, buckled on cartridge belts and
+selected rifles from the ship's armory.
+
+"Keep the rifles in the bottom of the boat," ordered the captain, as
+they shoved off, "and don't use them unless you absolutely have to."
+
+Although the place where they lay was sheltered, the storm was still
+howling and shrieking above the island and the sea ran rather high. The
+inclement weather, no doubt, explained why no natives had so far been
+seen.
+
+A landing was successfully made in the surf, the men leaping from the
+boat and dragging her ashore, waist-deep in water. Dense foliage, among
+which could be seen the huge fronds of the banana, and broad-leaved
+breadfruit trees grew almost down to the dazzlingly white beach. Further
+back great palms, laden with cocoanuts, towered majestically above the
+tropic growth.
+
+"There seems to be no sign of a village here," said the captain.
+
+"Perhaps it is on the other side of the island," suggested Jack.
+
+"Well, we'll tramp along the beach and see what we can find," decided
+the man in command of the "expedition."
+
+Four men were told off to guard the boat, with orders to fire three
+shots if anything out of the way occurred. The party in search of the
+village was to signal in the same way if anything untoward happened and
+they needed help.
+
+"Shall we carry the rifles?" asked Jack.
+
+"Yes; but try to conceal them as much as possible," counseled the
+captain.
+
+They set off along the beach, walking briskly, for the sand was firm and
+hard. Looking back at the anchored yacht, they could see the glitter of
+the machine-gun with a man stationed beside it. The gun was trained on
+the shore ready for instant use against any possible attack. After
+traversing a short distance they came in sight of what appeared to be a
+pathway. The condition of it showed that it was much traveled and
+probably it formed the high road to the village.
+
+Captain Sparhawk decided to follow it. In single file the adventurers
+advanced along the track which wound in and out, dodging trees and rocks
+in a manner peculiar to most savage trails whose makers would rather go
+round an obstacle than clear it out of the way. There was a gloomy sky
+overhead and the wind boomed dolefully among the palms, making a noise
+like sheets of rain falling as their big fan-like leaves rustled and
+scraped against each other.
+
+A hundred rods or so from the coast they found themselves in a ravine
+which towered up steeply on each side of the track. This canyon appeared
+to penetrate the centre of the island, the interior of which was hilly.
+
+"I guess the village, if there is one, must be clear round the other
+side of the island," said Billy Raynor, between bites at a banana he had
+picked from a bush at the side of the trail. Others of the party were
+munching on oranges and a fruit the captain called a "custard apple,"
+the latter a large, brown-colored "apple," filled with a yellow paste
+that looked and tasted like custard.
+
+"There's one thing certain, the high cost of living need never worry
+these fellows," remarked Jack.
+
+"Not if they're content to be vegetarians," said Billy.
+
+"They don't need to be that," said the captain, "the seas hereabouts
+teem with fish--and look there!"
+
+There was a rush and a clatter of falling stones just ahead of them as a
+flock of goats, half-wild creatures, with wonderfully agile legs, leaped
+up the sides of the canyon and then, at a safe height, stood gazing down
+at the invaders of the island.
+
+"These South Sea islanders prefer goat's meat to anything except pork,"
+said the captain; "in fact, the cannibals pay the doubtful compliment to
+human flesh of calling it 'long pig.'"
+
+This mention of cannibalism made the boys feel rather uncomfortable.
+Although the captain reassured them and they knew that the horrible
+practice of eating human flesh had all but died out in the South Seas,
+except in some remote islands, they did not know but the one they were
+exploring might prove to be one of the latter. It was just as their
+minds were busy with these disquieting thoughts that Jack gave a sharp
+exclamation and came to a halt.
+
+The fronds of a banana tree had parted suddenly in front of the lad who
+was in advance of the party.
+
+Between the green leaves a hideous face, daubed with red and white
+paint, suddenly glared out at the boy and then, as swiftly, vanished.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER X.--CHUMMING WITH SAVAGES.
+
+
+So quickly had this happened that none of the others had seen it. But
+Jack quickly apprised them of his discovery.
+
+"If the man's face was painted, would that mean he was on the war-path?"
+asked Billy rather nervously.
+
+"Not necessarily," rejoined the captain, "but still, he might be
+hostile. On feast days the natives paint themselves up and that may have
+been the reason for his decorations."
+
+"Ugh! He was hideous enough to stop a clock or scare a locomotive off
+the track," exclaimed Jack.
+
+"The village must be near at hand," said the captain presently. "Let us
+press on."
+
+They had reached the end of the ravine now, having crossed almost the
+entire island. The path widened and others branched off from it. But
+they stuck to the main thoroughfare and in a few moments came in sight
+of a native village lying not far back from the shore and amidst a grove
+of magnificent palms.
+
+The rhythmical throbbing of tom-toms reached their ears and they could
+see natives dancing in their peculiar swaying manner to the sound of the
+skin drums. Suddenly the dancing ceased. The natives in a swarm, among
+them the man with the painted face, descended on the travelers. Many
+wore flowers in their hair and others added to these decorations by
+brass rings in their noses and ear-rings composed of old china door
+knobs. The men were remarkably handsome and the women pretty.
+
+After the first uncertainty as to their reception, there was no doubt of
+their friendliness as they pressed about. Several of them could talk
+English and the captain soon learned that they were indeed on one of the
+Pamatou group, as he had surmised. The village, which was celebrating a
+feast day, was one of two on the island occupied by pearl fishers. The
+natives were civilized; schooners and ships frequently touching there.
+To the south of them they said were "bad men," meaning cannibals, and
+the boys were glad they had not landed on one of them.
+
+Nothing would do but that the white men must sit down and partake of the
+feast which was just ready. The boys stuffed themselves with roast pork,
+goat-meat, sweet potatoes, yams, roasted bread-fruit, fish and fruit.
+They washed this down with cocoanut milk. During the meal, a young
+Pamatouan attached himself to each of the boys. Each of these lads was
+about sixteen and wore, like most of the rest, a single white garment,
+although some of the natives sported trousers, and a few even had
+shoes--which they carried in their hands!
+
+The two lads, who had thrust their services on Jack and Billy, informed
+them that they were their friends and would be so all the time the _Sea
+Gypsy_ lay at the island. They waited on the amused boys hand and foot,
+not letting them do anything. Jack's acquisition was called Bolabola;
+Billy's savage servitor was called, so he said, Anai. Each could speak a
+little English and they informed the boys that they were "their friends
+for always." From the captain the lads learned that this is a common
+custom among the islanders who value the friendship of a white man
+highly, and think it an honor and a credit to wait on him. He suggested
+giving them some little presents. Jack presented Bolabola with a
+pocket-knife and Billy gave Anai a fountain pen, having nothing else
+with him. Anai promptly stuck the pen through a big hole bored in the
+lobe of his ear and capered about delighted with his new ornament.
+
+When it came time to go back to the ship, the friendly natives could not
+hear of the adventurers trudging back on foot. A great war canoe was
+launched and paddled by fifty strapping natives, singing musically, and
+so they were paddled round the island in state. On their arrival at the
+ship, the boat which had been left under guard was signalled to return,
+and presents of calico, straw hats, cheap cutlery and glass beads and
+fish-hooks and lines,--the latter highly prized,--were dealt out from
+the yacht's stores. The natives swarmed all over the ship and it was
+hard to induce them to leave at all. As for Bolabola and Anai, they
+refused to go till they had extracted promises from their "friends,"
+Jack and Billy, to visit them ashore and visit a pearl cave they knew of
+along the coast.
+
+This exactly suited the boys, and their delight, when Mr. Jukes decided
+to stay at the island for some days, was unbounded. The reason for the
+decision to remain there was arrived at after the millionaire had held a
+consultation with Captain Sparhawk. Tahiti was not far off, and that
+night Jack was ordered to raise the wireless station on the French
+island and find out if a small vessel could not be despatched at once
+with coal to replenish the _Sea Gypsy's_ exhausted bunkers.
+
+The next morning Jack had the satisfaction of informing Mr. Jukes that
+the details had been arranged and that a small tramp steamer might be
+expected to come to their relief in a few days. The expense was
+considerable, but this did not appear to bother Mr. Jukes, who chafed at
+the delay in his search for the survivors, if any there were, of the
+_Centurion_.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XI.--THE CAVE OF THE PEARLS.
+
+
+Two days later, following the arrival at the island of the coal ship--a
+small, rusty tramp steamer--the boys set out for the village to meet
+their friends, who had swum out to the ship almost daily, despite the
+sharks, to see the white youths. As they left the yacht they saw
+Thurman, who had been put to work in the crew, laboring with the other
+blackened "hands" at getting the fuel on board.
+
+"He doesn't look as if he liked his job much," said Jack.
+
+"He ought to be glad he's alive," supplemented Billy Raynor. "I wonder
+if he has really mended his ways or if it was just the effect of his
+scare that made him promise to reform."
+
+"Impossible to say," replied Jack, "but time will show, I guess."
+
+The boys found their friends on the beach with a long, cranky-looking
+canoe, paddled with wonderfully carved paddles. In the canoe were
+bananas, roast pork and other delicacies; also several empty cocoanut
+shells.
+
+"What are those for?" asked Jack, looking at the latter.
+
+"We put um pearl in them if so be we get any," grinned Anai.
+
+"Do you really think we'll get any?" asked Billy.
+
+"No can say. Think cave good place. You ready?"
+
+"Whenever you are," said Jack, taking his place in the canoe, while
+Billy followed his example. The two native lads shoved off and sprang on
+board with wonderful agility, driving the canoe through the surf and up
+onto the summit of a huge wave, where it hung poised for an instant like
+a bird. The next moment they had shot with powerful strokes through the
+rollers and were out beyond the danger line of the surf.
+
+They passed through a noisy fleet of fishers, all of whom greeted them,
+and then the canoe was headed for a green headland some distance down
+the coast. The sun glowed fiercely overhead, the surf boomed unceasingly
+on the beach and the reef beyond, the water hissed along the sides of
+the canoe as the two athletic young natives urged forward amid shouts.
+
+Looking over the side, Jack could see the coral bottom as clearly as if
+an inch instead of many feet of water separated it from the frail canoe.
+It was almost as if they were floating in the air. Fish of brilliant
+colors darted about and once a dark, sinister shade appeared beneath the
+canoe. The Kanaka boys shouted and beat the water with their paddles.
+The dark shadow melted away.
+
+"Him very bad shark," said Anai. "White men call him tiger shark. Worst
+kind of all shark."
+
+"I'd hate to bathe around here," observed Jack.
+
+"Oh, him all right, most generally scare him away, kick, splash, makee
+big noise, he go 'way."
+
+"Yes, but suppose he refused to be scared," objected Billy.
+
+"Then maybe he takee off leg, arm, maybe swallow you all up."
+
+The long, curved point soon hid the fishers in front of the village from
+view. Rounding it, they found themselves skimming along a coast of
+surpassing beauty. Steep, majestic cliffs arose from the clear water and
+long green creepers from the forest above trailed over them.
+
+At last the prow of the canoe was turned and the boys saw that the
+furious paddlers were heading at top speed for the cliffs.
+
+"Hey, stop that, you'll smash the canoe!" cried Jack, as, without any
+diminution of speed, the canoe was urged with wild shouts from the
+paddlers right at the rocky escarpment.
+
+"They've gone crazy," exclaimed Billy, "they----"
+
+He did not conclude what he was going to say. Instead, he set up a cry
+of alarm as the prow of the canoe was hurled at the cliff at a spot
+where a regular curtain of lianas and other forest trailers depended
+from above.
+
+Swish, whoosh, went the canoe, as it shot through the parasites and
+creepers. The boys instinctively ducked their heads. Instead of being
+dashed to destruction against the cliff, the frail craft had been guided
+into this singular cave, one of many along the coast, through the
+greenery portal. Both the Kanaka boys set up a shout of laughter at the
+expense of Jack and Billy, who looked rather sheepish at their late
+alarm.
+
+They were in a dark passage that led into an inner water cave filled
+with an eternal sunless twilight that was very refreshing to them after
+the heat and glare outside. The canoe shot through the passage and into
+the cave itself, the boys uttering a shout of admiration the while.
+
+"Look," said Anai, pointing upward.
+
+Overhead was a marvelously perfect, natural dome, with a large hole in
+the centre through which shafts of sunlight fell into the cave and were
+reflected from the water with a greenish light.
+
+"Look," ordered the Kanaka boy again.
+
+The boys obeyed and gazed over the side of the canoe. Below them,
+through several feet of crystal-clear water, they could see bowers of
+coral, white and pink, with fish darting in and out of the chinks and
+crossing prismatically, while others hung motionless as if suspended,
+fanning the water incessantly with their gauzy fins. It was the most
+wonderful water picture the boys had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+                          CHAPTER XII.--A TRAP!
+
+
+"We eat. Then we go get pearls," decided Anai.
+
+The boys, whose appetites had been sharpened by the trip, were not
+averse to this, and they made a hearty meal. After it the two native
+boys produced leaves in which betel nuts had been carefully wrapped up
+and offered them to Jack and Billy, both of whom declined them. But Anai
+and his friend began chewing the spicy nuts with great zest.
+
+A canoe-length from where they floated a clear rill of water stole
+noiselessly down from above, mingling its sweet waters with the sea.
+After demolishing their betel nuts, the chewing of which is a well-nigh
+universal custom in the South Seas, the two native boys stood erect and
+then bound their long black hair in knots on the top of their heads.
+
+Then, with a shout, they balanced gracefully for a second on the edge of
+the canoe and plunged over. They floated for a minute or two and then
+dived, after inhaling immense breaths. To the boys, watching the divers
+through the clear water, it looked as if they were literally climbing
+down, head first, through the pellucid depths.
+
+Then they saw both the Kanaka lads wrenching oyster shells from their
+hold on the coral with furious energy. It seemed impossible that they
+could stay under water as long as they did, but at length, even their
+wonderful endurance gave out and, laden with shells, they shot back to
+the surface.
+
+Reaching the canoe, the two divers hung almost exhausted on the
+outrigger, regaining their breath after they had thrown several oysters
+into the canoe, which the boys opened eagerly, but only two small pearls
+rewarded them. The two Kanaka boys showed plainly the stress of the long
+time they had stayed down. Their eyes were bloodshot and their faces
+suffused. Their veins stood out on their bodies like cords.
+
+The boys begged them not to go down again, but they insisted.
+
+"How often do you mean to dive?" asked Billy.
+
+"One, maybe two, three time," said Anai.
+
+"Nobody can dive more than three time," declared the other. "Him bad if
+dive too many time. Makee much sick."
+
+"I should think so," said Jack. "I wouldn't have thought it possible for
+any one to stay down so long. It's wonderful."
+
+The next two dives yielded three more pearls from a dozen or more
+oysters. None of them were of any great value but the two divers
+insisted on presenting them to the boys.
+
+"Me try get you very good pearl some udder day," promised Anai, and his
+companion nodded to show that he meant to help in the enterprise.
+
+"Hullo, what's that?" asked Jack suddenly, after they had chatted and
+rested for some time and began to think about returning. There was a
+booming sound in the air and the waters of the cave began to become
+agitated, rocking the canoe dangerously.
+
+Overhead, through the dome, they could see that the sky had darkened.
+
+"Me think storm come. Better get out of here," said Anai, looking
+troubled. "Him bad time of year for storms."
+
+"Goodness, I should say so," declared Jack. "We've been in two bad ones
+already."
+
+"That's how we got blown here," added Billy.
+
+"We thinkee that good storm blow you here, white boys," said Anai.
+
+The sky grew darker, and every now and then a big roller entirely filled
+the mouth of the cavern, blinding them with spray. Having spent its
+fury, these great waves retired with a concussion that was deafening,
+dragging the canoe with fearful velocity toward the mouth of the cave by
+its suction. At such times they only saved themselves from being swept
+out to sea by grasping the hanging curtain of creepers and vines. Anai
+and his companion baled the canoe with a big shell, but the boys felt
+that their position was an awkward and even a dangerous one.
+
+Another great wave burst, sealing up the cave as if it was an air-tight
+compartment, and making the waters of the cavern boil and seethe
+furiously. The pressure of air caused by the sudden rush of water
+affected the boys' ears as if they had been suddenly placed in a
+caisson.
+
+"This is terrible," cried Jack.
+
+"Something will have to be done," said Billy. "We can't last in here
+much longer."
+
+"Are we in danger, Anai?" asked Jack.
+
+"We in very bad fix; but we getee out all right," the Kanaka assured
+him, stopping his bailing.
+
+"They've got some plan in their head," decided Jack, and sat down in the
+bottom of the cranky, frail canoe to see what the next move was to be.
+It was a startling one. The two youths seized their paddles and then, as
+the next wave receded, they shot out of the mouth of the cave like a
+bomb from a mortar, before either Jack or Billy could guess their
+intention or stop what seemed sheer madness on the Kanakas' part, and
+placed all their lives in grave danger. Outside they found themselves in
+the teeth of a howling gale. Spray blinded them, flying over them in
+sheets.
+
+Nothing more was said, nothing seen. The air was darkened with flying
+spume. It seemed impossible that the canoe could live a minute.
+
+
+
+
+                       CHAPTER XIII.--ON THE REEF.
+
+
+The two lads crouched, drenched through, on the bottom of the canoe,
+while the Kanaka boys paddled furiously. Giant waves, true mountains of
+water, hung above them threatening to engulf them, but the canoe rode
+them with what appeared incredible buoyancy.
+
+How long this kept up, neither Jack nor Billy ever knew. It seemed like
+years. Dizzy and sick from the riotous motions of the canoe as it swung
+wildly between sea and sky, they lost all count of everything. But the
+struggle was nearing its end.
+
+Suddenly a giant comber caught up the dugout, turtled it skyward and
+then rushed it sickeningly down. It lifted the craft over the reef and
+into the open sea. For one instant it hesitated and then spun round in
+the trough of the sea. The next moment it was smashed into slivers
+against the reef while an avalanche of waters carried all its occupants
+down into the depths before they had time to even shout their
+consternation. More dead than alive, Jack shot back to the surface
+again. Not far from him was a projecting point of the reef. He managed
+somehow to crawl to it, but as he made his progress along the lower
+lying portions of the coral wall he was swept time and again by waves
+and compelled to exert all his strength to avoid being dashed off. At
+length, with hands cut and bleeding from the rough coral, and his
+clothing in shreds, he reached his refuge and was almost immediately
+joined there, to his great relief, by Anai and his comrade, who had
+rescued Billy Raynor.
+
+But it was a miserable refuge they had found. The projecting point of
+rock hardly gave room for all of them, and frequently waves swept over
+it. At all times they were choked and blinded with spray.
+
+"Well, this is the limit," declared Billy. "Never again for me so far as
+pearl hunting is concerned."
+
+"Nor for me either," said Jack. "Still, it was our fault for not
+watching the weather."
+
+"How long will the storm last, Anai, do you think?" inquired Billy, a
+little later.
+
+The Kanaka boy looked at the weather with a practiced eye.
+
+"Him get better soon," he said. "Him not bad storm."
+
+"Not a bad storm!" exclaimed Jack. "Well, if this isn't one, I never
+want to see one."
+
+"Sometimes hurricane season come blow whole village away," Anai assured
+him.
+
+"I hope this won't be a hurricane," said Jack.
+
+The Kanaka shook his head.
+
+"Bimeby him go way," he assured them. "Look blue sky way off there now."
+
+Sure enough, in the far north-west, from whence the hurricane had come,
+a shaft of sunlight was striking the sea. Behind them they could see the
+storm retreating. Before long the sea had quieted down and the wind
+dropped almost completely.
+
+"Well, we are better off in one respect," said Jack, as they lay about
+on the reef, basking in the hot sun and drying their wet garments, "but
+how are we to get ashore?"
+
+The question was answered by Anai.
+
+"Me swim, get canoe. Soon back," he said.
+
+The next moment his lithe brown form was in the water. To protect
+himself against sharks, he carried a long knife, fashioned out of iron
+wood, which was slung round his neck by a lanyard. It was as tough and
+hard as steel, and he appeared to have no doubt that he could protect
+himself with it against the great fish.
+
+Half-way to the shore a triangular fin came cruising near him and the
+boys dreaded to see a tragic end to their island friend. But Anai set up
+diabolical yells and kicked up a great splashing in the water and the
+sea monster sheered off again.
+
+"Shark him big coward," said Anai's friend, who had remained behind with
+the boys. Directly Anai landed he turned and waved and then set off at a
+sharp run along the beach. Before they expected him he was back again
+with a canoe, and thus an adventure which might have had disastrous
+consequences ended safely. But it was a long time before the boys ever
+forgot it.
+
+The next morning Jack and Billy were leaning over the rail of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, chatting and watching the sharks that swum around the ship
+eagerly watching for scraps from the galley. The coal was nearly all
+unloaded from the small, rusty tramp that had brought it, and all hands
+were looking forward to a resumption of the journey.
+
+In the meantime, Mr. Jukes had been investigating ashore and learned,
+from some natives, that the "Tear of the Sea" had actually been bought
+by his brother, and that just after the purchase, the _Centurion_ had
+sailed away. Not long after, 'Bully' Broom's ship arrived, and the sea
+rover was informed of the sale. He was furious as it appeared that, in
+accordance with his usual practice, he intended to raid the village and
+take possession of the wonderful pearl by force. Mr. Jerushah Jukes'
+arrival ahead of him had, of course, frustrated this plan. According to
+the best information he could get, the millionaire learned that "Bully"
+had at once put to sea in pursuit of the _Centurion_. The finding of the
+empty derelict left little doubt that he had attacked the schooner and
+imprisoned, or worse, perhaps killed, all those on board her.
+
+This, in its way, was well enough, but it left the fate of the party
+still a mystery, and their whereabouts unknown, for "Bully" had half a
+dozen retreats scattered through the South Seas where he might have
+taken them, for even Captain Sparhawk did not believe that the ruffian
+would have dared to kill them.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XIV.--BATTLING MAN-EATING SHARKS.
+
+
+"Like a chance to catch one uv them bastes, Mishther Riddy?" asked Tim
+Muldoon, the Irish quarter-master of the _Sea Gypsy_, who paused near
+where the boys were standing watching a mighty commotion in the water
+made by two great tiger sharks fighting desperately over a piece of
+spoiled pork that had been thrown overboard.
+
+"What would we do with it when we had it?" asked Jack with a smile.
+
+"Shure there's a certain part of the cratirs that makes illigint ateing.
+Meself and several other la-ads in ther crew wouldn't have iny
+objictions at all, at all to a bit of shar-ark steak if so be y'u'd
+loike to hook one."
+
+"What do you say, Billy?" asked Jack.
+
+"That it would be good fun. But what sort of a rig do you use? No use
+taking an eight-ounce rod and a dry fly or a hand line to those
+fellows."
+
+"Shure oi've got a foine shar-ark hook up forward. I'll go git it fer
+yez," declared Muldoon, hurrying off.
+
+He was back before long with a hook that looked like one of those used
+by butchers on which to hang whole carcasses. Attached to this was a
+length of steel chain with a swivel, and above a stout rope some hundred
+feet in length. Billy Raynor went below to the cook's quarters and soon
+came back with a big chunk of pork which was stuck on the hook.
+
+"How'll we haul him out if we do get one?" Billy wanted to know, as the
+bait struck the water with a splash.
+
+"Just give a holler and I'll git some uv ther byes uv ther crew to lind
+yez a hand," declared Muldoon. "Sure 'tis foine spor-rot ye'll be hivin'
+intirely--wow! murtha! Watch yersilf Misther Raynor!"
+
+There had come a sudden vicious rush of one of the sea-monsters at the
+hook. Turning its hideous jaws upward, the ravenous creature had
+literally swallowed "hook, line and sinker." It happened that at that
+precise moment Billy alone had hold of the rope.
+
+As the shark's jaws gripped the hook and its sharp point sunk into his
+flesh, the creature made a mighty rush. It caught Billy unprepared as he
+stood by the rail, a section of which had been removed while the crew
+polished the brass work.
+
+Before he realised what was happening a coil of the rope entangled his
+legs. Like a bullet from a gun, he was whisked off the deck and through
+the air into the sea, which Jack knew was alive with sharks. It had all
+happened so suddenly that the last of Muldoon's alarmed cries had not
+left his lips before poor Billy was towed away from the ship by the
+maddened shark, unable to make a move to extricate himself. He was
+barely able to breathe, in fact, being half submerged.
+
+Paralyzed for an instant, Jack regained his faculties with an effort.
+Captain Sparhawk, who had seen the whole affair, was the first to take
+definite action, however. He issued an order for a boat to be lowered at
+once and then dashed into his cabin for a pistol.
+
+"Hurry, Sparhawk, for Heaven's sake," urged Mr. Jukes, who had also been
+a witness of the accident. "The poor lad will be drowned or eaten alive
+by the other sharks if we don't act promptly."
+
+But the captain was already out of earshot. Muldoon and two other
+sailors were at the oars of the boat as he tumbled into it, followed by
+Jack, who, in his haste, did not stop to ask permission to come.
+Luckily, the shark, instead of taking a straight course out to sea, was
+dashing round and round in circles. This gave them a chance to save
+Billy's life, for had the great fish pursued a straight course, Raynor's
+fate would undoubtedly have been sealed.
+
+"Row for your lives, men," urged the captain, standing erect, pistol in
+hand, awaiting the first opportunity for a shot at the shark.
+
+"Shure thare's no nade to till us thot, captain, dear," cried Muldoon.
+"We'll git the poor lad if we have to pull our own heads off."
+
+The shark now made a swift dash for the bow of the _Sea Gypsy_. Behind
+him, at a distance of about seventy-five feet, poor Billy's body could
+be seen being rushed through the water with a "wake" behind it like that
+of a fast steamer. Jack could see his chum's face, which was ashen
+white. But from the glimpse he had of it, the young wireless man was
+sure that Billy was still alive, marvelous though that seemed. For half
+the time, owing to the manner in which he was attached to the shark, the
+unfortunate lad's head was under the surface of the water.
+
+Bang! Captain Sparhawk's pistol spoke as the shark crossed the bow of
+the boat which had been instantly turned to follow the creature's new
+tactics.
+
+"Missed," he groaned.
+
+"No," cried Jack, an instant later. "See, the water is red behind him!
+You hit him."
+
+"Yes, but I fear not mortally. These creatures have an amazing grip on
+life," was the despondent reply.
+
+And now a fresh element entered into the scene. Round the bow of the
+yacht, toward which the shark, with its human burden, was dashing, there
+suddenly appeared a long, slender canoe with two lithe young native
+figures propelling it. It was Anai and his friend, the sworn allies of
+the boys.
+
+For an instant, as the extraordinary scene presented itself to them,
+they stood like bronze figures. Then the full meaning of the impending
+tragedy appeared to strike them. With a simultaneous cry each grasped
+his great iron-wood knife and without the slightest hesitation leaped
+overboard.
+
+"They are going to save him!" cried Jack exultingly, as the two Kanaka
+boys fearlessly clove the shark-infested water to attack the monster
+that had abducted Billy.
+
+"And lose their own lives," exclaimed the captain as several dark fins
+appeared in the water about the two intrepid youths.
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XV.--A MESSAGE FROM THE DEEP.
+
+
+The scene that ensued was one that lingered long in the recollection of
+those who saw it. Uttering loud yells, the two native boys bore down on
+the shark that had poor Billy in tow.
+
+Each taking a side they dashed upon it with fury. As they gained its
+flanks their arms flashed up and the next instant their great iron-wood
+knives were buried hilt-deep in the tough skin. The watchers saw the
+great shark give an upward leap and the water was dyed crimson.
+
+"They reached his vitals. Hurrah for them," cried Captain Sparhawk.
+"Bear down on Billy, lads. I reckon the shark is done for."
+
+They were none too soon. After being disentangled from the rope that had
+caused all the trouble, Billy was hauled into the boat just in the nick
+of time. The rope had grazed and chafed his legs cruelly, but except for
+the great amount of water in his lungs he had suffered no other injury.
+
+But no sooner had this been done than another necessity arose. The brave
+Anai and his companion were surrounded by a school of sharks attracted
+by the blood of the creature the two young Kanakas had despatched. So
+far, by splashing furiously, and screeching at the top of their voices,
+the native youths had succeeded in keeping the monsters at bay, but it
+was doubtful for how long they could do so.
+
+"To the rescue, lads," cried Captain Sparhawk, replacing the cartridge
+he had discharged. "Give way with a will. I wouldn't wish to see either
+of those brave lads harmed."
+
+In a few seconds they were in the midst of the school of sharks that had
+assembled as if by magic, ravenous for the flesh of their dead brother.
+The captain's pistol spat lead right and left, and at that short range
+the effect of the bullets was deadly. In a few minutes five of the sea
+monsters were dead. But far from being scared off the rest fell
+furiously upon these, making upward rushes, exposing their huge mouths
+with their triple rows of needle-like teeth.
+
+Leaving them to their cannibal feast, Anai and his companion were hauled
+on board and at Muldoon's special request the body of the brute that had
+almost caused Billy's death was taken in tow.
+
+"I'll make you byes some handsome watch-charms out of his teeth fer
+remimbrancers," he promised.
+
+"As if we needed anything to remind us of it," shuddered Jack.
+
+"Just think, if it hadn't been for Anai here and Bolabola I'd have been
+past saving by now," cried Billy, warmly ringing their hands.
+
+"You may well say that, lad," agreed the captain. "They saved you from
+visiting Davy Jones, without a doubt."
+
+"We your friends. Must save you even if it cost our lives," said Anai,
+looking embarrassed.
+
+"Shure an' thot's more than many a white man wud say," approved Muldoon
+warmly. "Byes, give us yer flippers. Ye may hav' black skins, but be
+jabers yer hearts is pure gold entoirely."
+
+The canoe was taken in tow and the whole party returned to the yacht,
+where they received more congratulations from the others on board who
+had watched the whole affair spell-bound with alarm and then with
+admiration at the Kanaka boys' brave act. The decks rang with cheers as
+they came on board, Captain Sparhawk and Jack supporting Billy, who was
+still white and shaky.
+
+Mr. Jukes' enthusiasm for Anai and Bolabola knew no bounds. The
+millionaire wanted them to accept a handful of gold pieces each. But the
+lads shook their heads. Gold was of little use to them. But other
+presents which were showered upon them they accepted gladly. There was
+almost a canoe-full of them, ranging from gaudy neckties to a broken
+concertina, the latter being presented by Muldoon. It could emit, upon
+coaxing, a few wheezy notes, and the brown boys appeared to prize it
+quite above any of their other gifts.
+
+In the meantime, on the foredeck, to which the body of the great shark
+had been hoisted by slings, the members of the crew, who understood such
+operations, assisted by Muldoon, were cutting up the monster. From time
+to time they flung useless bits of offal over the side. A scramble from
+such of the sharks as had disposed of the dead bodies of their
+companions instantly ensued. Sharks are the most rapacious of any
+creatures on land or sea, and their appetites appeared to have been
+slacked in no important particular by their cannibal meal.
+
+"Bad luck to yez," exclaimed Muldoon, shaking his fist at them after one
+of these rushes, for every sailor hates a shark. "There's many a thrue
+lad gone to his long rickonin' through yez or yez mates. Bad cess to all
+uv yez, says Tim Muldoon."
+
+An interested group, among whom were Jack and Billy, watched the
+proceedings from the bridge. Mr. Jukes was no less interested than the
+rest. He attentively watched the sharks as they fought. Perhaps their
+feverish rapacity reminded him of certain "big business" operations at
+home in the States where great corporations have been not unknown to
+gobble up their small competitors as hungrily as any tiger shark.
+
+"Hullo, they seem to have found something interesting," said Jack, as a
+murmur arose among the butchers who suddenly crowded round Muldoon,
+chief of the dissectors.
+
+"It's a bottle," cried Billy Raynor.
+
+"Look here what I found in the hongry divil's stomach," exclaimed
+Muldoon, holding up his find. "Be jabers, he must hav' a digestion a
+dispiptic millionaire would invy to ----"
+
+He stopped short, covered with confusion, as he suddenly recalled that
+Mr. Jukes suffered from the very complaint he had mentioned.
+
+"Bring that bottle here, Muldoon," ordered Captain Sparhawk, in order to
+save what threatened to be an awkward situation, for Mr. Jukes had
+turned as red as a turkey-cock and the boys had had to turn away to hide
+their smiles.
+
+The quartermaster hastened aft with the bottle. It was encrusted with
+deposits apparently caused by the acids of the shark's stomach. But when
+Captain Sparhawk held it to the light, he could see that contained
+within it was some object.
+
+"There's something inside it," he said.
+
+"By jove, perhaps a letter from some shipwrecked sailors," exclaimed Mr.
+Jukes.
+
+"Such messages are often frauds, sir," observed the captain. "If it
+should prove to be such, I'd be wary about replying to it."
+
+"Well, let's have a look at it, whatever it is," said Mr. Jukes. "This
+is really interesting."
+
+They all crowded about, even the Kanakas, as the captain smashed the
+bottle on the rail. A rolled-up paper dropped on the deck. Jack, at
+whose feet it had fallen, picked it up. He opened it and saw that it was
+scribbled on with pencil.
+
+"It seems ----," he began, when a sudden exclamation from Mr. Jukes
+checked his further utterance.
+
+"Let me look at that paper," commanded the millionaire, who, they now
+noticed, was breathing quickly and whose eyes shone with feverish
+excitement.
+
+Jack handed it over, while they all regarded the millionaire's agitation
+curiously. With hands that shook, the financier scanned the letter and
+then made an electrifying announcement in a voice that was tense and
+self-controlled, but yet betrayed the excitement under which he labored
+as he spoke.
+
+"Gentlemen, the age of miracles has not passed," he said. "When Ready
+first opened the paper, I thought I recognized a peculiar handwriting. I
+was not wrong. This message was written by my brother!"
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XVI.--ALIVE ON THE SEA.
+
+
+"Incredible!" exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, unable to think of anything
+else to say at the astounding information.
+
+"But, nevertheless, true. Sparhawk, this message confirms the truth of
+your theory about 'Bully' Broom. That rascal attacked and overcame the
+unsuspecting crew of the _Centurion_, and obtained the 'Tear of the
+Sea'."
+
+"The infernal scoundrel," breathed Captain Sparhawk. "There is not
+another man in the South Seas who would have dared such a coup. But does
+the message give any clue to your brother's fate, sir?" he added
+respectfully.
+
+The millionaire's face glowed and suddenly lost its careworn look.
+
+"That's the best part of it," he explained. "But come to my cabin,
+captain--yes, Ready, you and Raynor may come, too," he added as he
+intercepted anxious looks on the boys' faces.
+
+Inside the cabin the millionaire spread on the table the yellowed,
+scribbled bit of paper that just then meant more to him than any
+document he had ever seen in his life.
+
+"I'll read aloud," he said, and then, in a clear voice, he recited the
+contents of the missive.
+
+    "Any one finding this please notify my brother Jacob Jukes of
+    New York, who will reward him lavishly for the trouble. This is
+    being written on board 'Bully' Broom's schooner, _South Sea
+    Lass_. We are all prisoners and the 'Tear of the Sea' is in the
+    ruffian's possession. We are being taken, as I overheard, to
+    Bomobori, in New Guinea, with what object I cannot say. May
+    Heaven help us in our desperate strait. I am throwing this, with
+    a prayer to Heaven that it may be found, from the window of the
+    cabin in which I am confined.
+
+                                                    Jerushah Jukes."
+
+"I know Bomobori well," exclaimed Captain Sparhawk, as Mr. Jukes
+finished reading. "I was there in '87 and again in '89."
+
+"What sort of a place is it?" inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+"Not much of a town," was the reply. "It is at the mouth of a river that
+penetrates a wild country. If 'Bully' Broom wished to hide his captives,
+he could not have taken them to a better place."
+
+"Sparhawk," and the millionaire's voice was vibrant with determination,
+"how long will it take us to get there?"
+
+"I should say not more than a week. But we should have to re-coal at
+Tahiti if we are to make the run at top speed. How about that, Raynor?"
+
+"You're right, captain," said the young engineer. "I'll guarantee to run
+the _Sea Gypsy's_ engines faster than they were ever run before, but
+I've got to have the coal to do it with."
+
+"That steamer is through coaling us now?" asked the millionaire, after
+he had made a few calculations on a scrap of paper.
+
+"They emptied the last of their load an hour ago," said Captain
+Sparhawk.
+
+"Good," was Mr. Jukes' response. "Send the captain to me and I will give
+him my check. Raynor, how soon can you have steam up?"
+
+"In an hour, sir," responded the young engineer.
+
+"Splendid; make all the time you can. Every moment is valuable now.
+Ready----"
+
+Jack was all attention. Into the millionaire's manner had come a snap
+and a grip of affairs that had not been there since they had sailed. He
+had something tangible to go upon now, and was plainly prepared to make
+the most of it.
+
+"Ready," he went on, "I want you to raise Tahiti at once. Order coal to
+be ready for us when we arrive and have a force of men engaged to hustle
+it on board without loss of time."
+
+"Yes, sir," rejoined Jack, hurrying from the cabin.
+
+Within a few minutes the entire atmosphere of the ship appeared to be
+charged with electricity and bustle. Black smoke volleyed from the stack
+and the roar of escaping steam soon came from the relief pipe. Anai and
+his companion, almost in tears at the thought of parting with the boys,
+were sent ashore, and final preparations made for the start.
+
+Shortly before sun-down Raynor reported all ready in the engine room.
+
+"Very well, captain," said Mr. Jukes, "you may get up your anchor."
+
+The necessary orders were soon given and as the chains rattled home
+through the exhaust pipes the yacht swung her bow gracefully seaward. A
+big crowd of canoes and the small tramp, which had also taken up anchor,
+accompanied her some distance out to sea.
+
+The natives raised their voices in melancholy songs as they paddled, and
+from time to time cried out:
+
+"Come back, white men."
+
+Among them Jack and Raynor recognized Anai and the other young Kanaka.
+Both lads felt a genuine regret at leaving the brave, likeable young
+natives, but ahead of them they felt lay experiences which for the time
+being put all other emotions out of their minds. The _Sea Gypsy_,
+rushing ahead at top speed, soon left the rusty tramp, her consort, far
+behind. By dark only the summit of the island was visible on the
+horizon. It sank quickly from sight, and when the first stars appeared
+the _Sea Gypsy_ was alone on the sea.
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XVII.--AN ENCOUNTER AT BOMOBORI.
+
+
+It was on a clear day a little more than a week later that the lookout
+announced land dead ahead. All on board knew that it must be New Guinea,
+the wild and little known country where Mr. Jukes had confident hopes of
+finding his lost brother. Captain Sparhawk made an excellent
+"land-fall," as sailors call it, and by night they came to anchor off
+Bomobori.
+
+It was a beautiful scene. The waves dashed against a golden strand.
+Behind lay vast and mysterious forests, looking dark and uninviting in
+the evening light. Beyond the forests rose great mountains veiled in the
+bluish mist of the far distances. As darkness fell, the lights of
+Bomobori began to twinkle, casting reflections in the still waters of
+the harbor and river, the mouth of which latter could be seen to the
+north of the town.
+
+"Well, I'm ready to go ashore," remarked Raynor, as he joined Jack on
+deck at the conclusion of his duties in the engine-room. "It will
+certainly feel good to put foot on shore once more."
+
+"Indeed it will," agreed Jack, warmly. "I'm anxious to get a look at New
+Guinea too. It's a country about which very little is known--I mean so
+far as the interior is concerned."
+
+"Well, we are likely to have plenty of opportunity for exploration,"
+said Raynor. "I heard Mr. Jukes telling the captain that he believed,
+from what he had heard about 'Bully' Broom at Tahiti where he is well
+known, that the rascal has a secret hiding place in the interior
+somewhere."
+
+"Then it's likely to take a long time to locate him," said Jack. "This
+is a pretty big country and very densely wooded, with big mountains and
+rivers galore. I'm afraid it's a needle and hay-stack job."
+
+"I expect Mr. Jukes means to get a clue in Bomobori, where Broom is
+probably well known," hazarded Raynor.
+
+"That is probably his idea," said Jack. "Anyhow, he is not a man who
+would give up his purpose for any ordinary difficulties."
+
+It was decided not to leave the yacht till the morning. It can well be
+imagined then that the sleep of the boys that night was not as sound as
+usual. Both lay awake wondering what lay before them, and whether they
+would succeed or fail in the mission, for that evening Mr. Jukes had
+appointed them members of the expedition, and declared that he would
+rely upon them to the uttermost to aid him.
+
+It was then that Jack had made a suggestion. The yacht was to be left in
+the harbor with a crew to guard her, but communication with her might be
+important, even necessary, if they were driven to some other part of the
+coast and were unable to return to Bomobori.
+
+Jack's suggestion was that, with the spare parts of the ship's wireless,
+of which a big stock was carried, he should construct a portable radio
+apparatus by means of which they could at all times be in touch with the
+yacht. He had an idea that he could do this easily. Thurman, who had
+been conducting himself in an irreproachable manner, could be left in
+charge of the _Sea Gypsy's_ plant with perfect safety, the boy felt
+confident. And so, subject to his success with a portable set, it was
+arranged.
+
+"This doesn't appear to be much of a town," observed Raynor, as they
+landed the next day, a little before noon, in a warm, gentle shower of
+rain such as frequently swept across the island at that time of the
+year.
+
+"Well, you could hardly expect to find it a New York or London, you
+know," rejoined Jack.
+
+In truth Bomobori was a very fair specimen of a town in that section of
+the world. Along the water front, back of which squatted a line of
+tin-roofed warehouses, were moored native craft from up the river with
+bamboo cabins and great lattice sails that housed a whole family of
+natives. In spite of the rain it was warm and steamy, and a strange
+assortment of odors greeted their nostrils as the boat was run up to the
+principal dock and made fast.
+
+The population was a very mixed one. Pallid white men, who looked like
+Frenchmen for the most part, rubbed elbows on the water front with
+Chinese, Lascars, Malays, Javanese and the wild-looking Papuans from the
+interior with their frizzed hair and ornamental cloaks of bird skins and
+long spears. Here and there a stout German in white ducks waddled by
+with a sun-helmeted Englishman. There appeared to be quite a lot of
+trading going on.
+
+But they were anxious to hurry on to the hotel where Mr. Jukes hoped to
+begin the inquiries which he was sanguine would result in his finding
+his brother. The hostelry for which they were bound lay some squares
+back from the water front. It was situated, like most tropical hotels,
+in a park in which flowers and shrubs of all kinds grew luxuriantly, and
+bright colored birds flew with harsh cries, like (bright) jewels, among
+the brilliant foliage. It was a two-story affair in front of which a
+fountain plashed coolingly in the hot, heavy air. Verandas, upon which
+every room opened, completely surrounded each story.
+
+They entered the office where the hand baggage they had brought was
+picked up by barefooted, white-garmented servants. Mr. Jukes was bending
+over the register writing his name and those of his party when Jack
+caught sight of somebody lounging in a bamboo chair in the reading room
+that nearly took his breath away.
+
+"Well, if that isn't----"
+
+"What is it, Jack?" asked Billy quickly.
+
+"Look at that chap there reading a paper. It's Donald Judson--Donald
+Judson, as sure as you're a foot high!"
+
+
+
+
+                  CHAPTER XVIII.--DONALD JUDSON AGAIN.
+
+
+Jack was right; the boy sitting in the reading room was indeed the
+formerly ne'er-do-well son of the man who had headed the plot to steal
+the naval code, though what he could be doing in Bomobori neither of the
+boys could guess. But so changed was he in appearance from the
+flashily-dressed, aggressively-conceited Donald Judson they had known,
+that for a moment both boys doubted the evidence of their eyes.
+
+Donald had always, in the past, been inclined to dudishness in his
+clothes. Now his clothing was dilapidated and torn, his shoes were old
+canvas ones that looked ready to fall apart, and he had a scarecrow of a
+battered straw hat on his head.
+
+Moreover, his face was careworn and his cheeks hollow and one eye
+appeared to have suffered a blow of some sort for it was blackened and
+swollen. Altogether he was a most woebegone looking specimen of
+humanity, and the boys wondered he was suffered about the hotel.
+Donald's presence there, however, was later accounted for, although
+this, of course, the boys did not know, by a long tale of disaster and
+suffering he had sustained while gold hunting in the interior. Donald
+said he was expecting remittances from America and on this account had
+been accommodated with quarters.
+
+"My gracious, what a change," exclaimed Billy under his breath. "He
+looks like a regular scarecrow."
+
+"He must have been in mighty tough luck," rejoined Jack. "But what beats
+me is what he is doing here. It's a very odd coincidence that we should
+run into two of our old enemies on this trip."
+
+"It is, indeed. But see, he is looking at us. I suppose we ought to
+speak to the poor chap."
+
+Donald had dropped his paper and was staring straight at the two lads as
+if they had been ghosts. Then he got to his feet and came toward them.
+
+"Jack Ready!" he exclaimed, "where did you come from?"
+
+"We might ask the same question of you, Judson," said Jack,
+"but--er--you'll excuse my saying so, but you look as if you'd been in
+hard luck lately."
+
+"I have been, oh I have been," said Donald, in a voice far different
+from his old bragging one. "I got out of a job and shipped for a sailor.
+I'd heard it was a fine life. The ship I was on sailed away from
+Honolulu while I was still ashore after overstopping my leave. Then I
+got a job on a schooner that had a bad reputation, when I was nearly
+starved, but I had to live somehow. The captain of the _South Sea Lass_
+was a brute. He----"
+
+"Here, hold on," cried Jack, seizing his arm which was thin and bony,
+"was his name Broom----"
+
+"Yes. 'Bully' Broom. He is little better than a pirate. He treated me
+worse than a dog, and finally, after blacking my eye, put me ashore here
+several days ago. He----say, hold on, what's the matter?"
+
+Jack and Billy had seized him one on each side and were dragging him
+across the floor of the hotel office.
+
+"There's somebody here we want you to tell your story to," explained
+Jack. "It'll be worth something to you, but be sure to tell the truth."
+
+"As if I could lie, no matter what I said about that wretch, 'Bully'
+Broom," declared Donald. "I'm sure he was mixed up in some illegal
+business. Why we put into an island called the Pommer-Pommer----"
+
+"The Pamatous?" came from Billy.
+
+"That's it."
+
+"And some men were taken prisoners from a schooner called the
+_Centurion_?" demanded Jack.
+
+"Yes, but see here Ready, how in the world----?"
+
+"Never mind that. What became of those prisoners?"
+
+"He locked them up in cabins. He said that they were bad men and pearl
+robbers and that he was bringing them to justice."
+
+"Did you ever talk with them?"
+
+"No; except one, and I never got a chance to say much to him. Broom
+watched me very closely. He'd have murdered me if he'd thought that I
+was trying to pry into his affairs."
+
+"What was the name of the man you talked to?"
+
+"He was a kind of a leader of the party, I guess," was the reply. "I
+used to take him his meals and there were precious few of those too, for
+we were on short rations ourselves."
+
+"But his name--his name?" demanded Jack.
+
+"Oh, Flukes--something like that, anyhow. I never was good at names."
+
+"Was it Jukes?"
+
+"That was it," cried Donald, snapping his fingers.
+
+"Well, boys, what's the matter?" demanded the missing man's brother as
+he finished with the register and turned amazedly to face his two young
+followers grasping Donald's ragged figure on each side as if they had a
+prisoner in custody.
+
+"Mr. Jukes, this boy has seen and talked to your brother within the last
+two weeks," was the announcement from Jack that sent the millionaire
+staggering back against the hotel desk, for once in his life giving way
+to uncontrolled amazement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XIX.--HE TELLS A STRANGE STORY.
+
+
+"Bless my soul," he exclaimed, when he found breath, "you boys are
+always digging up somebody. Who is this?"
+
+He regarded the ragged figure of the unfortunate Donald with some
+disapprobation. Jack explained, and then Donald, stumbling and
+stuttering somewhat under Mr. Jukes' steady eye, told his story.
+
+"But you have not told us the most important part of it all," said the
+millionaire, as he concluded. "Where was my unfortunate brother taken to
+by this ruffian?"
+
+"That's just what I don't know, sir," rejoined the boy. "You see, they
+took good care I shouldn't know too much about their operations. All I
+know is that I heard them saying something about 'up the river.'"
+
+"Meaning this river--the Bomobori?" asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+"I suppose so."
+
+"Do you know where the schooner is now?" was the millionaire's next
+question, but Donald did not. All he knew was that, after landing him in
+Bomobori, 'Bully' Broom had departed under cover of night. Where he had
+headed for was a mystery.
+
+Jack whispered something to the millionaire when Donald had concluded
+his narrative and Mr. Jukes put his hand in his pocket and drew out some
+coins. Then as he moved off Jack rather hesitatingly said to Donald:
+
+"You've had a hard time of it for money, I suppose?"
+
+"Hard? That's no name for it," exclaimed the other. "That rascal Broom
+never gave me a cent, though when he shipped me he promised me wages. If
+you hadn't arrived I don't know what I should have done."
+
+"Well, we are willing to let bygones be bygones," said Jack.
+
+"It wouldn't be fair to be rough on a fellow who is down on his luck,"
+muttered Donald rather grudgingly. "And--and I guess I've learned a
+lesson, fellows."
+
+"By the way, Donald," said Jack, handing the boy the coins Mr. Jukes had
+given him, "here is something from Mr. Jukes to help you along for the
+present. I am sure he will see to it that you do not suffer any more
+hardships in return for the valuable information you have given us."
+
+The destitute lad's face brightened wonderfully. The money--about twenty
+dollars--was more than he had seen in a long time. He fingered the coins
+greedily.
+
+"I--I'm much obliged to you and to your friend, too," he muttered rather
+shamefacedly, "and--er--I'm sorry I ever played you mean tricks."
+
+"Never mind about that now," said Jack, cutting him short. "My advice to
+you is not to hang about here, but to get a job on the first ship that
+touches here and go home."
+
+"I'll go down to the shipping offices right now and see what the chances
+are," promised Donald, and with a new spring in his step he started out
+of the hotel.
+
+"What a change," exclaimed Jack, when he had gone. "I never thought
+Donald Judson could become so humbled."
+
+"He is certainly blue, and that is hardly surprising," agreed Billy.
+"But the question is whether his seeming repentance is sincere."
+
+"Let's hope all that he has been through has taught him a good lesson,"
+said Jack.
+
+"It surely ought to have," said Billy, and then the subject was
+dismissed by a tall, half-clothed native striding into the lobby and
+beating stridently on a huge brass gong inscribed with queer characters.
+
+"What's that for?" asked Jack of the clerk behind the desk who looked
+like a German.
+
+"Dot iss for Riz Tavel," replied the clerk.
+
+"For Riz who?" asked Billy.
+
+"For Riz Tavel," rejoined the man impatiently, as if surprised at their
+ignorance. "Riz Tavel, dot means lunch."
+
+"Oh, I see," replied Jack. "Well, I'm ready for it whatever they call
+it."
+
+At the summons of the gong several guests of the hotel came into the
+lobby, appearing as if they had just got out of bed. The boys were
+amazed to see that many of the male guests wore pyjamas, while the women
+were in negligee. This, however, applied only to the half castes and
+Dutch residents. The Germans and English, who did most of the trading at
+Bomobori, wore tropical suits of conventional make.
+
+They were waited on by barefooted Malays who set before each of the boys
+and their shipmates, when these latter appeared, big soup plates full of
+rice.
+
+"They call this the 'riz-tavel,' that means the rice table," explained
+Captain Sparhawk, thus clearing away the secret of the mysterious words.
+"Rice is a staple all through the East, just like bread is at home."
+
+Having filled their plates with rice, as they saw everybody else do, the
+Americans waited for the next move. The waiters had all vanished after
+depositing the rice, and Jack was moved to remark whether that was all
+they were going to get.
+
+His question was answered by the re-appearance of the barefooted
+servitors. They bore numerous dishes piled with fish, duck, chicken,
+pork, omelette, onions and peppers. The guests all piled portions of
+every one of these dishes on the top of the rice, and the visitors
+seeing that they were not expected to ask for more plates were fain to
+do the same. The boys, however, balked at a thin curried sauce which was
+supposed to be poured over this hodge-podge of edibles.
+
+Having disposed of what in itself was a mighty meal they then found that
+they were expected to despatch beefsteaks, salad and fruit.
+
+"Well, they don't starve you here, that's one thing sure," said Jack.
+
+"You must remember that their 'breakfast,' as they call it, is eaten in
+the cool of the morning and usually only consists of coffee and fruit,"
+said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+A groan from the dyspeptic Mr. Jukes, who had eaten a hearty meal, was
+followed soon after by the breaking up of the party. There was much to
+be attended to, but Captain Sparhawk said it would be useless to try to
+transact business till the late afternoon when the sea breeze sprung up.
+The interval between riz-tavel and that hour he said was set aside for
+sleeping, and nobody ever dreamed of interfering with the custom. In
+fact, he would have found nobody to transact business with.
+
+He warned the boys against walking about in the scorchingly hot
+afternoon sun also, as it was said to induce fevers. There was nothing
+left for them to do, therefore, but to pass the afternoon in their
+rooms, although they would have preferred exploring the town.
+
+When they came down again they found Donald Judson in the lobby. He
+appeared very disconsolate. He said that no ships for American ports
+would call at the port for a long time.
+
+"I guess I'm stuck here for the rest of my life," he complained, and
+then made a sudden suggestion.
+
+"Say, why can't you take me with you on that expedition?" he asked, for
+the boys had told him something about the object of their presence in
+New Guinea.
+
+"Um--er--I don't know that Mr. Jukes wants anybody else along,"
+hesitated Jack.
+
+"I'd work hard and do anything I was told to," said Donald pleadingly.
+"Won't you ask him about it? It's awful to be stuck here like a bump on
+a log."
+
+"Well, perhaps we might see about it," relented Jack, really feeling
+sorry for the unhappy plight of their former enemy, mean and despicable
+as he had proved himself to have been in the past.
+
+"Thanks, awfully," exclaimed Donald, gratefully, and he went off through
+the gardens, saying that he was going to get himself a pair of new
+shoes. Soon after Mr. Jukes, having got over his attack of dyspepsia,
+appeared, the boys laid Donald's request before him.
+
+"I really don't know," he hesitated. "Of course, the lad is in hard
+luck, but somehow I don't exactly like his looks and I don't see what
+use he could be to us. I'd rather leave money here to pay for his living
+till some ship arrives he could get a berth on."
+
+"If you left him money in a place like this he might fall back into his
+old bad ways," suggested Jack.
+
+"That is true. I wouldn't wish to push any one down the hill when there
+was a chance of helping them up," said the millionaire, musingly. "Well,
+I'll see about it," he added after an interval of thought. Just then, as
+Captain Sparhawk came up, the incident was ended and the two elders set
+out for a trading store to arrange for supplies and other necessaries
+for their dash into the interior, for Mr. Jukes had resolved to act on
+Donald Judson's unexpected clue and make his way up the river.
+
+"I've got a notion that if we did take that fellow Donald along that he
+would make trouble for us," said Raynor as soon as they were out of
+ear-shot.
+
+"I don't see how he could, or what object he would have," doubted Jack.
+"Still, I myself wouldn't trust him very far, in spite of his
+declarations of reform."
+
+But as it so happened neither of the boys need have troubled themselves
+over the matter, for that evening, when Mr. Jukes sent for Donald to
+have a talk with him, the boy's manner had changed entirely. He was no
+longer servile and cringing as he had been earlier. In fact, he
+intimated very plainly that he wanted nothing more to do with the Jukes
+party.
+
+There was a reason for this, a reason that none of the party naturally
+was able at the time to guess. Donald's change of front was not due to
+any mere caprice. A deep-seated reason lay behind it, and that reason
+was rooted in an encounter he had had just after he left the boys in the
+hotel garden.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XX.--A TRAITOR IN CAMP.
+
+
+Donald's encounter had been with no less a personage than 'Bully' Broom
+himself, whose spies in the town had informed him that a party of
+Americans had arrived on a yacht and had been making inquiries about a
+missing man named Jukes. Broom at once knew that the half-suspected had
+happened, and that a strong party in search of the missing man had, by
+some inexplicable (to him) chance, arrived in Bomobori.
+
+He perceived at once that Donald's presence at the hotel, where he had
+abandoned him to his fate, might result disastrously for him and he
+congratulated himself that the boy did not know more of the fate of
+Jerushah Jukes than he had already told our friends. But even that
+meager information, Broom foresaw, might be used to great advantage, so
+he posted himself in a resort frequented by men of his type of whom
+there are many in the South Seas, and despatched some of his crew to
+look for the boy he had cast off.
+
+It was not long before Donald who, to do him justice, came unwillingly
+at first, was presented to Broom by two villainous-looking half-caste
+Malay sailors, for Broom had few white men in his crew.
+
+"They talk too much," he was wont to say.
+
+As soon as Donald appeared, the 'Bully' reversed his usual tactics and
+tried to make himself as pleasant as possible. He was a huge-framed
+ruffian with a tangled black beard, and burned brown enough by sun and
+wind to be taken for a negro. Donald soon saw that he had nothing to
+fear from Broom now, and being a sharp boy he proceeded to take the
+initiative after some verbal sparring.
+
+"You've got an awful nerve sending for me after the treatment you gave
+me," he observed. "What do you want, anyhow?"
+
+"Now see here, boy," bellowed Broom, in his gruff voice which he tried
+to render amiable without much success, so used was he to ruling his
+band with an iron hand, "I'll admit that I may have used you a bit
+roughly, but that was the way of the sea. A fine young fellow like you,
+though, oughtn't to mind that. A little knocking about is good for you."
+
+"Yes, and it was good for me to be left stranded in this hole, too, I
+suppose," said Donald.
+
+"I didn't leave you stranded. I was merely out of funds and was coming
+back to pay you up and get you out of trouble," protested Broom, with an
+earnestness that appeared genuine. "See here."
+
+He plunged his hand into his pocket and drew out a handful of gold and
+then let it fall trickling on the table.
+
+"That doesn't look as if I wasn't able to do it, either, does it?" he
+demanded. "Now, see here," he went on, "I've got a proposition to make
+to you. You're a smart lad, a clever lad, and one that's bound to get on
+the world. I'm going to help you, too."
+
+"Well, what do you want?" demanded Donald, who was very susceptible to
+flattery, and who had a weak nature, easily played upon by any one
+skillful enough to touch the right chord.
+
+"That gang that arrived on the yacht? What about them?" came from Broom.
+
+"They are going to cook your hash if you don't look out," said Donald.
+"That's Jukes' brother, and they're going to find him wherever you've
+put him and then nab you."
+
+"So that's the program, eh?" muttered the 'Bully.' "Now see here,
+Donald, I want you on my side and I'm not afraid to pay for it. A smart
+and clever boy like you could do me a deal of harm if you were sided
+with the enemy. You'll be no loser by it. You haven't told them anything
+about our little deal with the _Centurion_ yet, have you?"
+
+Donald did some quick thinking. He was sharp enough to see that Broom
+was afraid of what he might have said, for even in Bomobori there was
+law and if it were known to Mr. Jukes that Broom was in the vicinity it
+would be immediately invoked. He balanced his two opportunities against
+each other. Cupidity, greed for money, had always been his main fault,
+and now he thought he saw a way to make more out of Broom than he could
+out of Mr. Jukes. Besides, although he had appeared so humbled before
+the boys, and ashamed of his past conduct, his hatred still rankled, for
+the reason that he blamed all his troubles on them and had often brooded
+over plans of revenge.
+
+"No, I haven't told them anything about the _Centurion_," he said at
+length, fearing that if he told Broom how much the Jukes party knew the
+freebooter might withdraw from any deal he was about to make. "I simply
+gave them a cock-and-bull story about myself when they were astonished
+to find me here."
+
+"Ah! So you know them, then? They are friends of yours?" exclaimed
+Broom.
+
+"Hardly friends," muttered Donald. "I knew them in America."
+
+"You've no particular affection for them, though?"
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Your tone told me that, my young friend."
+
+"Well, I might as well admit it. I don't like them. They wronged me in
+America and that's why I am here now. I've treated them in a friendly
+way because I'm out of money."
+
+Broom's deep set eyes flashed.
+
+"You've got a good head boy, very good," he said, approvingly. "Now to
+get down to business. I'll give you a handsome sum to stay on my side."
+
+"Spot cash?"
+
+"The money on the nail. I want you to do a little job for me in return.
+Keep your mouth absolutely shut, but find out all you can about their
+plans. You will always find me here when you want to report. Here's
+something to start with," and he pushed over the gold which lay on the
+table.
+
+Donald's eyes sparkled greedily as he counted it.
+
+"All right, I'll do what you say," he remarked, as he pocketed it, "but
+tell me one thing: Where is Jerushah Jukes?"
+
+"Ah, that is for me to know and for them to find out," was Broom's
+reply, "but I'll tell you all about it in proper time."
+
+"It's a wonder you are not afraid to be seen in the town," said Donald.
+"Any one might tell them about your being here."
+
+"Nobody knows about me but my friends, and there is no danger of their
+talking."
+
+"But your schooner, which is as well known in this part of the ocean as
+a mail steamer?"
+
+Broom smiled.
+
+"You don't think I'd be fool enough to bring my schooner in here after I
+heard about the arrival of Jukes' yacht?" he asked. "The _South Sea
+Lass_ is safely hidden up the coast. I came here on a native canoe."
+
+"Well, you ought to be good at covering up your tracks, you've had
+enough experience," said Donald, with a sort of grudging admiration for
+the ruffian.
+
+"One thing more," said Broom, acknowledging what he chose to take as a
+compliment with a grin. "Jukes is very rich. Has he much money with him
+this trip?"
+
+"I guess not. Jukes is pretty foxy with his money. If he has much it
+would be in some form that is not negotiable. He is not the sort of man
+to take chances."
+
+Broom nodded his massive head ponderously. He was evidently revolving
+some plan in his mind. Presently he brought down his heavy fist with a
+crash on the table.
+
+"Jukes has poked his nose into this business," he exclaimed, "and it
+will cost him something to get out of it before he gets through."
+
+"What do you mean?" asked Donald.
+
+"If he was made a prisoner for instance, he would pay handsomely to be
+released."
+
+"I should say so. He's worth about $20,000,000."
+
+Broom smacked his lips.
+
+"Some of that's as good as ours if you do what I tell you," he
+exclaimed.
+
+"Ours?" A greedy look crept into the boy's face.
+
+"Yes, when he pays up you'll get your share and get even with the people
+you dislike at the same time."
+
+When Donald left the place with one of his ragged pockets bulging with
+unaccustomed wealth, a compact had been formed that was to cause our
+friends a great deal of trouble in the near future.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXI.--A MEMORABLE NIGHT.
+
+
+"It's very peculiar that Donald should have undergone such a sudden
+change of front," said Jack later that evening, following the boy's
+strange way of receiving Mr. Jukes' proposal. "He certainly appeared to
+want to go along the worst way a few hours ago."
+
+"I can't help thinking that he has been up to some mischief," replied
+Billy. "He's got himself a new outfit somewhere and I saw him paying his
+hotel bill."
+
+"Well, at any rate that's a laudable act," laughed Jack. "After all, we
+are not much concerned with anything that he does now."
+
+"No, that's true. By-the-way, how is that wireless idea of yours for a
+portable set getting along?"
+
+"First rate; I've got it all worked out on paper and have cut the weight
+down to fifty pounds without the aerials."
+
+"Good for you. I've got a notion we can make a lot of use of it."
+
+"At any rate it won't be much of an extra load and it might get us out
+of a tight place, who can tell?"
+
+After some further talk the boys decided to turn in, as they had to be
+up early the next day. It was a hot, close night when the heavens seemed
+to be pressed down like a brazen lid on a pot. Far off, flashes of
+lightning illuminated the distant sky toward the mountains where, for
+all they knew, the millionaire's abducted brother might be concealed.
+
+"Phew! It's warm," exclaimed Jack. "I guess I'll take a bath before I
+turn in."
+
+The boys' bedroom was typical of hotels in that part of the world. Its
+floor was bare except for a strip of matting. There were two beds in it,
+hung with mosquito netting curtains, and a tiny wash basin and jug. An
+old-fashioned bell-pull hung near one of the beds and Jack decided to
+give it a tug and order a bath, when one of the native "bell boys"
+appeared. After a long interval, one of the barefooted functionaries of
+the hotel arrived. Jack made his wants known and the man hurried off
+again without a word.
+
+"That's odd," commented Jack, "but I guess he's gone to fill it and will
+be back directly to say it's ready."
+
+They waited for some time before a soft patter of bare feet was heard in
+the hall and two of the native servants entered carrying between them a
+barrel. Another followed with a sort of dipper made out of a cocoanut.
+
+The boys stared in amazement as the men advanced to the middle of the
+room and solemnly set down the barrel and then stood about waiting with
+an expectant look on their faces.
+
+"What in the world is all this?" demanded the amazed Jack.
+
+"Him your bath, boss," came the answer, "you gettee in him ballel, we
+washee you."
+
+"I'll be jiggered if you do," exclaimed Jack. "Get out of here," and the
+men hurried off, first staring at the boy as if they thought he was mad.
+"Well, a New Guinea bath certainly accounts for the appearance of some
+of the natives I've seen about," he laughed, as soon as they had left.
+"But I suppose I must make the best of it."
+
+So Jack's bath consisted of dipping water out of the tub and pouring it
+over himself, trying not to flood the room. But apparently he did so,
+for soon a loud and indignant voice was heard at the door.
+
+"Who is there?" demanded the boys.
+
+"Sapristi! Eet is I. Zee landlord. You flood zee place. Zee water drip
+on me."
+
+"Sorry," sang out Jack, cheerfully, "but I'm doing the best I can. You
+see, I'm not used to the customs of the country yet. I don't understand
+your way of bathing."
+
+"What do you mean zee bathing?"
+
+"I'm trying to get a bath in this barrel that you sent me up."
+
+"Taking a bath!" shouted the landlord in a startled voice, "a bath at
+zees time of zee night. You must be crazee. Anyhow, you drop no more of
+zee water on me. I sleep zee room undaire."
+
+"Well, he doesn't look as if a little water would hurt him," commented
+Billy, as the landlord's footsteps retreated down the passage.
+
+The boys were soon in bed, but not to sleep. Their exciting day amid new
+scenes had rendered them wakeful and then, too, the beds of the Hotel
+Bomobori were not couches of roses. The sheets and pillows smelled
+abominably of camphor and mildew, and the latter appeared to have been,
+or so Billy declared, stuffed with corn cobs. The same applied to the
+mattresses. But as if this was not enough, there came a sudden shrill
+cry from somewhere in the room:
+
+"Beck-ee! Beck-ee! Beck-ee!"
+
+"What in the nation was that?" cried Billy, considerably startled.
+
+"Somebody calling for 'Becky,'" laughed Jack, "but Rebecca won't answer.
+Go to sleep, Billy, if you can, on these miserable beds. It must be some
+insect."
+
+"I hope it isn't anything venomous," muttered Raynor.
+
+"Better keep your curtains close drawn and then it can't get at you,
+anyhow," advised Jack.
+
+"But then it shuts out all the air and I almost suffocate," complained
+Billy.
+
+"Wow!" he yelled a moment later, in a tone that roused Jack, who was
+almost asleep.
+
+"What's the matter, Billy?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"Ugh, something soft with legs on it just ran over my face," cried
+Raynor. "For goodness' sake get up and get a light. It may be something
+that bites or stings."
+
+Jack lost no time in getting hurriedly out of his bed, and as he shook
+the curtains something was dislodged from them and went whirring and
+banging round the room, blundering heavily against the ceiling.
+
+"What the dickens----!" exclaimed the boy, considerably startled, when
+another cry from Billy split the air.
+
+"Ouch, for the love of Mike. A light, quick. Something just nipped my
+toe."
+
+Jack fumbled for the matches; but, as is usual in such cases, he located
+every object in the room before he found them, finally colliding with
+the washstand and sending it with a crash to the ground floor. An
+instant later there was the noise of slamming doors below and the
+landlord came racing up the stairs to the boys' room.
+
+"Ciel! What is zee mattaire zees time? First you try drown me, zen you
+make zee beeg crash like zee tonnaire!"
+
+"It's all the fault of your old hotel," exclaimed Jack angrily, going to
+the door. "This room is full of some kind of animals. It's a regular
+menagerie."
+
+He opened the door and the landlord, with a curious-looking night-light,
+composed of a wick floating in a tumbler full of some strong-smelling
+oil that gave out a powerful odor of sandal wood, came inside. Instantly
+there was a mighty scuffling and several ugly looking lizards darted off
+across the floor and a huge bat (no doubt the creature that had vacated
+Jack's bed-curtains with such a prodigious flapping) went soaring out
+through the open lattice-work doors which led out on the verandah, but
+which the boys had left open for coolness. There were also a dozen other
+specimens of unclassified insects, both winged and legged, which went
+scuttling off at the sight of the light. Then the landlord's eye fell on
+the open doors.
+
+"Sacre!" he cried, "nevaire did I such a foolishness see."
+
+"What's the matter now?" demanded Jack. "The only foolishness I can see
+is in our coming to this hotel."
+
+The landlord shrugged his shoulders as if in despair.
+
+"What else do you expect but zee bat, zee scorpion, zee centipede, zee
+leezard, zee chigre, zee----"
+
+"What makes a noise like 'becky, becky, becky'?" asked Billy, breaking
+in on the catalogue.
+
+"Ah! Zee biting leezard 'ee do zat."
+
+"Then that fellow that nipped my toe and the one that sang out for
+Rebecca must be the same individual," cried Billy indignantly, "but go
+on with your catalogue."
+
+The landlord looked puzzled.
+
+"Zere was zee cat and zee dog 'ere, too?" he demanded.
+
+"No, I said the catalogue. The list of insects you were rattling off."
+
+"Oh, well, I was going to say to you not to leave zee porch doors open
+in zee night. And also nevaire go to bed wizout lighting one of zees
+lights." He tapped the peculiar-smelling night-light he held. "See, here
+eez one 'ere on zees table."
+
+"Well, you can't blame us for not knowing what it was," protested Jack,
+as he lighted it. "I thought it was some peculiar kind of drink. It's
+the first time I ever saw light served in a tumbler."
+
+"Zee light veree good," said the landlord, as he was leaving the room.
+"Zee animal no like zee light, also they no like zee smell."
+
+"I don't blame them," said Jack, after the man had left, and the odd
+tumbler lamp was burning with a sputtering, smoking flame, "especially
+the smell part."
+
+"Anyhow, anything is better than sharing your bed with
+you-don't-know-what creepy-crawly things," declared Raynor.
+
+"Yes, and lizards that go round hollering girls' names," agreed Jack. "I
+fancy we'll sleep better now. But, after all, we've got to get used to
+it all for we may meet worse in the jungle."
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXII.--INTO THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+The next day was busily spent by the boys. Jack had his portable
+wireless to assemble. Raynor was assigned as "chief of baggage," and
+Captain Sparhawk and Mr. Jukes, with Muldoon, who spoke the Papuan
+dialect after a fashion, occupied the time rounding up the native
+bearers and finding a suitable "head man." The latter was very important
+to the success of the expedition, both to keep the other natives up to
+their work and to find trails and, if necessary, act as interpreter.
+Through the good offices of Jabez Hook, a "smart Yankee" who ran a
+"general store" at Bomobori, and was a warm friend of Captain
+Sparhawk's, they finally found just the man they wanted. He was a tall,
+up-right Papuan with an exceptionally intelligent face, who spoke fair
+English, knew the country thoroughly and appeared about thirty years
+old. Salloo, as he called himself, agreed to have everything in
+readiness for a start into the interior by the next morning. He held out
+hopes that from some of the interior tribes they would get news of the
+lost ones, for among the natives news travels fast, and if 'Bully' Broom
+had conveyed prisoners into the inland some of the tribesmen would be
+sure to know about it.
+
+When Jack returned from the _Sea Gypsy_, where he had set up his
+apparatus, he reported that all was well on board and everything going
+forward smoothly under the command of the first officer. Thurman
+appeared to be delighted with his chance to vindicate himself, but
+acting under Mr. Jukes' advice, it had been deemed prudent to refuse him
+shore liberty till the party returned. Thurman did not seem to resent
+this, and told Jack that after all he had gone through, a "soft berth"
+and good meals on the yacht appealed to him. He had seen enough of the
+tropics, so he declared, to have no especial desire to go ashore at
+Bomobori.
+
+It was not till eleven o'clock that night that they turned in. But when
+they did so it was with a satisfied feeling that every detail had been
+attended to. Not the least satisfactory result of the day had been
+Jack's achievement of perfecting the portable wireless which would keep
+them at all times in touch with the yacht.
+
+The next morning dawned bright and clear. The boys were up before any of
+the rest of the party, dressed in khaki suits, sun helmets and stout
+leggings, for much of the way would lie through ragged bush. Each lad
+carried a water canteen, a pocket filter, compass, knife, and wore a
+service revolver attached to a cartridge belt. In these "uniforms" they
+looked very business-like, and capable of giving a good account of
+themselves in any emergency. Soon after the other members of the party
+appeared somewhat similarly attired. Mr. Jukes' pockets bulged with
+boxes of dyspepsia pills, and Muldoon wore his sailor uniform with the
+addition of leggings and a sun helmet.
+
+"Shure I look like a sea soldier no liss," was the way he summed up his
+appearance, and the boys couldn't help agreeing with him.
+
+While they were at breakfast, Salloo and his "bearers" presented
+themselves.
+
+Salloo greeted them with a low "salaam," and volunteered the information
+that:
+
+"Him welly good day for makum start. Go many miles. Good trail for first
+part of journey."
+
+"Well, the further we go, the quicker we'll get back," commented Muldoon
+in true Irish style.
+
+At eight o'clock they were off. Nobody in the town knew the true object
+of their expedition, but supposed they were off on a hunt for
+entomological specimens, for New Guinea swarms with rare forms of insect
+life and many intrepid collectors have found it a happy hunting ground,
+some of them paying for their devotion to science with their lives.
+
+At first the question of traveling on horse-back had been mooted. But
+Salloo promptly vetoed this. The country was too rough and thickly grown
+to make horse-back travel feasible for more than a few miles, he
+declared. They might have used the river, but it was only navigable for
+a short distance when the swift current and the shoals made it dangerous
+for up-stream travel. Natives coming down it always abandoned their
+dugouts, which were simply hollow trees, at Bomobori, and went back to
+their villages on foot.
+
+The town was soon left behind and they struck into a trail which was
+broad and well trodden. On all sides were dense groves of tropical
+vegetation, towering palms, spreading mangoes laden with golden fruit,
+that ever-present banana and fragrant guava and lemon trees. From the
+tall lance-wood and cotton trees great creepers and lianas, looking like
+serpents, twined and coiled. There was a moist, steaming heat in the
+air.
+
+"It's just like being in a big conservatory at home," said Jack, and
+indeed the air had just the odor and closeness of a glass-house.
+
+"This is fever territory," declared Mr. Jukes, administering a large
+dose of quinine to himself. "There is to be no sleeping on the ground,
+remember."
+
+"I guess not, after the experience we had in our room at the hotel last
+night," said Raynor, and amidst much laughter he narrated the details of
+their uncomfortable night.
+
+As they pushed onward, there came from the river, which glinted like
+molten lead in the sunshine at their left, a long-drawn cry which
+startled all the white members of the expedition. It resembled the human
+voice and appeared to be the appeal of someone in agony.
+
+"Shure there's some poor soul in throuble over yonder forninst the
+river," declared Muldoon, and before any one could stop him he had left
+the trail and was making for the water.
+
+"Hi you white man, you comee back," cried Salloo.
+
+But he was too late. Hardly had Muldoon left the trail than he sank up
+to his knees in black, oozy mud which held him like liquid glue.
+
+His struggles only made matters worse, and soon he was up to his knees
+in the evil-smelling, glutinous mass which bubbled about him as it
+sucked him down.
+
+"Help! Murther! Shure, O'im kilt intirely!" cried the frightened man,
+waving his arms frantically.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIII.--A DANGEROUS TREE.
+
+
+All this time, from the river, came the same weird cries that had
+mystified them. What with these cries and Muldoon's lusty yells for
+help, had there been an enemy within a mile they must have heard them,
+but luckily they were in a territory known to be peaceable, although
+Salloo was not quite so sure of some of the tribes who had a bad
+reputation as "head hunters."
+
+"He's stuck in the mud!" exclaimed Jack, and was starting forward to
+Muldoon's assistance when Salloo grabbed his arm.
+
+"No go," he warned, "him mud velly bad. Make drown in mud plitty quick
+no get helpee."
+
+The native began making his way by a circuitous route toward the
+luckless Muldoon. In his hand he had a long rope. He leaped from tuft to
+tuft of the hummocks that appeared above the black soil. As soon as he
+got close enough to Muldoon he threw the struggling boatswain the end of
+the line, which Muldoon had presence of mind enough to place under his
+arm-pits. Then Salloo skipped nimbly back to the trail and all laying
+hold with a will they soon hauled Muldoon out of his disagreeable
+predicament, although he was a sorry sight to look at.
+
+"But faith," he exclaimed, "it's glad enough I am to know O'im not dead
+intirely. A little mud will soon dry and clean off, begob."
+
+"Tropical places are full of just such treacherous swamps," declared
+Captain Sparhawk. "It will be well for all of us to be very careful and
+not leave the trail except by Salloo's advice."
+
+But now the strange wailing sound which they had for the moment
+forgotten in the excitement of Muldoon's rescue again startled them. The
+cause of it was quickly explained by Salloo.
+
+"Him _dugong_, allee samee sea-cow," he said.
+
+"Oh, I know now--like the manitou they have in Florida," cried Jack.
+
+"Me no know 'bout man or two," said Salloo, "but him big an'mul. Live in
+river. Makee noise like heap cryee allee timee."
+
+"It sounds as if somebody was being murdered," commented Raynor.
+"However, I guess we're not the first people to be scared by the
+dinner-gong, or whatever you call it."
+
+The halt for the noon-day meal was made in a pleasant grove of tropical
+trees which stood on safe rising ground to one side of the trail. All
+the white members of the party were glad enough of the chance to take a
+rest, but the wiry natives appeared to be perfectly fresh and strong as
+when they set out, despite their heavy burdens. While the natives began
+cooking their rice and salted fish, with a sort of curry sauce, Salloo
+set about making a fire for the whites. With marvelous dexterity he
+twirled a stick between his outspread hands against some dry tinder and
+soon had a good blaze going. The boys scattered to get wood, of which
+they soon had a sufficient quantity. Then, determined to make the most
+of their halt, they flung themselves down under a peculiarly fine tree
+with wide, dark green leaves, glossy as polished leather.
+
+They were chatting about the incidents of the trip so far when Jack all
+at once felt something strike him on the arm. His first impression was
+that it was a stone. But on looking at the place where he had been
+struck he saw that the sleeve of his shirt, for he had laid aside his
+khaki coat, had been ripped in parallel lines as if a curry comb, with
+sharp teeth, had been drawn down it. He felt a sharp pain moreover, and
+then he saw blood on his arm.
+
+Billy had sprung up in alarm at his sharp exclamation of pain, and was
+peering into the brush in the dread of seeing savage faces peering at
+them. His shout of alarm brought them all, including Salloo, on the run
+to Jack's side. The boy explained what had occurred and the faces of the
+whites grew grave. If they were attacked at this early stage of the
+journey it augured ill for the remainder of their adventure.
+
+But Salloo speedily solved the mystery. Lying on the ground beside Jack
+was a green, oval-shaped ball, about the size of those projectiles that
+one sees stacked by memorial cannons in our country. But this missile
+was covered with sharp spikes like the spines of a hedgehog. Salloo
+pointed up into the beautiful tree under which they had cast themselves
+down to rest.
+
+"Nobody throw him," he explained, "him big fruit, some callum Durion
+nut. You comee way from there. One hittee you headee your blains getee
+knocked out."
+
+"They deserve to be for getting up a scare like that," laughed Jack,
+who, like Billy, stepped hastily from under the dangerous tree. "It
+seems to be a pretty good idea in this country to be always on the look
+out. Even nature seems to have it in for you."
+
+Jack's arm was doctored by Captain Sparhawk, for it was quite painful,
+but luckily the spines of the durion, sometimes called the Jack fruit,
+are not poisonous and it was soon all right again. But during the
+noon-day meal, which was then ready, when they heard the crashing of nut
+after nut from the durion tree, both boys felt they had had a very lucky
+escape from having their skulls fractured.
+
+"Be jabers," commented Muldoon, "shure o'ive been in a hurricane where
+the blocks and tackle that was ripped from aloft made yez skip around
+loively to dodge thim, but this is the first toime thot iver I heard of
+a three throwing things at yez as if ye was a nigger dodger at a fair."
+
+"You'll discover stranger things than that, Muldoon, before we have been
+very long in New Guinea," said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"Faith, so long as they're not snakes, oi dunno thot I care much," said
+the Irishman. "Begob, o'im thinking that St. Pathrick would be a good
+man to have along in a counthry where the craturs are. Wun wave uv his
+sthick and away they'd all go, bad luck to thim."
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIV.--WIRELESS AT WORK.
+
+
+For two days they traveled thus, making fresh discoveries constantly.
+Once, for instance, Billy triumphantly pounced on what seemed like a
+fine bit of fire-wood for the noon-day halt. But he dropped it with a
+yell, as the "stick" suddenly developed legs and on being dropped walked
+off.
+
+"Begorrah, there's a shillalegh come to loife, so it has," yelled
+Muldoon, as he observed the phenomenon; but the "shillalegh" was only
+one of those strange "stick insects" that abound in that part of the
+world and sometimes fool even the natives.
+
+At noon of the third day they found themselves approaching a settlement,
+as cleared ground, where grew maize, sugar cane, yams and other plants,
+testified. The village proved to be a large one where white traders and
+animal collectors often stopped and there was a native hostelry in it
+conducted by a greasy-looking Frenchman who had a native wife as
+dirty-looking as he was. The native huts were all of bamboo hung with
+cocoanut mats. Natives squatted in front of them chewing betel nuts, the
+juice crimsoning their lips and chins. All ages and both sexes indulged
+in the habit, which is universal throughout Polynesia and the South Seas
+generally.
+
+There appeared to be a lot of rivalry among the men as to who could grow
+the fuzziest, most outstanding crop of hair.
+
+"Faith, a barber would starve to death in this country," declared
+Muldoon.
+
+Just then a young woman came down the "street," if such the muddy track
+between the huts could be called. She held something in her arms that
+they thought at first was a baby. But it turned out to be a young pig!
+
+"We'll rest at the hotel here," said Mr. Jukes, "till it grows cooler.
+My dyspepsia is bad again. It comes from traveling during the heat of
+the day as we have been doing."
+
+The mid-day meal was cooked on a sort of altar built of stones. The boys
+watched the operations in this open-air kitchen with interest. At least
+twenty natives assisted in the culinary demonstration and the chatter
+and laughter was deafening. They made a hearty meal on the native fare,
+which they were astonished to find was quite as good as anything they
+had tasted at home.
+
+As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at once after the meal they took
+it easy in several grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady, tree.
+The fact that the natives kept coming up and peering into their faces
+and that babies, chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks did
+not disturb the boys after a while, and they dropped off to sleep.
+
+"I don't wonder the natives here are lazy," remarked Jack, when Muldoon
+awakened him with a yell of "All hands on deck to see it rain." "I
+rarely slept in the day-time, but here I just dozed off without knowing
+it."
+
+"Same here," chimed in Raynor. "I didn't have to even half try."
+
+"This climate is very enervating, boys," declared Captain Sparhawk,
+joining in the conversation. "That is why this part of the globe makes
+so little progress toward civilisation. Men who are hustlers in their
+own country come here determined to make the dirt fly, but after a few
+months their energy oozes out of them like--well, say like tar out of
+the seams of a hot ship's deck."
+
+"That's a good comparison," laughed Jack.
+
+Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers' camp, and soon
+they were on their way again. The Frenchman, whose "hotel" they had
+left, had told them that by evening they would reach another village,
+the last one they would encounter before plunging into the really wild
+jungle, where there was another "hotel."
+
+"As it will be our last chance for many days to sleep under a roof, I
+propose we stay there to-night," said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.
+
+This suited the rest of the party and they struck forward at a brisk
+pace after their refreshing rest and sleep. The jungle was filled with
+countless birds, but there were no feathered songsters among them. The
+air was filled with nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that set
+the teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill of seeing a bird of
+paradise, with its glorious plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flash
+across their path.
+
+The village they stopped at that evening resembled in almost every
+respect the one in which the noon-day halt had been made. There were the
+same huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens, and the same
+fuzzy-headed Papuans, many of them returning from the fields with corn
+and yams.
+
+The proprietor of the "hotel," which had no more pretensions to the name
+than the other hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste, lacking
+one eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass ear-rings. His wife was a
+giant negress. However, they welcomed the party warmly, as they had good
+reason to do, not having had any guests for some time, and pigs and
+fowls were at once killed for supper, everything in such places being
+ordered "on the hoof," so to speak. Mr. Jukes delighted his native
+followers by ordering an elaborate meal for them also, in celebration of
+the fact that on the morrow they would leave "civilization" behind them.
+
+Jack, at Mr. Jukes' request, set up his wireless plant, stringing the
+aerials from a tall tree up which one of the natives swarmed like a
+monkey to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he and Billy talked.
+
+"I guess we'll sleep with one eye open to-night," said Jack in an
+undertone, for they were surrounded by a curious crowd watching the
+white boy "make conjure medicine."
+
+"Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking couple," rejoined Billy,
+"and in a country like this it's a good thing to regard everybody with
+suspicion till you find them all right."
+
+Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted and worked and had his word
+to put in too.
+
+"Begorrah, that Portugee don't look like no angel," he said, "and his
+wife looks like the ould Nick himsilf."
+
+"Just what we were talking about, Muldoon," said Jack. "It will be a
+good thing if we keep our eyes and ears open."
+
+[Illustration: It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he
+received Thurman's answering call.]
+
+At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor started to turn the
+hand-crank of the generator, for of course a gasoline engine for that
+purpose could not be carried into the jungle. When the storage batteries
+were charged, Jack began to pump out the _Sea Gypsy's_ call. At the
+first crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark the natives
+scattered with yells. Even Salloo, who was looking on, and had to stand
+his ground to maintain his dignity before his men, looked uneasy and
+shifted about nervously.
+
+It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he received
+Thurman's answering call.
+
+Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was no particular news from his
+end except that another party had started up-country right on the heels
+of Mr. Jukes' expedition. It was thought they were traders, Thurman
+said. Jack gave his news and then flashed "Good-night."
+
+He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of the start of a second
+party.
+
+"I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition," mused Mr. Jukes,
+on receipt of this information. "But no doubt they are traders. It seems
+odd, though, that they didn't join with us if they were coming this way,
+as is the general custom."
+
+
+
+
+                      CHAPTER XXV.--A JUNGLE HOTEL.
+
+
+The hostelry was divided into half a dozen rooms walled with bamboo, and
+all on the ground floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposed
+between the sleepers and the ground, and cockroaches and singing lizards
+abounded. But by this time the lads had become pretty well used to the
+night noises of the jungle, which are far more tumultuous after dark
+than in the day-time, and as for the hard beds, they were too tired to
+mind much where they slept.
+
+Jack had not slept long when he was awakened by someone calling to him.
+It was Muldoon. The Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement as
+he stood in the grass-curtained door-way.
+
+"Whist!" he exclaimed, holding a finger to his lips, "is thot you
+Misther Riddy?"
+
+"Yes, what's the trouble, Muldoon?"
+
+"Shure o'ive made a discovery, sor."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing about."
+
+"Well, what about them?"
+
+"They're here, begob."
+
+"Where, in the hotel?"
+
+"No, in the woods back of the house."
+
+"Camping there?"
+
+"No, bejabbers. There's something looks queer to me about the whole
+thing, that's why I called yez. They've sent for the Dago that runs this
+shabeen, sor."
+
+"Maybe they want to get accommodations?"
+
+"Thin why wouldn't they stip up like min and ask for 'em?" was Muldoon's
+unanswerable retort.
+
+Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily, appeared in the
+door-way. Behind him stood the giant negress. The millionaire had
+evidently dressed hastily.
+
+"I've got news, Ready," he exclaimed in a rather excited voice. "This
+woman has just told me that her husband wants to see me outside. I
+gathered it's on some matter connected with my brother."
+
+"Yassir," grinned the hideous negress, showing a double row of sharply
+filed teeth, "dat's it, sah. It's 'bout yo' brudder."
+
+Raynor had awakened by this time and was sitting up on his mat listening
+sleepily. He eyed the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasy
+conviction entered his mind that all was not well.
+
+"You'd better be cautious, sir," warned Jack, who also felt an
+undeniable feeling of suspicion, "something may be wrong."
+
+"What can be wrong," demanded Mr. Jukes, rather impatiently. "I'm going
+outside to see. If it's about my brother it's my duty to do so at once."
+
+"Then if you're going I'll go with you," said Jack, hastily throwing on
+the garments he had divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.
+
+"And begorrah o'i second the motion," declared Muldoon.
+
+"Wait a moment for me," begged Billy.
+
+"No, stay here," said Jack. "If anything goes wrong, I'll fire three
+shots."
+
+A minute later, followed by the native woman, the three left the place.
+As they reached the door she took the lead and conducted them through a
+bamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under which her husband and a
+big man with black beard were conversing.
+
+"You wish to see me?" asked Mr. Jukes, addressing the bearded one.
+
+"Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news for you," said the
+landlord, spreading his hands.
+
+"Begorrah, oi don't see no gintilmin here excipt oursilves," muttered
+Muldoon.
+
+"Muldoon, be quiet," ordered Mr. Jukes, then turning to the
+black-bearded man he went on with, "Well, sir, what is it you wish?"
+
+"You are Mr. Jukes?" asked the other, in a deep, gruff voice.
+
+"I am, what of it?"
+
+"I want to see you. I have news for you."
+
+"But--but I don't know you. Why didn't you come to the hotel if you had
+anything to say to me?" asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.
+
+"I wanted to talk to you in private about your brother," was the reply.
+
+"My brother! Why, we are searching for him now. That is the reason of
+our presence in the jungle. Do you know anything about him?"
+
+"I do. It was he who sent me here."
+
+"Jerushah sent you?" the millionaire was fairly amazed now. "He is then
+alive?"
+
+"Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick. Through natives he heard of
+the arrival of your expedition and sent me even at this hour to bring
+you to him."
+
+"That is a strange story, my man," said Mr. Jukes suspiciously. "I might
+say it is almost incredible."
+
+"I'll admit it does sound strange," said the other, "but strange things
+happen in this part of the world. I might add that the other Mr. Jukes
+wants to see you alone. Something about a pearl, I believe."
+
+Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes' sleeve. The lad had been peering about him
+through the dark trees and had seen something the others had not. If his
+eyes had not deceived him, and Jack did not believe they had, several
+forms were moving about in the gloom beneath the interlaced branches.
+
+"Mr. Jukes," he whispered, "I don't believe this man. I think we are in
+some sort of a trap. Why didn't he come to the house with this
+cock-and-bull story?"
+
+Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this man of great affairs,
+before whom board meetings quailed, and who ruled almost supreme among
+the great money kings of New York, appeared to be lost now that he was
+out of his little world and among the great elemental things of the
+untraveled jungle.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Ready," he replied.
+
+"Ask him," suggested Jack, with his hand on his revolver. He felt that a
+crisis of some sort was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.
+
+Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put the question. The bearded
+man's reply was brief and to the point.
+
+"That is beside the question," he snapped. "Are you coming with me?"
+
+Before any reply could be made the bearded man's eye caught the glint of
+Jack's weapon. Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees leaped
+a dozen or more men.
+
+"Howly saints! A trap!" yelled Muldoon.
+
+"A trap!" echoed Jack. He raised his pistol to cover the black-bearded
+man. But before he had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown from
+their feet by a combined attack and in a twinkling both the millionaire
+and the boy were helpless.
+
+"Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others. Come after us as quick as
+you can."
+
+"Hold your horses there," roared the black-bearded man, who, as our
+readers will have guessed, was 'Bully' Broom himself, with his band of
+renegade followers. He tried to block the boatswain's path as Muldoon
+darted off.
+
+Biff, the old seaman's knotted fist shot out and caught the redoubtable
+'Bully' between his eyes. He staggered but did not fall.
+
+"Take that, you murtherin' spalpeen," shouted Muldoon, as he darted off
+among the trees and was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of the
+band pursued him, but 'Bully' Broom called them back.
+
+"We've got the fellows we want," he said; "bind and gag them and if they
+show fight don't be too gentle with them."
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVI.--PRISONERS OF 'BULLY' BROOM.
+
+
+Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless, and in return for his
+struggles received only a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser to
+remain quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had their hands tied
+behind their backs and gags of dirty grass were thrust, none too gently,
+into their mouths.
+
+"Now march, and behave yourselves or you'll be shot," snarled 'Bully'
+Broom, whose temper had not been improved by the blow Muldoon's strong
+fist had given him.
+
+As it would have been folly to have resisted, situated as they were, the
+two prisoners did as they were told. Jack wondered where they were being
+taken and why they had been attacked. Even his acute mind did not
+connect their captors with 'Bully' Broom and his gang. The boy thought
+they had fallen into the hands of one of those bands of free-booters,
+known to frequent parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.
+
+He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire was stout and
+accustomed to his ease. After his tiring day this night march must have
+been cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the man of millions
+received a vicious jab in the back with the stock of a rifle.
+
+Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting on the strange turn
+of the wheel of fortune that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,
+into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved, perspiring prisoner,
+in the hands of a band of men of undoubtedly desperate character. He
+wondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not contrasting this cruel
+march through the forest with his magnificent town and country houses,
+his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and his elaborate
+entertainments. If he were doing so, Jack surmised that his thoughts
+must be bitter. In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to keep his
+mind off his own misfortunes.
+
+A journey of some hours, at the close of which Mr. Jukes began to give
+every outward sign of deep physical exhaustion, brought them to a
+clearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking the river.
+Here, on a bluff about fifty feet above the water, in years gone by, a
+trading company had maintained a post. It had been built in the days
+when the natives were troublesome in that section and it was a strong
+structure like a fort. It was almost overgrown with rank tropical vines,
+but evidently the way to it was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.
+Jukes and Jack.
+
+Lanterns were lit and when the two captives had been ushered in both
+were made fast to the logs that formed the walls of the place. Jack
+glanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was assuredly a pitiable-looking
+object. His fine white shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vines
+encountered along the path, his carefully groomed appearance had given
+way to a general disreputableness that would have gained him recognition
+by any tramp as a member of the fraternity, his face was almost purple,
+from his enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.
+
+"Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy at any minute," thought
+Jack, who, although he was in as bad a plight, characteristically did
+not spend any sympathy on himself. Perhaps the members of the band that
+had captured them noticed what Jack had, and feared fatal consequences,
+for Mr. Jukes' gag was soon removed and so was Jack's.
+
+When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes could recover his breath
+enough to speak, the rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,
+which was like a long mess hall and may indeed have been used at some
+time as such.
+
+"What does this outrage mean?" demanded Jack, as the black-bearded man
+strolled off last of all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.
+
+"You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?"
+
+"So you know my name?" exclaimed Jack in some surprise.
+
+"Yes, and that of your companions who will join you here before long. We
+hope to have the pleasure of your company for quite a long time."
+
+"You abominable ruffian," cried Jack, overcome by indignation, "you will
+pay dearly for this some time," but at the same time the boy did not
+believe that the rest had been caught napping and captured. They were a
+strong party and, led by Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stiff
+fight.
+
+"I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes," Jack could not help
+saying, as soon as they were left alone.
+
+"You wish it no more fervently than I do, my boy," was the despondent
+reply. "Wall Street and New York seem like a dream to me. Only this
+horror is real."
+
+"I would like to know what it all means," said Jack. "These men can't be
+just common robbers; they appear to have a regular hang-out here."
+
+"I can't help thinking that I've seen some of these ruffians loitering
+about Bomobori," said Mr. Jukes.
+
+"That struck me, too. At any rate they must be the party Thurman
+wirelessed to me about as leaving just behind us. They've followed our
+trail pretty closely, too. We should have been more on our guard."
+
+Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began to show in the narrow
+windows of the old barracks. The positions of both prisoners were most
+uncomfortable. The strain on their arms from the tightly tied cords was
+almost unbearable.
+
+"And to think I used to complain of discomfort if my chauffeur allowed
+my car to bump over a rut," groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathos
+that would have made Jack smile had they been in any other situation.
+
+All the men had left the place, but they could hear the murmur of their
+voices outside. A smell of wood smoke drifted in and then the
+tantalising odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee combined to
+remind both prisoners that, in spite of their sufferings, they were both
+hungry and thirsty.
+
+"I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?" asked Jack, after a
+silence broken only by Mr. Jukes' pathetic groans.
+
+"I'd risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of beans and bacon right
+now," wailed the unhappy millionaire.
+
+"Yes," thought Jack. "There are decidedly situations where all the
+millions in the world wouldn't do you much good, and this, apparently,
+is one of them."
+
+At last footsteps were heard approaching from the opposite end of the
+ramshackle building.
+
+"Somebody at last," cried Jack.
+
+He had hardly spoken when 'Bully' Broom stood before them, followed
+by--Donald Judson.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXVII.--AT THE OLD FORT.
+
+
+Jack found it difficult to credit his eyesight as he gazed at the boy
+who formerly had made so much trouble for them and the gigantic ruffian
+who stood beside him.
+
+"Judson! Is it possible?" he gasped. "What brought you here?"
+
+"Are you a prisoner, too?" demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+"A prisoner?" laughed Judson. "Well, that's a good one, I must say. Only
+fools walk into traps."
+
+"Well, what are you doing here then, boy?" demanded the millionaire,
+recollecting his former kindness to Donald. "You ask him, Ready. He's a
+friend of yours."
+
+"He's no friend of mine, Mr. Jukes," denied Jack. "Can't you see it
+all?"
+
+"See what?"
+
+"Why, the contemptible turn-coat is in with these rascals."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"So, Judson," went on Jack, "this is how you repay our kindness to you?"
+
+"Your kindness," sneered the boy. "I want none of it. I'm in with a good
+crowd now. Besides, I told you in Bomobori I didn't want to go with your
+old expedition."
+
+"But you didn't refuse the money I got you from Mr. Jukes," said Jack.
+
+"Oh, he's made of money," chuckled Donald, "and we mean to get some more
+of it."
+
+"You miserable young whelp," panted the helpless millionaire, purple
+with rage, "if I had you in America----"
+
+"And anyhow," continued Judson, thoroughly enjoying this, "you are only
+getting what's coming to you, Ready. In the States you tried to have me
+put in pris--er that is you wanted to tell lies about me."
+
+"I'm sorry we didn't have you locked up, now," said Jack bitterly. "I
+suppose you put this gang of scoundrels on our trail."
+
+"You can suppose anything you want," was the rejoinder, but a bit of the
+old boastfulness crept into his tone, "and you're going to pay up, too,
+before you get out of this. Have you had them searched, Captain Broom?"
+
+"What----?" shouted the millionaire, almost beside himself at this
+sudden revelation of the black-bearded man's identity, "are you 'Bully'
+Broom?"
+
+"My name's Broom all right," was the surly reply, "but I want my proper
+handle, which is Captain."
+
+"What have you done with my brother, you infernal rascal?" stormed the
+millionaire.
+
+"Now you ain't going to get along any better by cutting up rough and
+losing your temper like that, pard'ner," was the cool reminder. "You may
+be my guest for quite a time, so let's you and me get along peaceable.
+Otherwise we'll find a way to _make_ you keep a civil tongue in your
+head."
+
+"Did you have them searched?" repeated Donald greedily. "If you did I
+want my share of it."
+
+"They were searched, Judson, but they only had a few dollars; not more
+than a hundred at most."
+
+"Bah!" growled Judson; "then they left some behind at old Baroni's
+place. If we don't capture the others, then----"
+
+"Never mind that, now," commanded Broom; "you tell 'em what I told you."
+
+"All right," assented Judson, and then, turning to Jack, he said:
+
+"Do you know why you were brought here, Mr. Fresh?"
+
+"To be robbed, I suppose. I see no other explanation to it," was Jack's
+reply, with a steady look at Judson that made the other drop his eyes.
+"I always knew you were a bad lot, Judson, but I never thought you were
+as bad as this."
+
+"Don't talk to me like that. I'm as good as you," stormed Judson,
+although he looked uneasy. Jack's shot had told. "To be brief, we want
+to make money out of you."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"First of all, you must answer our questions."
+
+"That's the way," approved 'Bully' Broom, stroking his huge beard. "How
+much money did you bring with you from America?"
+
+"Very little cash," replied the millionaire, who had found it more
+prudent to control his temper, "most of the money is in the form of a
+letter of credit."
+
+"Where is that letter of credit?" demanded Judson, interfering.
+
+"It is in Bomobori with the bankers," was the reply, and Jack rejoiced
+to think that Mr. Jukes had managed to tell him that, as most of the
+money had been left behind at the hostelry with Captain Sparhawk, who
+had been appointed a sort of pay-master to the party.
+
+"Well, now we'll come down to brass tacks," growled Broom, after an
+interval of thought. "How much is your liberty worth to you?"
+
+"So that's your game, is it, you rascally blackmailer?" sputtered the
+infuriated millionaire. "You won't get a cent out of me."
+
+But 'Bully' Broom only smiled.
+
+"Perhaps in a few days you'll sing a different tune," he said, and
+something, not in the words, but in the way they were uttered, sent a
+cold shiver down Jack's spine.
+
+
+
+
+               CHAPTER XXVIII.--THE FREE-BOOTER'S DEMANDS.
+
+
+"Well, what do you demand?" was the millionaire's next question.
+
+Donald Judson drew 'Bully' Broom aside and whispered to him. The other
+nodded.
+
+"The least we will take is one hundred thousand dollars," he said.
+
+The millionaire grew purple.
+
+"What?" he almost shouted.
+
+"That is for the liberty of both," said 'Bully' Broom coolly. "Fifty
+thousand for the boy and fifty thousand for you. If you don't want to
+take the boy, you can pay up fifty thousand and we will keep him."
+
+"What would you do with him?"
+
+"Well, the river is full of hungry alligators----" grinned the wretch.
+
+"You scoundrel," thundered Mr. Jukes, "do you suppose I'd leave him
+behind, anyway?" Jack cast him a grateful look. "But what have you done
+with my brother, you ruffian?"
+
+"Ah! I was coming to that," said the rascal with an insolent smile, "but
+you can also have him for the very insignificant sum that I have already
+mentioned as being the price for you and the boy."
+
+"You're worth a whole lot more than that, Jukes," put in Judson, with an
+equally insolent air. "You're a regular old money-bags, you know."
+
+"You'll never get my money," raged the millionaire.
+
+"We won't, eh?"
+
+"Never."
+
+"Hunger makes a lot of difference, Mr. Jukes," smiled Broom.
+
+"So you mean to starve us into submission, eh?" demanded Jack. "I don't
+see how such rogues can exist. Judson, you are the worst young hound I
+ever heard of."
+
+In high rage the boy's enemy stepped up to him and deliberately struck
+him a heavy blow in the face, which Jack was, of course, powerless to
+return.
+
+"Yes, a cowardly trick like that is in perfect accordance with what I
+know of your nature," said Jack with menacing quietness.
+
+"You dare say that again," screamed Donald, beside himself with anger,
+"just you dare and I'll----" He ended with a shake of his fist.
+
+"Oh, you can't scare me, even if I am tied," said Jack scornfully.
+
+His perfect calmness added fuel to the fire of Judson's rage.
+
+"I'll fix you," he yelled, "I'll----"
+
+"Judson, be quiet," ordered Broom, and the boy subsided. "Now," went on
+the free-booter to Mr. Jukes, "your best plan, if you don't want to lose
+a few pounds, will be to make out a check for that money. Of course,
+we'll have to keep you here till it's safely cashed, otherwise you
+might, and probably would, stop the check. But----"
+
+"Don't pay a cent, Mr. Jukes," interrupted Jack.
+
+Judson stepped suddenly forward and struck the helpless lad another
+stinging blow. It was such a hard one that Jack's senses swam for a
+minute.
+
+"Shame on you, you young villain," cried Mr. Jukes. "He is helpless,
+otherwise you wouldn't dare lay hands on him."
+
+"Who says so? I could lick him any day," swaggered Judson imprudently.
+
+"Have you people no sense of right and honesty in your compositions?"
+demanded Mr. Jukes.
+
+But this appeal had no more effect on Broom than it would have had on
+adamant.
+
+"We're no worse than you millionaires, if all the papers say is true,"
+he retorted. "You rob in your way, we rob in ours. We're not quite so
+refined about it, perhaps. That's the only difference, Mr. Jukes."
+
+"You ruffian! Do you compare business,--legitimate business,--with your
+rascally trade?"
+
+"My rascally trade, as you please to term it, is business,--legitimate
+business,--to me," returned Broom.
+
+"Are we to have any food?" demanded the millionaire abruptly.
+
+"When you listen to reason, yes."
+
+"And your idea of reason is that I consent to pay that preposterous
+ransom?"
+
+"Your insight does you credit, Mr. Jukes. Sign that check and you shall
+have all you want to eat within the poor limits of my larder, and
+reasonable liberty till it is cashed. After that you are free to go
+where you will."
+
+"Our friends will raise a hue and cry for us," declared Jack. "They'll
+find us and put you where you belong, behind the bars."
+
+Broom and young Judson turned away and left the hut by another door from
+the one by which they had entered.
+
+"You think they will pay?" asked Broom, with some anxiety in his voice.
+
+"I'm sure they will. Even a tight-wad old millionaire will pay up when
+it comes to a choice between that and starving."
+
+"Then you think they are sure to give in?"
+
+"Without a doubt. Then it is only a question of waiting for the money
+and getting out."
+
+"I don't mind that. But I didn't like what they said about their friends
+following us here."
+
+"Why you said nobody knew the way here through the swamps but yourself
+along that path we came last night."
+
+"That's true, but then there's the river. However, it would be
+impossible to see the old fort from below and anyhow the cliff is fifty
+feet high and easily guarded."
+
+"Of course you are foolish to worry. However, perhaps if they don't give
+in in a day or two we had better be moving along. That young Ready's
+chum, Billy, has given me trouble before."
+
+"Well," said Broom, "we'll see how things come out. If they don't want
+to perish in the swamps they'll have to come by the river. From now on
+I'll have that cliff guarded."
+
+"Yes, and if any rescue party comes they'll get a big surprise," was
+young Judson's reply.
+
+
+
+
+                    CHAPTER XXIX.--THE RESCUE PARTY.
+
+
+"I wish I'd gone along with them," muttered Raynor to himself as he
+slipped on his socks and boots so as to be ready instantly in case of
+alarm. "I don't like the look of this thing at all."
+
+For some minutes he sat there listening intently. But no sound came from
+outside.
+
+"I guess I'll just join them anyhow," he resolved to himself, getting on
+his feet. "This waiting is too nerve-racking. I'll----"
+
+The boy halted where he stood. A loud shout from the jungle reached his
+ears.
+
+"Something has happened!" cried the boy.
+
+He reached for his pistol, and hastily buckling it on, he was about to
+rush out of the hostelry when a wild figure appeared.
+
+"Help! There's murther goin' on. Help!"
+
+It was Muldoon, fleeing before three of Broom's followers. But as the
+pursuers came in sight of the hotel they halted. The next moment they
+were in active retreat.
+
+"What's wrong? What's happened?" gasped Raynor.
+
+"Those spalpeens out yonder. They've captured Misther Jukes and Jack
+Riddy."
+
+"We must rouse the others at once and go in pursuit," decided Billy.
+
+He hurried off to awaken Captain Sparhawk, while Muldoon aroused Salloo,
+who in turn, soon had his native followers astir. It did not take
+Captain Sparhawk much longer to get into his clothes when he heard
+Billy's alarming news than it did for the natives, who were not
+embarrassed by garments, to adjust what few they did wear.
+
+It was well they had hastened, for the rascally landlord of the place
+had, by this time, aroused all the half-castes in the place and as,
+headed by Captain Sparhawk, they set off into the jungle, there was a
+scattering firing of shots behind them. Nobody was hurt, however, and
+they hastened forward to the place where Muldoon told them the capture
+had taken place.
+
+Salloo was consulted and he made a careful examination of the
+surroundings. It was considered quite safe to make this halt, as the
+tumult behind them had died out and was probably only incited by the
+hotel owner in order to get them out of the village.
+
+"Must wait till light come," decided Salloo at last, "no can make out
+trail in dark."
+
+It seemed a whole eternity till dawn, but at last it grew light and the
+Malay darted hither and thither in the vicinity. At last he announced to
+Captain Sparhawk that he thought he knew, from the direction the trail
+took, the place to which the prisoners had been conveyed.
+
+"Me think they take um to old fort on river," he declared.
+
+"Then let us go there at once," said Captain Sparhawk eagerly. "Is it
+far?"
+
+"No velly far through jungle. But Salloo no know trail. Velly bad swamp
+in there and if no know trail get in tlubble plenty quick."
+
+"Then we can't reach them," said Billy with a groan.
+
+"Salloo know other way," was the reply, "we go round by ribber. Then
+climbee cliff, find fort at top."
+
+"Then let's start at once," said Captain Sparhawk. "I don't want to lose
+a second of time."
+
+"No, begorry, those spalpeens may have taken them further on by the time
+we git there if we don't put a good foot forward," said Muldoon.
+
+Salloo glanced up at the sky. A light, fleecy haze overspread it.
+
+"Nuther reason we hully," he said. "Salloo think big storm come
+to-mollow. Rain washee out the tlacks."
+
+They set off along a narrow track that Salloo said would bring them to
+the river, whose course they must follow to the deserted fort. The
+jungle contained every kind of tropical growth, and huge ferns as big as
+trees waved over the path. But the atmosphere was close and feverish,
+with a humid heat that was very tiring. At times they encountered vines
+which had grown across the trail and had to be cut. Some of these were
+thin and wiry and could cut like a knife; others were as thick as a
+man's arm and bore brilliant, though poisonous-looking blossoms of every
+color.
+
+"Bad traveling," remarked Captain Sparhawk, "still I suppose we must
+expect that on a seldomly frequented trail."
+
+"Him get velly bad further on," was all the comfort Salloo could offer,
+"but not velly far to ribber once we strike udder trail."
+
+Before long they came to the track he had referred to which branched off
+at right angles to the one along which they had been traveling.
+
+Several miles were covered, however, when it became time to halt for
+lunch. They made a hasty meal of canned goods instead of stopping to
+light fires, as Salloo thought it would be inadvisable to advertise
+their whereabouts by smoke columns in case the "enemy" had scouts out.
+They had hardly resumed their wearisome journey when they were startled
+by hearing a cry from a distance. Salloo came to an instant halt.
+
+"Keep out ob sight, all of you," he said, "Salloo go see what makee
+noise."
+
+He glided off into the dense vegetation with the silent, undulatory
+movements of a snake.
+
+"Begorry, I wonder what that critter was?" said Muldoon in a low voice.
+
+"I don't know. I only hope it wasn't a band of natives who might prove
+unfriendly," muttered Billy.
+
+"Well, so far we have had more trouble with white men than with
+natives," said Captain Sparhawk, a remark of which they all felt the
+truth.
+
+"It might have been monkeys chattering," suggested Raynor, after a
+pause, during which they all listened for some sign of Salloo.
+
+"And spaking of the divil," exclaimed Muldoon, "look, there's a monkey
+looking at us now. See those two black oys back in the threes?"
+
+He pointed with his forefinger and they all gazed in that direction. It
+was Billy who first discovered the nature of Muldoon's monkey.
+
+"That's not a monkey. It's a big snake! Look out for yourselves!" he
+yelled.
+
+"A python!" cried Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He started back and the others did the same. But Muldoon tripped over a
+bow and fell sprawling headlong. As he scrambled to his feet a serpent's
+form appeared above him as it swung from a big tree. The next instant
+there was a cry of horror from them all.
+
+The serpent had made a sudden lunge and a cry broke from Muldoon as,
+before he could make a move to help himself, he was enwrapped in the
+spiral folds of the great python.
+
+Captain Sparhawk seized his revolver from his belt and leveled the
+weapon. But the next moment he lowered it. To have fired would have been
+to imperil Muldoon's life, and there might still be a chance of saving
+him.
+
+The monstrous reptile that had the unfortunate boatswain in its grip was
+large, even judged by the standards of the immense pythons of the New
+Guinea and Borneo forests. It must have been fully thirty-five feet
+long.
+
+Billy could not endure the sight and put his hands in front of his eyes.
+When he removed them it was to behold a stirring sight.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXX.--IN THE COILS OF A PYTHON.
+
+
+From the jungle there had darted a lithe figure. It was Salloo. He had
+traced the source of the mysterious cries to a troop of monkeys. He was
+returning when Muldoon's despairing cry broke on his ears.
+
+The Malay, guessing that there was serious trouble, glided through the
+jungle at the best speed of which he was capable, making his way swiftly
+through thickets that a white man could not have passed at all. There is
+one weapon with which a Malay is always armed--his kriss, a razor-edged
+sword about two feet long, with a "wavy" outline. This kriss Salloo now
+drew from under his single garment.
+
+One instant it flashed in the sunlight and the next, during which it was
+impossible to follow its movements, so swift were they, the python's
+head was severed. But instantly, by a convulsive movement, its coils
+tightened and Muldoon emitted another pitiful cry. But, fortunately, the
+life of the snake had departed and soon its coils relaxed and its
+gaudily-colored body slipped in a heap to the ground.
+
+They all sprang forward to Muldoon's aid, for the man, powerful and
+rugged, was almost in a state of collapse as the result of his terrible
+experience. An examination by Captain Sparhawk soon showed that no bones
+had been broken, as they had at first feared, and after restoratives had
+been administered, and after a short rest, Muldoon announced that he was
+ready to march on again.
+
+"That was a close shave, Muldoon," remarked Raynor, as they pressed
+onward, after Muldoon had nearly wrung the hand off Salloo in expressing
+his thanks for the Malay's courageous act, which had undoubtedly saved
+the boatswain's life.
+
+"Ouch! Don't say a wurrud," groaned the Irishman, "I thought I was a
+goner sure. Divil a bit more of snakes is it I want to see."
+
+That evening they reached the river, and leaving them camped, Salloo set
+off on a scouting expedition. It was a long time before he returned, but
+when he came in he brought good news. He had located the old fort and
+reported that the ruffians who had carried off Mr. Jukes and Jack were
+all there enjoying themselves round a big fire and apparently in no fear
+of an attack.
+
+"Me see um white boy there, too," he added. "Same boy hang round hotel
+at Bomobori all time."
+
+"Donald Judson!" exclaimed Billy. "How can that be possible? I can't fit
+him into this at all."
+
+"Well, the question is, now that we have tracked the rascals, what's the
+next move," said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"Me think now good time attack," counseled Salloo. "They no think anyone
+near. Give 'em heap big surprise."
+
+"Begorry, that's well said, naygur," approved Muldoon, "I'm aching to
+git a good crack at thim."
+
+After some consultation it was decided to make the attack at once. If
+they delayed they would have to wait till the next night in order to
+surprise Broom's band and there was no telling what might happen during
+the twenty-four hours that would elapse.
+
+Luckily, there was a moon, though it was somewhat obscured by the haze
+which Salloo had drawn attention to as presaging a storm. The party,
+piloted by Salloo, started off up the river, which was low, as the
+weather had been dry and there was plenty of room for them to pass
+between the bank and the water's edge.
+
+At last they arrived in sight of the cliff and Raynor's heart gave a
+bound. At the top they could see the red glare of the camp fire, though
+they could not see any of the men.
+
+"There's one good thing, the ascent of the cliff will be easy," said
+Billy, in a whisper, as he drew attention to the knotted and twisted
+vines that hung down it.
+
+"Yes, we'll need no scaling ladders," rejoined Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"No need for usum vines," declared the Malay. "Salloo know a path to
+top."
+
+Telling them to remain where they were, the faithful fellow set off on
+another scouting expedition. His kriss glittered menacingly in the
+moonlight as he went on, trying to keep in the shadow of the cliff.
+Arrived at the path he knew of, he glided noiselessly up it, although it
+was a steep and tortuous one, and soon was at the top of the cliff.
+Through the gloom he made out a solitary figure sitting on a rock far
+removed from the campfire, about which the rest were gathered. The Malay
+guessed it was a sentry, although the fellow was not keeping a very
+careful watch and appeared to be half asleep.
+
+"Me fixee you one minute," grinned the Malay to himself.
+
+He cast himself on his stomach in the long grass that grew on the
+cliff-top and began worming his way round the sentry so as to approach
+him from the rear. He scarcely made a sound as he moved with wonderful
+rapidity.
+
+The sentry appeared to shake off his drowsiness suddenly and rose to his
+feet just as Salloo was within a few inches of him. But he left his
+rifle leaning against the rock on which he had been seated. Instantly
+Salloo leaped from the grass and the next instant the kriss was at the
+thunderstruck sentry's throat.
+
+"You no speak or me killee," grated out the Malay, and one glance
+convinced the sentry that Salloo would carry out his threat.
+
+Salloo stooped and picking up a small pebble cast it over the cliff. It
+fell almost at the feet of Captain Sparhawk and Billy, who were
+anxiously on the look-out for this signal, which had been prearranged.
+
+"Forward," ordered Captain Sparhawk, who was in the lead. Next came
+Billy, then Muldoon and last the natives, some of whom had spears, and
+others the peculiar blow-pipes used by the Papuans to shoot poisoned
+darts.
+
+The advance was made in silence, and at the top of the cliff they found
+Salloo waiting for them. He was garmentless, having used his single
+cloak to tie up the sentry with. Grass stuffed in the man's mouth had
+effectually gagged him.
+
+"Good for you, Salloo," said the captain approvingly, to which the
+native replied with a grin.
+
+"Now we take him down below and find out some things from him," said the
+Malay.
+
+The helpless prisoner was bundled back down the trail and brought to the
+camp at the foot of the cliff. Here he was roped to a tree and the gag
+taken out of his mouth. But the sight of Salloo's ever-ready kriss kept
+him from making any outcry.
+
+Yes, he said, the old, fat man and the boy were all right. They had not
+been fed though, and wouldn't be till a ransom was forthcoming.
+
+This made the whites boil with indignation. Questioned as to how many
+were in the band, he said he did not know, and as he stuck to this it
+was thought best not to waste any more time questioning him.
+
+After a consultation the gag was replaced, but the ropes were loosened
+so that with a little exertion the man could set himself free.
+
+"If, for any reason, we couldn't come back, and we left the ropes tight,
+he would perish," said Captain Sparhawk, "and we want no human lives to
+our account."
+
+"Me leave him there starve to death plitty quick," growled Salloo, with
+a scowl at the crestfallen prisoner.
+
+At the foot of the cliff all was now dark and silent as the grave. The
+moon was obscured by a cloud and it was an ideal moment for the dash on
+the camp to begin.
+
+"We go plenty slow or maybe take big tumble," advised Salloo.
+
+He was in advance but Billy was close at his heels. Cautiously they
+ascended, taking great care not to dislodge loose stones which might
+have been fatal to their plans. At last the stream was far below them
+and the summit of the cliff within reach.
+
+It was at this moment that a torch flashed above them, glaring into
+their upturned faces.
+
+"What's all this, who are you?" a voice demanded.
+
+"Silence if you value your life," came from Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"It's Donald Judson!" exclaimed Billy.
+
+"Billy Raynor," cried the other in his turn. "How did you----?"
+
+"Don't utter another word," ordered Captain Sparhawk. "Put your hands
+above your head, you young rascal."
+
+"Not much I won't!" exclaimed Judson.
+
+He flung his torch full in Billy's face and then started at top speed
+for the camp fire, yelling the alarm at the top of his lungs.
+
+For a minute Billy was in peril of losing his balance as the torch
+struck him. But Salloo caught and held him firmly. The torch dropped
+with a splash and hiss into the waters of the river below.
+
+By this time Salloo scrambled to the cliff summit and made off after
+young Judson. Both reached the camp fire at about the same time. The
+others, following close on Salloo's heels, saw Donald turn, catch sight
+of the glittering kriss, and then, with a yell of dismay, tumble
+headlong. He lay quite still and had apparently been stunned by the
+violence of the fall.
+
+"Help! Help!" It was Jack's voice from the fort and was instantly
+recognised by Billy.
+
+But by this time the men about the fire, headed by 'Bully' Broom, were
+on their feet. There was no time for them to get their weapons, which
+had been left inside the fort so that they would not rust in the damp
+night air. The battle was a brief one, although some shots were fired,
+none of which, in the excitement, took effect.
+
+Billy, by a clever ruse, brought the engagement to a speedy termination.
+In the midst of the fight he turned toward the cliff and then raising
+his voice as if summoning help, he shouted:
+
+"This way, captain. Bring that company up here. Let the others guard the
+river."
+
+"Get out of here, boys," roared Broom, completely taken in. "I'll settle
+with you later on," he cried, shaking his fist as he turned and followed
+the rout of his followers, who, imagining they were being pursued by
+great numbers, made off at top speed for the jungle, which soon
+swallowed them up.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXI.--THE JOURNEY RESUMED.
+
+
+"Thank Heaven that is over," said Mr. Jukes, as he sat on an old bench
+in the fort after he and Jack had been released. "You may depend upon it
+that I shall not forget the part that Salloo and all of you played in
+our rescue."
+
+It was some two hours after the "battle," if the rout of the rascals who
+had captured Mr. Jukes and Jack could be termed such. The kidnappers'
+larder had been ransacked and a good meal enjoyed by all hands,
+especially, as may be imagined, by the two captives who had been without
+food for almost twenty-four hours.
+
+Donald Judson, looking hang-dog and abject, was huddled on a bench in a
+corner of the room. He had been picked up after the fray, having shammed
+insensibility to avoid being injured, and was easily captured by the
+victors.
+
+"You certainly came in the nick of time," said Jack. "From what I could
+hear them saying, that scoundrel Broom was actually contemplating
+torturing us if that check was not signed by Mr. Jukes."
+
+The millionaire shuddered. His experiences had greatly affected him.
+
+"That young ruffian over yonder," he nodded his head toward Judson, "was
+the instigator of the idea to get money out of me, I believe," he said.
+"He ought to be punished severely."
+
+"I didn't," whined Judson miserably, "I--I--that fellow Broom did it
+all."
+
+"What's the use of your lying, Judson," exclaimed Jack, "you met Broom
+at Bomobori. It's as plain as day now, and furnished him with an account
+of as much of our plans as we had confided to you."
+
+"Well, maybe I did," mumbled Judson sullenly, "but I didn't put him up
+to getting money out of you."
+
+"Nonsense," said Captain Sparhawk, "you are as bad as Broom is--worse,
+in fact, for you are a lad of decent upbringing."
+
+No more was said to Judson that night, and they retired to catch a few
+hours sleep, leaving the "carriers" under Salloo on guard. The Malay
+amused himself by making hideous faces at the unfortunate Donald and
+flourishing his kriss under his nose. By daylight the wretched prisoner
+was half dead from fear. Captain Sparhawk sternly warned Salloo not to
+tease him any more, at which the Malay appeared to be much surprised.
+
+"Him enemy," he said, "why no can do what like with him?"
+
+Breakfast, of which Donald was given his share, was eaten in the fort,
+and after that meal the natives were sent down to the river to bring up
+all the supplies which had been left there. They reported that the
+prisoner Salloo had made had succeeded, as they intended he should, in
+loosening his bonds during the night and had vanished.
+
+As soon as the boxes containing the wireless apparatus and the
+hand-generator arrived, Jack lost no time in setting them up and as soon
+as he raised the yacht sent a full account of Broom's rascally conduct
+to her. The first officer at once left to notify the authorities and ask
+that a keen lookout be kept for Broom's schooner.
+
+"Broom will never guess that we have any means of communicating with
+Bomobori," the boy explained, "and if he returns there, will bungle into
+a fine trap."
+
+"Begorry, I hope he does," commented Muldoon, "shure that wireless is an
+illigant invintion entirely."
+
+"If Broom is captured, as many other criminals have been, by its aid, it
+will have proved its splendid usefulness once more," declared Mr. Jukes.
+"Ready, you might flash another message saying that I will give $1,000
+to anyone who captures 'Bully' Broom."
+
+After this had been done, the question arose of what to do with Donald
+Judson. They had no desire to have the young rascal as a traveling
+companion, but at the same time they did not see how they could very
+well turn him loose in the jungle in which he might starve to death. It
+was a problem that they were still discussing when Donald himself spoke
+up in the timid, fawning voice he affected when in trouble.
+
+"See here," he said, "if you won't make trouble for me maybe I can help
+you out."
+
+"In what way?" sharply asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+"Why I saw Broom put a map or something that looked like one in a
+cupboard in the room that door opens into," said the boy, pointing to
+the end of the room. "I thought maybe it might have something to do with
+your brother, Mr. Jukes."
+
+"Come here at once and show me," ordered the millionaire. "I don't
+suppose it was anything of great importance," he added.
+
+"Perhaps not," whimpered Donald, "but if it is will you let it count in
+my favor?"
+
+"I shall consider that later," said Mr. Jukes sternly, as they all
+followed the boy into the room he indicated. In one corner was a rough
+cupboard. Mr. Jukes opened this and took out a rolled-up paper. He
+spread it out on the table and they all pressed about him.
+
+"It's a map!" cried Billy.
+
+"Yes, and of this part of the country, too," cried Jack. "See, there's
+that village, Taroo, where we stopped two nights ago."
+
+"And what's this leading along the river from this place marked 'Fort'
+on the map?" asked Mr. Judson, his eyes shining as his forefinger traced
+a red ink line that zig-zagged along till it left the river and struck
+inland to what appeared to be intended to show a range of mountains.
+"The Kini-Balu Mountains," he read out.
+
+"The Kini-Balu Mountains!" echoed Salloo, "me know them. Me bet your
+brother up there. One time 'Bully' Bloom he helpee Kini-Balu men fight
+big battle 'gainst Tariani tribe. Kini-Balus win and now heap like
+'Bully' Bloom hide your brother up there."
+
+"It is possible," mused the millionaire, "and--yes, by jove! Look here."
+
+Indicated on the map in red letters, at a spot in the heart of the
+Kini-Balu country, was a place marked "Cave."
+
+"Do you think it possible that that can be 'Bully' Broom's hiding place
+for the other Mr. Jukes?" asked Jack.
+
+"I don't know, but it appears probable," rejoined the millionaire.
+
+"Me membel now sometime 'Bully' Bloom go way from Bomobori long time,"
+said Salloo, "nobody know where he go. That time when cruiser come look
+for him. Maybe he hide up there."
+
+"It seems worth trying at any rate," said Mr. Jukes, in the manner of
+one who has reached a decision.
+
+"It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom had taken your brother and
+his men anywhere on the island it would have been to some such
+inaccessible spot as that," said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"Well thin, what's to privint us going up among the 'balloon' men, or
+whativer they call thimsilves?" asked Muldoon.
+
+"It may be attended by some danger," said Mr. Jukes. "From what Salloo
+said the Kini-Balu men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack us.
+How about that, Salloo?"
+
+The Malay's reply was not one calculated to reassure them.
+
+"Kini-Balu men head hunters," he said, "Maybe they no hurt us. But maybe
+take our heads. Salloo no 'fraid, though."
+
+"Then, by golly, neither are we," declared Muldoon.
+
+After more discussion, it was decided to advance cautiously into the
+Kini-Balu country and then do some scouting to see how matters lay. If
+the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced that Mr. Jukes was
+really a captive among them, guarded by their warriors at 'Bully'
+Broom's orders, then they would return to Bomobori without risking their
+lives and come back with a strong force. If everything appeared to be
+pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated on the map and
+settle the question of whether or no it was actually the place of the
+pearl hunter's confinement.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXII.--A STORM IN THE JUNGLE.
+
+
+Two days later, before they turned away from the river, they heard some
+news of the Kini-Balus from a party of natives bound down-stream in
+dug-outs. Salloo learned from them that the tribe was at war, at least
+so it was supposed by the canoeists from the fact that they had heard
+that the chief of the Kini-Balus had been making levies of cattle and
+corn among his subjects.
+
+"That sounds bad," said Mr. Jukes, when this news had been interpreted
+to the party.
+
+"No, him good," asserted Salloo positively.
+
+"How do you make that out?" asked Jack.
+
+"If Kini-Balus makee war, they leave only women and old men at home.
+They no fight us," argued the Malay, and they had to admit that there
+was a good deal of truth in what he said.
+
+"We're all going to get killed anyhow," whimpered Donald, who had been
+taken along by the party, much against their will, in consideration of
+the services he had rendered in showing them the hiding place of the
+map.
+
+"Him heap big coward," muttered Salloo. "Boy's body, girl's heart."
+
+It was on the afternoon of the second day that the storm that Salloo had
+predicted overtook them. They were passing through a dense forest of
+magnificent trees when the eternal twilight that reigned under the great
+branches deepened till it was almost totally dark. Astonished at this
+phenomenon, for it was long before the proper hour for night to descend,
+they questioned Salloo.
+
+"Big storm come," he said, "me thinkee we better get out of here.
+Lightning hit a tlee maybe he killee us."
+
+The birds of the jungle screamed discordantly, as if warning each other
+of what was coming. Troops of monkeys swung through the trees as if
+seeking refuge, and the almost deafening chorus of insects and lizards
+gave way to total silence. It seemed as if nature was holding her breath
+preparatory to some great crisis.
+
+"We had better look for some safe place to stay before it breaks,"
+counseled Captain Sparhawk. "A hurricane in the jungle is a serious
+matter. Trees are rooted up and struck by lightning and in the forest it
+is very dangerous for anyone to be caught by such a storm."
+
+"Me findee place," said Salloo, and struck off down a dim trail leading
+toward the river. "Follow me, evelybody, and hully up."
+
+They needed no urging. The gloom and quiet of the forest was overawing.
+It had begun to get on their nerves. Under Salloo's guidance they soon
+found themselves at a great mass of rocks on a high bank overlooking the
+river. The great masses of stone were piled in such a way that the
+crevices among them formed regular caves.
+
+"We getee in here," said Salloo, indicating the largest of them. "I send
+my men in annuder one."
+
+"I'm not going in there," declared Donald, "there might be snakes or
+wild beasts inside."
+
+"You'd better come in or be blown away," said Captain Sparhawk.
+
+He had hardly spoken, before the storm broke in all its fury. Donald,
+with a cry of alarm, followed the others into shelter.
+
+"Gracious, this beats anything I ever saw, even that storm off the
+Pamatous," shouted Jack, above the shrieking of the wind.
+
+"Him blow more big bimeby," said Salloo, "him big storm this. You see."
+
+The trees swayed violently, and before long, from their shelter, they
+saw a big one torn up by the roots and hurtled from the bank into the
+river. The wind grew more violent. The dark air was filled with flying
+branches, leaves and sticks. Birds, large and small, were swept by,
+powerless to contend with the furious gale. Donald was crouched back in
+a far corner of their shelter, too frightened to do anything more than
+mumble and whimper.
+
+The river began to rise and add its mighty voice to the other sounds,
+although no rain had yet fallen where they were. The darkness increased,
+but suddenly everything was lit up in a livid glare that made them all
+blink.
+
+"Lightning," exclaimed Salloo, "now him comin'."
+
+Then down came the rain. It literally fell in sheets, blotting out
+everything like a fog even when the constant flashes illuminated the
+scene. The water began to pour into their shelter from above, making it
+a very uncomfortable place. Soon the water was up to their knees and in
+the cave occupied by the carriers the men stood upright with their
+burdens on their heads to keep them out of the water.
+
+"Gracious, I never saw so much water come down in my life," exclaimed
+Jack. "It's a regular--my!"
+
+There had come a flash, a red ribbon of flame, so blinding that for an
+instant they could not see. It was followed by a crack of thunder that
+seemed to have split the sky. Donald gave a yell of alarm.
+
+"Him hittee something close by for sure," declared Salloo. He was right.
+Presently they saw a tall ceiba tree burst into flame like a torch.
+Fanned by the wind, it blazed fiercely even in the downpour. Its red
+glare lit up their faces in a ghostly manner, for it was not more than a
+few feet from their place of refuge.
+
+"My, this is awful," muttered Raynor. "Thank goodness we got out from
+under those trees in time."
+
+"Amen to that," said Captain Sparhawk solemnly.
+
+It rained for the rest of that night and in the morning they were
+sorry-looking objects. Everything was wet, and although they had tried
+to light a fire during the night, after the first violence of the storm
+had abated, they had not succeeded. But when, shortly before noon, the
+sun did come out, it shone down with a heat that made the whole wet
+earth steam. Clothes were spread out on the rocks to dry, as was the
+rest of the outfit. Fortunately, the bags the carriers bore were mostly
+of waterproof material, so not much damage was done to the contents.
+
+It was a scene of havoc on which they gazed. The river ran high and its
+surface was littered with the bodies of dead monkeys, snakes, great
+trees torn up bodily, and other debris eloquent of the violence of the
+hurricane.
+
+All round them lay big trees and the bodies of countless birds that had
+been dashed to death. It was some time before Salloo could persuade a
+fire to burn, but among the rocks, in crevices the rain had not
+penetrated, he found old dried leaves and sticks which made capital
+kindling and at last they cooked a hot meal, in need of which they all
+stood badly.
+
+Then it was off on the long trail again. Late that afternoon, just as
+they were making camp, a party of natives came along the trail. They
+carried the skins of numerous beautiful birds that they had brought down
+with their blow-pipes. They were friendly and the boys bought some of
+the skins. Afterward Salloo had a long talk with them and, this being
+concluded, they kept on their way while our party went on with its
+preparations for spending the night.
+
+Salloo had some news to disclose, he said. The natives he had been
+talking to knew the Kini-Balu Mountains well and told him, after he had
+described the cave they were looking for, that it was a very bad place.
+Nobody liked to go near it.
+
+"On account of the Kini-Balus?" asked Mr. Jukes.
+
+"No, on account um ghosts," rejoined Salloo; "ghost of Taratao, old-time
+chief of Kini-Balus haunt him."
+
+"Begorry, so long as the ghosts ain't got a punch it's sorra a bit I
+care for 'em," declared Muldoon valiantly.
+
+That evening Salloo had a novelty for supper in the form of the flesh of
+a huge lizard, or iguana. At first the boys and their companions did not
+want to touch it, for in life it had been a hideous looking monster. But
+being pressed by Salloo, they consented, and found it very good eating.
+Its flesh tasted like chicken, though even more delicate.
+
+It was about an hour after the meal when they were preparing for bed
+that Jack complained that he was feeling poorly. He said he had a
+headache and a feeling of vertigo. The others then admitted experiencing
+the same symptoms. Nausea soon succeeded these and ere long they were
+all convinced that they had been poisoned by eating the iguana. The
+natives, who camped some distance off with Salloo, experienced no such
+illness but then they had eaten none of the iguana which, to Captain
+Sparhawk's mind, made it all the more certain that it was the giant
+lizard's flesh that had made them ill.
+
+Salloo was called from the native camp and bitterly reproached for
+inducing them to eat it. He protested that it could not have been the
+iguana that had made them ill. Had he not himself eaten it? But in the
+end he returned to the native camp with his head hung down, completely
+crushed by what he deemed the injustice of his white friends in blaming
+him for their illness. At first they were not greatly alarmed, not
+deeming it possible that they had actually been poisoned, and Captain
+Sparhawk administered remedies from the medicine chest. But, to their
+alarm, instead of decreasing in severity, their sufferings grew more
+acute as the night wore on.
+
+Their ideas became confused, and as in sea-sickness in an acute stage,
+they lay about, not caring whether they lived or died. If they tried to
+rise, their heads swam, their feet tottered. Thus it was that Salloo
+found them in the morning when he came from the native camp.
+
+The faithful fellow was seriously alarmed and set up a mighty wailing
+which soon brought his followers running over. But the sufferers only
+turned dull eyes upon them and moaned in their pain. Plainly they were
+in such a serious condition that unless something was done soon to
+relieve them, death itself might put an end to their misery. Salloo
+looked about him wildly, hoping to catch some solution to the mystery of
+this sudden illness. He raised his eyes upward and his lips moved as if
+he were invoking the aid of some heathen deity.
+
+But suddenly the expression on his countenance changed. His eyes were
+fixed on the leaves of a tree under which the sufferers had passed the
+night. For the first time, too, he became aware of a peculiarly
+sickening odor in the air. It smelled like carrion. As some huge scarlet
+flowers which grew on the tree began to open to the daylight (they had
+been closed at night) this terrible stench became stronger. Salloo
+uttered a single shout of comprehension.
+
+"Upas!" It was echoed by his companions, whom Salloo at once directed to
+pick up the sufferers and carry them to some distance. When the last had
+been transported, Salloo got water from a forest pool and poured it over
+them. One by one they began to revive. Jack, who was one of the first to
+come to, rose dizzily to his feet and tried to walk. But Salloo gently
+made him lie down again. After an hour or so all felt better and partook
+of some soup and weak tea.
+
+"Salloo, you are forgiven," said Captain Sparhawk, "but never persuade
+us to eat lizard again. You came near being the death of us all."
+
+"Faith, oi was niver so near the Pearly Gates before," declared Muldoon
+emphatically.
+
+"Him no lizard hurt you," declared Salloo vehemently; "lizard heap good.
+Upas he hurt you. If I no see it and have you moved away you plitty soon
+have died."
+
+"What do you mean, Salloo?" asked Mr. Jukes. "Do you mean our sickness
+had anything to do with the tree we camped under?"
+
+"Ebblyting," was the reply; "him tree was the upas."
+
+"I see it all now," exclaimed Captain Sparhawk. "That tree was the
+deadly upas of which you may have heard. Every one in the Indian
+Archipelago knows of it. Within its great red blossoms are the sepulchre
+of birds and insects whose bodies, lying rotting there, give out that
+terrible odor which ought to warn all travelers against it. But we
+camped when it was getting dark and the flowers were closed, keeping the
+noxious reek from escaping and warning us. Salloo is right, and if he
+had not had us dragged from under it we should have perished miserably."
+
+"I remember reading somewhere of the upas," said Jack, "but I always
+thought its deadly qualities were exaggerated. After our last night's
+experience I'll know better."
+
+"I suppose the heat of our camp fire under the branches had something to
+do with it, too," said Billy.
+
+"Undoubtedly," declared the captain. "And then as we sat around after
+supper we were, unknown to ourselves, inhaling the deadly vapor till we
+grew sick. Instead of moving away before we grew worse, as we certainly
+would have if we had known the cause of our malady, we made ourselves
+worse by lying down to sleep with that poisonous breath as our only
+atmosphere. Salloo, your lizard is vindicated, and to show you it is,
+the next one you shoot I'll volunteer to eat."
+
+But although recovered, they still felt weak from the effects of their
+terrible night under the upas, whose Latin name, if any one wishes to
+know it, is _antiaris toxicaria_. In fact, their feelings were very like
+those of persons just getting over sea-sickness. They felt buoyantly
+well and happy, but not yet quite strong enough for the hard work of the
+trail. So they remained where they were till the next day and then
+pushed on once more on their quest.
+
+
+
+
+                   CHAPTER XXXIII.--THE GIANT SPIDERS.
+
+
+When they resumed their journey the next morning they encountered a new
+form of obstacle in the form of the webs of huge red bird-catching
+spiders, whose nets stretched from tree to tree in the forest, looked
+like seine nets in a fisherman's village hung out to dry, or to make
+another comparison, miles of mosquito netting hung between the tree
+trunks. Through these webs they had to make their way for a long
+distance.
+
+The boys did not like it at all, and Donald Judson, who was particularly
+averse to spiders, slunk in the rear till the natives, with shouts and
+yells, cut down the webs that hung across the trail. The soft silky
+substance of the webs struck them in the face and clung glutinously and
+covered their clothes with a coating of white fleece.
+
+As they forced their way through this repulsive feature of New Guinea
+forest travel, they could, from time to time, see the hideous forms of
+the huge and venomous spiders that had spread the webs peering at them
+from dark retreats in the crevices of trees or else scuttling off on
+long, hairy legs to safety. It did not require much imagination to
+picture their anger at this ruthless destruction of their homes. That
+night they camped near the edge of a big swamp, and the two boys, weary
+of the monotony of the long march and tired of canned stuff and
+preserved goods, volunteered to set out with rifles and see if they
+could not bring in something more palatable.
+
+As they had camped early when the swamp crossed their path, there was
+plenty of time for them to go quite a distance in search of game. In a
+short time they had brought down two birds that looked something like
+partridges, as well as shooting an odd-looking bird like a huge parrot,
+with a gigantic bill and horny head. They were some distance apart,
+separated by a brake of reeds, when Jack heard a sudden cry of alarm
+from Billy.
+
+Disregarding the danger of snakes, he pushed his way through the brake
+at once. As he came in sight of Billy, who was standing staring into the
+forest as if petrified, Jack, too, received a shock. Not far from Billy
+was what he at first thought was a man. But such a man! Not even in a
+nightmare had the boy ever beheld such a hideous form.
+
+This man, if such he was, was covered all over with red hair, thick and
+shaggy, except on the face, which was darker and bereft of hair, but
+from which two yellow eyes glared malevolently. In an instant the true
+nature of this creature flashed upon Jack. It was an orang-outang, and a
+monster, too, that stood facing them, its long arms trailing in front of
+it. But even though stooped over, it was as large as the average man,
+with a massive chest and shoulders.
+
+"Take a shot at it, Jack," urged Billy.
+
+But Jack shook his head.
+
+"It looks too horribly human," he said. "Besides, it doesn't look as if
+it would attack us. It seems to be more possessed by curiosity than
+anything else."
+
+Perhaps the boy was right, for after eyeing them for a few seconds more
+the monstrous creature shuffled off for the edge of a big sheet of water
+on whose margin they stood, and began tearing up some sort of water
+plants and eating their roots with many grunts of satisfaction. He waded
+in almost knee deep, stuffing his bag-like cheeks full and chewing with
+huge satisfaction. The boys gazed at this strange picture with
+fascination.
+
+But suddenly the monster stopped eating and stood erect. Its hair began
+to bristle and it uttered an angry sort of growl. Apparently it was not
+fear but anger that possessed this colossus of the forests as it glanced
+angrily about it. The cause of its emotion was not long in appearing.
+From the stagnant waters was approaching an antagonist formidable
+indeed--a giant saurian--a crocodile larger than any the boys had ever
+seen in any zoo.
+
+The boys naturally expected to see the orang-outang beat a hasty
+retreat. But instead it stood its ground, merely drawing back a few
+inches as the crocodile's hideous snout and scaly body were successively
+protruded from the water. Jack now recalled what Salloo had told him one
+night in camp about the orang. The Malay had said it was the king of the
+New Guinea forests, fearing no man, beast or reptile, and this certainly
+appeared to be the case in this instance.
+
+Had it wished to beat a retreat to safety, the mias, as the natives
+called the red gorilla, might easily have done so. One leap and he could
+have grasped a tree trunk, up which he could have scrambled in a jiffy.
+On the contrary, after its first backward steps, which brought it almost
+out of the water, the creature stood upright and, uttering savage
+growls, beat on its hairy chest with its huge arms, producing a sound
+like the reverberations of a savage "tom-tom."
+
+The scaly reptile continued to advance. Perhaps, to its eyes, the red
+gorilla was simply a native, a poor weak human being, such as possibly
+had fallen victim to the great crocodile before. However that may have
+been, the saurian, without undue hurry, could be seen to be making
+straight for the red ape and, maneuvering so as to get its monstrous
+armor-plated tail in position to give a fatal flail-like sweep, which
+would fling the orang-outang into the water, stunning it and making it
+an easy prey.
+
+It appeared to flatten itself as it reached shallow water, its ugly
+lizard-like legs spread out on each side of its scaly body almost
+horizontally. Then, with a suddenness that made the boys catch their
+breaths in a quick gasp, the monster gave a sudden leap, aiding this
+maneuver by its tail, which it suddenly stiffened as if it had been a
+spring.
+
+Its whole length was launched into the air as it sprang, and for a flash
+its wide-opened jaws with their hideous rows of triangular teeth,
+appeared to engulf the red ape. But while the boys were still held
+spell-bound by this spectacle, such a one as perhaps no human being but
+a lone native hunter had ever beheld before, the red gorilla gave a
+mighty leap. It was partly straight up and partly to one side. As the
+great jaws of the saurian came together with a snap like that of a
+titanic steel trap, the red ape landed fair and square on the scaled
+monster's back.
+
+Straddling the plated hide, the great hairy legs gripped the crocodile's
+sides as a bronco buster grips his fractious mount. And now commenced a
+struggle between these two denizens of the deepest New Guinea forests
+such as the two young spectators remembered with photographic vividness
+to the end of their lives.
+
+On the part of the crocodile the battle was simply a series of leaps and
+wild tail threshings in an effort to dislodge his nimble foe. The grass
+and weeds were mown down as if by a scythe by the sweeps of the great
+tail, but the ape held firm, his little eyes twinkling wickedly. With
+one arm it clutched the rough hide firmly, but the other was waving
+about like a tentacle seeking something to grasp.
+
+During the struggle the jaws of the crocodile had been frequently
+snapped, but they only closed on empty air. As in all the saurian tribe,
+during this process the upper jaw had pointed nearly vertically upward,
+making an opening big enough to swallow a canoe. Suddenly the watchers
+saw the orang's purpose. All at once the disengaged arm made a swift
+sweep forward and grasped the extended upper jaw.
+
+"Great Scott! he's done for now," cried Billy. "That jaw will close and
+cut his fingers off."
+
+"Hold on," warned Jack. "Watch. I've heard these creatures can bend
+rifle barrels as if they were made of lead. Perhaps--look!"
+
+The orang suddenly shifted his position. He was now kneeling on the
+crocodile's back, his knees braced firmly on its armor-plated neck and
+his second arm aiding the first in the task of keeping those jaws, once
+apart, from ever coming together again. Then summoning every ounce of
+that strength that has made the orang the most dreaded of all the forest
+animals in that part of the world, even the Bornean tiger owning his
+supremacy, the red gorilla gave one grand wrench.
+
+There was a tearing sound as of a tree being torn from its roots, and
+the alligator's body writhed and threshed about convulsively. The great
+ape sprang free from the scaly monster and with hoarse laughter that
+sounded like the merriment of a maniac, it gazed on the saurian's
+struggles. But it was not destined to see the end of them. In its agony
+the great crocodile instinctively made for the water and was soon out of
+sight, threshing and writhing until a clump of water-cane hid it from
+sight.
+
+Then, and not till then, did the orang take its eyes from its conquered
+enemy. But when it had seen the last of it, the hairy creature turned
+and appeared to be contemplating fresh victory. The lust of battle was
+in its wicked little eyes.
+
+"Down, Billy, down with you quick," warned Jack, pulling his chum aside
+in the thicket. "If it comes this way, shoot at once. I wouldn't want to
+come to close quarters with a creature like that. I thought Salloo was
+drawing the long bow when he told me about the _mias_, as he called it,
+but he didn't put it on thick enough."
+
+"If only we'd had a camera," was Billy's regret. But for the next few
+moments there were more important things to think about. The orang stood
+upright, looking about him in a truculent manner. It almost appeared as
+if, now that his battle with the saurian was over, he had recollected
+the human figure he had seen not long before, but had paid little heed
+to it in his haste to make his evening meal among the water plants.
+
+In fact, he started shamblingly toward the brake where the boys were
+concealed with leveled rifles and fingers on triggers. But the great
+creature's life was spared, for that time at least, for had the boys
+fired he must have fallen at the first bullets from the high-powered
+rifles. After advancing a few paces, he changed his mind and, grumbling
+to himself, he shuffled off and was soon lost in the gloom of the
+forest.
+
+"We ought to have shot him, Jack," muttered Billy as they started back
+to camp with what game they bagged.
+
+"What, kill a fine old warrior like that without cause? Could you have
+done it, Billy?"
+
+"Um--well--er--no, I don't believe I could," rejoined his chum. "After
+all, that crocodile started the scrap and--and I guess every American
+likes a good fighter."
+
+
+
+
+                CHAPTER XXXIV.--A FIGHT WITH A HORNBILL.
+
+
+"Now me showee you something."
+
+It was during the noon rest the next day and the Malay had asked the
+whites to come a little distance apart from the camp to a fine-looking
+banyan tree. They watched him with interest as with the axe he cut down
+several lengths of bamboo from a nearby cluster, and, pointing the ends
+sharply, having first separated the lengths into bits about two feet
+long, began driving them into the yielding bark of the tree. In this way
+he had soon made the first four rounds of a primitive ladder.
+
+Although, as yet, he had given them no hint of the object of all this,
+they were all sure that he had something really of interest to show them
+and forbore asking questions till he was ready to explain the mystery.
+Salloo had driven the tenth round of his queer ladder and was about ten
+feet from the ground, when Jack drew everybody's attention to a strange
+hissing sound that appeared to come from within the tree.
+
+"Look out for snakes, Salloo," he warned. But the Malay only nodded his
+head confidently and smiled. Donald glanced about nervously. Even
+Captain Sparhawk looked apprehensive. As for Muldoon, he shouted, "This
+is no place for a son of St. Patrick," and fled back to camp.
+
+"What's the matter, Salloo?" asked Mr. Jukes. "Are you in trouble?"
+
+"No trouble, Missel Boss," rejoined Salloo. "Only bit what you callee
+good luck," grinned the Malay, looking down on them and continuing his
+work.
+
+"How good luck?" asked Jack.
+
+"You see plenty soon," was the cryptic reply, and the Malay drew another
+sharp-pointed peg from his girdle and drove it in with vigorous strokes
+of the axe. While he did this, the hissing continued, mingled with a
+hoarse roaring like that which might be emitted by a disabled foghorn.
+Moreover, they could now see that a few feet above Salloo's head was an
+object which alternately was thrust out from the tree trunk and
+withdrawn. It was white and sharp-pointed, like one of the pegs he was
+driving. It was assuredly not a snake's head, as they had for a minute
+thought, but what was it?
+
+"What's that right over your head, Salloo?" asked Captain Sparhawk.
+
+"Him buld (bird), captain. Him plentee much bigee buld."
+
+"Oh, only a bird," said Mr. Jukes in a disappointed voice. "What sort of
+a one?"
+
+"Him hornbill. Ole hen hornbill. She on nest. Old man hornbill he shut
+her up in there so she no leave eggs. Him put mud over crack in tree so
+as she no put nothing but her beak out. That the way he feedee her."
+
+So that was the explanation of that object that darted in and out, and
+also of the hissing and grunting sounds. Looking closer, they now saw
+that at the spot where the bill still kept darting in and out there was
+a big longitudinal patch of mud which walled the hen hornbill up as
+effectually as certain prisoners were "walled up" in the days of old. As
+Salloo got within reaching distance of the nest, he raised his axe and
+smashed the mud wall before any of the party could check him. The next
+instant his bare arm was plunged fearlessly into the orifice and came
+out with his fingers clutching the old hen by the neck. In a moment she
+was fluttering, with her neck wrung, at the adventurers' feet.
+
+"Say, Salloo, you shouldn't have done that," called up Jack indignantly.
+"That's a shame."
+
+The rest echoed his indignation at what seemed an act of wanton cruelty.
+Salloo only looked astonished.
+
+"Him plenty good eat. Roast hornbill plenty fine."
+
+"You see, he takes a different point of view about these things than we
+do," said Captain Sparhawk. "You can't blame him. Still I wish we could
+have prevented it."
+
+They examined the dead hornbill with much interest. It was a gorgeous
+bird, almost as big as a turkey, with a bill of a size altogether
+disproportionate to even its large size. This beak was like a gigantic
+parrot's bill and the horny structure extended over almost the entire
+head of the bird. It was not unlike the one the boys had shot the night
+before and thrown away as not good for food.
+
+"Plentee eggs in there," said Salloo as he came down, "but they no good
+eat."
+
+"Well, I'm glad there were no young ones to be starved through our
+interference," said Billy, and the others felt as he did.
+
+"Say, I'm going to have a look at that nest," said Jack suddenly.
+
+"All right. But look out you don't fall and break your neck," warned
+Raynor. Jack went nimbly up Salloo's queer ladder and soon reached a
+height where he could see into the nest, which was built in a cavity of
+the tree and had afterward been carefully walled up with mud,
+strengthened by weaving reeds into it. Jack was still examining the nest
+when a sudden shadow fell over him. He looked up and above him he saw,
+with somewhat of a shock, a great bird whose plumage flashed brilliantly
+in the sun and whose huge beak snapped viciously at the boy.
+
+"Look out, look out, him father hornbill," cried Salloo from the ground.
+
+The hornbill made a swoop at Jack, aiming with that cruel beak straight
+for his eyes. The boy put up an arm to defend himself, but the bird
+seized it with its parrot-like claws, scratching it badly, and all the
+while it kept up a beating of its wings that blinded the boy. Then the
+bird suddenly changed its tactics. It swooped off and then made a swift
+dash at the boy's head. It was well for Jack that he had on his stiff
+sun helmet or his skull would have been cracked like an egg by that
+huge, horny bill. As it was, the helmet was ripped open.
+
+Those below called on him to come down. But the attacks of the great
+bird so blinded and bewildered him that he was unable to move a step.
+Billy, at the order of Captain Sparhawk, brought a rifle from the camp,
+but so close did the bird stay to the boy that there was danger in using
+it. Even the most expert of shots would have been quite as likely to hit
+Jack as the enraged hornbill.
+
+Salloo had sprung into the tree, and with his ever ready _kriss_ was
+ascending to the rescue when Captain Sparhawk saw an opportunity. The
+rifle was already at his shoulder and, as the hornbill rose and hovered
+for an instant before making another plunge at Jack's head, his finger
+pressed the trigger. A splendid shot, a broken wing, the huge bird
+fluttered to the earth and flopped and screamed on the ground till its
+strugglings were put an end to by another bullet. Jack remained where he
+was for a few seconds to recover his nerves and then, still somewhat
+shaken by his experience, he descended.
+
+His arm was badly scratched and Captain Sparhawk was opening the
+medicine chest when Salloo intervened. He quickly gathered a handful of
+a plant that exuded a sort of thick milk. Crushing the gathered stems on
+a stone, he soon had a quantity of this juice, which he spread on the
+wounds. The irritation at once left them and Salloo promised a speedy
+cure. But it may be said that Jack had no appetite for roast hornbill
+that night.
+
+
+
+
+                 CHAPTER XXXV.--THE HEART OF NEW GUINEA.
+
+
+The expedition now found itself advancing through forest that grew
+sparser as they progressed. The ground was rapidly becoming more rugged.
+Close to them now towered the range known as the Kini-Balu among the
+wild recesses of which the tribe of that name made its home. Constant
+vigilance was the watchword of the hour now. Salloo would permit no
+fires to be lighted, and he and his followers were constantly scouting
+in front of the party, while additional watch was kept at the rear and
+on both flanks.
+
+It was dangerous, thrilling work, but the boys, who loved adventure,
+relished every moment of it. But Donald Judson lived a life of misery.
+Every rustle in the bush made him turn pale. He was constantly giving
+false alarms in the night and the boys heartily wished he had been left
+behind. One afternoon--they were right in the mountains now--Salloo
+halted the party with a quick gesture.
+
+"Two men ahead of us. Up the mountain. Salloo go, look, see."
+
+He glided off with his usual snake-like agility and vanished in a flash,
+while the party waited behind a mighty rock, for cover of the forest
+kind was growing scarce now. A wilder region would have been hard to
+imagine. The cliffs and mountains were of all sorts of extravagant
+shapes. Some of the larger rocks and peaks took on the outlines of
+monstrous animals. But they were still following a trail which was
+undoubtedly the one set down in red ink on Broom's map.
+
+Through the glasses, which they were able to use without being observed,
+by crouching down in the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing
+toward the two figures on the mountain side. As he went he was making
+the peace sign, extending his arms as if inviting the others to attack
+him at their will. But as far as they could see, the meeting was
+friendly enough. Salloo conversed with the two men of the mountain for a
+long time. Then he could be seen retracing his steps.
+
+"Well?" demanded everybody as he returned to the camp.
+
+"Ebblyting good so far," reported Salloo. "Those two men velly old men.
+They left behind when tribe go to war in the north."
+
+"Then the country is free of danger?" cried Donald.
+
+Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and did not answer. Addressing
+the others, he continued:
+
+"They say they know of cave. But no know if white man is there," went on
+the Malay.
+
+"Would they be willing to guide us to it?" inquired Mr. Jukes.
+
+"That me no know yet. Me go see 'em again to-night," replied Salloo.
+"They say nobody but old men, women and children left behind now tribe
+go to war. So maybe they no afraid to show us. You pay 'em good?"
+
+"Anything, any sum at all," was the response of the millionaire. "No sum
+is too great to restore my brother to his family."
+
+When night fell Salloo left the camp again and did not return till
+midnight. He brought the news that the two old men would guide them for
+three pieces of gold each. They did not want the coins to spend,
+explained Salloo, but to pierce and wear round their necks as ornaments.
+
+"I'll make it six each," declared Mr. Jukes, "if they lead us aright."
+
+There was little sleep for anybody that night, and soon after daybreak
+the two old men appeared in the camp. They were odd-looking old fellows;
+unclothed except for a breech cloth, and were daubed with red and yellow
+earth, signifying that their tribe was at war, although their age barred
+them from taking part.
+
+At Salloo's suggestion, only himself, Mr. Jukes, Jack and Billy were to
+accompany the guides. The others were to remain behind and keep as well
+under cover as they could till the rest returned with success or
+failure. Final instructions having been given, they set off behind the
+two old men, who chattered volubly with Salloo as they went. They knew
+of the cave, it appeared, but nothing more, for they did not come from
+that part of the mountains.
+
+The next day they were not far from the cave, their aged guides told
+them, and Salloo enjoined the strictest caution in proceeding. If they
+met a returning war party, their position would be ticklish in the
+extreme, he declared, and they readily agreed with him.
+
+It was not long after this that, high up on the mountain side, they
+became aware of a dark hole. The two old men chattered and pointed, and
+then Salloo said:
+
+"There him cave. You wait here. Salloo go, look, see."
+
+He made off up the mountain with the two old tribesmen, while the others
+waited with what patience they could for his return. The boys had never
+seen Mr. Jukes so nervous. He could not keep still under the tension,
+but paced to and fro, regardless of Salloo's advice to keep under cover.
+
+"He is taking his time," said Jack after a long interval.
+
+"Perhaps something has happened to him," said Mr. Jukes, apprehensively.
+"We'd better have our pistols ready. Hark! what was that?"
+
+There was a rustling in the bushes near at hand and they all sprang to
+their feet, only to burst into laughter a minute later when a rock
+coney, or small rabbit, emerged, looked at them for an instant and then
+vanished.
+
+"That shows how we are keyed up," said Jack. "We've got to keep our
+nerve or we shall be useless if any emergency did happen."
+
+As he spoke, something whizzed over their heads and then sank quivering
+in the ground not far from them. They looked round and saw standing not
+far off two hideous natives, with frizzed hair and painted faces and
+bodies. Both were wounded and apparently had been sent back from "the
+front." But still there was a chance that they might be the advance
+guard of a big body of troops.
+
+"We friends," cried Jack, giving the peace sign as he had seen Salloo
+give it.
+
+The natives merely stared, and there is no knowing what might have been
+the outcome, but at that moment there came a hail from high up on the
+mountain and the old tribesmen and Salloo began coming toward them. The
+natives awaited their coming with their eyes fixed on the whites. As
+soon as Salloo and the others arrived there was a long confab and Salloo
+explained that the two warriors said that the main body of the savage
+troops was not far off, and that they had been sent back on account of
+their wounds. They had thrown the spear because they thought the whites
+were coming to invade their country. When Salloo explained the object of
+their errand, everything appeared to be satisfactory.
+
+"Now we go to the cave," said Salloo, at the end of these negotiations.
+"Him velly big one, me think."
+
+"Did you--did you see any trace of my brother?" asked Mr. Jukes
+anxiously.
+
+"Me no see anything yet," was the reply. "Me only go little way into
+cave."
+
+"Then come, let us start at once," said Mr. Jukes, stepping nimbly over
+the rough ground, in spite of his cumbersome build.
+
+As Salloo had said, the cave was a large one. It ran back fully a mile
+under the mountain. But they paid little attention to its natural
+beauties, so eager were they to find some trace of Jerushah Jukes. To
+one side was a swiftly flowing stream. They did not doubt that it came
+from a waterfall, the noise of which they could hear in the distance.
+
+Before long they stood in front of the waterfall, a beautiful ribbon of
+water falling fully a hundred feet into a clear pool. A sort of mist
+hung over the pool caused by the spray, which was lighted by a rift in
+the rocks above. It was a lovely sight and even in their anxiety to get
+on they could not help standing and admiring it for a few minutes.
+
+"By the way, Salloo," said Jack abruptly, "how about that ghost that is
+supposed to haunt the cave?"
+
+"Me no know. Me----"
+
+"Look, look, the ghost!" cried Raynor suddenly. He pointed straight in
+front of him at the fall.
+
+"Great Scott!" exclaimed Jack as he too perceived an apparition that
+appeared to rise out of the waters. Salloo fell flat on his face in
+terror and so did the two old natives, who had been their guides.
+
+"Don't talk nonsense," said Mr. Jukes sharply. "I see nothing. I--for
+heaven's sake!"
+
+Out of the mist of the pool he had seen advancing toward him as he
+stepped forward the gigantic form of a man. Then he glanced again.
+
+The ghost was Mr. Jukes himself, who certainly had nothing
+spiritualistic about him. The explanation of the queer sight struck the
+boys and the millionaire at the same instant. The sun, shining through
+the rift, was reflected upon the wet rock which in turn projected their
+figures against the watery mist that hung above the pool.
+
+"And so that's the ghost that's been scaring the natives to death," said
+Jack. "Get up, Salloo, and I'll show you how the trick is done."
+
+After a brief demonstration the Malay was satisfied, but the two old men
+were unconvinced. They mumbled and were ill at ease till that part of
+the cave was left behind.
+
+"Hullo, here's a path leading up past the waterfall," cried Jack
+suddenly.
+
+"So there is. Let's see where it goes," cried Billy. They started up the
+slippery footway very slowly so as to avoid the consequences of a slip.
+As they went it grew lighter. They were coming to the upper world once
+more. A minute later and they emerged upon a small plateau in the heart
+of the mountains. It was surrounded by steep precipices. In the centre
+stood a group of bamboo huts.
+
+At sight of the white men, several women and children set up a shrill
+cry. Suddenly above the hub-bub came a voice that brought a thrill to
+them all:
+
+"Has help come at last?"
+
+[Illustration: "Has help come at last?"]
+
+From behind one of the huts had stepped a tall, angular figure, wearing
+ragged white clothes and a battered sun helmet. Perched on his nose were
+a pair of huge horn-rimmed spectacles, a ragged, unkempt beard covered
+his face and his hair hung in matted locks about his shoulders.
+
+At the sight of him, Mr. Jukes gave a gasp and then a glad cry.
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAPTER XXXVI.--FOUND AT LAST!
+
+
+"Oh, my brother," cried Mr. Jukes, "I can hardly believe we've found you
+at last."
+
+"Thank God! you have, Jacob," returned the other fervently. "For a
+moment I thought that you were only one of the fantastic visions that
+have visited my brain lately."
+
+"My poor brother," exclaimed the millionaire, "but now thank heaven you
+are restored to your friends."
+
+"But how did you ever find me? I never deemed it possible that rescuers
+could find their way to this place where that villain Broom, after
+stealing the pearl, marooned me."
+
+"Ah, so the pearl is gone,--but never mind that now. I would not have
+given your life for an ocean-full of pearls," declared the millionaire
+happily, "but I must introduce our friends who have shared with me the
+hardships of the trail."
+
+The boys, and then Salloo, added their congratulations to Mr. Jukes,
+while the women and children gathered round and chattered frantically.
+It was plain that they objected to all this, yet did not see how to stop
+it. The white men's weapons glinted menacingly and there were no
+warriors in the village.
+
+"And now let us hasten away from here," said Jerushah Jukes. "The men
+are off on a fighting expedition and I might have escaped but without
+food or weapons I could never have made my way to the coast through the
+jungle. I suppose that is the reason they did not tie me up."
+
+"Undoubtedly," said the millionaire, "but I'm forgetting something," and
+he doled out to the two old men a reward, much over what they had
+demanded. They chattered their thanks glibly, making all sorts of
+gesticulations of gratitude.
+
+"It's all like a dream to me so far," said Jerushah Jukes, as they made
+their way back through the cave and past the "haunted" waterfall. "Broom
+sent me up here with a guard of his men. The tribe appeared to be
+friendly to him and agreed to keep me prisoner as long as he wished. But
+my poor crew? What has become of them?"
+
+"That we do not know yet," said Mr. Jukes, "but we will talk later. I
+want to put all the distance I can between this tribe and our party as
+soon as we can. Those women will give the alarm although they dared not
+make an active protest."
+
+But as they emerged from the cave they met with a rude shock. A party of
+warriors with frizzed hair and war-paint daubing their bodies barred the
+way.
+
+At first the tribesmen stood motionless with astonishment at the sight
+of a party of white men emerging from their secret cave. But the next
+instant they broke into a savage volley of shouts and yells and raised
+their spears and cruel-looking war clubs.
+
+"We have come too late, my poor brother," groaned Mr. Jukes. But
+suddenly Salloo raised his voice. He spoke in tones of loud authority.
+The spears and clubs were lowered. He turned to Mr. Jukes and in a quick
+low voice said:
+
+"Give me um map. Quick, our lives depend on him."
+
+The millionaire lost no time in producing 'Bully' Broom's map. The most
+be-frizzed of the natives pored over it for several minutes. Then one of
+them said in fair English:
+
+"You come from Chief Broom; all right, you may go. He tell us to keep
+white man till he send for him. You show Broom's map. He all right. Goo'
+bye," and the warriors went on.
+
+Thus by the clever Malay's strategy he had told the warriors, who had
+returned unexpectedly, that the white men had been sent by 'Bully'
+Broom,--they were saved from disaster. But the tribesmen had demanded
+proof of Salloo's story and, in the nick of time, he had luckily thought
+of the map which satisfied their suspicions at once, for Broom was the
+only white man, except the prisoner, who had ever visited the secret
+cave.
+
+The return to the camp was made without incident and Jack, on reaching
+it, at once rigged up his wireless apparatus and flashed to the _Sea
+Gypsy_ the glad news of the rescue of the millionaire's brother. But, a
+few minutes later, he, in his turn, was receiving good tidings. Broom
+had returned to Bomobori and was arrested while he was recruiting a crew
+to make a dash into the jungle and intercept the Jukes' party. He was
+apprehended while rowing ashore from a native craft.
+
+As the officers of the law seized him, he was seen to throw something
+into the water. One of the native oarsmen instantly dived after the
+object and succeeded in grabbing it before it reached the bottom. It
+proved to be the great pearl, "The Tear of the Sea." And there was yet
+more intelligence of a kind to hearten them after all their tribulations
+in the wild jungles of New Guinea.
+
+The first officer of the _Sea Gypsy_, having received news of a
+mysterious schooner anchored in a cove up the coast, resolved to do a
+little amateur detective work. He found that she was none other than the
+famous _South Sea Lass_. Securing the co-operation of the authorities,
+the vessel was raided one night and her small crew easily overpowered.
+Then cries were heard from below and on the removal of the hatches the
+crew of the _Centurion_, or what remained of them--for five had died
+from privation--were discovered. They had refused to join Broom's band
+and he was afraid to let them loose, so they had been confined in the
+almost unlivable hold ever since their capture. Since Broom's arrest,
+the Australian authorities had cabled that he was wanted there for
+piracy and other crimes and he had been sent to Melbourne on a mail
+steamer. It may be added here that British justice was dealt out with a
+heavy hand to the ruffian and his many victims were fully avenged. His
+crew was tried and sentenced in Bomobori and all received heavy terms of
+imprisonment. Thus were the South Seas rid of one of the chief of their
+many freebooters.
+
+The long march back to Bomobori was made without anything of particular
+interest occurring and one morning they stood on a rise overlooking the
+harbor. There lay the _Sea Gypsy_ with the dear old Stars and Stripes
+flying, and the ship dressed in gay bunting; for by wireless Jack had
+notified those on board of the time of their arrival. A few hours more
+and they were among their friends again with their strange experiences
+behind them.
+
+As there was no reason for staying in Bomobori, except to take on board
+the survivors of the _Centurion's_ crew, the _Sea Gypsy_ steamed out of
+the harbor the next day, being saluted as she went, a compliment which
+she returned with her rapid-fire gun. Watching them from the wharf were
+two figures. One a tall agile Malay, who, with tears in his eyes,
+watched the yacht till she was hull-down on the horizon. It was Salloo.
+He had been well rewarded for his services which indeed, as Mr. Jukes
+said, were beyond price; but, as he watched the departure of his white
+friends, his thoughts were only with them and not with what were, to
+him, the riches of a lifetime.
+
+The other watcher turned away with a sneer, jingling the money Mr. Jukes
+had left him in his pockets:
+
+"So I've got to stick round this hole till I can get a steamer home,"
+grumbled Donald Judson, for, as our readers will have guessed, it was
+he. "If it hadn't been for those boys I might have gone home in comfort
+on the yacht. Well, maybe some day I'll get even with them."
+
+On the voyage home a stop was made at the Pamatou Islands; the glad news
+of the rescue had already been wirelessed home, and there was no great
+hurry except Mr. Jukes' desire to get back to his business affairs after
+a romantic adventure he would never forget. As the _Sea Gypsy_ dropped
+anchor in the well-known harbor, a fleet of canoes dashed out to welcome
+her, among them you may be sure those of Anai and his friend, who wept
+tears of joy at seeing their white "chums" once more. Mr. Jukes, his
+speculative instinct once more in the ascendent, bought a large quantity
+of pearls on which he subsequently realized a good profit.
+
+"But we must hurry home," he said one day. "My business will be going to
+rack and ruin without me and besides I've run out of dyspepsia pills. I
+only hope I didn't ruin my digestion in the jungle."
+
+And here the adventures of the Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific must
+be brought to a close, except that it might be mentioned that pretty
+Helen Dennis, whose father's ship was in port on the return of the _Sea
+Gypsy_, now wears a very pretty locket, set with South Sea pearls--the
+gift of Jack Ready. And so, till we meet them in the next volume of this
+series, we will wish the lads and their friends good-bye.
+
+                                THE END
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+             A Volume of Cheerfulness in Rhyme and Picture
+
+                              KINDERGARTEN
+                               LIMERICKS
+
+                         By FLORENCE E. SCOTT.
+
+              Pictures by Arthur O. Scott with a Foreword
+                            by Lucy Wheelock
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    The book contains a rhyme for every letter of the alphabet, each
+    illustrated by a full page picture in colors. The verses appeal
+    to the child's sense of humor without being foolish or
+    sensational, and will be welcomed by kindergartners for teaching
+    rhythm in a most entertaining manner.
+
+              Beautifully printed and bound. In attractive
+                    box. Price, Postpaid One Dollar.
+
+
+
+
+               _HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_
+
+                         FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES
+
+                          By MATTHEW M. COLTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_Frank Armstrong's Vacation_
+
+How Frank's summer experiences with his boy friends make him into a
+sturdy young athlete through swimming, boating and baseball contests,
+and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendid
+story.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at Queens_
+
+We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, the
+student-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, the
+unconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bears
+his name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teams
+are expertly described.
+
+_Frank Armstrong's Second Term_
+
+The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for the
+stirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the "Wee
+One" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day."
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Drop Kicker_
+
+With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming,
+running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of
+"drop-kicking," and the Queen's football team profits thereby.
+
+_Frank Armstrong, Captain of the Nine_
+
+Exciting contests, unexpected emergencies, interesting incidents by land
+and water make this story of Frank Armstrong a strong tale of
+school-life, athletic success, and loyal friendships.
+
+_Frank Armstrong at College_
+
+With the development of this series, the boy characters have developed
+until in this, the best story of all, they appear as typical college
+students, giving to each page the life and vigor of the true college
+spirit.
+
+Six of the best books of College Life Stories published. They accurately
+describe athletics from start to finish.
+
+_Any book sent postpaid upon receipt of 60 cents, or we will send the
+six for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                         OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES
+
+                    Stories of Modern School Sports
+
+                            By MORGAN SCOTT.
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+=BEN STONE AT OAKDALE.=
+
+Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at Oakdale
+Academy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest and
+respect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliot
+and the clever work of the "Sleuth," Ben is falsely accused, championed
+and vindicated.
+
+=BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY.=
+
+"One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open and
+square and there never was a sneak among them." It was Rodney Grant, of
+Texas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story shows
+how he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparent
+evidence to the contrary.
+
+=RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE.=
+
+Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that means
+not only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but an
+intimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. The
+Oakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntled
+and jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out.
+
+=OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP.=
+
+The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, little
+restriction, and immediate contact with "all outdoors." These conditions
+prevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene of
+lively interest.
+
+=THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY.=
+
+The "Sleuth" scents a mystery! He "follows his nose." The plot thickens!
+He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader--and for the
+"Sleuth," as well.
+
+=NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE.=
+
+A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year's registration of
+students. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of school
+meet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of the
+boys.
+
+            Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price.
+
+                  HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                    Log Cabin to White House Series
+
+                     LIVES OF CELEBRATED AMERICANS
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c., per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD (The Life of Benjamin Franklin). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Benjamin Franklin was known in the scientific world for his inventions
+and discoveries, in the diplomatic world because of his statesmanship,
+and everywhere, because of his sound judgment, plain speaking, and
+consistent living.
+
+FROM FARM HOUSE TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of George Washington). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+The story of the hatchet and other familiar incidents of the boyhood and
+young manhood of Washington are included in this book, as well as many
+less well-known accounts of his experiences as surveyor, soldier,
+emissary, leader, and first president of the United States.
+
+FROM LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of James A. Garfield). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+It was a long step from pioneer home in Ohio where James A. Garfield was
+born, to the White House in Washington, and that it was an interesting
+life-journey one cannot doubt who reads Mr. Thayer's account of it.
+
+FROM PIONEER HOME TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Abraham Lincoln). By _Wm.
+M. Thayer_.
+
+No President was ever dearer to the hearts of his people than was
+homely, humorous "Honest Abe."
+
+To read of his mother, his early home, his efforts for an education, and
+his rise to prominence is to understand better his rare nature and
+practical wisdom.
+
+FROM RANCH TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Theodore Roosevelt). By _Edward
+S. Ellis, A. M._
+
+Every boy and girl is more or less familiar with the experiences of Mr.
+Roosevelt as Colonel and President, but few of them know him as the boy
+and man of family and school circles and private citizenship.
+
+Mr. Ellis describes Theodore Roosevelt as a writer, a hunter, a fighter
+of "graft" at home and of Spaniards in Cuba, and a just and vigorous
+defender of right.
+
+FROM TANNERY TO WHITE HOUSE (The Life of Ulysses S. Grant). By _Wm. M.
+Thayer_.
+
+Perhaps General Grant is best known to boys and girls as the hero of the
+famous declaration: "I will fight it out on this line if it takes all
+summer."
+
+_We will mail any of the above books prepaid at 60 cents each or the six
+for $3.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           REX KINGDON SERIES
+
+                           By GORDON BRADDOCK
+
+            Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Rex Kingdon of Ridgewood High
+
+A new boy moves into town. Who is he? What can he do? Will he make one
+of the school teams? Is his friendship worth having? These are the
+queries of the Ridgewood High Students. The story is the answer.
+
+Rex Kingdon in the North Woods
+
+Rex and some of his Ridgewood friends establish a camp fire in the North
+Woods, and there mystery, jealousy, and rivalry enter to menace their
+safety, fire their interest and finally cement their friendship.
+
+Rex Kingdon at Walcott Hall
+
+Lively boarding school experiences make this the "best yet" of the Rex
+Kingdon series.
+
+Rex Kingdon Behind the Bat
+
+The title tells you what this story is; it is a rattling good story
+about baseball. Boys will like it.
+
+Gordon Braddock knows what Boys want and how to write it. These stories
+make the best reading you can procure.
+
+_Any book sent upon receipt of 60 cents each, or we will send all four
+of them for $2.30._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          NEW BOOKS ON THE WAR
+
+                            GREAT WAR SERIES
+
+                       By MAJOR SHERMAN CROCKETT
+
+                   Cloth Bound. Price, 50c. postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+                Two American Boys with the Allied Armies
+              Two American Boys in the French War Trenches
+          Two American Boys with the Dardanelles Battle Fleet
+
+The disastrous battle raging in Europe between Germany and Austria on
+one side and the Allied countries on the other, has created demand for
+literature on the subject. The American public to a large extent is
+ignorant of the exact locations of the fighting zones with its small
+towns and villages. Major Crockett, who is familiar with the present
+battle-fields, has undertaken to place before the American boy an
+interesting Series of War stories.
+
+_Get these three books and keep up-to-date. We will send any book for
+50c., or the three of them for $1.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                            BOY SCOUT SERIES
+
+                 _ENDORSED BY BOY SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS_
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+                  Cloth. Illustrated. Price 50c. Each
+
+[Illustration]
+
+BOY SCOUTS OF THE EAGLE PATROL
+
+In this story, self-reliance and self-defense through organized
+athletics are emphasized.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON THE RANGE
+
+Cow-punchers, Indians, the Arizona desert and the Harkness ranch figure
+in this tale of the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AND THE ARMY AIRSHIP
+
+The cleverness of one of the Scouts as an amateur inventor and the
+intrigues of his enemies to secure his inventions make a subject of
+breathless interest.
+
+BOY SCOUTS' MOUNTAIN CAMP
+
+Just so often as the reader draws a relieved breath at the escape of the
+Scouts from imminent danger, he loses it again in the instinctive
+impression, which he shares with the boys, of impending peril.
+
+BOY SCOUTS FOR UNCLE SAM
+
+Patriotism is a vital principle in every Boy Scout organization, but few
+there are who have such an opportunity for its practical expression as
+comes to the members of the Eagle Patrol.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA CANAL
+
+Most timely is this authentic story of the "great ditch." It is
+illustrated by photographs of the Canal in process of Building.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER FIRE IN MEXICO
+
+Another tale appropriate to the unsettled conditions of the present is
+this account of recent conflict.
+
+BOY SCOUTS ON BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS
+
+Wonderfully interesting is the story of Belgium as it figures in this
+tale of the Great War.
+
+BOY SCOUTS WITH THE ALLIES IN FRANCE
+
+On the firing line--or very near--we find the Scouts in France.
+
+BOY SCOUTS AT THE PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION
+
+If you couldn't attend the Exposition yourself, you can go even now in
+imagination with the Boy Scouts.
+
+BOY SCOUTS UNDER SEALED ORDERS
+
+Here the Boy Scouts have a secret mission to perform for the Government.
+What is the nature of it? Keen boys will find that out by reading the
+book. It's a dandy story.
+
+BOY SCOUTS' CAMPAIGN FOR PREPAREDNESS
+
+Just as the Scouts' motto is "Be Prepared," just for these reasons that
+they prepare for the country's defense. What they do and how they do it
+makes a volume well worth reading.
+
+You do not have to be a Boy Scout to enjoy these fascinating and
+well-written stories. Any boy has the chance. Next to the Manual itself,
+the books give an accurate description of Boy Scout activities, for they
+are educational and instructive.
+
+_Price postpaid, 50 cents per volume, or we will send any six titles you
+select for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                           MOTOR CYCLE SERIES
+
+                        By LIEUT. HOWARD PAYSON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums Around the World_
+
+Could Jules Verne have dreamed of encircling the globe with a motor
+cycle for emergencies, he would have deemed it an achievement greater
+than any he describes in his account of the amusing travels of Philias
+Fogg. This, however, is the purpose successfully carried out by the
+Motor Cycle Chums, and the tale of their mishaps, hindrances and delays
+is one of intense interest, secret amusement, and incidental information
+to the reader.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums of the Northwest Patrol_
+
+The Great Northwest is a section of vast possibilities and in it the
+Motor Cycle Chums meet adventures even more unusual and exciting than
+many of their experiences on their tour around the world. There is not a
+dull page in this lively narrative of clever boys and their attendant
+"Chinee."
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums in the Gold Fields_
+
+How the Motor Cycle Chums were caught by the lure of the gold and into
+what difficulties and novel experiences they were led, makes a tale of
+thrilling interest.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums' Whirlwind Tour_
+
+To right a wrong is the mission that leads the Riding Rovers over the
+border into Mexico and gives the impulse to this story of amusing
+adventures and exciting episodes.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums South of the Equator_
+
+New customs, strange peoples and unfamiliar surroundings add fresh zest
+to the interest of the Motor Cycle Chums in travel, and the tour
+described in this volume is full of the tropical atmosphere.
+
+_The Motor Cycle Chums through Historic America_
+
+The Motor Cycle Chums explore the paths where American history was made,
+where interest centers to-day as never before.
+
+You do not need to own either a motor-cycle or a bicycle to enjoy the
+thrilling experiences through which the Motor Cycle Chums pass on their
+way to seek adventure and excitement. Brimful of clever episodes.
+
+_We will send prepaid any book for 50 cents or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         BOY INVENTORS' SERIES
+
+                           By RICHARD BONNER
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Boy Inventors' Wireless Triumph_
+
+Blest with natural curiosity,--sometimes called the instinct of
+investigation,--favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with
+creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive
+mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they
+always "work" when put to the test.
+
+_The Boy Inventors and the Vanishing Gun_
+
+A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and
+final success. This too is the history of the daring Boy Inventors.
+
+_The Boy Inventors' Diving Torpedo Boat_
+
+As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interesting
+triumphs of mechanisms are produced which become immediately valuable,
+and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On the
+surface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun.
+
+_The Boy Inventors' Flying Ship_
+
+A Boston newspaper reporter,--a young fellow with a camera slung over
+his shoulders,--wanders into this story at the very beginning. He finds
+himself an aerial stowaway and finally a part of a South American
+exploring party. How this happens is an absorbing tale in itself.
+
+_The Boy Inventors' Electric Hydroaeroplane_
+
+The restless, inventive spirit of Jack Chadwick and the persistent
+enthusiasm of his cousin, Tom Jesson, once more clamor for a new
+expression, and this book describes the unique result of their labors
+and the use to which it is opportunely put.
+
+_The Boy Inventors' Radio Telephone_
+
+The determination to adopt, adapt and improve the latest means of
+communication gave a fresh impulse to the ambition of the Boy Inventors.
+
+Watch boys, and you will notice their minds naturally turn to mechanism.
+In these delightful stories, the boys try their genius in new
+inventions. Read the books and see what they accomplish through skill
+and ingenuity.
+
+_Any book postpaid at 50 cents per copy or the six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                        DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES
+
+                         TALES OF THE NEW NAVY
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+               Cloth. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per volume
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Battle Practice_
+
+Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the
+reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern
+warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle
+Sam's sailors.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys Aboard a Destroyer_
+
+In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is tested
+in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South
+American coast.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on a Submarine_
+
+To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story has
+special charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and clever
+action are fascinating.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys on Aero Service_
+
+Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Their
+perilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although they
+make daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; nor are
+they always able to fly beyond the reach of their old "enemies," who are
+also airmen.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys' World Cruise_
+
+From San Francisco the boys start on their world cruise. At Hawaii,
+Japan, Egypt and Gibraltar they meet experiences unforeseen and
+eventful.
+
+_The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters_
+
+Into mimic naval warfare creeps actual intrigue that complicates the
+defense of New York Harbor.
+
+It would be hard work to find a boy--young or old--who is not keenly
+alive to the achievements of our great Navy. You can get a good
+conception of what Uncle Sam is doing by reading these marvelous
+stories.
+
+_Sent postpaid for 50 cents per volume, or the set of six for $2.50._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                          BOY AVIATORS SERIES
+
+                       Thrilling Airship Stories
+
+                        By CAPTAIN WILBUR LAWTON
+
+       Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN NICARAGUA
+
+"Boys of all ages will be captivated by this clever story of two bright
+American lads who in an aeroplane of unusual construction have many
+adventures in Nicaragua."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS ON SECRET SERVICE
+
+"Its heroes go in an airship to the Everglades of Florida, and use their
+wireless telegraph to assist in the rescue of a Government inventor.
+Japanese spies are plotting against them, and the result is a thrill in
+every chapter."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN AFRICA
+
+"In this book the lads go to Africa in their flying machine and strike
+an aerial ivory trail. Adventures come thick and fast. One cannot help
+wishing himself fourteen years old once more, to take this book out back
+on the barn, or under the pear tree, to enjoy it in fashion."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS' TREASURE QUEST
+
+"The author takes the boys on a quest after the golden galleon, lost in
+a position where it is imaginatively possible to obtain the treasure.
+The story is one of the keenest interest from the boy standpoint."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS IN RECORD FLIGHT
+
+"The story deals with aerial contests for a big prize offered by
+newspapers to fly from New York across the continent and the hairbreadth
+escapes encountered."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS' POLAR DASH
+
+"The useful information concerning the Antarctic regions, and the
+aviation features and their technical correctness, set the book apart
+from those of simple entertainment and adventure."
+
+                                      --_The Dallas News_, Dallas, Texas.
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS' FLIGHT FOR A FORTUNE
+
+"The volume is packed with incidents from cover to cover, and conveys an
+accurate idea of modern aeroplanes."
+
+THE BOY AVIATORS WITH THE AIR RAIDERS
+
+In view of the world-wide interest in practical aviation, this book is
+especially thrilling and timely. It pertains to the Great European War.
+
+_Up-to-the-minute AIRSHIP Books which record the most thrilling
+experiences any daring aviator could wish for. The Stories are written
+by a famous aviation instructor and are technically correct in details.
+One million copies have been sold._
+
+_Sent postpaid at 50c. per volume, any four books for $1.75, or the
+complete set of eight for $3.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                HURST & COMPANY'S BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
+
+                         OCEAN WIRELESS SERIES
+
+                         By CAPT. WILBUR LAWTON
+
+        Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. per vol., postpaid
+
+[Illustration]
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Atlantic_
+
+How a Brooklyn boy became a wireless operator and shared in the work of
+rescue on the sea makes a thrilling tale.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Lost Liner_
+
+This book takes the young wireless operators into southern waters and
+through grave perils.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys of the Iceberg Patrol_
+
+The sinking of the _Titanic_ emphasized the usefulness of the wireless
+in the iceberg zones described in this volume.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys and the Naval Code_
+
+Combine warships and wireless, danger, intrigue, and daring and you have
+an exciting tale of the sea.
+
+_The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific_
+
+Just as fascinating, thrilling and interesting as any of the preceding
+volumes. Plenty of action for red-blooded boys.
+
+The tragedies of the seas became less dreadful with the introduction of
+the wireless aboard steamships and it is to be hoped ultimately that the
+"ocean grave-yard" will be a thing of the past. These volumes describe
+daring and exciting tales.
+
+_Sent postpaid upon receipt of 50 cents each, or the five books for
+$2.25._
+
+                 HURST & COMPANY, Publishers, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                          Transcriber's Notes
+
+1. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
+
+2. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have
+   been preserved.
+
+3. Page-specific notes:
+
+  p. 76 restored full-stop in "Captain Sparhawk Tahiti was not far off."
+
+  p. 193 whiste -> whistle in "shrill whistle sounded"
+
+  p. 213 Jordan -> Judson in "Broom and young Judson turned"
+
+  p. 242 "membel" retained (for "remember") in dialect: "Me membel now"
+
+  p. 262 blared -> glared in "yellow eyes glared malevolently"
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific, by 
+Wilbur Lawton
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OCEAN WIRELESS BOYS ON PACIFIC ***
+
+***** This file should be named 44503.txt or 44503.zip *****
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