diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/63561-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/63561-0.txt | 7741 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 7741 deletions
diff --git a/old/63561-0.txt b/old/63561-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a5c3c5f..0000000 --- a/old/63561-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7741 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wrecked on Spider Island, by James Otis - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Wrecked on Spider Island - Or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure - -Author: James Otis - -Release Date: October 27, 2020 [EBook #63561] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WRECKED ON SPIDER ISLAND *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Melissa McDaniel, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE WRECK OF THE STEAM YACHT ZOE.—Page 85.] - - - - - WRECKED ON SPIDER ISLAND; - OR, - HOW NED ROGERS FOUND THE TREASURE - - - BY JAMES OTIS, - - _Author of “The Castaways,” “Runaway Brig,” “Search for the Silver - City,” “With Lafayette at Yorktown,” “Treasure Finders,” etc., etc._ - - - NEW YORK: - A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. - - - - - Copyright, 1896, by A. L. BURT. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER I. NED ROGERS. - CHAPTER II. AT SEA. - CHAPTER III. THE PLOT. - CHAPTER IV. MAROONED. - CHAPTER V. A DISCOVERY. - CHAPTER VI. THE ZOE. - CHAPTER VII. THE DISASTER. - CHAPTER VIII. WRECKING. - CHAPTER IX. GHASTLY VISITORS. - CHAPTER X. TREASURE-SEEKING. - CHAPTER XI. THE YACHT. - CHAPTER XII. THE MYSTERY. - CHAPTER XIII. AFLOAT. - CHAPTER XIV. UNDER WAY. - CHAPTER XV. AT SEA. - CHAPTER XVI. AN ANXIOUS CREW. - CHAPTER XVII. IN PORT. - CHAPTER XVIII. HAVANA. - CHAPTER XIX. SUSPICIONS. - CHAPTER XX. AN ILL-ADVISED START. - CHAPTER XXI. PRISONERS. - CHAPTER XXII. SUCCESS. - - - - - WRECKED ON SPIDER ISLAND. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - NED ROGERS. - - -Ned Rogers had but few acquaintances in the city of Portland, Maine; but -those few were positive the boy had run away from home. - -It was quite natural such should be the general idea among those who saw -him trying from day to day to earn the small amount of money necessary -to provide him with food. - -As a matter of course it was essential he should also have clothes and a -bed at night; but Ned had found it such hard work to get sufficient to -satisfy his hunger that it would have seemed a willful waste of money to -expend it on anything save provisions. - -He very often found shelter in the store-houses on the wharves where he -sought employment. Sometimes the crew of a fishing vessel would allow -him to remain on board during the night, and more than once did he walk -around the streets because of his inability to go elsewhere. - -As for clothing, the badly patched suit he wore, which had originally -been made for a full-sized man, was quite as much as he aspired to until -“luck came his way,” and to have new garments was a dream he never -allowed himself to indulge in, because of the apparent impossibility. - -Now, while Ned presented every indication of a boy who has run away from -home in order to better his fortunes, and wishes heartily that he could -run back, he had never been so foolish, for the simple reason that so -long as he could remember there was no home for him in all this wide -world. - -His first remembrance of anything even approaching an abiding-place was -when he had reached his fifth birthday, and then understood he was -supported by an uncle, who seldom lost an opportunity of telling him -what a useless article he was, more especially on a farm. - -After that he remembered a funeral, with his uncle in the coffin, and -from the moment the hard-hearted farmer was carried to his last -resting-place Ned’s journeyings began. - -First one neighbor and then another had some work by which he could earn -enough to pay for the small amount he ate, and finally, as he grew -older, even these opportunities ceased. - -He did not know that he had a single relative in the world to whom he -could go, and while perfectly willing and even anxious to work, the -townspeople called him a “lazy good-for-nothing, whose only desire was -to eat the bread of idleness.” - -“It’s mighty little of any kind of bread I get,” Ned once said to Deacon -Grout, when the latter had made use of this remark because the boy -applied to him for work. “I allers have done whatever I could find that -would give me a square meal or a place to sleep; but it looks as if you -folks wasn’t willin’ to spare that much. I s’pose you think a feller -like me oughter pay for the privilege of stayin’ in this blamed old -town.” - -There is no question but that Ned’s provocation was great, yet it was an -ill-advised remark, for from that day he not only had the reputation of -being lazy, but impudent as well. - -The deacon predicted he would “come to some bad end,” and the deacon’s -friends fully expected each morning to hear that “the Rogers boy” had -been sent to jail, because of having committed some terrible crime. - -Despite this very unpleasant and unsatisfactory method of gaining less -than half a livelihood, Ned remained in the town until he was fourteen -years old; not for love of the place, but owing to his inability to -leave. - -The city was so far away that he did not think it possible to walk, and -as for paying his fare on the stage-coach, he might just as well have -cried for the moon. - -The cost of riding from Jonesboro to Portland, in both stage and cars, -was $7, and Ned had never been the possessor of a tenth part of that -amount, although he was really as industrious as the townspeople would -allow him to be. - -From the day he was ten years old the unhappy boy had said to himself -that he would go to the city at the first opportunity; but as the weeks -went by and he could see no possibility of carrying out such a plan, he -grew discouraged. - -“I expect what the deacon said will come true,” he thought, “an’ it -won’t be my fault. The people ain’t willin’ to give me a job, an’ if I -do get a chance now an’ then, nobody wants to pay cash.” - -It was when the future looked darkest, and he had begun to ask himself -whether it would not be possible for him to walk to Portland, even -though the distance was more than two hundred miles, that the longed-for -opportunity arrived. - -A drover passed through the town, or was about to do so, with a hundred -head of cattle, when one of his drivers was taken sick, and he inquired -for some one to fill the man’s place. - -The stock was to be driven to the nearest shipping point on the -railroad, and from there taken by cars to Portland. - -Ned heard of the drover’s necessities and applied for the situation, -agreeing to do the work, provided he was taken as far as the city and -supplied with food during the journey. - -On such terms there was but little difficulty in making a trade, and the -boy left his native town, determined never to return until he could show -Deacon Grout and his friends that it was possible for him to rise in the -world when he was among those who would allow him an opportunity. - -The journey, slow and fatiguing though it was, delighted Ned. - -Everything around him was strange and wonderful, and those with whom he -came in contact treated him like a human being, which was a pleasing -contrast to his experience in Jonesboro. - -The other drivers told him of what could be seen in the great world to -which he was going, and related more than one story of poor boys who had -started out to seek their fortunes under even more distressing -circumstances than those from which he suffered, coming back some day -rich and respected, until he began to think it was only necessary to -gain the city in order to be wealthy. - -With such dreams as these was his time occupied, and when the journey -was finally finished he began to look around for one of those very -charitable men whom he fancied were waiting in large cities to welcome, -with outstretched arms and plenty of money, all poor boys. - -As a matter of course he found nothing of the kind, and before -forty-eight hours had passed began to realize that the people in one -place were very much like those in all others. - -No one seemed to have any especial interest in him, and it was quite as -difficult to find an opportunity to work in the city as in the country. - -After the first day he understood that there would be but little chance -for him to get an engagement in a store while his clothing was in such a -condition, and he relinquished that portion of his plans to seek work -around the docks. - -Here he succeeded in earning about as much as while in Jonesboro; but -his life was more pleasant because he was treated more like a human -being and less as a criminal. - -During the summer season it made but little difference where he slept; -but winter was near at hand, and it became absolutely necessary he -should make such arrangements as would provide himself with a shelter. - -Until this time he had resolutely set his mind against going to sea, for -he was quite certain it would not be an agreeable life, and there would -be but little chance for him, without influence, to rise above the level -of a sailor. - -“It’s no use, I’ve got to try it,” he said to himself one morning when, -after sleeping under a pile of lumber on a pier, he awakened to find -everything covered with hoar-frost. “I’m pretty nigh frozen now, an’ -what’ll be the position of affairs in another month?” - -Having once determined his course, Ned lost no time in acting upon it. - -He was very well acquainted with the waterfront of the city and knew -where to find vessels bound for a foreign port. - -Since it seemed necessary for him to go to sea he did not intend to ship -on board a fishing vessel or one engaged in the coast-wise trade, for -the very good reason that in such craft he would not receive sufficient -advance to purchase the much-needed outfit. - -The brig Evening Star was loading for Manila, and this seemed to him the -proper kind of a voyage to take. When the trip was ended he would have -wages enough due him, provided he spent no money except for clothing, to -admit of making himself presentable for a situation in a store. - -Captain Bragg was on the quarter-deck talking with one of his officers -when Ned clambered over the side and stood by the port rail amidships -waiting until the master of the brig should be at leisure to speak with -him. - -“What do you want?” the captain asked five minutes later when, the -interview having come to an end, he condescended to notice the boy. - -“I’d like to ship on this brig if you need a boy.” - -“What can you do?” - -“Almost anything in the cabin; but I don’t believe I’d make much of a -fist goin’ aloft.” - -“So you’re no sailor, but want to go to sea?” - -“I had rather stay on shore, sir; but I can’t get a job, so made up my -mind to try it aboard ship if any one is willin’ to take a green hand.” - -“What about wages?” - -“I’ll leave that to you, sir, providin’ I can have advance enough to -give me a decent fittin’ out. These clothes I’ve got on are all I own, -an’ I reckon more’n them will be needed before the brig gets back.” - -“Would you like to ship as cabin-boy?” - -“At what wages, sir?” - -“Ten dollars a month and an advance of two months’ wages out of the -slop-chest.” - -Ned did not understand that by taking his outfit from the vessel’s -stores he might be forced to pay a great deal more than the same -articles would cost ashore, and readily engaged on those terms. - -“Here, Mr. Stout, see that this boy gets what he needs from the chest, -and then set him to work cleaning up the cabin,” the captain said to the -first officer, and the latter motioned for Ned to follow him. - -Leading the way below he brought out a pair of woolen trousers, two -shirts and a reefing jacket, which he gave to Ned as he said: - -“So you’re goin’ to sea, eh?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“First voyage?” - -“Yes, sir.” - -“Run away from home, I reckon.” - -“No, sir; I’ve never had any since I can remember, an’ if I knew of one -you wouldn’t see me here. I’ve only shipped because I can’t help myself. -This livin’ on wind ain’t what it’s cracked up to be, an’ I want to get -under cover for the winter.” - -Mr. Stout looked at the boy almost pityingly, and said half to himself: - -“It’s kinder tough to strike this pertic’lar craft on the first cruise.” - -“Isn’t she a sound vessel, sir?” Ned asked, fearful lest there might be -good reason for him to remain ashore. - -“Oh, yes,” the mate replied quickly, looking like one who fancies he has -been so indiscreet as to say too much. “There’s nothin’ wrong with the -Evenin’ Star. I was thinkin’ of somethin’ else when I spoke. Get inter -them clothes so I can show you where to go to work. I reckon the duds -you’ve taken off will be about fit to throw overboard; they wouldn’t -hang together many days longer.” - -Ned would have insisted on knowing what the mate meant by his words in -reference to the vessel; but that gentleman did not appear inclined to -continue the conversation, and the boy was forced to follow him into the -cabin without the desired information. - -Ten minutes later Ned had forgotten that anything odd or unusual had -been said, so interested was he in his work. - -The cabin was in a shockingly dirty condition, and he resolved to put it -so thoroughly to rights that the captain could not fail to be pleased at -having hired such an industrious boy. - -He had had no breakfast; but the loss of a meal was something to which -he was accustomed, having missed more than he got while on shore, -therefore this trifling matter did not disturb him. - -When noon came he had not finished, and the cook insisted that he stop -until dinner should be served. - -As a matter of course he obeyed, and was assisting in laying the table -when the captain entered. - -“Is this what you call cleaning the cabin?” he cried in a rage, pointing -to a pile of dirt which Ned had left in one corner until he finished -sweeping. - -“I only stopped to help set the table, sir,” Ned replied promptly, -little thinking there could be any cause for complaint. “I shall be all -through before supper-time.” - -“How many hours do you want on a job like this?” the captain asked -angrily. - -“I’m getting along right well, sir; but it was so dirty that a feller -couldn’t make his work show till he was almost through.” - -“You’ve got too much chin to suit me,” the captain cried, and at that -instant Ned was forced to pass very near the man, who appeared as if -trying to make himself angry when no reason for a display of temper -existed. - -Conscious that he had not offended in any way, Ned hardly expected to -receive punishment, therefore was wholly unprepared for what followed. - -The captain struck him a vicious blow which sent him headlong toward the -companion-way at the very instant the cook was descending with a basin -of hot soup. - -As a matter of course Ned had no control over his own movements, neither -had the cook, and the result was that the two came together with a force -and suddenness which sent both to the floor, the scalding liquid flowing -over their faces and limbs. - -“What do you mean by that?” the captain cried, as running swiftly toward -the injured boy, he seized him by the coat collar, struck him on the -face several times with full force, and then hurled him to the deck -above. “I’ll teach you to spoil my dinner!” - -Ned did not hear this last remark. His head had struck against one of -the rail stanchions, and he lay unconscious, while the captain turned -the vials of his wrath on the unoffending steward. - -When the new cabin-boy recovered his senses he was in the galley and the -cook was applying oil and flour to the blisters on his own face and -hands. - -“What was you doin’ when the captain came in?” the master of the galley -asked. - -“Nothin’ more’n you saw. I’d been to work all the forenoon, an’ only -stopped when you wanted me to help set the table. I can’t tell what made -him fly at me so.” - -“It’s a way he has when he gets two or three drinks aboard,” the cook -replied with a smothered threat. “One of these days he’ll try that trick -too often.” - -“Did he do anything to you?” - -“Not so very much,” and the man pulled up his trousers to show two ugly -bruises on his leg. “That’s where he caught me before I could get on to -my feet.” - -“Did you say anything?” - -“It don’t pay to do very much chinnin’ when the captain is around,” was -the sage reply; “but he’s got to carry sail different from this, or the -Evening Star won’t have a cook on board when she leaves port.” - -“He can hunt for another cabin-boy mighty quick,” Ned said angrily. “I’m -willin’ to do my work or stand a flogging, but he shan’t knock me down -when I’m trying my best.” - -“I don’t see how you can help yourself now.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“Nothin’ except that you’ve shipped, an’ it won’t be so easy to get -away, for the police would arrest you on his complaint.” - -“But I haven’t reg’larly shipped.” - -“Oh, yes, you have. The minute you received what they handed out from -the slop-chest you was one of the crew. It’s a case now of makin’ the -best of it, and if you take my advice you’ll show up bright and smilin’ -when he sends for you.” - -It was only natural Ned should be very angry because of the cruel and -undeserved treatment; but before the cook finished giving him good -advice he realized that there was nothing left but to make the best of a -bad job, since without money or friends it would be very difficult to -avoid going to sea in the Evening Star, in case the captain insisted on -his remaining aboard. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - AT SEA. - - -Ned was not fit for duty during this day and the next. - -Both his eyes were blackened, his cheek cut and swollen, and his face -blistered in several places. - -After ministering to his necessities as well as possible, the cook -carried him into the forecastle, and there, alone, he had ample -opportunity to reflect upon what kind of a life he might be forced to -lead while it was necessary he should remain aboard the brig. - -On the evening of the first day, the chief mate, Bob Stout, came below -to inquire how the boy felt, and before he had been in the ill-smelling -place five minutes Ned decided that he should like this officer, no -matter how brutal the others might be. - -“Got knocked ’round pretty lively for a few minutes, eh?” the mate said -in a cheery tone as he seated himself on a chest by the side of Ned’s -bunk. - -“Indeed I did, an’ all for nothin’. I was doin’ the best I knew when he -begun, an’ then how could I help tumblin’ the cook over when the captain -fired me at him?” - -“You don’t want to bother your head about that, my lad. The least said -in such cases is the soonest mended. A boy at sea must learn to hold his -tongue.” - -“Even when he’s gettin’ a floggin’ he don’t deserve?” - -“Of course; that’s the very time when it’s most dangerous to talk. -You’ll soon get used to the captain’s ways.” - -“It’ll take a mighty long while for me to get used to bein’ fired from -one end of the cabin to the other, an’ then on deck.” - -“Wait three weeks, an’ see what you say about it. I went to sea as boy -with a master who was as liberal with his blows as Captain Bragg; but I -got in the habit of dodgin’ ’em before we’d been outside three days, an’ -after that it was fairly smooth sailin’, except when he caught me -unawares.” - -“But there’s no reason why I should stay on board. I’d rather starve -ashore than have the best of everything that’s on this craft.” - -“The cook says he told you what risks you’d be takin’ by tryin’ to run -away.” - -“So he did; but I won’t believe that man can keep me here if I don’t -want to stay.” - -“He can, an’ all the cook said is true. The only thing left for you is -to make the best of it, an’ get along as easy a possible. Now cheer up, -an’ have some heart in you.” - -With these words the mate left the forecastle, and Ned turned the advice -over in his mind until he came to the conclusion that it would be better -to act upon the friendly hints. - -The result of this conversation was that on the following afternoon the -cabin-boy returned to duty by taking up the task which had been left -unfinished when the unprovoked attack was made upon him. - -The captain entered shortly after the work was recommenced, but made no -comment whatever. He did not deign to so much as look at the little -fellow, and when the evening meal was served Ned succeeded in waiting -upon the table without a mishap. - -After the third day came to an end the new cabin-boy felt quite well at -home. He had remembered the mate’s advice in the matter of dodging -blows, and on several occasions avoided what might otherwise have been -as serious as the first flogging. - -Finally the time came when the Evening Star was ready for sea, and Ned -congratulated himself upon the fact, for, once under way, it was hardly -probable the captain would have a great deal of time to devote to him. - -His first experience at sea was so much like what other fellows, who -have ventured upon the ocean for sport rather than from necessity, have -known, that there is no reason why it should be given in detail here. - -The brig sailed out of the harbor in the early morning, and before -twelve o’clock poor Ned was in the forecastle believing his last hour -was very near at hand. It seemed to him that the sailors were a -particularly hard-hearted set of men to laugh and make sport of a dying -boy, for he was fully convinced he would not live until morning. - -Death was not as near as he had fancied, however, although he did not -feel very much better at sunrise. - -Then the mate came into the forecastle, and, after asking how he felt, -said: - -“You had best come aft, lad. The room off the pantry is the proper bunk -for you, and once clear of this foul place you’ll get well a great deal -faster.” - -“Where is the captain?” - -“In his room. He hasn’t turned out yet, and you’ll have a chance to get -settled in the new quarters before he shows up.” - -Ned was more than willing to make the proposed change. The odor, the -jokes of the sailors, as well as the fumes of tobacco smoke, were -decidedly trying to a weak stomach, and he managed to crawl from the -berth unaided, thanks to the promise of an improvement in the -surroundings. - -Mr. Stout so far unbent from the dignity of a first officer as to assist -him across the deck and into the tiny room which was half-filled with -stores of various kinds; but, regardless of the limited accommodations, -Ned felt he was very fortunate in getting quarters where he could be -alone. - -“I shall see that you show up to-morrow morning,” the mate said as he -turned to go. “I don’t reckon the captain will let you loaf any longer, -even though a sick waiter isn’t the most pleasant person one can have -around a table. The skipper of this craft don’t believe in keeping cats -that can’t catch mice.” - -“Do you s’pose he’ll let me stay here as long as that?” Ned asked -piteously. - -“I reckon so, for I shall make it out you’re worse off than really is -the case; so fix yourself as comfortable as possible, an’ I’ll see to it -that the cook brings you a bowl of soup before noon.” - -“I couldn’t eat a mouthful.” - -“Nonsense. You’ll be as ravenous as a bear by night, an’ I’ll answer for -it you can get away with quite a mess by the time it is ready.” - -Ned felt certain he should never again want anything in the way of food; -but when, two hours later, the captain of the galley brought a bowlful -of liquid, steaming hot, which gave forth a most appetizing odor, he -succeeded in swallowing more than half of it, feeling very much better -immediately afterward. - -By nightfall he had so far recovered that the nausea did not trouble -him, save when he attempted to rise to his feet, and he had no -difficulty in eating a large piece of meat and two ship’s biscuit, which -the good-natured mate gave him. - -“I reckon you’re all right now, an’ shall turn you out bright an’ early -in the morning,” Mr. Stout said as Ned literally devoured the -provisions. - -“Did the captain say anything because I was sick so long?” - -“Yes, he got into a reg’lar mad fit; but I made it out that you wasn’t -able to come into the cabin in any decent shape, an’ he didn’t say any -more. The old man has been like an angel all day, an’ I can’t understand -the meanin’ of it. Anybody would say he was tryin’ to play me for some -kind of a favor; but of course that can’t be, now we’ve put to sea.” - -It was destined Ned should know very soon what the “favor” was which -Captain Bragg wanted of the mate, although he little dreamed then that -it would cause him so much alarm. - -From the time Mr. Stout left him until late in the night Ned slept -soundly, and then he was awakened by hearing the familiar voice of the -captain say in a loud tone just outside the door of his state-room: - -“There’s no need of your bein’ on deck for the next half-hour, Mr. -Stout, so let’s go into the pantry for some grog. That lazy steward -hasn’t left any in the cabin.” - -“I’ll bring it to you there, sir, if you’ll wait a minute.” - -“There’s no occasion for it. We can go in here as well, and there’ll be -less chance any one overhears us while we’re talking.” - -Ned heard the door of the pantry opened, and then it was as if the -captain had entered the boy’s room, so far as the latter’s ability to -hear all that might be said was concerned. - -The partition between the two apartments was composed of only one -thickness of thin boards, and a whisper would have sounded distinct in -the confined space. - -“It seems rather odd to see the captain of a craft like this huntin’ his -own lunch,” Mr. Stout said laughingly. - -“I’d rather do it just now while the second officer is in his room, for -I’ve got something private to say to you which wouldn’t be safe even in -the cabin.” - -There was a few moments of silence, and then the mate said, as if about -to partake of some liquor: - -“Here’s to your health, sir.” - -“Same to you,” was the reply; and then it was possible for Ned to hear -the sound as the glasses were replaced on the shelves. - -“Mr. Stout,” the captain began in a serious tone, “I believe you are not -a rich man.” - -“There’s no question about that, sir, for I’m even poorer than a -churchmouse.” - -“How would you like a chance to make a thousand dollars or more of extra -money this trip?” - -“There’s precious little need of my answerin’ such a question, sir. I -never had a thousand dollars at one time in my life.” - -“What would you be willing to do in order to get that much within the -next two months?” - -“Without stealin’ it, do you mean, sir?” - -“It isn’t likely I’d ask you to turn thief; but if this craft never -reached Manila there might be more than that in your pocket.” - -“Do you mean to wreck her?” Mr. Stout cried as if in alarm. - -“Hush! Don’t make such talk so loud that everybody on board can hear -you.” - -“It strikes me there are worse things than stealing,” the mate said -slowly. - -“But this isn’t one of them. The brig is insured way up on what ain’t in -the hold, and suppose she founders off the Florida Keys, who is going to -be any the wiser? There’s no need that even the men should know, -providing you and I work together, and we can take to the boats without -a smell of danger.” - -“It is a clear case of cheating somebody, even though we don’t risk the -lives of the crew.” - -“Nonsense! Every cent will come from the rich insurance companies, and -you can’t say that is wronging any one in particular. What would be the -difference to a stock company which rolls up thousands of dollars in -profits every year, if they had to pay an extra risk or two? It’s such a -chance for us as a man seldom gets in this world, and we’ll take it if -you say the word.” - -There was quite a long interval of silence, and then Ned heard Mr. Stout -ask: - -“Have you made your preparations for scuttling her?” - -“No, there wasn’t need of that until you and I had come to an -understanding; and even then we don’t want to do anything until we’re -off the Keys where there’ll be no very great tumbling around in the -boats.” - -“How is it to be done?” - -“We’ll scuttle her from the stern. I’ve seen to it the cargo was stowed -in such a manner that we can get down to her skin without any trouble. -It might be a slight explosion in the forward hold—not enough to do any -damage, but sufficient to start the men into a panic—would work to our -advantage.” - -“I don’t like it,” the chief mate said in the tone of one who is willing -to be convinced; “but there’s a pleasant ring to a thousand dollars.” - -“Of course there is, and your share will be even more than that.” - -“It isn’t so easy to scuttle a craft as one might think, and when the -job was done if some of the crew should happen to be suspicious, we’d -stand a good chance of takin’ a trip to prison.” - -“If anything like that should happen at the last minute it would be -unlucky for the man who saw us, or thought we were up to mischief. He -shouldn’t leave this craft alive. I’d rather send the whole crew to the -bottom than run a risk of being caught at such a job. But take another -drink Stout, an’ think over this matter till morning. There’s plenty of -time to discuss it, for we’ve got at least four days before us, if not a -week.” - -Then the conversation ceased as the captain left the pantry, and Ned -heard the mate, who had remained behind an instant, mutter to himself: - -“I knew the old man was up to something, or he wouldn’t have been so -sweet for the last twenty-four hours. It’s a big scheme he’s got, an’ I -don’t see why it couldn’t be worked without trouble. A thousand dollars -is a pile of money to a man who never had any more than I’ve got.” - -This was sufficient to show Ned that the chief officer would not -hesitate to assist in wrecking the brig, provided it could be done -without taking too big a risk, and the boy began to wonder what would -become of him if the crime was finally committed. - -The captain had said that if any one on board had a suspicion the brig -was deliberately scuttled, such person should never leave the craft -alive. - -Now Ned was in the possession of the secret, and in case the captain -discovered that his words could be heard so plainly from one apartment -to the other, it was only reasonable to suppose he would carry his -threat into execution, more especially when it was a person of so little -importance as a cabin-boy without a relative in the world. - -“I don’t believe Mr. Stout would do such a thing to me,” Ned said to -himself; “but I’ll talk with him about it the first chance I get.” - -It was impossible for Ned to sleep any more on this night, and next -morning there was no reason why the chief mate should awaken him, for he -was at work in the cabin as soon as the first gray light of the coming -dawn could be seen. - -“Feelin’ better, eh?” Mr. Stout asked as he came below while Ned was -placing the dishes on the table preparatory to serving breakfast. - -“Yes, sir, an’ I’ll be able to do my work now if I don’t get taken -again.” - -“There isn’t much chance of that. You’ve served an apprenticeship, and -won’t have any more trouble this voyage.” - -Then the mate went into the pantry for some of the same liquid which had -played an important part in the conversation during the previous night, -for it is as strange as it is true that as soon as a man contemplates -villainy of almost any kind, he invariably flies for courage and -consolation to liquor. - -Ned made up his mind to speak with the mate that very morning in -reference to what he had heard; but the opportunity was denied him. - -Before the first officer returned from the pantry the captain came out -of his room, and the two spent considerable time at the forward end of -the cabin conversing in whispers. - -Then breakfast was served, after which Mr. Stout went to his apartment, -and there was so much work for the cabin-boy to do that he had not -finished when it was time to prepare for dinner. - -The captain was in such a good humor during the noon-day meal that Ned -was not even reprimanded when he tripped over a chair and spilled a -portion of a cup of coffee, and after dinner the master and his mate -went into the pantry once more. - -The cabin-boy was tempted to enter his own room in order to hear what -was said, for most likely the mate was giving an answer to the question -asked; but the risk of being detected was so great that he did not -venture on any such hazardous experiment. - -No until his work in the cabin was finished did the two emerge from -their conference, and then it was apparent that Mr. Stout had agreed to -join the captain in the commission of the crime. The master of the -Evening Star was evidently on the best of terms with his mate, and the -two showed very plainly that they had a secret in common. - -“If I don’t talk with Mr. Stout pretty soon he’ll be jest as bad as the -captain,” Ned said to himself as he noted the change which had come over -the mate during the past few hours. “I’ll watch my chance to-night after -the old man has turned in, for if this thing is to be done inside of a -week the best way is to get ready for the worst right soon.” - -The captain did not interfere with the new boy on this day, and had it -not been for the short but sharp experience before putting to sea, Ned -would have believed he was sailing under one of the most amiable men to -be found in the world. - -When night came the cabin-boy finished his tasks as quickly as possible -and then went on deck, where he remained by the rail amidships until -after the first officer had had another interview with the captain in -the pantry. - -“What are you doing out here?” Mr. Stout asked as he came on deck, and -since he knew the officer was willing to commit a crime, Ned fancied his -voice had lost that cheery ring which pleased him so much when he first -heard it. “Ain’t gettin’ homesick, are you?” - -“How can a feller feel like that when he hasn’t got any home to go to?” -Ned asked with a mirthless laugh. “All the same, I wish I was on shore.” - -“Why? You seem to be gettin’ along well enough here.” - -“I am so far as the work goes; but there’s more that’s worryin’ me.” - -“What is it, lad? You’re too young to have very big troubles.” - -“If you’d promise me somethin’ I’d feel a good deal better.” - -“Then out with it, for a boy like you don’t want to keep anything very -serious on his mind too long at a time.” - -Ned looked around to make certain there was no one in the immediate -vicinity who could overhear him, and whispered: - -“Will you promise that I shan’t be left behind when you sink the brig?” - -Mr. Stout started as if having received a heavy blow from a weapon, and -an instant later grasped Ned by the arm with sufficient force to cause -considerable pain, as he asked in a hoarse whisper: - -“What do you mean by that, lad? Where did you learn anything of the -kind?” - -“You was talkin’ in the pantry, an’ I could hear every word while I was -sick in my room.” - -“Come here! Let’s find out jest how easy that can be done,” and in his -excitement the chief mate dragged Ned roughly into the pantry. “Now you -speak here, while I go where you was.” - -An instant later the boy heard him say from the opposite side of the -partition: - -“Now go ahead, an’ talk low.” - -“You can hear me if I whisper,” Ned replied, suiting the action to the -words. - -An exclamation of surprise and dismay told that the mate was convinced -of the truth of the story related by Ned. - -Coming into the pantry once more he said sternly: - -“Now I want you to go over everything you heard us say! Don’t skip a -single word more’n you can help, for this is gettin’ to be a serious -matter.” - -Wondering why Mr. Stout should have allowed himself to become so -excited, the boy obeyed, saying in conclusion: - -“You won’t let the captain leave me behind, will you, Mr. Stout? You -know he threatened that was what he’d do to any one who had a suspicion -the brig was sunk by him, an’ I’m afraid he may find out I could hear -all you said.” - -The mate looked at the boy very oddly for a few seconds, and then -replied in a voice which trembled despite all his efforts to make it -sound firm: - -“I’ll see you’re not left here in case she is scuttled; but I reckon the -best thing we can do now will be to give up that job, since there’s -another besides ourselves who knows about it.” - -“Who do you mean?” - -“You, of course,” and the mate spoke as if in a rage. - -“But you know I wouldn’t tell.” - -“No, we must take good care of that,” and to steady his shaken nerves -the mate had recourse to the liquor bottle, pouring out for himself a -dram which very nearly filled the glass. - -“You see I thought it was best to speak to you about it the first chance -for if it is to be done so soon I might wait too long,” Ned continued, -little fancying what thoughts were in the mate’s mind. - -“That is right, lad. I’m glad you did, an’ now we’d better go on deck. -See to it that you don’t stay up too late to-night, for you must be on -hand bright an’ early in the mornin’ to have things ready for -breakfast.” - -“I’m goin’ to my room now. I only went on deck to speak with you.” - -“All right; but be sure you don’t get to talkin’ with anybody else about -what you heard, or there might come a row which wouldn’t be pleasant.” - -“There’s no danger of that,” Ned replied cheerily, perfectly contented -in mind since having spoken on the subject to the man whom he felt -certain was his friend. - -Mr. Stout was so attentive as to go with the boy to the door of his -room, and when Ned was inside, the mate turned the key without the -knowledge of the young occupant. - -Then Mr. Stout visited the pantry once more, poured out another glass of -liquor for the purpose of steadying his nerves, and muttered to himself -as he went on deck: - -“The skipper must hear of this before morning. It won’t do to let that -kid run around the craft with such a secret as he has got; but the -question is how we can put him out of the way?” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - THE PLOT. - - -Meanwhile Ned was positive that everything had been arranged -satisfactorily. - -It never came into his mind that Mr. Stout might think it in the highest -degree unsafe for a boy to be possessed of a secret which could send him -and the captain to prison for a long term. His only idea was that in -case the brig was scuttled he would be in no danger, and this was -sufficient for the time being. - -There was no occasion for him to leave his room, therefore he had no -intimation he had been made a prisoner, and lay down to sleep with not a -care on his mind, save, possibly, whether he should succeed in pleasing -the captain as well on the following day as during the one just passed. - -Matters would have worn a very different complexion to him had it been -possible to have overheard the conversation which Mr. Stout had with the -captain in the latter’s room about midnight, when the second mate went -on deck. - -The master of the Evening Star was wrapped in a slumber superinduced by -frequent draughts from the liquor bottle, and his chief officer had some -difficulty in awakening him. - -“What’s the matter?” he cried in alarm when finally it was possible for -the visitor to make his presence known. “Anything wrong?” - -“Not with the brig; but there’s some one aboard who must be attended to -mighty quick if you count on carrying out the plan we spoke about the -other night.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“There was a listener while we were talkin’ in the pantry.” - -“Who?” and now fear caused the captain to be very wide awake. - -“The boy. He can hear even a whisper from the pantry while lying in his -berth. I tried the experiment a little while ago, an’ know that not a -word could have escaped him.” - -“And he heard what I said?” - -“That’s the size of it. He came to ask me not to leave him behind when -the brig was scuttled, an’ you can fancy what a turn it gave me. He -didn’t seem to think it anything out of the way to tell the whole story, -an’ I’ve taken the precaution of lockin’ him in his room.” - -“That was right. He must fall overboard before daylight, or we shall -stand a good chance of going to jail if we ever show up on shore again.” - -“Now don’t talk foolishness,” Stout replied impatiently. “In the first -place, I won’t have murder committed; it’s bad enough to scuttle a -vessel. Then, again, it couldn’t be done without some of the crew -knowing about it, and even if they simply had suspicions the loss of the -brig immediately after the boy was silenced would show up the whole -matter.” - -“But what shall we do?” - -“That’s what I don’t know. All I can say is as to what mustn’t be done -an’ leave you to figger out the rest.” - -The captain was silent for fully a minute, and then said abruptly: - -“I wish you’d bring the bottle in here; I need something to clear my -head a bit.” - -Mr. Stout obeyed at once, and when he returned the master of the brig -had seen a way out of what promised to be a very serious difficulty. - -“We’ll soon settle him, and I’ll answer for it that the crew will be -glad enough to help us.” - -“What is the scheme?” - -“Keep him a close prisoner from now out. Say that we have discovered he -has some contagious disease——” - -“But anybody with half an eye can see he’s well and hearty.” - -“There are plenty of things which can be hatched up. Say leprosy; that -will startle every man jack, I’ll go bail.” - -“Then what? We can’t leave him on board when the brig goes down.” - -“How thick-headed you are to-night, Stout! Take a drink to brighten you -up. Suppose the men believe he’s a leper? The result will be that -they’ll insist on our setting him ashore, as we should do in case he was -really afflicted with the disease. We can land him on some small key, -and the matter will be settled.” - -“But he’ll talk all the same when he gets back.” - -“If he ever does.” - -“Then it is really murder you are thinking of!” - -“Not a bit of it! We’ll simply maroon him, with plenty of grub, and -trust to chance for the rest. We’ll make Spider Key for the first land, -and once he is there I’ll guarantee he stays.” - -“But I don’t fancy the idea of such a thing as that,” Mr. Stout replied -thoughtfully. “It is different, this scuttlin’ a vessel for the purpose -of doin’ the insurance companies, while to maroon a boy is very much the -same as puttin’ a knife into him, and perhaps more cruel.” - -“Look here, Stout, it is too late for you to be squeamish. He has heard -the plan and knows you agreed to it. Once his story has been told on -shore, even if we back out now and put the brig into port, the cargo can -be examined, and it’s good-by for you and I. Death wouldn’t be half so -bad in my eyes as ten or fifteen years in jail, and that’ll be the size -of it if he’s allowed to run around with our secret.” - -“I s’pose you’re right,” the mate replied with a sigh; “but it’s mighty -tough for the poor little fellow, all the same.” - -“Not so much so as it would be for us. I’ll see to it that he has enough -in the way of grub and weapons to keep him going for a year, and at the -end of that time it won’t do much harm if he should tell the yarn.” - -One would have said from the expression on the captain’s face that he -felt certain Ned would not be alive at the end of a year; but the mate -was willing to soothe his conscience with the thought that he might find -some means of escaping from the key, and thus the matter was settled. - -It only remained to decide upon the room which should answer for Ned’s -prison until he could be sent ashore, and Mr. Stout said: - -“I reckon we may as well leave him where he is, eh?” - -“By no manner of means. Didn’t you say he could hear all that was said -in the pantry?” - -“Yes; but what of that? We needn’t go there to talk any more.” - -“You’re still thick-headed, Stout. If he can hear so plainly, what’s to -prevent him from chinning with some of the crew or the steward? It’s a -chance we mustn’t take, for if we give out that he’s a leper and he -manages to tell one of them that he was never away from the State of -Maine in his life, there would likely be a very big question as to the -truth of our statement.” - -“Then the only vacant room is the one next to mine.” - -“Exactly. We’ll put him there and leave the crew to say what shall be -done with him. I’m ’way off my reckoning if they don’t insist on his -going ashore the first chance. When that has been done we’ll make a big -show of burning the bedding, and the thing is over.” - -“Very well, sir, I shall have to give in that you can handle this matter -better than I. Now, if you’ll take care of the balance of the job it’ll -be a big weight off my mind. I couldn’t face that boy, knowin’ what -we’re goin’ to do, without standin’ a chance of givin’ the whole snap -away.” - -“Leave it to me; I’ll attend to everything, and you shan’t see him again -till the day we take him on shore.” - -Mr. Stout went to his own room after this promise; but it is safe to say -that his sleep was neither sweet nor refreshing. - -Two hours later Ned was awakened by a heavy hand laid on his shoulder, -and as he raised his head the captain’s voice was heard. - -“I want you to shift rooms, lad. The carpenter is going to make some -changes here, and you’ll lose the best part of the night’s rest if you -try to stay.” - -The words were spoken in the most friendly of tones, and Ned, wondering -not a little why it was the master of the Evening Star had suddenly -grown so kind, hastily dressed himself. - -Captain Bragg stood in the doorway until he was ready, and then led him -to the room adjoining the chief mate’s, saying as he opened the door: - -“It ain’t a bad swap for you to make, my son. We keep this for -passengers because it is so big, and don’t usually count on givin’ it up -to one of the crew; but it seems necessary in this case. You needn’t try -to turn out early in the mornin’; I shan’t have a regular meal served -till the repairs are made, so lay in bed as long as you please.” - -Then the captain closed the door, locking it so gently that the turning -of the key could not be heard, and Ned undressed himself again in a -perfect maze of bewilderment. - -The captain’s excessive kindness caused wonderment not unmixed with -fear, for he remembered what Mr. Stout had said the day previous when -the gentleman was so affable. - -“There’s no need for me to fuss about it,” he said after trying in vain -to fancy some good reason for this almost affectionate manner. “Of -course he don’t want me to do anything for him, else he’d asked with his -fist. Perhaps he’s been drinkin’ too much, an’ I’d better turn out the -same time as usual.” - -This last supposition seemed the most reasonable, and, believing he had -hit upon the true cause for the change of demeanor, he devoted his -entire attention to sleep. - -At what time Ned awakened next morning he was unable to say; but it -seemed quite late when he opened his eyes, and jumping quickly from the -berth, began to dress hurriedly as he muttered to himself: - -“I reckon I shall have to walk mighty straight this morning, for the -captain will be crosser than a bear.” - -After making a hurried toilet he attempted to go into the saloon, and, -to his great surprise, found the door was locked. - -It did not seem possible at first that such could be the case; but after -trying in vain for several moments to open it, he was forced to admit he -was a prisoner. - -“Some one has turned the key, not knowing I was in here,” he thought, -and then began to pound on the door in order to attract attention. - -It was not necessary to do this many seconds before succeeding in his -purpose, and he heard the captain’s voice from the outside: - -“If you don’t keep quiet I’ll break every bone in your body!” came in -low, but angry tones. - -“But the door has got locked somehow.” - -“I did that myself. You’ll stay where you are till I make up my mind -what shall be done with you.” - -“But why am I kept here?” - -“You’ll find out soon enough. Behave yourself, and there’ll be no harm -done; but if I hear so much as a single yip, you’ll know what the cat -tastes like.” - -Then all was silent once more, and Ned literally staggered back to the -bunk, trying in vain to understand the meaning of this very strange -performance. - -He could think of nothing he had done or neglected to do which would -warrant such treatment, and after studying over the perplexing matter -until his head swam, he lay down again. - -An hour later the door of his room was opened, and the captain entered, -bringing a supply of food. - -“Here’s enough to eat and drink till morning,” he said gruffly as he -placed the tray on a locker. “Take hold and enjoy yourself as much as -you can, for this terrible thing isn’t any fault of yours.” - -“What do you mean?” Ned cried. “What have I done?” - -“Nothing, lad; but the men are not willing to have you around.” - -“The men!” Ned repeated in bewilderment. “What can they have against -me?” - -“They’re afraid of catching the disease, and I can’t say I blame them.” - -“But I ain’t sick.” - -“Do you mean to tell me you didn’t know you had the leprosy?” and the -captain now appeared to be thoroughly surprised. - -“Have I?” and Ned in turn evinced astonishment. - -“There’s no question about it. If I had noticed you more carefully the -day you came on board, I should have known what the trouble was. Now it -will be necessary to stay here quietly until we can set you ashore where -there’s a hospital, for you need immediate care.” - -Ned was so bewildered that he did not question the man further; but -threw himself on the bunk once more, entirely at a loss to understand -anything in regard to the matter, save that the crew had suddenly grown -afraid of him. - -“You must keep very quiet,” the captain continued. “Don’t exert yourself -by moving around, and I will see you have everything that’s needed until -we put you on shore, which will be by to-morrow, or the next day at the -latest.” - -Then the master of the Evening Star left the room, locking the door -behind him, and Ned tried in vain to realize his position. - -After a time he remembered that he had not asked the captain what -leprosy was, and examined his face in the glass to see such evidences of -sickness as would warrant people in being afraid of him. - -His skin seemed of a healthy color, and he asked himself if he felt ill -in any way; but without receiving a satisfactory answer. - -“I can’t make out that I’m different from what I always was; but there -must be something wrong, or the captain wouldn’t act so awful good.” - -Since he was not sensible of being an invalid, and had a very clear idea -he felt hungry, there appeared to be no good reason why he should not -partake of the plentiful supply of food which had been brought. - -He made a hearty meal, and then lay down again as he muttered to -himself: - -“All I can say is that it ain’t very bad to be sick with leprosy, for I -feel first class, an’ oughter be willin’ to stay here a long while if -they feed me up in this shape.” - -During the day he slept considerable, but during the night was more -wakeful. Now and then it was possible to hear the hum of voices from the -cabin; but he could not distinguish the words, and, from the “heel” of -the vessel, knew she was reeling off the knots in fine shape. - -When another day dawned and the rays of the sun, coming through the -port-hole, lighted up the tiny apartment, he expected to see the captain -with a second supply of food; but the hours passed on, and his door -remained locked. - -Then came the thought that perhaps they were making preparations to -scuttle the vessel, and he would be left behind to drown. - -The chance of this seemed so great that he had made up his mind to pound -on the door in order to attract attention, despite the threats of the -captain, when that gentleman entered. - -“Well, my lad,” he began in a cheery tone, “I am glad for you that it -won’t be necessary to stay here many minutes longer.” - -“Have you found out that there is nothing the matter with me?” Ned cried -eagerly. - -“I wish I had; but there’s no such good luck as that. We are off Spider -Key now; the brig will soon be hove-to, and you are to go ashore. I’m -sorry we couldn’t fetch up on the other side of the island where the -village is, but, under the circumstances, you won’t mind walking a -couple of miles. We shall give you enough so there’ll be no chance of -wanting anything, even though you should stay here a year, and when it -comes right down to facts, you’ll be better off than if you remained on -board.” - -“Will I have any trouble in findin’ the village?” - -“Not a bit. Walk straight across till you come to it.” - -Ned was satisfied. He had had so many hard rubs in his life that this -being set ashore did not surprise him, and the fact that he would have -enough to keep him for a year seemed like a wonderful show of generosity -on the captain’s part. - -Just then the tramp of feet overhead, mingled with cries of command, -told that the brig was coming up into the wind. - -Captain Bragg went to the companion-way a mo—and then returned with Mr. -Stout. - -“Are you going ashore with me?” Ned asked in glad surprise. - -“Yes: the men backed out from the job, an’ since somebody must do it, I -allowed you’d rather it would be me.” - -“Indeed I had,” Ned replied, and if he entertained any suspicions -previously, they were dispelled now the one man on board whom he -considered a friend was to accompany him as far as the shore. - -The captain enveloped the boy in a rubber coat which partially hid his -face, saying as he did so: - -“You should be careful about taking cold. There’s a damp wind comes off -the water, and it’s best to keep your face well covered until you are in -the hospital.” - -Ned, now firmly convinced that the master of the Evening Star was his -very good friend, obeyed orders to the letter, and Mr. Stout led him on -deck. - -The brig was hove-to off a low-lying, sandy island about half a mile -away, and a more desolate-looking place could not well be imagined. - -Far down on the opposite shore was something dark which might be a clump -of trees, otherwise there was not so much as a blade of grass in the way -of vegetation. - -The boat was alongside, and, standing well forward, as if afraid of -having the leper pass them, were the crew, looking very much disturbed. - -“You can see how frightened they are of you,” Mr. Stout said in a low -tone. “It was all the captain an’ I could do to prevent them from -setting you adrift in one of the boats.” - -“How funny it is that they should have got scared when I look the same’s -I ever did.” - -“But you don’t, my lad. There’s a big change in your appearance since -you come aboard.” - -“I feel jest the same, anyway.” - -“Yes, folks with that disease always do; but come on, we must get to the -island as quick as we can, or the brig may go on without me.” - -“I wish you was goin’ to stay ashore too.” - -Ned was clambering over the rail as he said this, consequently did not -see an expression of what was very like fear which passed over the -mate’s face, and it seemed impossible for him to make any reply. - -On stepping into the boat Ned noticed a number of packages in -sail-cloth, and asked what they were. - -“Provisions an’ sich like as you may need while stoppin’ here. The -captain tells me he has given you a first-class outfit, large enough to -keep you like a prince for a year.” - -While speaking Mr. Stout had begun to row toward the shore, and when -they were so far from the brig that his words could not be overheard by -the captain, who was watching them from the quarter-deck, he said as he -motioned with his foot toward a small bundle which lay under the -stern-sheets: - -“I found a lot of fish-lines, a pocket knife, an’ a quantity of matches -in my room this mornin,’ so I put ’em aboard thinkin’ they might come in -handy for you.” - -“What would I want with such things if I’m goin’ to the hospital?” Ned -asked in surprise. - -“Is that where you’re bound for?” the mate inquired, and now it was his -turn to show astonishment. - -“Of course. Didn’t the captain tell you?” - -“I ain’t certain as he did. I’ve been pretty busy on deck since you was -taken sick, an’ haven’t had much chance to talk with him.” - -“But I haven’t been taken sick. Captain Bragg says I’ve got leprosy; but -that’s all.” - -Mr. Stout acted very much as if he did not care to prolong the -conversation. - -He rowed as rapidly as possible with his head half-turned, as if to -avoid looking the boy in the face, and pretended not to hear when Ned -asked relative to the location of the village. - -When the bow of the boat grated on the sand he leaped ashore and began -pulling out the packages with feverish haste, while Ned, throwing off -the rubber coat because of the heat, leisurely stepped on the land. - -[Illustration: NED WATCHES THE MATE ROW BACK TO THE SHIP.—Page 49.] - -In a very few seconds Mr. Stout was ready to return to the brig, and -stopped as if to shake hands with Ned; but evidently changed his mind, -for instead of so doing he leaped in the craft. - -“Perhaps I’ll see you when we come back,” he cried, and then pulled at -the oars with all his strength, keeping his eyes fixed on the bottom of -the boat to shut out from view the boy who stood at the very edge of the -water, gazing after the man whom he believed to be his friend. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - MAROONED. - - -Ned remained exactly as Mr. Stout had left him until the little craft -was alongside the brig, hoisted on board, and the Evening Star, swinging -around into the wind, was standing off on her course once more. - -During all this time the mate had not, so far as he could tell, looked -at him for a single instant, and this apparent lack of sympathy puzzled -Ned. - -“I don’t see what makes him so queer,” he said to himself as he watched -the vessel rapidly drawing away from the tiny island upon which he had -been landed. “The captain seemed kind enough while I was locked in the -state-room; but neither he nor the mate acted as if they felt bad -because I had to go away.” - -Then once more he wondered what leprosy was, which necessitated his -leaving the brig so suddenly, and to neither of these mental questions -could he give a satisfactory reply. - -The packages which had been brought ashore were too numerous to admit of -his carrying them at one load, and he decided to leave everything, -except the articles given him by the mate, on the beach until he could -locate the village. - -The fishing-lines, knife, and matches he put in his pockets, covered the -other goods with the rubber coat, and when the Evening Star had faded -away in the distance to a mere smudge on the horizon, he set out in -search of the inhabitants of the island. - -It was about noon when he came ashore, and since then fully two hours -had been spent watching the brig. - -The heat seemed intense, and the glare of the sun on the white sands -nearly blinded him. - -“There’s no use standing here any longer,” he said aloud after one more -glance at the faint shadow which marked the brig’s position. “If I don’t -start it’ll soon be dark, an’ then there _would_ be trouble, for a -fellow can’t find his way around a strange island very well when it’s -impossible to see anything. It seems kinder queer that I was so sick it -wasn’t safe for me to stay aboard the Evening Star, an’ yet the captain -thought it was all right for me to walk a couple of miles when it’s hot -enough to melt the boots off a fellow’s feet!” - -Then, with his eyes fixed on what appeared to be a clump of trees, in -order that he might be certain of traveling in a direct course, Ned set -out, trudging along resolutely, regardless of the heat, which brought -the perspiration from his face in tiny streams. - -The hard lessons of life which Ned had already received stood him in -good stead now. Without them he might have weakened before this, the -first of many troubles yet to come; but he had known a number of -instances where a good deal more labor than that of walking two miles -had been required of him, with no prospect of a reward when the task was -finished, and the question of fatigue hardly entered his thoughts. - -He believed he should soon arrive at a village where he would be -hospitably received as soon as he informed the inhabitants that he had -been set ashore because of suffering from leprosy, therefore the thought -of what he would soon enjoy served to pass the time more rapidly. - -After half an hour’s steady walking he saw that the point toward which -he had been making his way was indeed a clump of trees. - -The grove was situated at the head of a small bay which made in on the -western side of the island, and here the vegetation was almost -luxuriant. - -Trees covered an extent of land fully half a mile square, and sloping -down from the higher portions of the island to the water’s edge were -bushes and small plants in profusion. - -To a fellow who wanted to “camp out” where he would be free from -intrusion, it was a beautiful place; but to one in Ned’s situation, who -hoped to see houses as a sort of guarantee that he might find something -to eat, it was not cheering. - -“I reckon the village is on the other side of the grove,” he said to -himself. “If I’d known where to look for it in the first place I might -have saved quite a long walk.” - -He was beginning to grow tired, and the heat had caused such a thirst -that water seemed an absolute necessity. - -Fortunately he was not forced to travel very much further without a -plentiful supply of this most precious liquid. - -After passing about half-way through the grove, he came upon a small -natural spring which apparently gushed out of the coral rock, and here -he made a long halt, satisfying his thirst gradually because of the -intense pleasure of drinking when his tongue was so parched. - -The thing which struck him as most strange was the fact that during all -his travels he had not seen a sign of human beings. - -From what he had noticed of the island while on the brig, it did not -appear to be very large, and he failed to understand how it could be -populated and this portion so completely deserted. - -“I mustn’t sit here thinkin’ about it,” he muttered, rising to his feet. -“It’ll be night before I strike the hospital if I don’t keep moving.” - -Straight through the grove he went, then on the other side within sight -of the water, but seeing no signs of life, save when the birds swooped -down past him as if trying to find out what sort of creature this was -who had come among them so suddenly. - -He quickened his pace, and continued on with grim determination until -the sun sank behind the waste of waters, and the shadows of night were -gathering more rapidly than he had ever seen them before. - -“I have surely walked three miles an hour,” he said to himself, “and if -it was two o’clock when I started, I’ve got over not less than twelve -miles. Say it was three across from where I landed to the grove, and -that makes nine I’ve footed it around the shore with——” - -He ceased speaking very suddenly, and stood silent and motionless -staring in front of him on the sand near the water’s edge. - -He had returned to the very place where Mr. Stout put him ashore, for -here were the packages just as he had left them. - -During at least five minutes he remained like a statue gazing at the -inanimate objects as if expecting they would give him some solution to -what was a perplexing riddle, and then like a flash of light the truth -came into his mind. - -“What a fool I have been not to understand the whole thing before!” he -exclaimed. “When I told what I had heard from the pantry, the mate went -to the captain, and the two decided that it wouldn’t be safe to let me -go among the men, for fear I might give away the secret. The idea of my -bein’ sick was cooked up, I was kept in the state-room so none of the -crew could see me, an’ landed on the first desolate island the brig came -to. There’s no show of people livin’ here, for I’ve followed the water -around, and nearly all the time could see half-way across, so that part -of the business is settled. Now I’m to stay here till I die so’s I can’t -tell about their wreckin’ the brig.” - -There was only one thing that prevented Ned from giving way to the -despair and grief which came into his heart with the knowledge of the -cruel deed of which he was the victim, and that was the certainty the -Evening Star would soon be scuttled. - -“Perhaps I’m lucky in only bein’ set ashore here. They might have kept -me on board till the last minute, an’ then left me to go down with the -vessel.” - -Boy though he was, Ned understood that it was in the highest degree -necessary he should retain control of himself, and instead of indulging -in useless grief, he set about making the best of what was a very bad -plight without a single redeeming feature. - -“There’s no use in goin’ hungry, an’ I may as well see what we’ve got -here in the way of grub,” he said to himself as he unfastened the -largest package. - -A cry of anger and disappointment burst from his lips as the contents -were disclosed to view. - -The square of canvas contained nothing but oakum and bits of rope. - -Feverishly he opened the others, only to find them filled with rubbish -of all kinds. - -The captain had doomed him to starvation, and the different bundles were -prepared to deceive the crew, some of whom might have been suspicious -had the poor boy been set ashore with nothing to eat. - -Captain Bragg believed death would soon close the lips of the one who -had unwittingly learned his secret. - -Ned no longer tried to act the manly part. - -Anger was the first sensation after the terrible discovery that he had -been sentenced to a lingering death, and he attacked the rubbish in a -frenzy, throwing it on every side and stamping upon the fragments like a -madman. - -Then came grief and despair. - -Seated on the sand by the side of what he had believed was a generous -supply of provisions, he gave way to tears, and when this fit passed it -was night. - -He was too tired to retrace his steps to the grove, the only place where -could be found the semblance of a shelter, even had he been disposed to -battle against the fate which seemed to beset him on every side. - -Stretching out at full length on the sand, he pulled the rubber coat -over him, and finally fell asleep with a partially defined hope that -death might overtake him before he could awake to consciousness. - -For a boy who had just been marooned and who neither had provisions nor -the means of procuring any, Ned Rogers slept remarkably well. - -Although the sand was by no means as soft as the hard mattress in the -state-room of the Evening Star, he did not awaken until the rays of the -sun falling across his face banished the slumber from his eyelids. - -For an instant he gazed around in wonderment, not knowing how such a -change could have been made in his surroundings, and then the full -knowledge of all that had occurred came to him once more. - -His first impulse was to cry, and then he checked himself resolutely as -he said: - -“Look here, Ned, it won’t do at all. I don’t remember that you’ve ever -been in quite as hard a scrape as this; but I’m certain you know what it -is to be hungry, and this island ain’t half as tough as runnin’ ’round -Jonesboro hearin’ the folks say you are bound to come to some wicked -end. You’re pretty near as bad off as Robinson Crusoe, an’ yet he come -around all right.” - -Then Ned regretted not having read the book more carefully when Frank -Hubbard loaned it to him, because if he had done so he might the better -have been able to decide upon his future course. - -Rising to his feet and mechanically plunging his hands in his pockets, -he became aware of the fish-lines, and with this very pleasant -remembrance came the thought that Mr. Stout had given him these few -articles with the kindly hope that he might prolong his life. - -“Perhaps he didn’t dare to do any more while the captain was watching. -Anyway, I oughter be able to catch some fish if I can find bait, and -with what matches I have got there won’t be much trouble about building -a fire.” - -The mere fact that he knew what to do seemed to give him no slight -amount of mental relief, and he started at a rapid pace for the tiny bay -which ran up into the grove. - -“There will be fish in that place if anywhere, and after breakfast I -reckon it won’t be such a very hard job to rig up some kind of a -shanty,” he said to himself as he walked along, keeping a sharp lookout -meanwhile over the surrounding waters in the hope of seeing a sail. - -There was not a craft of any kind in sight, and if he had known exactly -the position of Spider Key, he would have understood that his chances of -seeing a vessel were very slight. - -On arriving at the shore of the bay his first work was to dig in the -sand for worms, as he would have done at Jonesboro; but on reaching the -foundation coral without finding other form of life than fleas, he gave -it up as a bad job. - -Then he walked around the beach until he found what looked like mussels, -and breaking the shell of one of these soon had his hook baited. - -The shores of the bay were very bold, and it was hardly necessary to use -a pole in order to cast the line into deep water. - -To the anxious fisherman it seemed as if the hook had hardly reached the -surface before the bait was seized by a silvery fish, and a second later -he had the first portion of his breakfast on shore. - -“With three fellers like that I’ll have all I can eat this morning,” he -said in a tone of satisfaction. - -It surely seemed as if the fish of the bay were eager to accept his -invitation to breakfast, and before one could have counted fifty he had -a plentiful supply. - -The task of cooking them was more difficult than the catching, because -of his inexperience. - -Instead of burying them among the ashes as he should have done, Ned -could think of no other way than to toast the fish, by placing them on -short sticks stuck in the sand near the blaze. - -This was a tedious and unsatisfactory way of cooking, because while one -portion was burning the opposite side of the fish was growing cold; but -he succeeded after a certain fashion, and his hunger was appeased. - -There was no especial reason why he should work very industriously, or, -at least, he did not think there was, and he seated himself within the -shade of the trees, remaining there until he fell asleep once more. - -When he awakened again it was afternoon and time to think of getting -supper. - -“This won’t do,” he said ruefully. “I mustn’t go on simply eatin’ and -sleepin’, otherwise when it storms I shall be badly left. I wonder if -the queer clams I used for bait wouldn’t go well roasted? It won’t take -so long to cook them, and perhaps I can yet make a good start on -buildin’ a shanty.” - -To kindle the fire and throw among the coals an armful of mussels was -not a long job, and then Ned walked slowly through the grove to decide -upon the location of his proposed house. - -He finally, after considerable discussion with himself, concluded that -it would be wisest to erect the building within a short distance of the -spring, and near the head of the bay. - -In order that he might have no difficulty in finding the spot selected, -he half broke, half cut down a sapling, and then went back to the scene -of his culinary operations. - -The mussels were well roasted; but, lacking salt, they were not as -palatable as the fish. - -“These go a long way ahead of nothin’,” Ned said grimly, “but fall -mightily short of some grub I’ve tasted in my day. After the shanty is -built I shan’t have anything to do but hunt ’round for provisions, an’ -it’ll be queer if I can’t manage to catch one or two of these birds.” - -He was rapidly getting rid of that terrible feeling of utter desolation -which had at first come upon him, and appeared as well able as any boy -could have been to provide against want. - -The remainder of the day was spent in house-building, and a slow task it -proved to be. He had no other tool than the pocket knife, and it was not -particularly well adapted to the hewing of trees. - -He contrived to lop off some of the small limbs and break down saplings -enough to make the roof of his shanty; but before anything more could be -done night had come. - -Again he slept under the rubber coat, and despite the fact of the -noon-day nap his slumber was long and profound. - -He was awake by sunrise, however, and fully determined to have something -to show for this day’s labor. - -In order to economize time he made a breakfast of roasted mussels, and -then began to work with a will on the building. - -Before the sun set again he had put up a dwelling which pleased him very -much, save as to size. - -It was not more than six feet square and about five high, but it would -serve to shelter him from the rain, although a heavy wind might level it -in short order. - -To four small trees which grew at nearly equal distance from each other -he had lashed the main timbers of the building, using creeping vines for -ropes, and placing them at as high a point as it would be convenient to -work. - -Across these were tied other poles about four inches apart, and over -them were laid the broad leaves of what appeared to be a species of -banana plant, the whole being bound down with vines. - -The sides and one end of the shanty were inclosed in leaves, and while -the wind was not too boisterous he had a very comfortable dwelling. - -On this night Ned slept for the first time in his life beneath his own -roof, and there was such a sense of satisfaction and proprietorship in -the fact that he almost forgot his desolate condition. - -Next morning he was in no hurry to arise. Having worked so hard on the -previous day, it seemed only fair he should indulge in a prolonged -resting spell. - -Hunger forced him to venture forth before the forenoon was very far -advanced, however, and for the second time he served up a meal of fish, -which were captured as readily as before. - -After this two or three hours were spent trying to snare some of the -birds by making a slip noose with one of the fishing-lines and placing -within the circle fragments of mussels. - -He had no difficulty in enticing the feathered visitors to an -examination of his bait, but they refused in the most provoking manner -to alight long enough for him to fasten the string around their legs, -and he was forced to relinquish this method of replenishing his larder. - -“You’ve beaten me this time,” he said with a laugh; “but just wait -awhile till I rig up another kind of a trap, and we’ll see who comes out -best.” - -The next most pleasing method of passing the hours seemed to be by an -examination of what he had already begun to call “his farm,” and he set -out intending to make a full exploration in two days, going half-way -around on each excursion. - -“If I only had a dog I believe this would be a jolly sort of a place in -which to live for a month or so,” he said aloud, as if there was a -certain sense of companionship in the sound of his own voice. “It’s -goin’ to be mighty lonesome after awhile.” - -He had started on his exploring trip by following the same course taken -when he was searching for the supposed village; but on this occasion he -walked nearer the water’s edge and kept a sharp lookout for anything -which might serve as food. - -A few yards from the edge of the grove he found a portion of the coral -not covered by the sand, and on this was a fine white powder which he -tasted of eagerly. - -“It’s real salt!” he exclaimed in surprise and delight. “I reckon the -sea-water has washed up on it, an’ then the sun has dried the salt out. -That’s the way I’ve heard Deacon Grout say some folks found it.” - -As may be supposed, he was careful to gather up the small amount which -had been prepared by the elements, and while doing so resolved to make -arrangements for getting as much as might be needed in the future. - -A leaf served as a salt-dish, and he carried it carefully back to the -hut, saying as he deposited the precious powder where it could not be -blown away: - -“To-morrow I’ll go after those pieces of canvas the captain wrapped his -bogus grub in and begin this part of my housekeeping in ship-shape -fashion. The fish will taste mighty good to-night if I can manage to -cook them all over alike.” - -When this had been done to his satisfaction he started once more on the -exploring tour, and after having walked fifteen or twenty minutes was -rewarded by another “find” which seemed even more valuable than the -first. - -This was neither more nor less than what appeared to be the hull of a -small vessel almost entirely buried in the sand, the ends of the -framework only showing above the surface. - -“Now I can build me a house that won’t be in danger of goin’ to sea when -the first storm comes on,” he said triumphantly. “The only thing is to -rig up something which will answer as a spade, and the rest is just a -question of hard work.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - A DISCOVERY. - - -Although Ned had never been shipwrecked, nor, except in the case of the -story about Robinson Crusoe, had he ever read of such disasters, yet he -understood that before he gathered a supply of food, in case such a -thing should be possible, it was necessary to have a substantial -building in which to keep it. - -It was his intention to lay in a quantity of salt; but in case he was -forced to store it in the shanty of leaves the stock would be destroyed -by the first storm of rain, and in fact it seemed as if all his hopes of -being able to hold out until some craft should come within hail depended -upon his having a building sufficiently strong to resist the weather. - -Therefore it was that he hailed the discovery of the wreck as of the -highest importance, and resolved to work at her incessantly, save when -it was necessary to prepare food or sleep, until he had accomplished his -purpose. - -In view of the fact that the only tool he possessed was a pocket knife, -the task was gigantic; but it was as if the difficulties in his path -only served to increase his courage. - -He had said that all he needed was something which would serve as a -spade; but even with such a modest want in his mind he was brought to a -standstill. - -To hew down a tree sufficiently large to provide him with material for a -wooden shovel an ax would be absolutely indispensable, and it was quite -positive there was no lumber to be found on the shores, for he had -already made nearly an entire circuit of the key. - -His joy at the discovery was lessened considerably by the difficulty in -the way of utilizing it, and he studied over the problem a long while -without having arrived at a conclusion which was satisfactory. - -“It’s certain I can’t have a spade or anything like one,” he said -thoughtfully; “so the question is, what else can I find to throw the -sand away with? I reckon those timbers are buried pretty deep, and a -fellow couldn’t do very much with only his hands.” - -In order to ascertain exactly what might be accomplished with nothing in -the way of implements he began to kick and shove away the sand; but in a -short time his fingers were made sore by the sharp particles, and he -realized that in less than an hour of such work his hands would be -blistered and cut. - -Then he walked slowly back to the grove and looked around as if for an -inspiration. - -This was neither more nor less than a waste of time, for the saplings -were the only objects which could be cut down with the knife, and these -he attacked at once. - -“A fellow can’t make very much of a fist diggin’ sand with a stake,” he -said as he worked; “but so long as I couldn’t use my hands more than -half an hour, these poles will go, way, ahead of nothin’.” - -After cutting down half a dozen small trees, the trunks of which were no -larger than his wrist, he whittled the thickest ends flat and proceeded -to the work. - -It was very much like trying to dig with a spoon; but yet he made a -certain amount of progress, and when inclined to grow down-hearted -because so much labor was necessary in order to accomplish very little, -he repeated to himself again and again that when a fellow has more time -on his hands than he knows what to do with, it can matter very little -how long it takes him to perform a certain piece of work. - -When the night came he had uncovered a couple of timbers down to where -the planking of the vessel still held comparatively sound, and found -that he was at the stern of the craft. - -“She run head on to the key,” he said as he stopped to rest before -returning to his hut. “The crew must have been asleep to strike here, -for the island shows plain enough.” - -If Ned had been more experienced in such matters he would have -understood that the vessel unquestionably came ashore many years before, -when the coral island was much smaller, and the work of the minute -creatures which have formed the fringe of keys or reefs around the -Florida coast had gradually built under her, until now she was twenty or -thirty feet from the water’s edge. - -Even to Ned’s inexperienced eyes the marks of great age could be seen; -therefore he had no hope of finding anything amid the timbers which -could serve him in the slightest degree, except in the way of materials -for a hut. - -“I don’t fancy there’ll be much of any trouble in knockin’ the timbers -apart,” he said as he went slowly toward the place he was beginning to -call “home.” “By to-morrow night I ought to have a couple of pieces -loose, an’ I’ll set them up outside my shanty. I can build around it, -an’ when the wooden house is done it will only be necessary to pull the -camp of leaves out.” - -A supper of fish seasoned with salt gave him a most appetizing meal, and -when he lay down to sleep his eyes were soon closed in blissful -unconsciousness because of the weariness of body. - -On the following morning but little time was spent in the preparation -for breakfast, and he began once more the task of unearthing the wreck. - -Having simply been pushing the sand up, quite a high bank was formed, -and it became necessary to level this before the work could be -continued. - -By noon he found a prize in the shape of a short piece of plank, -perfectly dry despite the length of time it had been covered by the -sand, and an hour’s labor with his knife served to convert it into a -rude shovel, with which he could do twice as much as when the stakes -were his only tools. - -The outside of several timbers were laid bare, and then, preparatory to -wrenching them from their fastenings, he shoveled from the inside near -the fragments of the stern-post. - -About half an hour before sunset the wooden scoop struck against a hard -substance which he knew could not be the “skin” of the vessel, since it -was much too high up from the keel. - -Merely from curiosity, and not with any idea that he might be making a -valuable discovery, Ned labored only to ascertain what was concealed -beneath the sand, and before the night had fully come, he was gazing in -surprise at a small box covered with rawhide and bound with iron. - -It was about ten inches long and eight high, so tiny that he anticipated -no difficulty in raising it, but, to his astonishment, found it required -the exercise of all his strength to pull it from the bed of sand in -which it had lain so long. - -“I’d like to know what’s inside,” he said as he stood looking at the -small but exceedingly heavy package. “There’s no hope of breaking it -with one of the poles, for the rawhide would hold it together, even if I -should splinter the wood. I reckon it wouldn’t be a bad idea to burn one -end off.” - -This last thought seemed to be a happy one, and the boy set about -carrying the “find” to the hut. - -It required all his strength, and more than once was it necessary for -him to rest, but he finally succeeded, the last portion of the journey -having been made after nightfall, and once at the place where the -camp-fire was usually built, he forgot about supper. - -He was curious to see the contents of the odd box, and this desire was -greater than his hunger. - -Building a glowing fire, he placed the case in such a manner that only -one end would be affected by the flames, and as the rawhide began to -crackle and shrivel it suddenly occurred to him that the package might -be filled with cartridges. - -“If it is I reckon this is no place for me,” he said in something like -alarm, moving off a short distance, and then recovered his composure as -he added: - -“The danger can’t be great, no matter how much powder may be there, for -the box must have been under water a long time, an’ I don’t allow fire -could do it any harm.” - -Now he approached sufficiently near to heap the coals up as the wood -began to smolder; but despite the amount of fuel expended, it was fully -an hour before his purpose was accomplished. - -One end of the case was now so charred that he anticipated little -difficulty in forcing it open with a stake from the roof of his hut, and -the package was drawn back to a comfortable distance from the flames. - -A heavy blow with the largest piece of wood he could find, a dull, -metallic sound, and Ned stood transfixed with surprise. - -From out the half-burned box poured a veritable stream of silver coins, -more money than Ned had ever seen before in all his life. - -During several moments he remained silent and motionless, gazing at the -wonderful find as if fearing it might suddenly disappear should he take -his eyes from it, and then he needed no further proof that it was -real—not a phantom conjured up by a weak or disordered brain. - -There could be no question as to the fact that the pieces were silver, -and mostly of the denomination of dollars from the Mexican mint. -Although Ned had never had the pleasure of handling many such coins, he -knew there was no deception about the contents of the box, and during a -certain length of time he was literally beside himself with astonishment -and joy. - -He had forgotten how he chanced to be on that lonely key, and heeded not -the fact that it might be years before he would find an opportunity of -reaching the mainland, or the chances of being unable to carry his -treasure with him when, if ever, he did go. - -The only thing clear to his mind was that he, the pauper of whom it had -been predicted that “some bad end surely awaited him,” was virtually -rich. - -Without making any attempt to count the coins, he believed there was -sufficient to satisfy his every want no matter how long he might live, -and this crowded aside all other thoughts. - -Two hours later he, like every other person who has unexpectedly come -into possession of a fortune without being forced to toil for it, -suddenly bethought himself that he had been content with a single box. - -If one had been hidden there so long, why might there not be many more -in the same place? - -A few moments previous he had been perfectly content with what he had -and his own forlorn position. Now his greatest desire was to find more; -but yet he could not leave unguarded the precious metal. - -It is true that there was no one on the island to rob him; but yet it -did not seem safe to go away even for a single instant while it was thus -exposed to view, and at once he set about making a hiding-place, first -heaping high the fire with branches which he tore from the trees with a -fictitious strength born of his excitement. - -Then—and this time he regarded not the fact that the sand would cut his -fingers—he scooped away the loose soil with his hands until the -foundation of coral was brought to view. - -On this, placing the coins in even piles, he stacked up the treasure -until it covered a space of six or seven square inches, after which it -was carefully covered with sand once more. - -Then came the thought that the box might betray him in case any one -should come suddenly, and he flung it on the fire, watching jealously -until every portion had been consumed. - -The hiding-place of his wealth was trampled upon until even the most -scrutinizing search would have failed to reveal the fact that the -surface had been disturbed to any great depth, and then he started once -more toward the location of the wreck, hardly giving heed to the fact -that the key was shrouded in darkness. - -He was made sensible of this before trying to walk very far, however, -for after having taken twenty steps he ran into a small tree, striking -his nose such a blow that the blood flowed freely. - -This had the effect of restoring to him at least a portion of his -scattered senses, and he made his way back to the fire, stanching the -flow of blood with the sleeve of his coat. - -“It seems a good deal as if I’d been makin’ a big fool of myself,” he -said with a nervous laugh, “an’ I don’t know that it’s to be wondered -at. When a feller who never owned a whole dollar in his life has ’em -come tumblin’ in on him the way them did, he’s likely to get rattled. I -needn’t be in such a hurry to get at the rest, in case there’s more to -be found, for, ’cordin’ to the looks of things, I shall have plenty of -chance to dig the old craft over two or three times before anybody -happens this way to help me off. Most likely Captain Bragg took good -care to land me where vessels never come, for it would go hard with him -if I should get back to tell my story when he was anywhere around. The -best thing is to get some sleep now, an’ in the mornin’ I’ll have a hunt -for more dollars. I wonder what they’d say on board the brig if it was -known I’d fallen into such a snap?” - -Ned looked once more at the place where he buried his treasure to be -certain he left no traces which might show what had been done, and then -lay down beneath his shelter of leaves; but sleep did not come at his -bidding as quickly as on the previous night. - -Then he had not a penny or the means of getting one, so far as he knew, -and yet his rest was unbroken and refreshing. Now that he was -comparatively wealthy slumber refused to visit his eyelids, and the -sensation of perfect repose was denied him. - -As he lay there thinking over the good fortune which had come to him so -unexpectedly, a pattering on the leaves above caused him to start up in -alarm. - -Then he laughed heartily, for the noise was occasioned by the falling of -rain. - -“Here I am playin’ the fool again,” he said grimly. “If it hadn’t been -for that money I should never have thought of bein’ frightened just -because of such a little noise. But say, if it storms very hard I shall -be likely to have a rough night of it in spite of all my silver!” - -The rain descended more rapidly, the wind moaned among the trees, and -the sullen roar of the surf came from the beach. - -“The sand I shoveled out this afternoon will all be blown or washed -back,” he muttered, “an’ I shall have to do the work over again; but I -reckon it won’t be so hard now I know what it’s possible to find.” - -The storm came up rapidly. - -In less than ten minutes from the time the first drops of water fell, it -seemed to Ned as if a perfect hurricane was raging. - -The fire was extinguished with many an angry hiss and splutter, and -shortly after the illy secured roof of the shanty was blown away like a -dry leaf, while the sides and end soon went to keep the other company. - -It was useless attempting to avoid the down-pour. In less than three -minutes from the time his shelter was borne off on the wings of the -storm, Ned was as wet as if he had been indulging in a bath without -undressing, and the only thing he could hope to do was to prevent his -precious matches from getting wet. - -The salt had taken French leave with the first puff of wind, and to save -his only materials for kindling a fire, Ned deprived himself of his -coat, wrapping the garment around the small supply of “fire sticks.” - -The bundle he carried under his arm, or, rather, held it there while he -clung to a tree to prevent himself from being blown bodily into the sea. - -In this manner he passed the remainder of the night, and it seemed as if -the morning would never come. - -He did not dare to leave the spot to which he had first fled for safety, -although many times it seemed as if the tree would be uprooted, for the -darkness was so intense that he could not have seen his own hands if -held within a few inches of his eyes. - -But in the midst of all this discomfort, and even danger, he thought of -the treasure continually, wondering if he would have much trouble in -finding the place where the silver was buried after the rain had -obliterated his landmarks. - -The morning broke gray and forbidding. - -The huge waves rolled up on the beach as if intent on submerging the -tiny key, and breaking on the shore with a force that caused the island -to tremble under the blows. - -There was no promise in the sky that the storm would soon subside, and -Ned gazed in dismay at the ruin which had been wrought. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - THE ZOE. - - -Although Ned had not progressed very far in the way of building a -habitation, it seemed to him as if the gale had swept away what little -he could call his own. - -Not only was the hut demolished, but he had great difficulty in deciding -where it had been located. The last vestige of the fire was effaced, and -with it was gone all accurate means of ascertaining the exact place -where the silver was buried; but this did not trouble him particularly, -because he knew it would not require any very lengthy search to find it -again. - -In the grove more than half the trees had been leveled to the ground, -and one glance was sufficient to show that he would have quite a task -before him in order to make his way through the tangle of boughs and -foliage. - -All this he took in at one hasty glance, not troubling himself with -regard to the details, for just at that moment his chief concern was as -to what he should do for food and shelter during the day. - -“I reckon it’s a case of holdin’ on here a while longer,” he said to -himself, “for if I once let go my hold it might be hard work to get back -again, and, besides, it’s easier to keep the matches dry as I’m standin’ -now. There don’t seem to be much of a show for gettin’ anything to eat -yet awhile. Even if it was possible to build a fire I wouldn’t be able -to catch any fish or find the clams. If I hadn’t made such a fool of -myself over the silver I’d got supper last night, an’ shouldn’t be so -hungry now.” - -Regrets were useless, however, as he soon realized, and all he could do -was to cling to his tree and hope the strength of the wind might abate -as the day grew older. - -In this last respect his wish was granted. - -By ten o’clock the force of the gale had sensibly abated, although even -then the wind was blowing harder than Ned ever experienced it before. - -It was now possible to leave the shelter of his tree without incurring -imminent danger, and he worked his way further among the fallen timber -in the hope of finding some place where the matches could be left, for -even the strain of holding them so tightly was beginning to tell upon -him. - -There were plenty of opportunities to deposit his precious package, but -not with any certainty that it would be kept dry, for there was water -everywhere, until it seemed certain the key must be submerged. - -He finally decided to leave the bundle under the trunks of two small -trees which had been uprooted, and then crept out to where a full view -of the sea might be had. - -An exclamation of fear and dismay burst from his lips as he stood where -he could gaze out over the angry waters, for in full view, and not more -than a mile away, was a small craft, tossed to and fro like an -egg-shell, but being driven rapidly toward the key. - -It was some time before Ned could discern her rig, and then he -discovered that she was a steamer, but a tiny one. Probably some -pleasure yacht which had been driven to sea by the fury of the gale and -was now unmanageable. - -She was almost on her beam-ends, and each time the gigantic waves lifted -her on high Ned fancied he could see two forms lashed to the port rail, -which was to windward. - -Every few seconds she would be carried down, down into the trough of the -sea until it seemed as if the storm king was bent on sending her to the -bottom, and when she rose again it was with that uncertain, sluggish -movement which tells of the weight of water within the hold. - -“If she strikes here those poor men are doomed,” Ned cried, much as if -fancying some one could hear his words, “and there’s nothing I can do to -help them! A fellow would be swept off his feet the instant he so much -as touched the surf line!” - -That the yacht would strike the shore there could be no question. - -If it was possible to guide her into the little bay there might be some -chance for those on board to save their lives, for there the surf was -not quite so violent; but the apparently doomed ones could not alter the -course by so much as a hair’s-breadth. - -The beautiful craft was but a plaything for the waves, and as helpless -as a wounded bird. - -Ned gazed at the terrible scene as if fascinated. - -For the first time since the discovery of the treasure did he forget -that such a metal as silver had an existence. All his thoughts were -centered on this evidence of the storm’s fury, which must apparently -soon be blotted from view, and with it would go the lives of two human -beings. - -Almost unconscious of what he did, Ned walked down toward the water -line, until he was as far as it was safe to venture, and once there, -fancied he saw one of the figures wave its hands as if imploring him to -render some assistance. - -[Illustration: THE WRECK OF THE STEAM YACHT ZOE.—Page 85.] - -“I wish I could do it!” he shouted, as if thinking the sufferers could -hear him. “I haven’t got a boat, an’ even if I had, she couldn’t be -launched in this surf!” - -He took no heed of time. - -He only knew that the yacht was coming broadside on very rapidly; but -whether five minutes or five hours had elapsed from the moment he first -saw her, it would have been impossible to say. - -When she was not more than a hundred yards from the shore the waves -swung her around until he could see in gilt letters on her stern the -name Zoe. - -Then she went down once more into the chasm of waters, and on rising -again, it was apparent that the end had come. - -Up, up, up until it seemed she was directly above his head did the -wounded craft rise, and then, as if impelled by some terrible force from -seaward, she shot landward, coming so near where Ned stood that he -involuntarily leaped aside, fearing the hull might crush him. - -There was no very heavy crash as she struck, or if there was Ned failed -to hear it. - -It seemed to him as if the waves had left her gently on the sand and -then ran back to gather fresh impetus before pounding her to pieces. - -During such a time as one might have counted ten she was literally high -and dry, and in that short interval Ned had sufficient presence of mind -to shout: - -“Jump! Jump now while you’ve got the chance, an’ I’ll catch you!” - -One of the two obeyed, throwing himself, rather than leaping, from the -deck, which was almost perpendicular, and Ned rushed forward, seizing -him by the coat just as the waves returned with an angry howl and roar. - -Instantly on touching the sand the sufferer staggered forward and fell -on his face, where he lay like one dead; but Ned managed to drag him -beyond the reach of the surf and turned his attention to the other. - -“When the water goes back you must jump!” he shrieked, and this command -was emphasized by the violent rolling of the little craft as the sea -nearly turned her over. “One more wave like that an’ it will be too -late!” - -The words were understood, and two minutes afterward Ned was dragging -the second body high up on the beach; but whether or no he had succeeded -in saving life it was impossible to say. - -Both the rescued ones lay on the sand as if dead, and Ned gazed at them -helplessly, not knowing what should be done. - -To his surprise, for until this moment he had not had any time to note -details, he saw that both were boys about his own age, and even at this -dreadful moment, when it was a question whether they were yet alive, he -wondered how it was that two young fellows should be alone on a yacht -like the one which promised speedily to become food for the waves. - -While he stood looking at them helplessly, the one who had first reached -the shore opened his eyes, stared around in alarm, and then attempted to -rise to his feet. - -He was too nearly exhausted to permit of such an exertion, and would -have fallen backward had Ned not seized him by the coat collar again. - -“Better lay still awhile,” he said soothingly, “an’ you’ll soon get your -strength. There isn’t such a thing on the island as a house, or I’d try -to get you under cover. As it is you’ll have to stay out of doors till -something can be rigged up for a shelter.” - -“I’m all right; but where is Roy? Didn’t he get ashore?” - -“If you mean the fellow who was with you, you’ve only got to turn around -in order to see him. He don’t show up very lively yet awhile, but I -guess he’ll come ’round all right after a time.” - -As a means of bringing the yet unconscious boy to his senses, Ned shook -him violently and persistently until the sufferer opened his eyes in a -languid sort of way. - -“Are we safe, Vance?” he asked feebly. - -“Indeed we are, even if it did look so blue a few minutes ago. The yacht -was thrown directly up on the bank, almost above high-water mark, and -all we had to do was to drop off.” - -The knowledge that he was safe when death had seemed positive served to -revive the boy wonderfully, and before five minutes had passed both the -shipwrecked ones were staring at Ned as if asking how it was he happened -to be there. - -“I s’pose you want to know if I live here?” he said cheerily, for the -fact that he had companions was a wonderful relief in his loneliness; -but even as he spoke there came the thought that the arrival of these -two might put an end to his treasure-seeking unless he should be willing -to share with them. - -“How did you get here?” the boy who had been called Vance asked. - -“I was set ashore from the brig Evening Star so’s Captain Bragg could -wreck her; but it’s too long a story to tell now. Wait till things are a -little more comfortable, an’ then I’ll give you the whole yarn. Where -did you come from?” - -“Key West.” - -“Were you running the steamer alone?” - -“We had three men with us,” Vance replied with a shudder, “but all of -them were washed overboard during the night. I’d rather not talk about -it just now. How do you feel, Roy?” - -“As if somebody had been beating me until every bone in my body is -broken. What’s your name?” he added, turning to Ned. - -“Edward Rogers.” - -“My name is Roy Harland, and this is my cousin, Vance Stewart. Have you -been here long?” - -“Since the day before yesterday.” - -“Isn’t there any place where we can get in out of the storm? It seems as -if I should feel better if I could get dry once more.” - -“I built a shanty of leaves and poles, but the wind moved it for me last -night in fine style. It took about ten seconds to get rid of the whole -establishment.” - -By this time the boys thought of the yacht, to which no attention had -been paid since Vance first recovered consciousness. - -She was laying on her beam-ends with the waves pounding against the -timbers with a force that threatened to convert the hull into kindlings, -but Ned fancied the waters had receded somewhat since he first ventured -down to the shore. - -“I suppose she is bound to go to pieces,” Roy said mournfully as he -gazed at the little craft. - -“I’m not so certain about that,” Ned replied. “It strikes me the sea -isn’t runnin’ quite as high as it was an hour ago, and if you’ll notice, -the water doesn’t come up as far as it did.” - -As he spoke he pointed to the line of foam and drift which had been left -on the sand some time previous, and all three watched it several -moments. - -“It’s certain the waves are not reaching that mark,” Vance said with a -sigh. “Perhaps the little craft won’t go to pieces after all.” - -“It ain’t likely you’ll ever see her afloat again.” - -“That may be; but if she holds together we shall have a good supply of -provisions, and I don’t fancy you’ve got more than you need.” - -“My stock is yet to be caught. All I’ve had so far is fish, with a few -clams that weren’t very good, an’ I couldn’t get breakfast this mornin’ -because of the storm.” - -“The Zoe is well fitted out, and in addition to plenty of provisions, we -shall be able to get from her canvas enough with which to make a tent.” - -“If that’s the case we’d better keep a mighty sharp lookout, so if she -does go to pieces we can save some of the stuff,” Ned replied eagerly, -for the idea of having a shelter which would be water-tight was -particularly pleasing to the boy who had had a short but rather -unpleasant experience in a less substantial dwelling. - -Vance suggested that they go into the grove, where the party would be -partially sheltered from the wind, but Ned refused to leave the beach. -He insisted that it was in the highest degree important to be on hand in -case the yacht went to pieces, and the others would not venture alone. - -Inch by inch the water receded until the wreck was in such a position -that it would be possible to board her by wading a short distance, and -Ned proposed that the work of salvage be begun at once. - -“I can send down a lot of stuff by going aboard an’ riggin’ a block on -the flag-staff,” he said, but the others thought it best to wait until -the storm had cleared away. - -By noon the rain ceased falling, and Ned built a fire after some -difficulty, owing to the dampness of everything, including the matches, -and then, as Roy and Vance began to feel the pangs of hunger, they -agreed that it was time to get some of the stores ashore. - -Ned clambered aboard, the boys directing his movements, and if Vance had -not interfered, he would have landed each article as it came to hand. - -“There is no sense in doing that until we have something in the way of a -tent to keep the stuff dry. There’s little danger of another storm right -away, and we may as well do the thing properly.” - -“Well, what do you want first?” - -“Get enough out of the pantry for dinner, and after we’ve had something -to eat we’ll set at work on the tent. There are a lot of old sails in -the forepeak, and we shall have canvas in plenty.” - -Ned selected about three times as much provisions as the little party -could eat at a single meal, for the yacht had everything on board to -tempt one’s appetite, and the castaways made a hearty dinner of the -choicest canned goods. - -Ned sent ashore cooking utensils in abundance, and Roy, who proved to be -no mean cook, served up the different dishes in a manner far excelling -anything in the culinary line Ned had ever seen. - -“Now, this is what I call comfort,” the marooned boy said when he had -rather more than satisfied his hunger, and the sun came out from behind -the clouds, thus giving them an opportunity of drying their clothing. -“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get a little sleep; I didn’t close my eyes -once last night, except when the sand was flying so thick that it was -necessary.” - -“Neither did we,” Roy replied, “and I’d like a nap this minute, but I -don’t think we can afford the time just now. We ought to get at least -one tent up before dark.” - -Ned was by no means a lazy fellow, and thinking it incumbent to do the -largest share of the work since his new acquaintances were supplying all -the provisions and comforts of life, he leaped to his feet at once. - -Vance went aboard the wreck with him, and in less than an hour they had -on shore the sails, tools with which to do the necessary labor, and an -additional supply of food. - -Bedding sufficient for the party was the last on the list, and after -this had been procured the boys began the work of hut-building. - -His previous experience had taught Ned how essential it was to secure -everything in such a manner that it could not be blown away, and the -tent which was to be used as a sleeping apartment was erected in a -workmanlike fashion. - -Two trees growing at the desired distance apart, near the spot where the -silver was buried, served as the uprights for the ends of the camp, and -to these a ridge-pole was lashed firmly. - -Across it was spread the largest sail, and the edges pegged down until -one would have said a hurricane could hardly make any impression upon -it. - -The ends might be closed with blankets, or sail-cloth if necessary, but -owing to the warm climate it was not thought advisable to shut -themselves out from a plentiful supply of fresh air until a storm should -render it imperative. - -It was nearly nightfall when this work had been completed to the -satisfaction of all hands, and then Vance went on the wreck once more -for lanterns. - -“We may as well make things look as cheerful as possible,” he said, “and -it’s a good deal more pleasant to have a light after the fire goes out -than be in the darkness.” - -“If you say the word I’ll get the stove from the cook’s quarters,” Ned -suggested. “It isn’t very large, an’ I could almost handle it alone.” - -“I think we’d better leave that until morning. It will take quite a -while before we got it going, because coal must be brought ashore, and -Roy can get us up one more meal on your fire.” - -Ned was satisfied with any arrangement they might wish to make, but he -insisted on having a couple of pails for fresh water to prevent the -necessity of running to and fro from the spring so often, and these -Vance brought with the lanterns. - -The amateur cook prepared as tempting a supper as he had the dinner, and -when all had done it full justice the dishes were placed outside the -tent to be washed in the morning, for night had now fully come. - -Ned piled the fire high with wood, for since he had an ax the labor of -preparing fuel did not seem very great to a boy like him, who had always -been forced to perform such laborious tasks, and then he lay down on one -of the yacht’s mattresses, feeling that he had every reason to be -thankful for the change in his surroundings. - -“Now tell us how you happen to be here,” Roy said. “We’ve got plenty of -time, for we don’t want to go to sleep immediately after supper, and -when you have finished Vance and I will explain how it is the yacht came -ashore with only us two as a crew.” - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - THE DISASTER. - - -Ned not only told the story of his being marooned, but gave a detailed -account of his life from his first recollections to the present day, and -when this rather long narrative was ended, Roy began according to -agreement. - -“Vance’s father and mine live at Tampa, in Florida, during the winter, -but they haven’t come down yet. We were allowed to start ahead of the -two families because just at this time it is a question to be decided -whether we attend school any longer or call our education finished and -go into some kind of business. - -“The Zoe hails from Key West, but she has been chartered by Vance’s -father for the season, and we had permission to cruise in her as far as -Savannah, with her regular crew, of course, at which port we were to -meet our parents and carry them around to Tampa. - -“We had on board day before yesterday a sailing master, an engineer and -his assistant. Vance and I acted as stewards. I don’t know where we were -when the storm came up, but had heard the master say he should run close -up the chain of keys. Of course you know the hurricane began in the -night, and since Vance and I were both below, we had no idea of the -nearest land. - -“I was awakened by the pitching and tossing of the yacht, and as it made -me feel rather sick I thought it would be wisest to remain where I was -instead of venturing on deck, where there was little chance of seeing -anything. - -“It was nearly daylight when Vance realized that something unusual was -going on, and then he felt so nearly the same as I that it was a case of -both remaining where we were until I thought I heard a scream from the -deck. Twice it appeared as if some one was calling me by name from a -distance, although Vance declared I must be mistaken, and then I managed -to get on deck to investigate. - -“Even then it seemed as if the little craft was under water more than -half the time, and while I stood in the companion-way wondering whether -it was safe to attempt to go forward, a wave broke over the stern and -literally drowned Vance out of his berth. He yelled for me not to make a -fool of myself by keeping the door open at risk of swamping the steamer, -but to come back, and just at that instant I saw the engineer in the -pilot-house waving his hand for me to join him. - -“From the expression of his face, and the fact that he was at the wheel -instead of where he belonged, I knew there was something wrong; but -since it would have been worse than useless to have gone across the deck -just then, and I’m inclined to believe the best sailor in the world -couldn’t have done it, I ran below, through the passage into the -engine-room, and from there to the pilot-house. - -“You can fancy how startled I was at seeing no one attending to the -machinery. Both Vance and I had been taking lessons in running the -craft, and the engineer continually impressed on our mind the necessity -of always keeping a strict watch on the engine. After learning that this -portion of the yacht was ‘going it alone,’ I got to the wheel as soon as -possible, and there found no one but the engineer. - -“Without waiting for me to ask any questions he said that the master and -his own assistant had been washed overboard and drowned half an hour -ago. It seems the engineer had sent the young fellow to the wheel-house -to carry some coffee which had been prepared on the boiler during the -night, and the poor man slipped just as he opened the door leading from -the deck to the wheel. A big wave carried him over the side, but he -clung to the rail, and the sailing master ran out to help him. - -“Just at that moment another wave swept the yacht fore and aft, carrying -both the unfortunate men with it, and the engineer saw the whole thing -without being able to aid them in the slightest. The steamer, with no -one at the helm, began to yaw, and would have been swamped then and -there if he hadn’t run to the helm. From that moment until I appeared at -the companion-way he had been shouting for us. The engine and the fires -needed attention, but he couldn’t go below until some one relieved him -from the steering. - -“I knew a little about such things, and since we were running on a -course which it had been the sailing master’s intention to hold until -noon, there was nothing to do but keep her by the compass. The engineer -went below, and after what seemed like a very long time, Vance, worried -because I had not come back, went into the engine-room. Ten minutes -later he was with me, looking about as pale as any fellow you ever saw.” - -“I couldn’t have been much whiter than you was,” Vance retorted. - -“I’m willing to admit that,” Roy replied, “for I was as frightened as I -well could be, and the thought that two out of our crew of three were -dead didn’t tend to make the situation seem any more cheerful.” - -“Could you have run the yacht to Savannah if she hadn’t got wrecked?” -Ned asked. - -“We might, but only by pure chance, and then it would have been -necessary to heave to at night. The engineer confessed that he couldn’t -do it, so you can see that even then matters appeared to be about as bad -as possible, though we soon had good proof they were not. For two hours -more we staggered along as best we could, and it seemed to me that the -yacht was completely under water half the time. Then the engineer came -to tell us that Vance must come into the engine-room with him. Something -had gone wrong and he needed assistance. - -“Vance went, and when they arrived there the engineer discovered that -several of his tools were in the forepeak. He started after them. I saw -him come on deck and tried to make him go back. At that moment the -engine stopped suddenly; the yacht seemed to be filled with steam, and -when it was possible to see anything more the engineer had disappeared, -probably washed overboard as the others had been. - -“Of course it was useless to stand at the wheel while there was no -steerage-way on, and Vance and I had begun to discuss whether it would -be possible for us to hoist one of the sails in order to keep her before -the wind, when the final disaster came. - -“I can’t describe how it happened, but in an instant she was on her -beam-ends, and every movable thing, including both the boats, was washed -away. I didn’t feel so very bad when the tenders went, because they -would have been of no service to us in that sea, even if we could have -gotten them free from the davits, which I doubt. - -“From that hour until you saw us we could do no more than cling to the -rail waiting for the last moment to come, and many times did it seem -certain the wreck was going to the bottom. I gave up all hope when the -engineer was washed overboard, and never saw a ray of promise again, -even when you shouted for us to jump.” - -“Well,” Ned said reflectively after a brief pause, “now we’re here, -what’s the chance of ever gettin’ away? The yacht might be floated, but -the question is whether you could run her.” - -“I don’t know but that the machinery is injured so badly we couldn’t -even turn the screw. Don’t you suppose some kind of a craft will come -along this way pretty soon?” - -“I’m afraid not,” Ned replied. “You see, Captain Bragg most likely set -me ashore in a place where there wasn’t much chance anything like that -would happen, otherwise I might have told my story before he had an -opportunity to collect the insurance.” - -“That’s true,” Vance replied sleepily. “I’ll venture to say, though, -that we shall come out all right in a few days, even if it is necessary -to take to a raft. So let’s go to sleep now. I feel as if I hadn’t -closed my eyes for a week.” - -Roy was quite willing to act upon this suggestion, and in a very short -time the two were sleeping soundly; but Ned could not compose himself -for slumber so readily. - -The question of the treasure troubled him considerably. - -If he should reveal the secret the boys would most likely claim their -share, and although he now had very much more than he had ever expected -to own, it was hard to part with a single piece. - -In case he did not tell them, how could he take it away? - -If any craft came along and they had an opportunity of leaving the key, -he could not carry the treasure with him unknown to his companions, and -would also be debarred from searching for more. - -“I shall have to let them into the snap,” he said, with a sigh. “It’s -too bad, but I don’t see how it can be helped. In the morning I’ll show -what I found, an’ we’ll begin work on the wreck.” - -With this resolve his mind was freed from the greater portion of the -trouble which had weighed heavily upon it, and he fell asleep. - -When the boys awakened on the following morning the scene which met -their gaze was really a cheerful one, save for the disabled steamer -lying half-submerged on the shore. - -She alone told of disaster. - -The waves were shimmering like gold in the rays of the sun; the foliage -was of the densest green, with the white tent at the edge of the grove -like a jewel on a piece of rare enameling, and as a background the -yellow sands, which sparkled like silver. - -Ned stood at the door of the tent drinking it all in until Vance, -awakening, cried: - -“What is the matter? Do you see a craft?” - -“There’s nothin’ in sight. I was lookin’ around and thinkin’ that, -accordin’ to the way things appear this mornin’, it isn’t such a -terrible thing to be either marooned or shipwrecked.” - -“Not after a fellow has gotten safely ashore; but as for going through -the experience, I’ve had enough in mine. I don’t believe I shall ever -again feel perfectly safe on the water, no matter how big a craft I’m -in.” - -The hum of conversation awakened Roy, and he heard the last remark. - -“Nonsense!” he cried with a hearty laugh. “If we get off this island -safely, it won’t be a week before you’ll be trying your luck in the -first boat that comes at hand.” - -“Wait and see.” - -“That’s what I shall have to do. I reckon I’m booked for the most of the -cooking, as I did on the Zoe, and I happen to fancy some fried fish. If -you two fellows will get the stove on shore, I’ll try my luck with one -of Ned’s lines.” - -Ned was eager to see what Roy could do in the culinary department when -he had every convenience. He had proved himself such a success as a cook -on the evening previous with nearly everything lacking that the -breakfast should be a marvel, and he started on without waiting to hear -what Vance had to say on the subject. - -Lying on her beam-ends as the little steamer was, the task of getting -the stove ashore was not a difficult one. - -The kitchen was on the port side, and she had been flung upon the -starboard rail, consequently they would not be impeded by the water. It -was only necessary to pull the small range up, and then let it slide -down the almost perpendicular deck. - -Roy had not brought his labors as a fisherman to a close when the stove -was in position near one end of the tent, and Ned began making a -swinging-cap to the pipe in order that it might not be necessary to move -the entire apparatus whenever the wind shifted. - -Vance brought another supply of provisions on shore, and marked out a -site for the cook-tent, saying as he did so: - -“The sooner we get a second camp up, the sooner we can begin to bring -the stuff ashore from the steamer. I figure that we’ve got enough canvas -to make another tent as big as the first, and it will give us ample room -for all our supplies.” - -“And we can’t get them on shore any too soon, according to my way of -thinking,” Roy added as he finished cleaning the fish. “No one knows -when another storm may spring up, and I don’t believe the poor old Zoe -would stand a second such beating as she got yesterday. It may be we -haven’t many days left in which to strip her.” - -“We’ll begin as soon as breakfast is over. It won’t take more than two -hours to put up the other tent, and by nightfall there should be enough -here to last us a good many months, if we don’t get too extravagant and -serve bacon with our fish,” he added laughingly as he saw what Roy was -preparing to do. - -“If you knew very much about cooking you wouldn’t grumble at anything -like this. All first-class cooks, including myself, serve bacon with -fish.” - -“Not when they are cast away with no chance of replenishing their -stores.” - -“I can’t say as to that until after making inquiries, but I’ll let you -know at the first convenient opportunity. Breakfast is ready, if the -boarders will please arrange themselves on the ground in proper -attitudes.” - -“I’ll start the thing,” Ned said as he seated himself near the stove, -“an’ after we’ve eaten our full I’ll show you fellows something that’ll -make your eyes stick out more’n they ever did before.” - -“Something connected with the island?” Vance asked. - -“Yes.” - -“Then tell us now, or I shall spoil my breakfast trying to guess what it -is.” - -“It would spoil your breakfast for a certainty if I should even hint at -it, and this grub is too good to be wasted.” - -Neither Roy nor Vance fancied for a moment that their companion could -have any very important secret, but they bantered him to reveal it until -the last fish and slice of bacon had disappeared, when he said with an -air of seriousness which surprised them: - -“Put the dishes away while I go aboard the steamer for a shovel, an’ -when I come back you’ll get the biggest kind of a surprise.” - -The boys understood from the tone in which Ned had spoken that he was -not trying to make sport of them, and both watched him earnestly as he -returned with the necessary tools for unearthing his treasure. - -“Now keep your eyes peeled,” he said as he began the work, “an’ tell me -what you see.” - -Exclamations of surprise burst from the lips of the boys when the piles -of silver were exposed to view, and Ned turned the pieces over much like -a miser counting his hoard. - -“Is this all yours?” Vance cried as soon as he had recovered from his -surprise sufficiently to be able to speak. - -“I reckon it is, seein’s how I’m the first one to find it.” - -“Find it?” the boys cried in concert. - -“That’s what I said. It was in a box, but I didn’t have anything to open -the cover with, so had to burn it off, an’ after that there was nothin’ -left in which to put the money.” - -“How many dollars’ worth are there?” - -“I haven’t had time to count them. I didn’t find the beauties until the -night of the storm.” - -“And was it on this island you discovered them?” - -“Of course. You don’t fancy Captain Bragg would send that much ashore -with me, do you?” - -“Where did it come from?” Roy cried, pale with excitement. - -“I’ll show you, an’ it seems as if we ought to be able to get more, for -I didn’t hunt very much.” - -Ned led the way through the grove, his companions urging him to greater -speed, so eager were they to see the exact spot from which the treasure -had been taken. - -“There it is,” he finally said as he pointed to the blackened timbers -which could be seen above the sand. - -“A pirate vessel!” Vance exclaimed. - -“I don’t think so,” Ned replied decidedly, although his ideas as to what -a piratical craft might be like were very hazy. “It don’t seem as if -they’d keep money boxed up the same as that was which I found. I was -after the timbers to build a hut of, an’ dug the sand away with sticks, -so you can fancy I didn’t have a chance to search over very much space.” - -The storm had obliterated all signs of his labor, but he remembered -exactly which of the ancient timbers he had counted on first taking -away, and was thus able to point out the exact spot where the treasure -had reposed so long. - -“Let’s overhaul the whole place, and see what we can find,” Vance cried -excitedly, and would have started at full speed after a shovel but for -Roy, who caught him by the arm as he said impressively: - -“Wait a minute. There is plenty of time, and we’d better talk this -matter over. No one can say how long we may be obliged to stay here, and -perhaps the hour will come when food seems more valuable than gold. If -there is other treasure in this place it will stay, and that is what -can’t be said for the yacht.” - -“You think we’d better get the grub ashore before foolin’ ’round here?” -Ned asked. - -“Yes, most decidedly. When we have taken from the yacht all which may be -useful, we shall still have plenty of time to dig over this sand. Or, -even if it happens that we are rescued very soon, our fathers will be -willing to come here after hearing Ned’s story.” - -“Very well, let’s get to work at once, for I’m eager to see how many -more of those dollars can be found,” Vance said with a laugh. “I don’t -suppose they’ll do us any good while we’re prisoned here, but it must be -mighty pleasant work digging them out.” - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - WRECKING. - - -As nearly as could be ascertained after the boys were on board the wreck -once more, she had not sustained any very serious damage so far as the -hull was concerned. - -Ned lowered himself down over the port side by means of a rope, and -reported that the timbers appeared to be intact. - -“I can’t see that a single plank has been started, an’ it wouldn’t be -such a terrible job to get her afloat once more.” - -“I guess we won’t try anything of that kind yet awhile,” Roy replied -with a laugh. “It’s positive that some accident happened to the -machinery, and neither Vance nor I could repair it.” - -“I thought you said you had been learnin’ how to run her.” - -“So we did; but we weren’t so far advanced in the study as to be able to -repair a broken engine.” - -“Perhaps there isn’t so very much the trouble. I’ve seen boilers in -Treat’s sawmill blow out a tube or two, an’ it didn’t require any skill -to repair that kind of damage.” - -“There must have been something more serious than that happen, otherwise -she wouldn’t have stopped so suddenly,” Vance replied. “At all events, -we needn’t talk yet awhile of trying to float her. We’ll get the movable -property ashore, and tackle your old hulk before doing anything more in -the way of wrecking.” - -The boys had not anticipated having such a task as was really before -them, until after working at it an hour. - -Very many of the fittings they were most eager to save belonged, or had -fallen, on the starboard side, and in order to reach these it was -necessary to dive, for the hull was filled with water to about half its -breadth. - -When noon came they were glad of a breathing-spell. - -The tent had not yet been put up, and that labor was to be performed -immediately after dinner. - -They had on the shore a large collection of goods, however, and Ned said -as he surveyed the pile: - -“It won’t take us much more than a week to finish the job in great -shape.” - -“Have we got to wait all that time before finding the dollars?” Vance -grumbled. - -“It isn’t certain we shall ever see any more, so there’s no use in -worryin’ about what may not exist.” - -“That’s where you’re right, Ned,” Roy cried. “It may be Vance will have -a chance of learning that there are other things in this world more -valuable than money, although I hope he won’t get the lesson in quite so -rough a manner as is possible.” - -“It isn’t so much the money as it is the pleasure of finding it that I’m -after,” Vance replied laughingly. “To hear you fellows talk any one -would think I had suddenly turned miser.” - -“Then don’t be so impatient to dig,” Roy replied, and just then it was -necessary for him to cease his part in the conversation because the soup -he was making needed his immediate attention. - -Despite the fact that he appeared so eager to hunt for treasure, Vance -was not willing to cut the “nooning” short by so much as a single -minute, for the unusual exertion had tired him thoroughly, and he -insisted that the party should rest not less than two hours. - -“If, as you say, we are likely to be here a long while, there isn’t any -very great need of hurrying, and I feel as if I’d been shoveling coal -for a week.” - -The others were quite as willing as he to delay the labor during the -heat of the day, and the result was that the task of wrecking was not -resumed until nearly three o’clock, when the greater portion of the -remaining time was spent in putting up the tent. - -It was necessary this work be done in a thorough manner, lest the next -gale should level it to the ground, and each fastening was looked to -carefully. - -When the task was finished the young wreckers had good reason to feel -proud of their arrangements for “housekeeping.” - -The cook-tent was placed at right angles with the other, so that one end -of the sleeping apartment would be partially screened from the wind, and -both were lashed together in such a manner as to add to the solidity of -each. - -“It will be a case of losing both or holding all,” Roy said in a tone of -satisfaction as he surveyed the result of their labors. “Now when such -provisions as have not been spoiled by the salt water are under cover, I -shall feel as if we were in fair condition for a long stay here.” - -“Don’t you suppose your fathers will search for you when the yacht fails -to show up at Savannah?” Ned asked. - -“Of course; but the chances they will ever find this little island seem -to me mighty slim,” Roy replied. “It won’t pay to discuss the matter -just now, though, for all that stuff on the shore should be under cover -by sunset. Come on; we shall have to work mighty hard to finish before -dark.” - -And the young wreckers soon learned that Roy was correct. - -The sun had been behind the sea fully an hour before the last package -was sheltered from the weather and the labor of getting supper could be -begun. - -It had been unnecessary to light the lanterns in order to finish the -job. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the stars gave sufficient -light to enable them to see their way to and fro from the beach to the -tent. - -Both Ned and Vance assisted the cook in preparing the evening meal, and -what a delicious sense of comfort was theirs when, supper having been -eaten, all three lay on the soft beds where they could look out over the -ocean! - -“For shipwrecked mariners I think we’re fixed mighty well,” Vance said -dreamily. “We’ve got as good a shelter as could be asked for in this -climate, plenty of water, provisions enough to last several months with -economy, a supply of fish whenever we feel disposed for such food, and a -bank on which to draw for what gold and silver we need to pay with.” - -“Don’t count too much on that, for your checks might not be honored,” -Roy replied with a laugh. “Say, are we going to leave Ned’s treasure out -of doors all the time?” - -“Certainly not. It must be hidden in the store-tent to-morrow. - -“Why do you call it mine?” Ned asked. “I’m livin’ on the stuff brought -by you fellows, an’ it’s only right we should divide the dollars as -well.” - -“I don’t think that would be fair,” Roy replied. “If we find any more -it’ll be the square thing to whack up even, but the pile near the fire -belongs to you entirely.” - -“That’s so,” Vance added, and although Ned insisted he should divide it, -his companions stated positively that they would not take a single -dollar. - -This decision afforded Ned no slight amount of satisfaction, for, even -though he would not have envied them the possession of a full -two-thirds, he felt very much relieved in mind when they refused to -allow him to share the treasure with them. - -But little time was spent over the matter, however. All hands were so -sleepy that even in the midst of quite a heated argument one after -another fell asleep until the camp was in a state of complete repose. - -The sea, which had been so cruel to two of them a few hours previous, -now sang the softest lullaby, and the stars twinkled above them as if -their faces had never been hidden by the angry storm clouds which sent -the wind and rain to overwhelm travelers upon the ocean. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - GHASTLY VISITORS. - - -On the next morning work was resumed upon the wreck, and, following -Ned’s suggestion, the party made a proper division of time, during which -certain tasks were to be performed. - -Seven o’clock was the hour set for Vance and Ned to begin whatever task -might be the most important; but Roy would not join them for an hour -later, in consideration of the fact that he, as cook, had been at work -fully sixty minutes before the others. - -In order that dinner might be ready at a regular time, Roy was to cease -all outside labor an hour before noon, and remain in camp an hour later -than his friends in order to set the “house” to rights generally. At -night he would return from wherever the others might be toiling an hour -sooner than either of his companions, and both were to assist in washing -the dishes used at supper. - -By this division of labor it was certain there could be no complaint -that one was doing more than another, and regularity of movements would -be insured. - -The work of wrecking was continued in a more workmanlike fashion, thanks -also to Ned. - -He rigged a tackle to one of the short masts, and by such means the -goods could be hoisted out of the hold with a great deal less exertion -than was necessary in pushing and pulling by hand. - -This contrivance was particularly useful when they wished to send ashore -a portion of the coal to be used in the range, and, thanks to it, very -much more could be accomplished in a given time with less labor than by -the former haphazard fashion of working. - -Roy’s proposition was to dismantle the yacht entirely, saving everything -possible, even to the machinery, and Ned raised no objections, for all -this would be necessary in order to carry into execution a plan he had -already formed. - -It was his intention to float the little craft if possible. - -While engaged in wrecking he examined thoroughly every portion of the -hull, and became convinced that she was as sound as ever, unless, by -chance, some of the starboard timbers, which it was impossible to see -because of her being heeled over on that side, had been stove. - -Without saying anything regarding this matter to his companions, he was -mentally calculating how the task might best be performed with the -limited appliances at their disposal, and this problem occupied his mind -even to the exclusion of the supposed treasure. - -It must not be fancied, however, that because Ned put from him all -thought of the wealth which might yet be gained from the hulk, the -subject was dropped entirely. - -Vance talked of little save what they would do when the work of -treasure-hunting was begun, and Roy was quite willing to join in such -conversation. - -When the second day of wrecking had come to an end and while the cook -was yet busy over the range with a certain mysterious compound which -Vance declared would be either a stew or a roast as it chanced to turn -in the process of cooking, Ned proposed that his store of silver be -taken better care of than by allowing it to remain under the sand, where -there might be some trouble in finding it quickly should such a -necessity happen to arise. - -Vance was all the more willing to assist in the work because he had a -most intense desire to learn how many dollars there were in the pile, -and the two set about the task, having first converted three -pillow-cases into bags. - -Counting the money proved to be a long job. - -When Roy insisted that his companions postpone the work until after -supper lest the “compound” should be spoiled by getting cold, they had -set out only seventeen piles, in each of which was $100, and the main -portion of the coins seemed nearly as large as ever. - -“There is more than twice that amount in the lot,” Vance said as with a -sigh of regret he ceased his very pleasing occupation of handling the -money long enough to eat, “and it was a lucky day for you when the -captain of the Evening Star decided to scuttle her.” - -“It seems so,” Ned said just a trifle doubtfully; “but both the money -and I are here on a key which doesn’t appear to be in the track of -sailing vessels, and it is a very serious question whether the silver -will do us much good.” - -“We’re bound to get away some time,” Vance replied in a positive tone. -“We must be somewhere off the coast of Florida, and I don’t believe we -can stay such a very long while without being discovered.” - -“What do you call a long while?” Ned asked. - -“Two or three months.” - -“Suppose a year should roll around, and we were still in this place?” - -“Before then I should advocate trusting ourselves to a raft.” - -“Built out of what?” - -“There is plenty of stuff. We could cut down trees enough to make a -famous craft, with what might be taken from the yacht.” - -“But you forget that she is likely to go to pieces in the next gale.” - -“Stop discussing the future possibilities,” Roy cried impatiently. -“There will be time for that after all the work has been done, and just -now I want you to find out whether I’ve got a roast or a stew. It isn’t -such a great while ago since Vance was worrying terribly about it, and -now the stuff is getting cold.” - -Ned was perfectly willing to sample Roy’s cookery, but he did not intend -that the subject which he had brought up should be dropped without a -thorough discussion. - -He was most eager to interest his companions in the task of saving the -little steamer, and mentally resolved to broach the matter again at the -first convenient opportunity. - -There was no mistaking the savory dish Roy set before them for anything -but stew, even though it had been made of canned meat, and the tired -boys ate until even the counting of silver seemed very much like a -hardship. - -A short siesta seemed absolutely necessary after such a hearty meal, and -not until an hour had passed was the work of stowing away the treasure -resumed. - -Then all three assisted in the counting, and when the task had been -completed they knew Ned’s find amounted to exactly twenty eight hundred -Mexican dollars. - -“The pile looked as if it was much larger,” Vance said in a tone of -disappointment as the last piece was placed in one of the pillow-case -bags. - -“Considering the fact that it was got without very much labor, I don’t -think there is any reason to kick,” Roy replied with a laugh. “To hear -you one would fancy you thought you were an injured individual because -the money wasn’t counted, placed in bags bearing your monogram, and -tagged in proper shape.” - -“No, that’s where you’re wrong,” Vance said gravely. “I’m willing to do -the counting and stowing away, but I don’t like to make such a mistake. -I figured that there couldn’t be less than $6,000 in the lot.” - -“Well, now that you have been undeceived, what do you propose to do -about it?” - -“Turn in as soon as we hide this stuff somewhere.” - -The question of where the money should be concealed was not easily -settled. - -Ned proposed that it be stored with the goods in the cook-tent, but -neither Vance nor Roy would agree to anything of the kind. - -Although there was not a living being on the island except themselves, -it did not seem safe to leave so much wealth lying around loose, and -Vance actually appeared afraid some portion of it might be spirited -away. - -He suggested that the bags be placed under the mattresses, and this plan -was tried, but only to be rejected, for although it is pleasant to have -a great many dollars, it is not comfortable to lie on them, and the -possession of the treasure promised to deprive the boys of no little -amount of sleep. - -It was nearly ten o’clock when the matter was finally settled by -depositing the silver in a tool chest which had been brought ashore from -the yacht, and then the castaways were able to gain the necessary rest. - -Two more days were spent in wrecking, and by the end of that time -everything worth saving, except the machinery, had been brought ashore. - -The store-tent was well filled, and it was so difficult to find any -particular article which might be needed that Roy insisted one day -should be devoted to repacking the goods in such a manner that they -could find what might chance to be needed without being forced to -overhaul the entire stock. - -Thus another day went by without their searching for more treasure or -making any progress toward regaining the mainland. - -During all this time a strict watch had been kept, as a matter of -course, in the hope of sighting a sail, but nothing larger than a -sea-gull’s wing had come within their range of vision. - -They were beginning to realize that it might be weeks, perhaps months, -before they would succeed in leaving the key. - -It was on the morning after the store-tent had been put in proper shape -that Roy, who in his capacity of cook was forced to rise earlier than -the others, electrified his companions by shouting as he went outside -the camp to build the fire: - -“Here’s a boat heading this way, fellows!” - -It can readily be fancied how quickly the boys leaped to their feet at -the summons, and running with all speed to where Roy was standing, they -saw the object to which he referred. - -There certainly was _something_ on the sea a long distance from the key, -but whether it was actually a boat or not neither was able to say with -any degree of certainty. - -“I believe I can see her bow as she rises on the swell!” Roy cried after -they had stood gazing in silence several moments upon the floating -object. - -“That can’t be, unless she is empty, for if so much could be -distinguished, we should see the oars as they were raised or lowered.” - -“Perhaps those on board are asleep.” - -“That isn’t very possible, if they are shipwrecked sailors, as seems -likely.” - -“Why couldn’t they be pleasure seekers?” Vance asked. - -“Because it isn’t probable they’d fool around here in such a craft as -that appears to be. There isn’t so much as a mast to be seen, and if -anybody was coming here for fun they wouldn’t depend on oars all the -time, when the wind would send them along very much faster.” - -There could be no question but that Ned’s argument was a good one, and -the boys watched eagerly for some signs of life. - -An hour passed, and neither had thought it might be well to economize -the time by getting breakfast. - -Now the floating object could be seen quite distinctly, for both the -current and the light breeze was setting it directly toward the key. - -There was no longer any question as to what it was. - -They could distinguish the bow and stern as the little craft was raised -on the gentle swell, and Ned finally said: - -“She’s a boat about the size of the three I saw on board the Evening -Star, and most likely has gone adrift from some vessel. If there was -anybody on her we should have seen them before this.” - -“It’ll be a mighty lucky thing for us if she comes ashore here, for we -shall be able to leave this place as soon as we have dug up the rest of -your silver,” Vance suggested. - -Singularly enough, the others had not thought of this, and it seemed as -if fortune was favoring them wonderfully. - -“It won’t be much of a job to rig up a spar and make a sail out of our -canvas,” Roy said, and Ned began to regret her coming, for with such a -means of departing from the island he feared his companions would not be -willing to assist in saving the Zoe. - -“We might as well have breakfast,” Vance suggested. “It will be at least -two hours more before she comes ashore, and there’s no reason why we -should stand here like statues.” - -This remark reminded Roy of his duties, and he went at once to the -range, where he was soon engaged in preparing the morning meal, stopping -every few moments to look at the on-coming boat. - -When breakfast had been cooked and eaten the craft was within half a -mile of the shore, and no one believed she had an occupant, because as -yet not a sign of life had been seen. - -Ned was the first to note the fact that she was hardly in as perfect a -condition as had been fancied. - -“Look at her port rail when she comes up on the waves once more!” he -cried. “I believe it has been stove.” - -“It certainly appears like that,” Roy replied after a careful scrutiny, -and as she drifted nearer it was soon ascertained that she was hardly -more than a wreck. - -Such a sea as might have been kicked up by an ordinary breeze would have -swamped her at once, and Roy fancied he had solved the question as to -how she chanced to be drifting around in that vicinity. - -“There has been a collision at sea not far away, and this craft was torn -out of the davits. According to my way of thinking, there must have been -a couple of vessels near here last night.” - -“It’s precious little good that would have done us if they kept out of -sight or passed the key while we were asleep,” Vance grumbled. “Perhaps -we ought to stand watch during the night.” - -“That wouldn’t effect very much, for we shouldn’t be able to see any -great distance, and I don’t suppose an ordinary craft’s lights make much -of a show half a mile away.” - -“It isn’t likely we’d— Look there!” Ned cried excitedly, interrupting -himself as the boat was swung around by the swell just as she was -sliding down from the crest of a wave and the interior was momentarily -exposed to view. - -Both Vance and Roy had seen the same thing which had attracted Ned’s -attention so suddenly, and they were very pale. - -“What did you make out?” the former asked, as if distrusting his own -eyes. - -“A dead man,” Ned replied solemnly. - -“That is what I thought I saw,” Roy added. - -During several moments neither of the party spoke. - -It seemed like an ill omen to have this craft with its freight of death -borne by an unseen force directly to the place where they had been cast -by the wickedness of man and the fury of the elements. - -The boat with her ghastly crew was coming straight for them as if -steered by the lifeless man, and no course could have been more true had -she been fully manned. - -“It’s either some sailor who has lost his vessel at sea and been -drifting around until he starved to death, or one who was in this boat -when the collision——” - -“There are two of them!” Vance cried as the little craft rolled -shoreward once more. - -“Perhaps they ain’t dead!” Ned exclaimed, and the possibility that these -apparent corpses might be sufferers to whom life could be restored took -from the scene much which had appeared uncanny. - -The boys advanced to the very edge of the surf, ready to pull the craft -ashore as soon as she should strike the sand, and ten minutes later she -was so near that everything on board could be distinctly seen. - -There was no longer any hope the occupants were alive. - -Neither was it any question as to how they had died. - -The interior of the little craft was covered with blood, and several -ghastly slashes across the face of one told that it had been a duel to -the death. - -It was left for Ned to add the crowning horror to this terrible tragedy. - -“It’s Captain Bragg and his mate, Mr. Stout!” he cried, and then covered -his face with his hands as if unable longer to look upon the horrible -scene. - -The boys could readily picture all that had taken place on the boat. - -The Evening Star had probably been scuttled as agreed upon between the -two officers, who had most likely left the sinking brig in a boat by -themselves. - -Then a quarrel had arisen, perhaps in regard to the division of the -spoils, and, armed with knives if nothing more, the duel had been -fought. - -To the affrighted three on the beach it seemed as if they could see the -hideous tragedy as the men, frantic with passion, faced each other in -that frail craft. - -How she must have tossed to and fro beneath their heavy tread! How many -waves had been shipped while they were locked in the last wild clutch, -and what must have been the thoughts of the dying survivor as he sat in -front of his lifeless adversary, knowing he would soon join him on the -last voyage, which would end only when they were brought before the -all-seeing Judge to answer not only for this, but all the crimes they -had ever committed! - -“I would be willing to stay on this key a mighty long while rather than -leave in that craft,” Vance said with a shudder, and neither he nor his -companions thought any longer that a way of escape had been opened to -them by the coming of the boat. - -It was destined, however, that there should be no possibility of their -ever putting to sea in the craft which had brought such a cargo of -crime’s evidences. - -Within twenty yards of where they were standing a fringe of coral rose -nearly to the surface of the water, and when the boat was almost over -this a short wave lifted her on high. Then, receding, it allowed the -half wrecked craft to drop directly upon the knife-like coral. - -The timbers were divided as if with a saw, and the dead bodies of the -murderers flung out inside the small reef, where the action of the water -caused them to advance and retreat as if swimming in sport. - -The boys would have thought it possible the men were yet alive, owing to -these grotesque movements, but for the fact that they had been watching -them so long, and after one quick, frightened glance at the hideous -corpses, the castaways, with a common impulse, ran to the tent to shut -out from view the horrible scene. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - TREASURE-SEEKING. - - -Not until they were in the tent cowering among the bedclothes as if -fearing they might have been pursued by specters did either of the party -realize how foolishly he was acting. - -Ned was the first to rise to his feet and step outside the camp. - -“See here, fellows,” he said after gazing toward the place where such a -terrible sight had been seen, and noted the fact that the fragments of -the boat were drifting past the island, “we mustn’t allow ourselves to -be such fools. It was the swirl of the water that made those bodies swim -around in that fashion.” - -“Of course it was; but how horrible they looked!” Roy replied. - -“That’s a fact; but we’ve got to brace up and get them out of the way. -Most likely they’ll stay inside the reef until a storm throws them -ashore, unless we do something.” - -“What do you mean?” - -“We are bound to bury them.” - -“I wouldn’t go within fifty yards of where they are,” Vance said -tremblingly. “It seemed as if they were trying to catch us.” - -“Now you are talking nonsense. We have got to stay here, that’s certain, -and it won’t do to have a place that we’re afraid of. It would be mighty -disagreeable to see those corpses every time we were forced to pass -there, and our only course is to get them under the sand as soon as -possible. It won’t be so bad if we do the work now as if we waited and -imagined all sorts of horrible things.” - -“Ned is right,” Roy said as he stepped to the door of the tent, trying -unsuccessfully to appear brave. “It will be a disagreeable job, and -therefore should be finished at once.” - -“And we’ve got to have their graves where we must look at them every -day? It is horrible!” and again Vance covered his face to shut out the -pictures conjured up by imagination. - -“We’ll drag them to the other side of the island where I was landed, if -that will make the matter any better,” Ned replied. “It’ll be a long, -hard job, but ’way ahead of feeling that we could never go near the spot -again, for now they are in plain sight from where the yacht lies.” - -“How will you haul them across?” Roy asked. - -“Pull them on to a piece of canvas; roll it up and tie it securely, -leaving an end to which a drag-rope can be fastened. It will take the -greater portion of the day, and we’d better get about it at once.” - -Roy forced himself to put from his mind all that was hideous in the -matter and treat it as a necessary, though disagreeable, task which must -be accomplished. - -He and Ned selected from their stores one of the steamer’s jibs, cut it -into such sized pieces as was thought sufficiently large for the -purpose, and marched resolutely out to the spot where the boat had been -shattered. - -Vance was ashamed to remain idle while they were working and after a -brief delay joined them. - -It devolved upon Ned to secure the bodies, which he did by wading into -the surf and passing a noose under and around them. - -Then he also was forced to roll them in the canvas shrouds; but after -this had been done, and the ghastly freight presented the appearance of -merchandise rather than human forms, Vance was ready to assist in the -task of dragging them across the island. - -“We shall need a couple of shovels,” Ned said when everything was in -readiness for the journey. “Vance shall carry them, and he can spell one -of us when we’re tired.” - -This was a division of labor at which no one could complain, and the -fatiguing journey was begun, the heavy weight causing the most severe -labor necessary in order to pull them through the sand. - -It was a great undertaking to convey the bodies so far, but all three of -the boys believed they were fully warranted in such an expenditure of -strength and energy, because of the relief of mind which would be theirs -when the corpses were so far from the camp that even the burial-place -could not be seen. - -It was considerably past noon when they arrived at the opposite shore, -and then it was necessary to dig the grave. - -Owing to the fact that the deposit of sand on the coral foundation of -the island was shallow, this was not a long nor a difficult task, and -the boys felt a decided sense of relief when the canvas shrouds were -hidden from view. - -Both murderers, and both murdered, they shared a common grave where -their bones might at any time be disturbed by the action of the waves, -and there was little doubt but that during the next severe storm the -bodies would be disinterred. - -There was nothing the boys could do to prevent this unless they had been -willing to bury them in the center of the island overlooking their camp, -which would be in the highest degree disagreeable. - -The spot selected was where Ned had been landed, and there was a certain -poetic justice in thus leaving the two where they had left the boy who -had been so unfortunate as to have heard their guilty secret. - -“It’s lucky for me they concluded that I must be marooned,” Ned said as -they retraced their steps over the hot, shimmering sand. “If they hadn’t -done that most likely I’d been taken in the boat with them to prevent my -telling the men what I’d heard, an’ in that case where would I be now?” - -“Overboard, I reckon,” Roy replied in a tone of awe. “It must have been -a terrible fight before the first man died, and you would have been -forced over the side while they were leaping around trying to kill each -other. Spider Key has used you mighty well, according to my way of -thinking.” - -“That’s a fact, and I’m expecting to have yet better luck here. When we -get back to camp I’m goin’ to open up a scheme to you fellows, an’ I -hope you’ll see things in the same light I do.” - -“What’s in the wind now?” - -“I’ll tell you when we get back. The day is so nearly spent that it -won’t pay to begin work until morning, an’ we shall have plenty of time -to talk.” - -The others were obliged to curb their curiosity as best they could, for -Ned absolutely refused to gratify it until they were where a -conversation could be carried on in a comfortable manner. - -After the disagreeable work and the general excitement and horrors of -the morning, none of the party felt particularly hungry, therefore Roy -served a cold lunch for dinner, promising a more hearty meal at night. - -“It’s so late now that if I tried to do very much cooking it would be -sunset before the job was finished,” he explained. - -“This is good enough for me,” Ned replied as he helped himself to some -sea biscuit and a generous slice of cheese. - -“Then while you are eating suppose you give us a glimpse of that famous -scheme. It is better to talk about almost anything rather than sit here -thinking of what we have just seen,” and Vance moved nearer, as if the -closest possible companionship was necessary in order to drive away the -memories of the morning. - -“It isn’t so very much that I’ve got to say, but it counts for a good -deal in my mind. To begin with, we want to get away from here as soon as -we can.” - -“That goes without saying, and especially now,” Roy replied with a -nervous laugh. - -“And it may be a year before any craft comes this way.” - -“I’m not prepared to admit quite as much as that, for a vessel of some -kind must happen around before so much time elapses.” - -“Well, we would get tired in considerably less than six months. While -there is plenty to be done a fellow don’t have a chance to get lonesome; -but how about when there’s nothin’ to do but walk around thinkin’ of -where we’d like to be?” - -“Of course we shall be lonesome then,” Vance replied impatiently. “I -wish we were certain of getting away as soon as we’d overhauled the -hulk, for in the course of a week our folks will understand that -something has happened to us, and it’ll be terrible to know they are -feeling bad when we are all right.” - -“Then instead of waitin’ for a craft to come, which may never happen, -why not do all we can toward rescuing ourselves?” - -“How can we accomplish more than we are now doing?” - -“By launching the yacht.” - -“You’re crazy,” Vance replied impatiently. - -“We never could do it, no matter how hard we might try,” Roy added, as -if the idea was so preposterous that it was worse than useless to -discuss it. - -“You are both wrong,” Ned said quietly. “The job can be done if we set -about it in a proper manner, and if you’ll agree to work with me three -days, I’ll show you it isn’t so much of an undertaking as you seem to -think.” - -“Why, we couldn’t put her on an even keel, let alone get her off the -bank.” - -“I’ll have her swung around in forty-eight hours and ready for launching -two days after that,” Ned said doggedly. - -“How would you go to work?” - -“In the first place I’d carry both anchors as far as the cables would -run, make them fast to the capstan, and, aided by the tide, haul in -until she was pulled up on her keel.” - -“Should you swim out with the anchors?” Vance asked with just a tinge of -sarcasm perceptible in his tones. - -“How long would it take to build a raft?” - -“If you were going to do that it would be best to make one large enough -to carry us to the mainland.” - -“We haven’t the materials for that. A small one would answer our purpose -in floating her, and I can rig up such a craft alone. Say, suppose you -two dig for the treasure and leave me to get ready? I won’t ask you to -help me more than an hour the first day, and then when I call on you for -regular work you may decide whether my plan can be carried out.” - -Ned was so deeply in earnest his companions could not but be impressed, -and Vance, realizing that by agreeing to this proposition he would be -able to get at the treasure-seeking just so much the sooner, replied: - -“I’m willing if Roy is.” - -“And I shouldn’t be surprised if Ned was correct in what he says,” the -cook added thoughtfully. “A few men have moved a large ship before now, -and I don’t see why, with so much in the way of material for working, -the Zoe could not be gotten into deep water.” - -“She can!” Ned exclaimed, rendered even more excited than before by his -partial success in convincing his companions. “What will be the -difference between floating her and finding silver dollars? She is worth -three such lots of coin as I dug up, and even if there is more treasure -in the hulk, the chances are that there isn’t as much as would pay for -her.” - -“She cost $8,000,” Roy replied. - -“Think of it! We know how to earn that much money, or save it, which -amounts to the same thing, and yet are not willing to make one trial. -She isn’t hurt any to speak of, and even if half a dozen timbers have -been shattered, it wouldn’t cost a great deal to replace them.” - -“But we shall probably be unable to work the engine in case you get her -off the bank.” - -“Well, what of that? If a vessel comes along, we can have her towed into -port. She will lay in the little bay as snug as a bug in a rug if we -moor her properly, but is bound to go to pieces in case the next heavy -gale finds her where the surf can beat directly upon her bottom.” - -It was impossible not to be convinced by the arguments which Ned brought -forward, and the boys began to consider seriously the idea of escaping -from the key by means of the yacht. He seemed to be so positive it could -be accomplished that they fancied it was a very much more simple matter -than had at first been supposed. - -Vance insisted, however, that the proposition should stand as first -made. - -“You get things in order for floating the yacht, and Roy and I will see -what there is under the sand which covers the old hulk. We can come up -to help you at any time, and when you are ready for the more serious -part of the business we shall have finished our job.” - -As a matter of fact Ned would have preferred that they work together, -since the task could be accomplished in so much less time when there -were hands enough to carry everything forward at the same moment; but he -could not well object after having been the one to propose it, and -thought he had succeeded very well in effecting this much. - -There was no intention of beginning any new labor now that the night was -so near at hand. - -All were both tired and depressed because of the scenes through which -they had passed, and they remained in the tent discussing Ned’s plan -until it was time to prepare another meal. - -After this had been eaten Ned and Vance were eager to retire, the former -that he might be ready to begin work on the yacht at an early hour, and -the latter in order to commence the search for treasure at the earliest -possible moment. - -Both were awake before the sun showed his face above the waters, and Roy -was surprised by the offers of assistance he received. - -When breakfast had been finished Ned went on board the wreck to map out -his work, but Vance was forced to wait until the cook had finished his -regular morning tasks, for the two were to overhaul the old hulk in -company. - -Ned had no fears as to the result of his labors, providing nothing -occurred to prevent him from doing as he wished, and as the -anchor-laying was the most important, he began that at once by building -a raft. - -Had the others been with him this task would have been comparatively a -light one, but forced to work at a disadvantage because alone, he had -hardly got the first layer of timbers secured in place, when a series of -wildest yells from the vicinity of the hulk attracted his attention. - -“If I thought they’d found another box I wouldn’t stir a step from this -place,” he said to himself; “but it may be they are in trouble of some -kind, and I s’pose I must find out.” - -Making fast his timbers that they might not float away and thus -necessitate the additional labor of preparing more, Ned started at full -speed through the grove, and on arriving at the opposite side saw Vance -and Roy dancing wildly around an excavation in the sand, alternately -calling him by name and yelling after the fashion of a Comanche Indian. - -“They’ve dug out more money!” Ned cried, and for the time being the raft -and the yacht were forgotten, for he could be as enthusiastic over -treasure-finding as either of the others. - -“What have you got?” he cried, dashing forward at a swift pace. - -“Come and see!” Vance shouted. “Hurrah for Spider Key! Hurrah for -ourselves! Hurrah for the pirates’ treasure!” - -There was certainly sufficient to cause excitement. - -When he arrived at the scene of their labors it was only necessary for -Ned to peer over the huge wall of sand which had been thrown up, in -order to see four boxes lying side by side, exactly like the one he had -previously found. - -It was evident they had been stored in the very stern of the craft, -probably under the cabin floor, as was customary when sailing vessels -carried much treasure, and who could say how many years the wealth had -been lying on the shore of Spider Key, awaiting the chance which should -lead to its discovery? - -“That’s the same sort I found!” Ned cried, equally as much excited now -as the others. “Let’s have them out of there. We’ll get back to camp an’ -open the boxes!” - -Two of the packages were much heavier than the rest, and Vance said: - -“These fellows are full of gold! Talk about mining in California! Why, -it isn’t a marker alongside of this way of finding money all coined and -ready to spend!” - -The boys had a difficult task to raise the boxes from their long -resting-place, and the united strength of all three was necessary in -order to place them above the wall of sand. - -“You’ve got the whole of it this time,” Ned said as he wiped the -perspiration from his face and turned to look at the spot from which the -treasure had been removed. “How long did it take you to shovel all that -sand away?” - -“Not such a very great while. We wanted to make certain of getting at -the entire collection, so Roy began on one side and I the other. We had -cleared almost the whole space before striking the boxes.” - -It was fully half an hour before the treasure-seekers recovered from -their excitement sufficiently to take any steps toward conveying their -treasure to the tent, and then it was decided to make a sort of litter -with poles, for the weight of two of the packages was too great to admit -of their being carried by one boy. - -As a matter of course this required considerable time, and it was an -hour past noon when Vance began to chop at the top of the first box for -the purpose of opening it. - -The wood was not so rotten but that a good deal of labor was necessary -in order to effect his purpose, and then exclamations of delight burst -from the lips of all. - -This was one of the heaviest boxes, and, as Vance had predicted, was -filled with gold coins, the majority of them having come from a Spanish -mint. - -Owing to the fact that they were unable to determine the value of many -of the pieces, it was impossible to figure up the amount of the “find;” -but, judging from the weight, in comparison with that of the silver, the -total sum was very large. - -Vance was not satisfied until he had opened all four of the boxes, -finding gold in two and silver in both the others. - -“It isn’t a pirate’s hoard, that’s certain,” he said after looking at -the wealth until his eyes fairly ached. “But never mind who it may have -belonged to once, there can be no question but that it’s ours now by -right of discovery.” - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - THE YACHT. - - -That they were the possessors of a large sum of money there could be no -question, and after he fully realized this very pleasing fact, Vance was -as eager as any of his companions to escape from the key. - -To Ned’s delight he had come to believe that it was in the highest -degree important they should leave the island in the Zoe, and was now as -ready to push forward the work on her as he previously had been to -search for the hidden treasure. - -“If a vessel should come along this minute and offer to take us off, I -don’t see how we could leave,” he said as he stood gazing at the money. - -“Why not?” Roy asked in surprise. - -“Because we couldn’t carry all this wealth away without the fact being -known, and I shouldn’t like to trust everybody with the secret that -these boxes were filled with gold and silver.” - -“Then you are ready to aid in launching the Zoe?” Ned said -interrogatively. - -“Of course I am. We mustn’t waste a single moment. Help me stack these -boxes up under the tool chest, and we’ll get to work as soon as Roy -cooks dinner.” - -“If I’d known how it was goin’ to affect you I’d voted to go ahead with -the treasure-finding two or three days ago; but I thought it would take -very much longer to clear that hulk of sand.” - -“There hasn’t been any time lost. Do you think it will be many days -before we can have the yacht afloat?” - -“I hope not. It seems as if three of us should be able to do a great -deal in a short while. Suppose you and I tackle the raft while Roy is -doing the cooking? That will put us ahead just so much.” - -The treasure had been stowed away near the beds, and Vance was more than -willing to act upon Ned’s suggestion. - -He followed him to the scene of his morning’s labors, and when Roy -finally called them to dinner Vance grumbled not a little because it was -necessary to cease the work in order to eat. - -“We must have the anchors out before sunset,” he said emphatically, much -as if expecting his companion would object. - -“Of course, for then we’ll be takin’ advantage of the night tide.” - -“And we shall get along much faster, because Roy will be here to help -us.” - -Vance hardly allowed his companions time to eat their dinner properly. - -He urged first one and then the other to make more haste, until Roy said -quite sharply: - -“This morning you thought it was the same as wasting time to work on the -yacht, and now you’re not willing to do the thing in a reasonable way. I -shall eat all I want, and even then there’ll be plenty of daylight in -which to accomplish as much as Ned has laid out for this day’s work.” - -Vance was forced to restrain his ardor, since the others were not -willing to keep at the job with such a rush, and the result was that -very much more labor was performed than if he had been allowed the -direction of affairs. - -The raft was finally built as strongly as Ned thought necessary, and the -largest anchor with plenty of cable loaded on it. - -It was no slight task to paddle the unwieldy craft out to sea with the -heavy hawser trailing astern, and dragging back until oftentimes more -advantage would be lost than gained. - -Vance assisted Ned, both using the oars as paddles, and Roy remained on -the wreck to pay out the cable. - -It was necessary to strain every muscle to accomplish the purpose, but -it was finally done, and the boys pulled swiftly back to the yacht to -ascertain, by bringing the rope to the capstan, what kind of holding -ground they had. - -“Now rouse her in!” Ned cried as he took a double turn and prepared to -hold the slack. “Walk her around, an’ we’ll soon know whether that -blessed anchor has got to be picked up again.” - -It was not necessary to make any change. - -When the hawser was hauled as taut as was possible with such a heavy -rope, the anchor held firm, and Ned said in a tone of satisfaction: - -“There’s the biggest half of our work done! Now we must make this cable -fast somewhere else until the other anchor is in place. By working -lively we can finish it before dark.” - -This seemed like rather a rash statement, since the sun was already very -near the horizon, but so rapidly did the little crew work that the task -was accomplished before night had fully come, and the boys had the -satisfaction of seeing the two ropes stretched far out into the water -like strands of iron. - -“I reckon we can call this a full day’s work,” Ned said as he brought -the raft around on the shore side of the stranded yacht. “If we find -those ropes a little slack to-morrow morning, we shall know she has -slipped off just that much.” - -“But suppose it doesn’t happen?” Roy asked. - -“Then it’ll be a question of using our muscle at the next high tide, and -bringing out a portion of the machinery to lighten her.” - -“If we take the engine apart we shall never be able to get it together -again,” Vance said in alarm. - -“That doesn’t make any difference. We shall have to do it if this plan -don’t work, and then try to get her along under sail. We’ve got canvas -enough to fit her out in pretty good shape.” - -“There won’t be any show of going very fast with the screw dragging -behind.” - -“I’ll be satisfied if we make two knots an hour, for that’s more than -we’re doing now.” - -The boys were thoroughly tired when they returned to the tent, but so -much had been accomplished since sunrise that they were hardly aware of -their weariness. - -The treasure was only spoken of now and then, but Vance and Roy talked -almost incessantly of floating the yacht, and Ned felt well satisfied -that before very long they would be sailing in search of the mainland. - -The possibility of getting free from the island suggested to his mind -something which he had paid very little attention to before. - -“How shall we know what way to steer when we are ready to leave?” - -“Jimminey! I never thought of that,” Vance exclaimed. “I haven’t the -slightest idea where the coast of Florida is, except that it seems as -if, it should be in that direction,” and he pointed toward the west. - -Roy felt quite positive they ought to steer a northerly course, while -Ned, having been locked in the state-room so long before coming ashore, -was unable to form any idea whatever. - -“We shall be an interestin’ kind of a crew when we do get started,” he -said with a laugh. “How are we to decide the matter?” - -“I know I’m right,” Vance replied decidedly. - -“And I’m convinced the mainland lies to the north of us,” Roy added in -quite as positive a tone. - -“I don’t know anything about it, so it will be necessary for you fellows -to fight it out among yourselves.” - -“Of course you’ll agree that we want to get back to Key West rather than -attempt to go to Savannah?” Vance said to Roy. - -“Certainly.” - -“Well, suppose this key is on the very edge of the line of shoals, and -we steer due north: there’s a possibility of our striking straight -across to where we were originally bound, which wouldn’t be pleasant.” - -“Well, what if we went to the west?” - -“We are positive this key isn’t south of Key West, and if we run a -westerly course we’re bound to strike some land between here and the -Gulf of Mexico.” - -“It’s my opinion that Vance has got the best of this argument,” Ned said -with a laugh, and Roy replied: - -“I reckon he has, and I’ll get supper if you fellows will turn to and -help. After dragging on those heavy ropes it doesn’t seem as if I had -strength enough to feed myself.” - -All were hungry, but felt at the same time so tired that the exertion of -cooking seemed too great to be thought of, and Ned proposed that they -content themselves with a cold supper. - -“I can soon build a fire on the ground large enough to cook the coffee, -and that will be all we shall need.” - -The others were perfectly willing to agree to this proposition, and the -last work of the day was quickly dispatched. - -Then the boys lay down to rest, and neither of them felt like prolonging -a conversation when their eyes were so heavy. - -Before nine o’clock the three were sleeping soundly, and it seemed to -Vance that he had but just lost himself in slumber, when he was aroused -by what sounded very much like a groan, as if a human being was in -agony. - -There were cold, bead-like drops of perspiration on his face as he -raised himself to a sitting posture and listened. - -The unearthly sound was repeated, and he trembled with fear, while -before his eyes came a picture of the horrible sight he had witnessed -during the forenoon. - -Now Vance was not a boy who believed in ghosts or anything of that kind, -but he knew perfectly well there were no other persons on the island, -and yet here was a noise apparently close at hand, which must have been -made by a human being. - -“Of course those men whom we buried were dead,” he said to himself, “and -if I waken the fellows they’ll insist I’m afraid of my own shadow.” - -He was about to lie down again when the unearthly sound floated on the -night air once more, and this time he fancied it came from some point -nearer the tent than before. - -There was no longer any fear in his mind that Ned and Roy would think -him cowardly. - -Anything was better than listening to such noises while his companions -were unconscious in slumber, and he shook Ned, who chanced to be nearest -him, violently. - -“What’s the matter?” the sleepy boy asked as he rubbed his eyes. - -“Hush! Don’t speak so loud! I’ve been hearing the queerest kind of a -noise. It sounds as if some one was on the island.” - -Ned’s eyes had closed again while Vance was talking, and the latter -shook him yet more violently than before. - -“Wake up and listen. It may be that men have landed, and we must look -out for the treasure!” - -This was sufficient to render Ned very wide awake, and he raised himself -on his elbow as he said: - -“I don’t hear anything.” - -“Wait awhile and you will.” - -It was not necessary for Ned to listen many seconds; Vance had hardly -ceased speaking when the noise was heard again, and one would have -failed to decide which boy was the most frightened. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - THE MYSTERY. - - -Ned was unable to form any idea as to the cause of such a doleful sound. - -He knew, or thought he did, that there was no one on the key when they -lay down, and yet there could be no mistaking the fact that something -unusual was going on. - -The most natural course appeared to be the awakening of Roy, but this -was not accomplished without considerable difficulty, for the cook was a -very sound sleeper, and on this particular night it seemed as if his -eyelids were glued together. - -It might have been really impossible to arouse him if, just at the -moment when he was more nearly awake than at any time since Ned began -operations, the groan had not been heard. - -This time it was of a most doleful kind, and so loud that one might have -heard it half a mile away. - -Roy was wide awake in an instant, asking wildly as he scrambled to his -feet: - -“What was that?” - -“We’ve been trying to find out,” Ned replied. “I can’t think of anything -around here that could make such a noise. It’s horrible!” - -“Light one of the lanterns.” - -“What good will that do?” - -“If any one attempts to get in here we shall be able to see what is -going on,” Roy whispered. - -“And if the thing which made the noise is bent on mischief, the light of -the lantern showing through the canvas might make matters worse.” - -“But we must try to learn what’s the matter.” - -“I’ll creep softly out if you fellows will follow. I’m willin’ to admit -that it frightens me an’ don’t care to take the chances of going alone.” - -“I’ll stay close at your heels.” - -Ned started, but did not attempt to rise to his feet. - -Convinced that an enemy was near at hand, such a course hardly seemed -prudent, and he wriggled along over the sand until it was possible to -gain a view of that portion of the island directly in front of the tent. - -The stars were shining brightly and he could see surrounding objects -distinctly, but nothing unusual met his gaze. - -As a matter of course it was impossible to peer through the grove in the -gloom, and while he was wondering if some animal was not among the -trees, the fearsome noise was heard again. - -It appeared to come from the rear of the tent, and Ned turned back to -whisper to his companions: - -“I can’t see a thing, but whatever has come must be in our rear. Shall -we go out?” - -“We’ve got to learn what it is.” - -“I think some animal has swum up from the sea. At all events, we’ll soon -know. Don’t make the slightest noise as you follow me.” - -Then very cautiously Ned crept out until he had a full view of the -shores and as far back in the interior as the center of the island. - -There was not so much as a bird to be seen, and what seemed very -strange, the groan was not repeated, although they listened intently -fully five minutes. - -Then he rose to his feet and his companions did the same. - -The most perfect silence reigned save for the soft lip, lip, lipping of -the water on the sandy shore. - -“Well, that beats me!” Ned said aloud after ten minutes had passed and -nothing was heard. “It can’t be that all three of us have been -dreaming.” - -“There was more than a dream in that terrible noise,” Vance replied with -a shudder. - -Ned led the way completely around the tents and then to the edge of the -grove without having discovered anything. - -“It’s certain we haven’t visitors, and the best thing we can do is to go -to bed again.” - -“I shan’t be able to get another wink of sleep to-night,” Vance said in -a voice that trembled woefully. - -“Then you’ll be on hand to let us know if it comes again. But I won’t -make fun of you,” he added as he saw the look of horror on his -companion’s face, “for it was enough to frighten a wooden man, and I was -as badly scared as any one. There’s no use in staying out here any -longer now we’re certain nothing’s in sight.” - -Ned led the way back to the tent, and once there Roy took good care to -light two lanterns. - -“It won’t do any harm to leave them burning,” he said -half-apologetically. “If we hear the noise again we can at least see -each others’ faces, and there’ll be some little comfort in that.” - -Neither of the party felt very much like indulging in slumber for a long -while, and they sat cross-legged on their beds talking in whispers of -what was to them, as indeed it might have been to any one, the most -profound mystery. - -No reasonable theory could be formed regarding it, and after an hour had -passed with nothing to cause additional fear, one after another of the -little party began to grow sleepy, until all were slumbering soundly -once more. - -If there were any more groans on the island during the night the -castaways were in blissful ignorance regarding them, and not until the -sun had been up from his bath in the sea fully an hour did either of the -party awaken. - -Ned was the first to open his eyes, and after rousing his companions he -ran out of the tent to look for strange footprints in the sand. - -If their unwelcome visitor had come from the sea there must have been -some signs left behind, yet Ned failed to find any. - -He returned to the tent with joyful tidings, however. - -“The yacht must have worked herself off some during the night!” he -cried. “The hawsers are considerably slacker than when we saw them last, -and I fancy she isn’t heeled over quite so much.” - -Vance and Roy ran out of doors to assure themselves by a personal -inspection that such was the case, and the former said, after looking -scrutinizingly at the little steamer: - -“I think you are right, Ned, and I sincerely hope so. If that craft was -afloat I wouldn’t sleep another night on this island. I can stand a good -deal, but when it comes to living where dead men are prowling around, -then I get more than I need.” - -“You surely are not foolish enough to believe that what we heard last -night was caused by those wretches whom we buried,” Roy said in -surprise. - -“Tell me what else could have made the noise, and I’ll own up to being -foolish.” - -“Of course I can’t do that; but this much I’ve got sense enough left to -understand, that there’s no such things as ghosts.” - -“Then what made the noise?” - -Roy turned away unwilling to continue such a profitless conversation, -and Ned said decidedly: - -“If it is heard again I’ll get at the bottom of the mystery, or know the -reason why. We should have gone directly outside when the noise was -first heard.” - -“You were prowling around soon enough to distinguish anything, if it -could be seen,” Vance persisted, “and I have an idea you failed to find -the tracks you counted on.” - -“How did you know that?” - -“I watched while you were searching, and, of course, understood what you -expected to see.” - -Ned joined Roy at the tent without making any further reply. - -He did not believe in ghosts, but at the same time it made him just a -trifle nervous to have Vance attribute the disturbance to an unearthly -source. - -There was too much work to be done before sunset to permit of spending -many moments discussing what was so profitless as the subject of ghosts. - -The hawsers were to be hauled in until they should be as taut as on the -night previous, and Ned was revolving in his mind the use of blocks and -wedges to bring the yacht on an even keel more quickly. - -In order to perform this labor, however, it was necessary all hands -should assist, therefore Ned was forced to remain idle until after -breakfast had been prepared and eaten. - -This did not prove to be such a very long task, owing to the fact that -all hands assisted in the work, and at a reasonably early hour the -wreckers were ready for business. - -The hawsers were drawn as taut as possible once more, and Ned said in a -tone of satisfaction when this had been done: - -“There; now it’s for the tide to do the rest. If it helps us as much as -it did last night, we shan’t have to work a very long while in order to -get her into the bay. Now we’ll rig something to shore her up on this -side, and that will come pretty near finishing the day.” - -He set about this portion of the work with such zeal and determination -that the others, urged on by their fear caused by the noises heard on -the previous night, were soon laboring with feverish eagerness, and -before the tide had turned all had been done that was possible until the -hawsers should need tautening once more. - -“Now we can afford to rest,” Ned said as he walked slowly toward the -tent, wiping the perspiration from his face. - -“And it’s high time,” Roy replied with a laugh. “It plays a fellow out -mighty fast to keep at a job when the weather is so very warm. I don’t -believe I should ever make a very good citizen for this part of the -country.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because the heat pulls me down so severely.” - -“You would soon get accustomed to working in the early morning and late -at night,” Vance replied. “That is the way people do in the tropics.” - -“I notice you don’t take kindly to turning out so very early,” Roy -replied as, they having arrived at the tent, he flung himself upon one -of the mattresses. - -“But it is most likely I should if I got in the habit of indulging in a -siesta every noon, the same as we saw those fellows at Key West.” - -Ned took no part in this conversation. He had followed Roy’s example, so -far as lying down was concerned, but his mind was fully occupied trying -to devise some means for floating the Zoe more quickly than it could be -done by waiting for the tide to pull her off the shore. - -It was not many moments before all the party were in a proper mood for -the siesta, which seems so necessary in warm climates, and before either -was aware of the fact, all three were sleeping soundly. - -How long this state of happy unconsciousness lasted no one could say; -but all were awakened at the same instant by a repetition of the -horrible groaning which had so disturbed and frightened them on the -previous night. - -As if electrified by one common current, the little party sprang to -their feet, and it is no stretch of the imagination to say that Vance’s -teeth were actually chattering from fear. - -“We shall be able to learn what it is this time,” Ned said in a whisper -as he stepped cautiously toward the flap of the tent. - -“That is, if it’s anything which can be seen,” Roy replied gravely, for -he was beginning to share his cousin’s views as to the supernatural -causes of the blood-curdling sounds. - -“Now don’t get as foolish as Vance,” Ned said sharply, and it is just -possible the reproof aided him in controlling his own fears, for even -the boldest could not but have been affected in some degree by the -groans which appeared to come from the immediate vicinity of the tent. - -Cautiously the boy who had been marooned stepped from the camp and -looked around. - -The sun was beating down upon the glistening sands with quite as much -fervor as he had shown at noon-day, and yet not an animate object was -within sight. - -It would have been impossible for the smallest animal to have moved -within the boy’s range of vision and escaped his observation. - -But even as he gazed around him the terrible noise was repeated. - -“It beats me,” he said as Roy stepped close by his side. “I was looking -in the same direction from which the sound seemed to come, and failed to -see anything.” - -“Then perhaps you won’t make so much fun of me after this,” Vance -suggested in a trembling voice as he timidly ventured outside with his -companions. “You can laugh about ghosts as much as you please, but how -else can you account for the noise now, when it is light enough to see -every inch of the island?” - -“I’ve always heard it said that ghosts walk, if it is possible for them -to do such a thing, only in the night, and yet this one seems to be -prowling around while the sun is shining. There must be something in the -grove, an’ I’m goin’ to have a thorough look at the place before I’m -willin’ to admit the men we buried can come back to make trouble for -us.” - -Ned advanced boldly as he spoke, but his companions did not follow. - -It seemed to them as if the tent, frail though it was, might afford some -protection against the unearthly visitant, and they preferred to remain -where it would be possible to beat a retreat if necessary. - -Ned did not pause because of being thus abandoned, as it were, but -continued straight on through the underbrush, overturning every fallen -branch, or poking amid the creeping vines in the hope of disturbing the -author of the terrifying noises. - -Twice while engaged in this work did he hear the groans, and on each -occasion they sounded as if coming from the rear, much nearer the tent. - -“It’s no use to hunt here any longer, for whoever is kicking up the row -must be behind me.” - -Now he also was becoming disturbed in mind. - -There could be no question but that the unearthly sounds came from that -portion of the key where was not the slightest shelter for man or beast, -and he began slowly to retrace his steps. - -While doing so he involuntarily glanced toward the ocean once more, and -noted the fact that it was nearly high water. - -“We shall have to haul in on the hawsers pretty soon, an’ I hope that -groanin’ will stop before then, or else it will be impossible to -persuade Vance into lending us a hand.” - -With this thought in his mind he walked toward the yacht, and was -standing within thirty feet of her when the noise was repeated, and this -time he distinctly saw the little craft move seaward several inches. - -The mystery was explained. - -“Hurrah!” he cried with a shout of triumph, and immediately afterward -burst into a loud fit of laughter. - -“What is the matter?” Roy asked as he ventured out of the tent once -more, his face several shades whiter than it had been, for this last -groan fully convinced him they were to be haunted by the ghosts of those -who had scuttled the Evening Star. - -“I’ve found your spirits, an’ only hope they’ll keep on groanin’, for -then we shall have the yacht afloat just so much the sooner!” - -“What do you mean?” and Roy gathered sufficient courage to admit of his -taking a few steps toward where Ned was standing. - -“Watch the yacht, an’ you’ll soon find out what the trouble is. It’s -high tide, or will be in half an hour. The hawsers are strainin’ hard, -an’ as she has to slip off the shore there comes a sound as if something -was pulled out of the mud.” - -“But there’s no mud here.” - -“I know it, yet at the same time that is what causes the noise. She fell -heavy when she struck, and has made a hole in the sand, where, most -likely, the air is confined. Watch five minutes, and then if you’re not -convinced I’ll give my head for a football. Don’t spend any more time -than necessary, however, for we must help the little craft a bit.” - -After some difficulty Vance was persuaded to join the committee on -investigation, and while they kept their eyes fixed upon the yacht, Ned -clambered on board by aid of the raft. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - AFLOAT. - - -It was not necessary for the boys to wait very long before the mystery -was as plain to them as to Ned. - -In a few moments a prolonged and particularly unearthly groan was heard, -which began as the Zoe commenced to move seaward and ceased when she -stopped. - -There could no longer be any question in regard to the matter, and Roy -said in a tone of the most intense relief: - -“Well, that settles it. I had began to make a fool of myself, and am -mighty glad it’s settled at last. If we had left the key without having -discovered the cause of the noises, I’m afraid I should have been -convinced so long as I lived that this island was haunted by the captain -and mate of the Evening Star. What do you think now, Vance?” - -“That we’ve been mighty silly. Almost anybody, except Ned, would have -been frightened by such sounds when they knew there wasn’t a living -thing on the key.” - -“I might as well own up that I was in a pretty bad funk toward the last -of it,” Ned replied with a hearty laugh. “That last screech came mighty -near settlin’ me, an’ if I hadn’t happened to be standin’ close to the -yacht when the next one came, I reckon I’d joined you in the tent. But -now that the thing is settled, one of you come aboard with me an’ help -haul in on the longest cable. The other must stay on the raft an’ do his -best at drivin’ the wedges in when we take up the slack.” - -Vance was on the Zoe’s deck almost before Ned ceased speaking, and the -two tugged at the capstan until Roy shouted from the raft: - -“You’ve raised her three or four inches already. I’ve put in new wedges, -and if you’ll take a whack at the other cable she’ll be in fair -condition for the next tide.” - -The boys worked with a will until nearly dark, and then the yacht was in -a better position than even Ned had dared to hope for. - -She was very nearly on a level keel, a slight heel shoreward only -showing that she was aground, and her stern had been hauled around a -couple of feet, so much so, in fact, that the lead-line showed deep -water directly beneath the screw. - -“We must keep awake this night, or leave one fellow on watch,” Ned said -after the tide had fallen so much that it would have been a useless -expenditure of strength to work longer, “and when it’s high water once -more I expect to see her afloat.” - -“It can’t be done so soon,” Vance said decidedly as they walked toward -the tent. “We may possibly succeed by the day after to-morrow; but not -before.” - -“That remains to be seen,” Ned replied with a laugh. “We’ll get -something in the way of dinner, and then decide whether all three or -only one shall stand watch.” - -Now that the “ghost” had been laid, the experiment of floating the yacht -evidently a future success, and matters in what Roy called “comfortable -shape” once more, the little party was in the best of spirits. - -Roy fairly outdid himself in the way of preparing dinner, and the tired -wreckers ate until it seemed as if food would never again be necessary. - -Since it would not be high water until about midnight, it was thought -useless for all hands to remain awake, therefore hourly watches were -begun from nine o’clock, the time set for retiring, until twelve, when -the work would be commenced once more. - -The question of who should “do the first trick” was settled by drawing -lots, and it so chanced that Ned was the one selected for the last hour. - -He made sleeping a matter of business from the time the first watch was -begun until summoned to do his share of the work, and then, in order to -drive the remnants of slumber from his eyelids, went out on to the beach -for a stroll. - -After walking a couple of miles as a means of preparing for the more -arduous labor, he returned to the yacht and clambered on board. - -The hawsers were stretched taut as bars of iron, and there was every -reason to believe the strain upon the anchors was beginning to tell. - -Contrary to his expectation the groaning was not heard, probably because -the craft had been raised partially out of the sandy bed; but as he -stood there watching the water creep up inch by inch upon the white -sand, he fancied there was a certain motion to the craft. - -“The anchors are pullin’ her once more,” he said to himself. “I wish it -might be possible to get her off before the boys awaken. I don’t believe -she’s now on so very firm, and with the hawsers dragging dead astern a -little additional weight would take her off.” - -The cable connected with the largest anchor was yet made fast to the -capstan, and as the yacht quivered again, Ned exerted all his strength -to take another turn of the drum. - -At first this was impossible, but as the hawsers were slackened he -succeeded, and was rewarded by feeling that she continued to move -slightly. - -“It’s now or not until to-morrow!” he said after making certain the -water was nearly at its proper height, and shutting his teeth tightly, -he gave way on the capstan-bar with every ounce of weight and strength -it was possible for him to exert. - -Just for an instant he fancied he had made some mistake as to the -holding power of the craft, and then the capstan began to revolve as if -the cable had suddenly been unloosened. - -There was no necessity to look over the side, for Ned could see by the -objects ashore that the little steamer was moving rapidly through the -water, and a second later there was a slight dip as the bow slipped from -the bank. - -The Zoe was afloat once more. - -Ned came very near giving vent to a cry of triumph, which might have -awakened his friends, and that was exactly what he did not want to do. - -He wished them to sleep on until morning and, coming out to look for -him, see the little craft rising and falling on the swell as if she had -never known what it was to come in contact with the bank; therefore he -remained silent, hauling in on the cables until she was riding within a -short distance of the anchors. - -It would have pleased him immensely had it been possible to have pulled -the steamer around into the bay, and he would have made the attempt if -he had had a boat; but there was too much risk in trying to tow her -alone, with the raft as a craft, therefore it only remained to pass the -hours of darkness in the most comfortable manner possible. - -The port lockers were comparatively dry, and on one of these in the -after cabin he prepared to continue his nap; but the feeling of triumph -was so strong in his mind that quite a while elapsed before slumber -visited his eyelids. - -Fortunately, so far as the plans for enjoying his triumph were -concerned, he awakened at an early hour, and was on deck busying himself -with examining the rigging when Roy appeared at the flap of the tent. - -The boy was evidently surprised at not having been called when the tide -was at its height, and was looking around for Ned when he saw the change -which had been made in the position of the yacht. - -For an instant he remained motionless, as if speechless with -astonishment, and then gave vent to a series of cheers which brought -Vance from the tent in short order. - -“How did you get the yacht afloat?” the latter asked in astonishment as -he ran to the shore. - -“Pulled her off, of course. You fellows believed she couldn’t be -launched for two or three days, so I thought it would be a good chance -to prove you were mistaken.” - -“You’re a brick!” Vance exclaimed enthusiastically. “Bring the raft -ashore so we can go on board.” - -“That is exactly what I propose to do,” Ned replied as he clambered over -the rail. “There isn’t a breath of air stirrin’, an’ if we pull her -around into the bay now, it’ll give us an appetite for breakfast.” - -“Do you think we can do it with that raft?” - -“Hold on!” and Ned clambered back to the deck again. “We’ll run a line -ashore, and with one haulin’ on that, while the other two row the raft, -I reckon it won’t be so very much of a job.” - -“Go ahead and fix things in any way you see fit,” Roy cried -encouragingly. “You’ve shown yourself the captain of this crowd, and -from now out Vance and I will obey orders without a word. Eh, Vance?” - -“Well, I should say so! If it hadn’t been for him we should have left -the poor little Zoe on the bank until a storm came and knocked her to -pieces.” - -Ned was decidedly well pleased by these words of praise, but he took -good care not to show it. - -It delighted him that his companions should thus voluntarily give him -credit for having engineered the work successfully, and he was resolved -she should be taken into port in good condition, if such a thing was -possible. - -A line, made fast to the capstan, was soon carried ashore and given in -charge of Roy, while Ned took Vance back with him to the yacht. - -Then it was simply a matter of hard work to pull the steamer around, and -before nine o’clock that morning she was moored in the little bay ready -to receive once more the goods which had been taken ashore. - -“Now, captain, what’s the next thing on your programme?” Vance asked -when they were back at the tent and Roy was preparing breakfast. - -“I think it would be a good idea for you two to overhaul the machinery, -and see if it can be put in running order. I’ll take a portion of the -stores on board, by way of gettin’ ready for our departure.” - -“But suppose we find that it is impossible to do anything with the -engine? You know we don’t profess to have very much knowledge of such -matters.” - -“Then it’ll be a case of bendin’ the sails an’ gettin’ along the best we -can in that way. With main, fore, an’ a jib we should be able to strike -some port where you can hire an engineer and sailin’ master. You know -we’ve got money enough to indulge in all those luxuries.” - -The cook did not spend any very great amount of time over the range on -this morning. - -Now that it appeared possible they might be able to leave the key as -soon as the yacht was in sailing trim, each member of the party was -eager to be under way, and at the earliest possible moment the amateur -engineers went on board. - -Ned did not accompany them. - -He realized fully how much labor there was yet to be performed before -they could begin the voyage, and found plenty with which to occupy -himself until Roy hailed him from the deck of the yacht. - -“We can’t make head nor tail of the machinery, and even if we could I -don’t think it would be safe for us to attempt to run her any distance -under steam.” - -“All right,” Ned replied cheerily. “Suppose you come ashore, and we’ll -tackle the canvas.” - -“Are you counting on bending that at once?” - -“Of course; it’s the hardest part of the job, and should be attended to -first.” - -“But by doing that we shall destroy our tent.” - -“What’s to prevent our livin’ on board the rest of the time we’re forced -to stay here?” - -“Crickey! I never thought of that!” Roy exclaimed with a hearty laugh, -and five minutes later he and Vance were pulling the raft ashore. - -By Ned’s instructions the rope which had been used in guiding the yacht -around the point into the bay was not cast off when that task was -completed, but had been made fast ashore, so that in order to work the -raft back and forth it was only necessary to pull either way on the -line. - -A painter with a sliding loop moored the collection of timbers which was -to serve as a boat, and the communication with the shore could be kept -up easily and readily. - -Ned already had one of the tents down, and this canvas (the foresail) -was taken on board without delay. - -The boys were by no means experienced sailors, therefore fully twice the -time necessary was spent in bending the sail. - -When it had finally been completed to the satisfaction of the young -captain, Roy insisted that the range be put back in its old place at -once. - -“There’s no use keeping it ashore when a fellow can work so much more -easily on board,” he said. “From now on we shall be here the greater -portion of the time, and the sooner we begin ship duties the better it -will be for the cook.” - -“And he’s such an important personage that his comfort must be attended -to very carefully,” Vance replied laughingly. “It won’t take us more -than an hour to bring such things here as you’ll need.” - -That noon the little party ate dinner aboard, and a very jolly meal it -was. - -Roy had taken great pains with his portion of the work, and the -consequence was that they had a regular Thanksgiving dinner, as appeared -right and proper to all, since they had a great deal for which to give -thanks. - -It surely seemed as if Ned would never get tired working, so eager was -he to be under way once more. - -When the others pleaded for a rest he kept steadily on, saying he had -rather “be at somethin’ than layin’ still,” and even after nightfall he -persisted in bending the jib in order to “save time.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - UNDER WAY. - - -During the first day the Zoe was afloat nothing of any consequence had -been taken from the store-tent, and, singular as it may seem, Vance had -forgotten about the treasure until supper was eaten. - -Ned had just begun labor on the jib, when his companion remembered that -the gold and silver was yet ashore, and he said in reply to Vance’s -proposition that it be brought on board at once: - -“It’s as safe there as here. What’s the good of botherin’ about it now? -If you fellows are so anxious to work, you’ll find plenty of chance at -the pumps, for there’s a good bit of water in the hold.” - -“But it isn’t work I’m after,” Vance replied. “I shall feel better if -the money is in the cabin.” - -“It will take you an hour to bring it aboard.” - -“That is nothing compared to the chance of losing the treasure.” - -“I don’t see how it can be lost, but if you are so worried, there’s -nothin’ to prevent your tacklin’ the job.” - -“Don’t you think you’d better bear a hand? If one of those boxes should -fall overboard we’d feel mighty blue.” - -“I’ll risk your allowin’ anything like that to happen; besides, I can’t -leave this job half done, unless I sit up to finish it after we get -back.” - -Vance realized that that would be asking too much of the ever-willing -laborer, and he insisted that Roy should help him. - -The cook had no fear the treasure would be disturbed, even though it did -remain on the key without them to guard it, but Vance was so anxious the -work should be done that he finally consented, and the last lot was -deposited in the cabin about the time Ned finished his task. - -From this moment Vance considered himself chosen as the treasurer of the -party, and took the wealth under his own charge. - -The coins were stored in a small locker aft, which had been used as a -wine closet by the previous masters of the yacht, and here it was as -safe as could be possible on board ship. - -“Now, if the Zoe goes to the bottom we’ve lost everything,” Ned said, -not because he feared such a catastrophe, but as a means of causing -Vance additional worriment of mind. - -“That’s a fact!” the treasurer exclaimed, as if such a possibility had -not occurred to him before. “But there’s no way out of it, for we would -be little less than fools to leave it behind.” - -“How would it do to furnish each coin with a life-preserver?” Roy asked -laughingly. - -“That might answer,” Ned replied, “and Vance can stand guard over the -locker with a gun to prevent their walking away.” - -“It’s all very well for you boys to make sport of what I’ve done,” the -treasurer replied grimly; “but it wouldn’t have been at all funny if -we’d gone on shore to-morrow morning and found it missing. - -“Not funny, but strange, considering that there isn’t a soul anywhere -around,” Ned replied. - -“That may be true at this minute, but no one knows how soon somebody -will land here.” - -“I don’t s’pose there’s any good reason why Roy and I should try to be -merry at your expense, Vance, for as a matter of course it would have -been necessary to bring it aboard some time, and since it has already -been done there is just so much less work to be attended to. Now where -are we goin’ to sleep? This cabin feels as if it had been under water a -month.” - -“Suppose we bunk in the engine-room? By using the blankets to lie on we -shall be all right, and to-morrow I reckon this portion of the yacht -will be dried out in proper shape.” - -This suggestion of Roy’s was acted upon without discussion, and half an -hour later the three boys were sleeping soundly as the little craft rose -and fell on the gentle swell. - -Next morning the work of making ready for sea was continued without -intermission, save during the heat of the day, when Ned allowed his crew -a siesta of two hours. - -By nightfall very much had been accomplished. - -A greater portion of the goods had been lightered from the shore, the -sails were bent, and the hold nearly freed from water. - -As the custodian of the treasure Vance, thought it necessary to keep a -strict watch seaward lest some craft should heave in sight without his -knowing it, although what possible injury this might have been to the -money, neither Roy nor Ned could understand. - -The second day of refitting resulted in the accomplishment of a -satisfactory amount of work, according to Ned’s ideas, and the third saw -the task nearly completed. - -With the exception of filling the water-casks the Zoe was ready for sea, -and on this evening a very interesting and important discussion took -place in the cabin, which was now used as a sleeping apartment, the -hangings and upholstering having dried very quickly in the hot climate. - -“It is time we settled upon the course we are to steer,” Ned said when -the three were enjoying the few moments of rest before going to bed. “I -count on leavin’ this port by nine o’clock to-morrow, and the matter had -better be settled now.” - -“Is everything done?” Vance asked. - -“We have yet to fill the water-casks, but that can’t take more than a -couple of hours.” - -“It seems that you are counting on having a wind?” - -“I’m hoping for one, but if it’s calm we shall be forced to lay here a -spell longer. In case of a breeze what course shall we steer?” - -“What is your opinion?” - -“I think we’d better run pretty near west until land is sighted, and -then, if that proves to be an uninhabited key like this one, we can -steer a little southerly. I saw a chart of the coast which the mate of -the Evening Star had, and from that it seemed as if we should be able to -get into Key West without losin’ sight of land after we get among the -keys.” - -“It seems to me as if it would be better to steer very nearly due north -in the hope of striking the reefs. If after sailing a couple of days we -shouldn’t find what we wanted, it would be an easy matter to put back,” -Roy said, knowing full well that Vance would object to such a course. - -The latter replied very quickly: - -“It seems to me that would be a waste of time. Why not do as Ned -suggests and turn back from that course if we don’t get a squint of the -land? It is as broad as it is long, but I believe we shall be nearer -right in following his plan.” - -Roy was not willing to give in so easily, and during the next half-hour -quite a heated discussion ensued, but at the end of that time he -withdrew very gracefully by saying: - -“There’s no reason why we should talk so much about what is virtually -settled already. You fellows are in the majority, consequently there is -nothing to do but let you have your own way. It may be I am in the -wrong, for the whole thing is a matter of guesswork, and I can only say -I hope you are right, for then we shall arrive at Key West so much the -sooner. It seems as if we should get there before our parents have had -time to worry about us.” - -“Do you think we had better telegraph to Savannah?” - -“Yes, if they haven’t arrived; and it would also be a good idea to send -word home, for if the news that the Zoe was missing should get into the -papers it would be believed we were dead.” - -Vance and Roy allowed themselves to discuss the matter as if they were -certain of gaining a port in a few days, and Ned stopped them by saying: - -“I wouldn’t count too much on gettin’ anywhere very soon. With the screw -draggin’ we shan’t make great headway, and it wouldn’t be strange if we -had it calm a good deal of the time, so you’d better figger on bein’ -aboard this craft a good many days, even if it should turn out that my -idea of the course to be sailed is the right one.” - -This was rather a wet blanket on the boys’ plans, and they ceased -speaking of the future very suddenly. - -On the following morning Ned, like the prudent skipper, was on deck a -long while before the sun showed his face above the water. - -A light breeze was blowing from the southeast, and if it held would be -fair for them. - -Anxiously Ned watched the ripples on the waves, and, to his great -delight, the wind freshened instead of decreasing after the sun rose. - -“Turn out here and bear a hand with the water-casks” he shouted from the -head of the companion-way. “It’ll be time enough to do the cookin’ after -we’ve started. The wind is freshenin’ an’ we must get of here as soon as -possible.” - -Vance and Roy obeyed his call without delay, and the last work which -they hoped it would ever be necessary for them to do on Spider Key was -begun. - -An hour sufficed, and the shore line was cast off when the last cask had -been rolled on to the raft. - -The rude craft was hauled alongside and unloaded, the rope thrown -inboard, and the collection of timbers which had served them such a good -turn was set adrift. - -“Now up with the anchors, my hearties!” Ned cried cheerily, “and then -stand by to make sail!” - -All hands tried to be as much like sailors as possible, and to the music -of a very odd-sounding sea-song the cables were hove in until the Zoe -was freed from all her moorings. - -Then the captain, who knew even less about nautical matters than did his -crew, took his station at the halyards, and one by one the little sails -were hoisted. - -Almost any kind of a fresh-water sailor can run a craft with the wind -dead astern, therefore there was no danger of any mistake being made -until it should be necessary to change the course; but as he took his -station at the wheel, Ned could not fail to ask himself what might be -the result before the voyage came to an end. - -“I never run a boat before with more than one sail,” he said to himself, -“an’ am afraid I’ll make a mess of it before we got very far; but things -can’t be much worse than they were when we was on the island waitin’ for -a craft that never hove in sight.” - -His unpleasant thoughts were interrupted by a shout from his companions, -who were standing directly in front of the pilot-house watching as the -yacht glided slowly away from the land. - -“We’re not only afloat, but moving!” Roy cried, “so let’s give three -cheers for good luck!” - -Vance aided him in thus starting the yacht with proper ceremony, while -Ned remained silent, his face wearing an expression of deepest anxiety. - -“Why don’t you cheer?” Vance asked. “Any one would think you didn’t feel -glad at getting away from the key.” - -“I am all the same; but now I can’t help feelin’ nervous about the trip. -Neither of us know how to handle a craft properly, and, to make the -matter worse, we can only guess at the direction we want to go. It -begins to look more serious than when we were only talkin’ the matter -over.” - -“Don’t borrow trouble before we’ve fairly got clear of the land,” Roy -cried cheerily. “It’s enough for me that we’re under way, and I’ll let -the future take care of itself.” - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - AT SEA. - - -Sailoring under such circumstances as the boys experienced immediately -after leaving the key was decidedly pleasant work, and it appeared to be -a very easy matter to navigate a vessel. - -The wind was hardly more than what might have been called a gentle -breeze, and the Zoe glided through the water at the rate of three or -four knots an hour. - -Ned was at the helm, and his companions, in order to discuss the -question of a course in case land should be sighted suddenly, were also -in the pilot-house. - -“If it wasn’t for the drag of the screw we’d be slippin’ along right -lively now,” Ned said as he looked back at the island they had been so -eager to leave. - -“According to this we shall need a good stiff wind to make any kind of -time,” Roy replied thoughtfully, “and how she’ll act when we have to -tack is more than I can fancy.” - -“There’s no use in borrowing trouble about that,” Vance said quickly. -“Who knows but we shall hold the wind this way all the voyage?” - -“It isn’t very likely. Don’t you remember that it has nearly always died -out about noon, from the first day we struck the key?” - -“That is no sign it will do so now.” - -“No, but there’s good reason for believing it may act in the same -manner. Which of us is on watch? I suppose one must consider himself -doing duty, even though he may be loafing.” - -“Vance is the lookout, for you can’t be spared from the galley; but how -are we to work it at night?” Ned asked. “I never thought of that before -we started, an’ it’s goin’ to be kinder tough if a feller has to stay at -the wheel two or three days without any sleep.” - -“We must contrive to run into a harbor every day before sunset, and then -all hands can turn in,” Vance suggested. - -“There don’t seem to be much chance of that to-night. With no land in -sight now, the Zoe couldn’t get very near a port between this and -nightfall.” - -“If it is necessary to run after dark we must contrive so that each has -the proper amount of rest. By standing half-hour watches there wouldn’t -be much chance of a fellow getting asleep at the wheel.” - -“Have we anything aboard in the shape of a clock?” Ned asked. “I don’t -reckon you’ve been able to make your watches go since they got such a -soakin’?” - -“They will need a watchmaker’s care before they can do very much toward -keeping time,” Vance said ruefully as he looked at his, the hands of -which had not moved since he landed in such a helpless fashion. - -“I shouldn’t be surprised if the little clock in the pantry was all -right,” Roy said after a moment’s thought. “It couldn’t have got very -wet, and perhaps it needs only to be wound.” - -He left the wheel-house on a tour of investigation as he ceased -speaking, and returned a short time later with the article referred to. - -“It’s all right,” he said as he hung it on a hook directly in front of -the helmsman. “I don’t reckon it will be valuable as a time-keeper, -inasmuch as we haven’t any very good idea of what hour it is now; but -she will serve to show when the watches should be begun or ended.” - -During another hour the boys discussed the probability of being able to -reach Key West within a certain length of time, and then Roy went below -to make preparations for dinner. - -Vance found the moments hanging rather heavily on his hands, and -presently he lay down for a nap, leaving Ned to work the craft alone. - -Fortunately she did not need much guiding. The wind had been gradually -decreasing until it died away entirely, and before the noon-day meal was -ready the yacht lost steerage-way. - -It was useless to remain longer at the wheel, and Ned went below to -overhaul the cabin on the chance of finding a pair of marine glasses in -one of the lockers which had not been overhauled. - -In this he was successful, much to his delight, and he went on deck once -more in the hope of being able to see land. - -He searched the horizon carefully in every direction, but failed to see -that for which he sought. - -This fact worried him not a little. - -“It is almost certain there will be a breeze after the sun sets, and -unless the stars shine very brightly we shall be obliged to keep on -without knowing whether we’re goin’ to strike a reef or run out into the -ocean.” - -Now for the first time since he decided in his own mind that it would be -possible to carry the Zoe into port did he begin to question the wisdom -of such an attempt. - -Limited though his experience as a sailor had been, he understood how -many chances there were against success and also the dangers which were -in their way. - -“It would come pretty tough if I’d insisted on the boys tryin’ to get to -Key West in this craft, an’ it turned out that they were to meet their -death by following my advice,” he said to himself, and straightway the -most dismal forebodings took possession of him. - -It was while he was in this mood that he went below, as if needing -companionship, and the cook, busily engaged as he was, could not fail to -note the lugubrious look on his face. - -“Is Vance at the wheel?” - -“He’s asleep on the locker. It is a dead calm, an’ there’s no need of -anybody standin’ there.” - -“What makes you look so glum?” - -“Perhaps it’s because I’m just beginnin’ to get some common sense into -my head.” - -“What do you mean by that?” - -“I’m thinkin’ that perhaps we did a foolish thing in tryin’ to take this -craft into port. I coaxed you an’ Vance until you had to give in, an’ it -would be terrible if anything should happen.” - -“I reckon you are suffering from an attack of foolishness instead of -common sense. We wanted to come, and probably should have insisted on -trying to float the yacht or howled after she had been beaten to pieces -because we didn’t do such a thing. What has struck you so suddenly?” - -“The fact that we shall be out to-night not knowin’ where we’re -steerin’, but obliged to run because I can’t heave a craft to.” - -“I don’t reckon there’ll be much danger in that. If there’s no land to -be seen when the sun sets it’s precious little chance she’ll run any -down before morning. Is the island out of sight yet?” - -“No, but we’ve sailed a great deal further than I thought would be -possible in so short a time. Of course it is in full view, but you can’t -distinguish anything on the shore.” - -“And we couldn’t get back if it should become necessary?” - -“Not without wind.” - -“Then the only thing is to make the best of it. All hands of us had -rather be here, taking our chances of ever getting into port, than back -on the island to make the start over again. So what’s the use of being -down in the mouth about having been able to do exactly as you wanted?” - -It was such talk as this which made Ned feel decidedly comfortable in -mind, and by the time dinner had been cooked and eaten he was as jolly -as ever. - -Until about four o’clock in the afternoon there was nothing to be done -except loaf around wishing for a breeze, and then the wind sprang up -again in the same direction as before. - -Ned was at the helm when the sails began to flap, and once more the Zoe -was gliding through the water with her short bowsprit pointed due west. - -Both Roy and Vance were on the lookout, each hoping to see some signs of -land, but the hours wore away until the key was only a faint smudge on -the horizon, and around them nothing save water. - -“We’re in for a night-run,” Roy said cheerily as the sun began to sink -behind the sea, “and most likely by morning we shall have something to -guide us.” - -“It may happen that we shall be forced to trust to the wind for anything -of that sort,” Ned replied as he pointed to the sky, which was being -rapidly covered with fleecy clouds. “I don’t know much about weather -signs on the ocean, but if I was back in Maine I should say we were -goin’ to have a storm.” - -Neither Vance nor Roy thought the swiftly moving masses of vapor -portended anything in particular, and the latter went into the kitchen -once more, for he was determined that his portion of the work should be -attended to in proper shape. - -Before he reappeared again there was a very decided change in the aspect -of the sky. - -The wind had begun to veer around, and continued to increase in violence -until it was blowing directly from the north, causing the sea to rise -until the little craft wallowed into the trough, throwing the spray high -over the deck. - -For fully twenty minutes after this change Roy gave no signs of life, -and then he came into the wheel-house looking decidedly alarmed. - -“It’s beginning to blow,” he said, as if it was a piece of news which -would please his companions. - -“We understood that quite a while ago,” Vance replied quickly. “Is this -the first you knew of it?” - -“I could tell by the motion of the yacht that a sea was getting up, but -I didn’t suppose it was so bad as this. Do you intend running on the -same course, Ned?” - -“We had to change that when the wind shifted. Now she is headin’ due -south.” - -“Why, that means we are running out to sea, surely, no matter which side -the chain of keys we were!” - -“You’re right; but I don’t see any other way for it. To take the chances -of pilin’ up on the land by headin’ west would be worse than foolish, -and besides, with such poor sailors aboard, we might as well be on a -raft, for the only safe thing to do is to go with the wind. I wonder if -you fellows can’t reef the sails?” - -“Of course we can, and I think it would be a good idea to get out the -lanterns, unless we want to be run down.” - -“I declare I never thought of that!” Ned exclaimed. “Attend to it, will -you, and then see what can be done toward shortening the canvas. I’ll -bear a hand if one of you will take the wheel.” - -“Stay where you are. I reckon Vance and I can do that much.” - -“Be careful of yourselves!” Ned cried as the two left the pilot-house. -“You know it wouldn’t take much of a flap of the sails to knock you -overboard.” - -“We’ll look out!” Vance cried, and then the two disappeared down the -companion-way to the engine-room in the search for the signal lights. - -It was fifteen or twenty minutes before the lanterns were in their -places, and then the foresail was lowered as the boys began to reef it. - -Meanwhile Ned stood at the wheel trying in vain to peer through the -dense blackness of the night, and the little yacht plunged on her way to -possible perils—perhaps a second shipwreck. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - AN ANXIOUS CREW. - - -Nervous as Ned was for the safety of his friends, it seemed as if they -would never finish reefing the sails. - -At each unfamiliar sound, and it appeared now as if the laboring yacht -was filled with odd noises, he started in fear, fancying it betokened an -accident. - -He could only hold her steadily to the south, without the faintest idea -of where such a course would lead them, and listen to the howling of the -wind as it lashed the waves into fury. - -Now and then a heavy roller would strike the Zoe on the quarter, causing -her to quiver as if a hidden reef had been met, but as a rule she rode -very steadily, and well she might, for a stancher little craft had never -been launched. - -The only fear was that she might have received some injury to her -timbers by the contact with the key, and weakened them to such an extent -that these downward plunges and sudden uprisings would open a seam. - -During the short time he was on board the Evening Star, Ned had heard -the sailors say that the danger to be apprehended in running before the -wind was that of being swamped by the following waves; but, so far as he -could make out, there was no occasion to fear anything of that kind yet -awhile. - -Had the boys been on board a craft manned by experienced sailors they -would not have thought the wind so strong as to be terrifying. - -As a matter of fact it did not even _approach_ the fury of a gale, and -there is no question but that the Zoe might safely have been kept on her -westerly course but for the fear of striking a reef. - -It was fully an hour after Roy and Vance began their work before they -returned to the wheel-house, and then the former said: - -“The fore and main sail are reefed down; but we didn’t dare tackle the -jib.” - -“I don’t think it will do any harm to let it stay as it is. The canvas -isn’t large and can’t do very much toward putting her along,” Vance -added. “How fast do you think we are going?” - -“I wish I knew,” Ned said fervently. - -“What good would that do?” - -“When the wind shifts or morning comes we could have some idea of how -far we are at sea in that case.” - -“I’ll guarantee we shall be outside, where there won’t be any danger of -striking the land, for she must be going at the rate of eight or ten -miles an hour.” - -“Not more than six or seven at the most,” Roy replied in a positive -tone. “The sea is kicking up such a bobbery that it seems as if we were -moving through the water much faster than really is the case; with the -screw dragging we are doing well to make six miles.” - -“We’ll call it six; that will give us somethin’ to guess by, at all -events,” Ned replied. “There’s no question but that this is goin’ to be -an all-night job for the whole crew, and I think you fellers had better -get your supper.” - -“What about you?” - -“I’ll come down when you have finished.” - -“I don’t think it is safe to leave only one man on deck,” Roy said -decidedly. “Vance, you go and fill up and I’ll stay with Ned till you -get back.” - -This was by all odds the wisest course to pursue, and one by one the -three ate their supper. - -When it was Ned’s turn to sample the cookery he realized more fully than -while in the pilot-house how severely the little craft was laboring. - -Below deck he could hear the straining of the timbers, the pounding of -the waves, and the creaking of doors and lockers until a nervous person -might have imagined the yacht had a full crew of ghosts on board. - -It was so dismal and almost uncanny that Ned partook of the food very -hurriedly, and was glad to be at the wheel once more. - -There had been no change in the position of affairs, save, perhaps, that -the weight of the wind had increased a trifle. - -The yacht was running reasonably easy, and shipped even less water over -the bow than one would have supposed while listening to the noises -below. - -Roy was at the wheel when Ned entered, and he said as the latter offered -to relieve him: - -“I had just as soon stand here as to be doing nothing. Suppose you try -to get some sleep?” - -“That is impossible. I never felt wider awake in my life than I do this -minute.” - -“That is the way with me, and I’ll stay here awhile longer.” - -Ned took advantage of this opportunity to crawl aft and see how matters -were going there. - -So far as his peace of mind was concerned, perhaps it would have been -better if he had remained with his companions, although there appeared -to be no question but that the yacht still had sufficient sail on to -enable her to keep ahead of the pursuing waves. - -It was the general appearance of the water which would have terrified -any landsman, and Ned was not proof against such a sight. - -There were moments when the huge liquid wall towered high above the -stern of the little craft, apparently certain to break upon her, and at -each of these watery rushes Ned literally held his breath, expecting -each instant to hear the crashing of the timbers as the wave dashed upon -the craft. - -The foam upon the waves shone with a certain dull, white light, thus -revealing the seething mass beneath it, and it was what the beholder -imagined that made up the horror of the sight. - -When Ned finally groped his way back into the wheel-house he was -trembling as if in an ague fit, and, hearing his voice as he spoke to -Vance, Roy asked quickly: - -“What’s the matter? Anything wrong?” - -“No; we are getting along even better than might be supposed.” - -“What makes your voice tremble so?” - -“I reckon I must have got chilled. I was standing aft, and this wind is -mighty cold, especially to a fellow who has been livin’ in such a hot -place as the key.” - -Roy was not satisfied with this explanation, and fancying there was some -new peril of which Ned would not speak, said: - -“Take the wheel a few minutes while I go below, will you?” - -Ned did as he was requested, and Roy left the pilot-house, returning ten -minutes later, and saying to Ned in a low tone which could not be -overheard by Vance, who was curled up on one of the lockers: - -“I know now why you felt so chilly a few minutes ago.” - -“Have you been aft?” - -“Yes, and it’s terrible to watch the waves.” - -“I suppose they look a good deal worse in the darkness than they really -are; but it would give a fellow the horrors to stay there very long.” - -“It doesn’t seem as if the little craft could live through the night.” - -“Nonsense,” Ned replied, speaking very much more confidently than he -felt. “This isn’t really a gale, and she must be a good sea-boat, -otherwise your father wouldn’t have thought of coming from Savannah in -her.” - -“It would be very much different if she was under steam.” - -“I’m not so certain of that. So long as we keep steerage-way on, I can’t -see why she shouldn’t do just as well under sail.” - -“Perhaps she will,” Roy replied with a sigh, and from his tone it was -easy to understand that he had his doubts regarding the possibility of -outliving the gale, if such it could be called. - -An hour later Roy, weary of doing nothing, went into the kitchen to -clear away the dishes which had been left as each of the crew finished -his supper, and before he returned there was quite a change in the -weather. - -The wind was veering around from north to east, and again Ned was forced -to change the course or call upon his companions to “tend sheets,” -something which he was not willing to do because of the danger that they -might be washed overboard. - -When Roy came to the pilot-house again the helmsman said with a laugh -which had very little mirth in it: - -“It looks as if we were doomed to box the compass this trip,” and he -motioned toward the binnacle. - -“I would rather see that than know we were forced to run directly out to -sea all night,” Roy replied after a short pause. - -“But the question is, where is this new course likely to bring us?” - -“That’s what I don’t know; but it doesn’t seem possible there could be -any land in our way, certainly not before to-morrow morning.” - -Ned made no reply. - -The voyage was rapidly becoming so erratic that it was no longer -possible to so much as guess where it would end, and he tried to resign -himself to whatever the fates might have in store for him. - -Time passed until the little clock marked the hour of midnight, but no -one could say how far that might be out of the way until when the sun -rose next morning. - -Vance no longer had any anxiety of mind; the motion of the craft had -caused slumber to visit his eyelids, and the rolling and plunging was to -him like the rocking of a cradle. - -Ned and Roy were both standing at the wheel with their eyes fixed upon -the inky blackness outside, when, as if she had come from the depth of -the ocean, the huge hulk of a ship or steamer loomed directly in front -of them, the lights on deck showing indistinctly the forms of several -men near the rail. - -Had their lives depended upon it, neither could have so much as moved a -finger during that awful time when it seemed sure they were to be run -down. - -Both clutched the spokes of the wheel, but without turning it, and stood -like statues, staring through the window until the huge mass disappeared -as suddenly as it had come, and the darkness seemed all the more intense -because of having been partially dispelled for an instant. - -While one might have counted twenty the boys remained silent and -motionless after the stranger passed, and then Ned said in the tone of a -person who speaks in his sleep: - -“If she had been twenty feet nearer we should have been crushed like an -egg-shell!” - -“And perhaps those on board would hardly have known what had been done. -I can’t understand why she didn’t see our lights.” - -“I don’t suppose they make much of a show on a small craft like this. It -was a danger I had never thought about, and now I shall be expecting an -accident of that kind until daylight comes once more.” - -“I don’t think we are likely to have more than one such adventure in a -night, but if it should come we would be powerless. I’ve put some coffee -on to boil, and think you and I had better have a cup.” - -“Go and get it; never mind milk or sugar. If we drink it plain it will -help to keep our eyes open.” - -“Not much chance of their closing very soon after that sight,” Roy -replied mournfully as he carefully made his way below once more. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - IN PORT. - - -Vance continued to sleep as soundly as if he had been at home, and Ned -said enviously when Roy brought the coffee: - -“I wish you an’ I were as well off as he. Until he wakes up it won’t -make any difference to him whether the wind blows a gale or fines down -into a calm.” - -“Would you waken him for the coffee?” - -“Not a bit of it; let the poor fellow sleep while he can. I only wish we -could join him.” - -Wishing never did mend matters however, and Ned soon ceased such a very -unprofitable occupation. - -The hot coffee was really refreshing, and after drinking two cups each, -the boys felt almost as if they had been taking a rest. - -“It seems to me as if the wind was decreasing,” Ned said after a time, -and Roy replied: - -“I am almost certain of it. I’ve noticed that the yacht rode easier -since we came so near being run down by the steamer.” - -“And it seems to be hauling around again. If we have many more changes -the Zoe will have sailed in a circle before morning.” - -“I reckon we shall have to take it as it comes,” Roy said grimly. “I am -more afraid of a calm than of an increase in the wind. It would be -terrible to be becalmed where we didn’t have the slightest idea of our -position.” - -Ned made no reply. - -According to his ideas there were plenty of disagreeable things close at -hand, without going into the future to find them. - -Not until the clock had marked the hour of three, although it may have -been two or four, did Vance awaken, and then, whether the time-piece was -correct or not, he knew he had had more than his share of sleep. - -“Say, why didn’t one of you fellows turn me out?” he asked as he came -toward the wheel. “Here I’ve been taking my ease as if I was a swell -passenger, while you two were on duty.” - -“There was no reason why you shouldn’t have slept while it was -possible,” Roy replied. “There was nothing to be done, even if you had -remained awake, and now when one of us feels like taking a nap, you can -do your share of the steering.” - -“How are we getting along?” - -“Doing a heap of sailing, but it’s an open question whether we are -progressing very fast.” - -“The storm seems to have cleared away.” - -“Yes, we’ve got nothing but a fair sailing breeze now, and with the drag -of the screw I don’t fancy we are more than tossing about on the waves,” -Ned replied, and then he added to Roy; “Suppose you turn to and get -breakfast, old fellow? It’s pretty early, I know, but we shall feel the -better for something hot in the way of grub. Now that Vance is awake -there is nothing to prevent your staying below as long as may be -necessary.” - -The amateur cook acted upon the suggestion at once, and half an hour -after he went into the kitchen the sun began to show himself above the -horizon. - -“Now hunt around the cabin where the sailing master slept for an -almanac,” Ned said to Vance. “There must be one somewhere aboard.” - -“What are you going to do with it? See what the weather prophets say -about the weather?” - -“I want to find out what time the sun rises, so we can set this clock.” - -Vance hurried away to obey this order, and in a few minutes returned -with the desired book, but it looked rather the worse for wear, owing to -its having been soaked well in salt water. - -After some difficulty Ned succeeded in gaining the information required, -and to his surprise it was found that they had guessed within twenty -minutes of the true time, or as nearly as could be judged from the -coming of the day. - -The hands of the clock were moved forward to where Ned thought they -belonged, and then he looked round the horizon, now that it was -sufficiently light to see surrounding objects, if indeed there were any. - -At first glance it appeared as if they were alone upon the ocean. - -Not a sail could be seen in either direction, and Vance announced that -there was no land in sight, when Ned exclaimed as he pointed about four -points to the southward of the course they were then heading: - -“Look over there! What do you make that to be?” - -Vance gazed earnestly in the direction indicated, and after a long -scrutiny replied in a careless tone: - -“Nothing but a cloud.” - -“It’s land! There’s no question about it. Call Roy, will you?” - -“What’s that for?” - -“We’ll see what he thinks about trying to make it. It is not in the -direction where we expected to see anything of the kind, but it strikes -me we should do our best to reach it, if for no other purpose than to -find out where we are.” - -Roy was soon in the pilot-house, and after looking at what to an -inexperienced eye appeared nothing more than a cloud, as Vance had -suggested, he decided Ned was correct. - -“What do you think of trying to make it?” - -“Can you do so with this wind?” - -“Yes, by trimmin’ the sails properly, an’ it seems as if we ought to be -able to do that.” - -“Go ahead, then, so far as I’m concerned. If it is an island of any kind -we shan’t be worse off than we are now, and in case of its being -inhabited our troubles will be at an end, for most likely we can get -some one to take us to Key West.” - -“You may keep on with your cooking. I reckon Vance and I can attend to -this matter,” Ned replied as he whirled the wheel around until the -steamer was headed for the apparent cloud. - -Then, stationing Vance at the helm and directing him to keep her on that -course as near as possible, the amateur captain went on deck to trim the -sails. - -This was not a difficult matter, and after some few experiments Ned -learned that there was very little difference between sailing a steamer -on the ocean and a small boat on the pond in Maine. - -“She’s got a free wind now, and so long as that holds we won’t have any -trouble in keeping her headed as we want to go,” he said cheerily, for -the fact that the little craft behaved much as any other vessel raised -his spirits wonderfully. - -“It will take us a month to get there, though,” Vance said ruefully. - -“Nonsense! If the wind don’t die away entirely I reckon we shall be able -to see what that land looks like before the sun sets again. The screw -won’t drag so much now that she heels over considerably, an’ we’ll make -good headway.” - -The weight of the breeze had forced the yacht over to an angle of -perhaps thirty degrees, and although it was rather more difficult to -keep her true to the course, she behaved very well. - -Roy was preparing for a more sociable meal than had yet been served, as -was learned a few moments later when he came to the pilot-house to call -Vance. - -“I’m going to bring the grub up here so we can eat together,” he said, -“therefore you must help me. After breakfast I’ll try and clean up -below, for if we reach port there’s no reason why we should look so -slovenly.” - -“Something should be done with the treasure before any strangers come -aboard,” Vance added, thinking of the wealth in the cabin for almost the -first time since the previous night shut down upon them so forbiddingly. -“Where can we put it?” - -“In the hold, well aft, an’ throw a lot of rope and canvas over it,” Ned -replied promptly. “No one will fancy we’ve got treasure aboard.” - -This satisfied Vance, more particularly since his companions proposed -that he take full charge of the gold and silver, and ten minutes later a -most appetizing breakfast was spread on the wheel-house locker. - -With the assistance of his companions in the way of passing him the -food, Ned was able to eat at the same time he performed his duties as -helmsman, and the spirits of the little crew revived wonderfully when -the meal had been concluded. - -Ned was left alone while the other two went below, Roy to put things to -rights generally, and Vance to hide the treasure in anticipation of -visitors. - -It seemed very much as if this particular breeze had come to stay until -the yacht should reach port. - -It no longer shifted so often, but held steadily from the same point, -and with sufficient force to send the Zoe along at quite a respectable -rate of speed. - -As might have been expected, the waves still ran very high, but the -little craft was showing herself to be a good sea-boat, even though -disabled, and each instant the apparent cloud took on more the semblance -of land. - -Vance was the first to complete his work below, and he entered the -wheel-house shortly before noon, saying as he did so: - -“I reckon the money is safe. I’ve hidden it where no one would ever -think of looking, unless they were certain we had something of the kind -on board. Say! but that land shows up now, don’t it?” - -“There’s no longer any question about soon having all the assistance we -need,” Ned replied cheerily. “Anything as large as that, even if it is -only an island, must be inhabited.” - -“I hope we shall be able to telegraph to father, for he must be worrying -about us by this time.” - -“You won’t have any trouble on that score. Take the wheel awhile, and -I’ll see if I can’t trim the sails a little better. It looks to me as if -we might get more speed out of the yacht.” - -Ned was correct in this belief, for after the canvas had been drawn in a -trifle more, it could readily be seen that she moved through the water -considerably faster, and the “bone in her teeth” was as large as one -could have desired. - -The sea was rapidly subsiding. The little craft no longer flung the -water over her decks, but sent it swirling aft on either side in proper -fashion. - -In the cabin, pantry, and kitchen Roy was doing wonders in the cleaning -line, and the Zoe was rapidly being gotten into shape for inspection. - -“I’ll get dinner as soon as this is finished,” the amateur cook said -after Ned had praised him for the altered appearance of the craft. “If -you can spare Vance awhile it will help things along just so much.” - -Once more Ned stood at the wheel alone; but the chances of reaching port -very soon seemed so good that he was perfectly willing to remain there -until it should be possible to come to an anchor. - -The sun was yet above the horizon when, after a voyage which had been -made at the caprice of the wind and tides, the Zoe entered a roadstead -wherein were craft of every description. - -“What city do you suppose this can be?” Roy asked in perplexity as the -three stood in the wheel-house, where they had been every moment since -the land could be distinctly seen. - -It was a question which each member of the party had already asked half -a dozen times, and no one paid any particular attention to it. - -It was sufficient for all that they had arrived at some place where an -engineer and sailing master could probably be hired. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - HAVANA. - - -The yacht was run in as far toward the piers as the wind would permit -and then the anchor was let go. - -It seemed as if this had but just been done when a boat rowed by four -sailors, with a man in uniform at the helm, pulled out to the Zoe. - -“It begins to look as if we’d soon find out what port this is,” Ned said -as he noticed this craft. “Those fellows are comin’ out most likely to -learn who we are, and I reckon they know where they live.” - -Just at that moment almost any visitor would have been welcome because -of the information he could impart, and the amateur crew were ready to -receive the officer when he came alongside. - -He hailed them in a foreign tongue, and Ned, acting as the captain, -replied in English: - -“I’m blessed if I know what you are sayin’. This is the steam yacht Zoe, -disabled, and in here for repairs.” - -The visitor could speak English, as was soon learned when he came over -the rail, saying as he did so: - -“Where is the captain?” - -“I suppose I’m in charge,” Ned replied. “This craft was chartered by the -fathers of my companions to be used at their winter home in Florida. The -crew were washed overboard during a gale and the steamer nearly wrecked. -We managed to get her off and have come in here under sail. Will you -kindly tell me where we are?” - -“This is the port of Havana.” - -“And we are in Cuba!” Vance cried as if in alarm. - -“That is not so very far from home,” the officer replied with a smile. -“A sail of less than a hundred miles will bring you to Key West.” - -Then he questioned them further regarding the craft, and on taking his -departure promised to send the boys an interpreter. - -“Do not pay him more than $2 a day, and if, while making your repairs, -there should be any dispute arise, come directly to me. I shall be -pleased to render you all the assistance in my power.” - -“If the man whom you send can bring us a boat at a reasonable price it -will be a favor,” Ned said. “All our tenders have been carried away.” - -“I will see that it is done,” the man replied, and then, with many -expressions of friendliness, the official took his departure. - -“Ain’t you goin’ it a little strong when you talk of buying a boat?” -Vance asked. - -“We’ve got to have one, otherwise how will it be possible to go ashore?” - -“But what about money to pay for it?” - -“I reckon what we took out of the hulk will see us through.” - -“Are you counting on using that?” Vance asked in surprise. - -“What else can we do? The machinery must be put in working order, we are -bound to hire a crew, and we’ve got to have the interpreter which the -officer is goin’ to send. All that can’t be accomplished without funds, -and I see no reason why we shouldn’t dip into the hoard which some very -jolly fellow must have stowed away for our especial benefit.” - -“Of course we shall use it,” Roy added. “It would be ridiculous to -suffer for anything when we have sufficient means in the hold to buy -even a new craft if it should become necessary.” - -Roy understood that he must do as his companions wished, but at the same -time it seemed almost a sacrilege to use the treasure. As a matter of -fact he had become almost a miser since the discovery of the wealth, and -it pained him to think of spending so much as a single coin. - -It was necessary to draw on the hoard for funds, and since this should -be done while they were alone, Vance went below to attend to that very -important task. - -He returned with about a hundred Mexican dollars and half that number of -gold-pieces, the value of which none of the party knew. - -“I think your first work should be to go on shore with the interpreter -to have this money changed,” Ned said when Vance had found a bag in -which to deposit the coin. “There must be plenty of places here where -you can sell it, and we ought to know the value of it.” - -“I’ll do that, and afterward send machinists on board to see in what -condition the engine is. We can engage a crew the day before we are -ready to leave.” - -Vance was eager to make one of the shore party, and Ned insisted that -there was no reason why he should not go. - -“There is nothing to be done here,” he said, “an’ I reckon one is enough -to attend to the loafin’; but if that fellow don’t come pretty soon -there’ll be no goin’ ashore for any of us. It will be dark in an hour, -an’ you want daylight for it if you’re thinkin’ of buyin’ anything.” - -Ned had hardly ceased speaking when the interpreter came alongside in an -apparently new boat, this last fact being sufficient to explain to the -boys who he was. - -Judging from his face one would have said he was a Cuban; but he spoke -English so well that it seemed certain he must have been born in the -United States. - -He presented himself very politely, almost too much so, Ned thought, and -although not one of the party could have told the reason why, all felt a -certain distrust of the man. - -He explained that the officer of the port, probably meaning a sort of -harbor master, sent him, and that the official had said that his wages -were to be two American dollars per day. - -The boat, he said, was cheap at $30, but he had only brought it out on -approval, consequently they were at liberty to return it if not -satisfactory. - -“We will talk about that when we come back,” Roy said curtly. “Just now -it is necessary to go on shore at once. We have some Mexican money which -we want to turn into such coins as pass current here.” - -As he spoke Roy took one of the gold-pieces from the bag and showed it -to the man. - -“It is very old,” the latter said as he examined the coin intently. -“Have you just come from Mexico?” - -“No, indeed, we were wrecked on one of the keys, we don’t know where, -and this was the first port we made.” - -Ned believed the man was giving more attention to the gold-piece than -would have been natural had his curiosity been excited simply because it -was very old. - -He turned it over and over, glanced furtively around the yacht as if -expecting to see something which might be connected with the money, and -then said: - -“This looks as if it had been under water some time.” - -“I don’t see why,” Roy said quickly. “If exposed for any length of time -to the action of salt water gold will turn very dark, whereas this is as -bright as could be expected if it had been in circulation many years.” - -“And yet it has not been used for a very long while—perhaps a hundred -years.” - -“How do you make that out?” Vance asked quickly. - -“Because of its age. I should think a collector of old coins would like -to purchase such pieces of money.” - -“We haven’t the time to hunt for that class of people. Just now we need -money to pay for what it is necessary to purchase, and unless we go -ashore pretty soon it will be too late to do anything until to-morrow.” - -“It is believed there is a great deal of piratical gold hidden on the -keys near here,” the interpreter said as he gave back the coin. - -“But that can’t be any of it,” Vance replied quickly, “for——” - -Roy prevented anything more being said by stepping on his friend’s foot -at that instant, and this time Ned fancied he saw an odd expression come -over the man’s face. - -He said nothing, however, but went toward the rail as if ready to -embark, and in a few moments the three were pulling rapidly toward the -nearest pier. - -“We shan’t be gone more than an hour,” Roy cried as they left the yacht, -“and when we come back the boat shall be half-loaded with fruit. This is -a good place in which to buy such things.” - -“Take your time. I’m all right here, an’ will see to it that nobody -comes on board while you are away.” - -Ned watched until the little boat touched the dock, and then muttered to -himself as he examined the hawsers to make certain they were holding: - -“I’ll own up to bein’ a Dutchman if that fellow don’t try to find out -more about the gold before we lose sight of him. I didn’t like his face -for a cent. He is one of that kind of fellows who wouldn’t hesitate -about putting a knife into a man’s back, an’ I think will bear -watching.” - -After ascertaining that everything on deck was in proper order, Ned went -into the wheel-house to watch for the return of his friends, and when -they had been absent about an hour his attention was drawn to a small -boat, containing two men, which was being rowed around and around the -yacht as if to make a general inspection. - -“I hope they’ll know the Zoe when they see her again,” he said to -himself as he watched the movements of the craft, and then it seemed to -him as if these inquisitive strangers must have some connection with the -interpreter. - -“I’m makin’ a fool of myself,” he said with a laugh as the boat was -finally headed for the shore. “Just because I don’t like the man’s face -I’m givin’ him the credit of bein’ a tough case, when most likely he’s a -poor duffer who has never a thought of more than earning $2 a day by -acting as interpreter for sea captains who can’t speak Spanish. It won’t -do any harm to make preparations for trouble, though, even if there is -precious little chance we shall ever have any.” - -Half an hour later the party returned, evidently in the best of spirits. - -Roy had kept his word in regard to buying fruit, and had brought off -enough of all kinds to be found in the market, to provide for their -wants during the next week. - -“Did you have any trouble in exchanging the money,” Ned asked in a low -tone as Roy came over the rail. - -“None whatever. The broker seemed surprised to see the pieces, however, -and he and the interpreter talked for a long while in Spanish. The -machinists will come aboard bright and early to-morrow, and Manuel -thinks he can find a competent engineer for us at a moment’s notice.” - -“Who’s Manuel?” - -“The interpreter, of course.” - -“Say, Roy, give me about $30, will you?” - -“It’s more yours than mine, so take as much as you want,” and Roy pulled -from his pocket a handful of money. “What are you going to do with it?” - -“I’ll show you when I come back. I’m thinking of getting Manuel to go -ashore with me.” - -“All right. Don’t stay too long, for we’re bound to have a swell supper -to-night.” - -“I shan’t be away more than half an hour,” Ned replied, and then he -asked the interpreter if he would take him for a short trip. - -Manuel professed to be not only willing, but pleased to grant the favor, -and as soon as the purchases of fruit and provisions could be taken from -the boat, the two rowed toward the pier from which she had just come. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - SUSPICIONS. - - -Not until they were ashore did Ned tell Manuel the nature of his errand, -and then he said with an assumption of carelessness: - -“Take me where I can buy a revolver.” - -“A revolver?” the man repeated as if in surprise. - -“Certainly. Is there anything to prevent?” - -“Nothing, of course, only it seemed strange in the first place that -there should not be an ample supply of weapons on the steamer, and then -again that you might think a revolver necessary so soon after arriving -at one of the most peaceable ports in the world.” - -“The yacht is only chartered, and her armory belongs to her owners,” Ned -replied, not intending to let the interpreter know there was nothing of -the kind on board. “Besides, there are likely to be bad people in any -city, and while I don’t look for any trouble, it is better to be -prepared.” - -Again he fancied the man had a peculiar expression on his face; but he -made no delay in leading Ned to a gunsmith’s, where two Colt’s -revolvers, with a small amount of ammunition, were purchased. - -Then he proposed that they return to the yacht at once, and as the boat -was rowed alongside, said when he had laid his bundle on the rail: - -“Wait there a minute, and I’ll see what remains to be done this -evening.” - -With the weapons under his arm, for he did not intend to give any one a -chance to tamper with them, he went directly to the kitchen, where he -knew Roy would be engaged in making preparations for supper. - -“Got back, have you?” the latter asked carelessly. - -“Yes. Do you need the interpreter any more to-night?” - -“Why, I thought it would be a good idea to have him sleep on board, and -then in case any one came out from the shore we should be able to talk -with them.” - -“Did you say anything to him about it?” - -“No, for I only thought of the plan since you went ashore.” - -“Then let me send him away. I think we shall be safer alone.” - -“Why, do you think——” - -“I’ll explain the reason for taking so many precautions after Manuel -leaves,” Ned replied as he hurried on deck, and then said as he leaned -over the rail where he could speak with the man; “There is nothing more -to be done. Will you please get here in the morning as soon as the -workmen come? for we can’t tell them what is wanted unless you are on -hand.” - -“Am I not to remain on board the yacht? It is customary.” - -“In this case it will be best not to do anything of the kind. We have no -cook, and each fellow waits upon himself.” - -“I should be willing to do the same.” - -“We would rather you stayed on shore,” Ned replied, and this time he -spoke so decidedly that the interpreter could do no less than take his -departure. - -Ned repeated the conversation to his friends, both of whom were in the -kitchen, when he went below, and Roy asked curiously: - -“Why is it you were opposed to his staying on board? I think it might be -rather nice, for he could tell us all about the city and would be on -hand when the machinists arrive.” - -“I don’t think it is safe,” was the emphatic reply, which caused his -companions to stare at him in surprise. - -“Where can be the harm?” - -“I don’t know as there would be any; but it surely can’t be wrong to -take precautions, even though some of them may be foolish. I noticed a -queer look on that fellow’s face when you showed him the gold, and you -must remember that he talked about piratical treasure as if he expected -you to tell him where we got what you sold. Now look at the matter -squarely: You carry on shore, after saying we were wrecked on a key, a -lot of old coins such as have been found around here. It isn’t likely -you would have taken such money from home, consequently every person who -sees it must at once come to the correct conclusion. That being the -case, don’t you think there would be people enough in this city who -would risk an encounter with three boys for the sake of learning whether -there were any more of those ancient gold-pieces on board?” - -“You’re right!” Roy exclaimed, a startled look coming into his eyes, and -Vance added: - -“How do we know but that the interpreter or his friends wouldn’t attempt -the job?” - -“That was exactly why I didn’t want him on board at night, and the -reason of my buying these,” Ned replied as he opened the package, -exposing the weapons to view. “I propose that we keep our eyes open -pretty wide, not only while we remain in port, but until we can put the -treasure in a safer place. This yacht and her cargo would be such a -prize as might tempt very many men to turn pirates for the time being.” - -“You’ve got a mighty level head,” Vance added approvingly, “and I say as -I did when we were on the key, that we will recognize you as the skipper -of this craft.” - -Roy also believed there were good grounds for Ned’s suspicions, and for -the first time since reaching port, both he and Vance were seriously -disturbed in mind. - -“There is no reason why you should fuss about the matter,” Ned hastened -to say as he saw what sort of an effect his words had upon his -companions. “It’s only a case of standing watch all the time, and that -won’t be such very hard work between three.” - -When a satisfactory supper had been eaten the boys sat on the deck aft, -where the lights of the city could best be seen, and there all three -remained until nine o’clock, when Ned proposed that the night watch be -set. - -“We’ll take it an hour apiece, and draw lots to see who begins. At the -first thing which looks suspicious, or can’t be explained readily, the -others are to be awakened. It will be better to turn all hands out on a -false alarm than run any risk.” - -Vance held three splinters of wood in his hands, and it was understood -that he who got the longest should begin the work of watching. - -By this arrangement Roy was to stand the first trick, to be followed by -Ned and Vance in the order named, and, with one of the revolvers loaded -ready for use, the former began to pace to and fro on the deck. - -The clock had been brought from the wheel-house and hung in the after -cabin, where a lamp was to be burning, in order that the sentinel might -see when his time of duty expired. - -Roy and Vance retired, and, worn out by their previous exertions, were -soon asleep. - -Although the watch was maintained regularly and each boy attended -strictly to “business,” nothing of a suspicious nature was seen, and Roy -began to think that perhaps Ned was a trifle too cautious. - -At seven o’clock two machinists, accompanied by the interpreter, came on -board, and Roy explained what was to be done. - -He was not certain whether the engine had received any damage by its -submersion, but asked that it be thoroughly overhauled and put into -running order in the shortest possible space of time. - -Manuel repeated these instructions, and the men went to work while Roy -and Vance prepared breakfast, in which the interpreter was invited to -join after it had been spread in the tiny forward cabin. - -During the meal Manuel inquired particularly concerning the plans of the -boys, regarding the port which they intended to make, who would be there -to meet them, and, in fact, so many things that did not concern him as -to cause Ned’s suspicions to grow stronger. - -“Suppose you try to telegraph to your parents?” the latter suggested -when the meal was concluded, and while speaking he kept his eyes -fastened on the interpreter’s face. - -It may have been only imagination on his part, but he really believed -Manuel looked disappointed because such a thing was thought necessary. - -“Can we do it from here?” Vance asked eagerly, and the interpreter shook -his head. - -“I do not think so,” he replied promptly. “There is a cable, but it has -not been working. I can take a letter to the purser of the next steamer -which sails for New York. He is a friend of mine and will see that it is -forwarded without delay.” - -“When does she sail?” - -“To-morrow.” - -“Then we will get one ready to-day, and perhaps our fathers will receive -the news almost as quickly as if it was possible to send a telegram,” -Roy replied in a tone of satisfaction as he arose from the table. - -Manuel went on deck to smoke his cigar, and when he was gone Ned called -his friends into the kitchen. - -“I am goin’ ashore to find out if that yarn about the cable is true. -Write out such a message as you want sent, an’ we’ll soon know whether -Manuel is to be trusted or not.” - -“You are too suspicious,” Roy said just a trifle impatiently, and Vance -added quickly: - -“I don’t think so. It won’t do any harm if we take too many precautions, -and it may mean a good deal to miss an opportunity of knowing just what -is going on.” - -“But what benefit would it be to the man, even if he has an idea the -yacht can be captured, to prevent us from sending a telegram?” - -“Because,” Ned replied quickly, “there would be less chance thieves -could be tracked if your parents had received no word from you since the -Zoe left Key West.” - -“But he promises to send a letter.” - -“And you will have no means of knowing whether he does so or not. At all -events, don’t write a line or even a word about the treasure.” - -“I think you had better try your luck on shore,” Vance said decidedly. -“I’ll write a telegram if Roy don’t care to, and there won’t be any -damage done if you can’t send it,” - -“You do that and I’ll attend to the letter,” Roy replied. “But how can -Ned learn anything about the cable while he doesn’t understand the -language?” - -“I’ll guarantee to find some one who’ll help me along,” the boy replied -confidently, and just then the return of Manuel interrupted the -conversation. - -“The machinists wish to speak with one of you,” he said. - -“You go, Roy, while I look out for some business which must be attended -to,” Vance replied as he began to write the telegram. - -The two left the cabin, and as soon as the message was finished Ned put -it in his pocket. - -Then, while the interpreter was in the engine-room, he got into the boat -and pulled ashore. - -The machinists wanted to report progress, and Roy was surprised at -seeing that they had already raised steam. - -“They say it is all right now, except that it needs cleaning,” Manuel -said after listening to one of the men a moment. “They have repaired the -damage, and there is nothing to prevent your leaving by noon.” - -“That is just what we will do!” Roy exclaimed, without thinking it -necessary to consult his companions. “Can you get us a sailing master, -engineer, and steward by that time?” - -“I am certain of it,” the interpreter replied. “I had already seen two -of the men, and it will not be difficult to find the third.” - -“Then set about it as soon as possible. There is no reason why we should -lay here a moment longer than necessary, and by starting now we can be -at Key West before morning.” - -“Do you need any stores?” Manuel asked. - -“We have enough of everything to last us into that port. Don’t delay in -getting the crew.” - -As a matter of course when Manuel came on deck he failed to find the -tender; but a passing craft responded to his hail, and he was set ashore -within five minutes after Ned landed. - -An hour later he returned with two Cubans and a negro, the latter being, -according to his own account, a first-class cook. - -The man who was presented as the sailing master was received by Roy and -put in command at once, with instructions to be ready to get under way -as soon as Ned returned. - -He was not a particularly prepossessing looking man, but had the air of -a sailor and was so highly recommended by Manuel that Roy thought he was -very fortunate indeed in being able to hire such a master. - -The engineer set about helping the machinists as if thoroughly well -acquainted with his duties, and the negro began to wash the dishes, an -action which endeared him at once to Roy’s heart, for of all the work -connected with the kitchen this last was the most disagreeable. - -“Do you think it was just fair to engage these people and set them to -work before Ned came back?” Vance asked as soon as it was possible to -speak with his friend where they would not be overheard. - -“Why not?” - -“Because we both agreed he should be the boss of the steamer.” - -“What nonsense! We shall gain so much time, and the instant he steps -aboard we will start out of the harbor. Come with me while we pay the -interpreter, and then he can hail another boat to take him ashore.” - -“The one he brought the men in is still alongside.” - -“So much the better, for he can go at once,” and Roy went on deck, -intent only on being under way at the earliest possible moment. - -Manuel was talking very earnestly with the sailing master, but he -stopped instantly he saw the boys and asked if there was anything more -he could do. - -“I think not,” Roy replied, “and there is no reason why you shouldn’t go -ashore as soon as you please.” - -“But since you can’t speak the language how will it be possible to tell -the crew what you want done?” - -“I never thought of that,” Roy replied in perplexity. “It might come -unhandy.” - -“You are right. Now, I have a proposition which you will do well to -accept. This gentleman agrees to put the yacht into Key West for $15; -the engineer wants $10 and the cook $8, they getting back here as best -they can. Why not give me a ten-dollar bill for the services already -performed and what I may be called upon for until the steamer is in the -home port?” - -“What do you think of it?” Roy asked, turning to Vance. - -“I’ve got nothing to say,” the latter replied. “I don’t think it is the -square thing to make these trades without at least consulting Ned.” - -This remark piqued Roy, and he replied to the interpreter: - -“All right, you shall go. Find out how much the machinists charge for -their services and we will send them ashore at once. I suppose the -engineer can finish the job of cleaning up?” - -“Certainly,” Manuel said as he went into the engine-room, and a few -moments later he came on deck with the workmen. - -Their bill was $2, and this seemed so very reasonable as compared with -some bills he had seen his father pay that Roy added a dollar to the -amount. - -“Tell them to go ashore,” he said to the interpreter. “I suppose they -can use the boat you came out in?” - -“Of course. It is my only chance to send her back.” - -“Now ask the engineer to get steam on,” Roy said when the men had -disappeared over the side. - -“Will your friend be back soon?” Manuel inquired. - -“I am expecting him every moment, and as soon as he steps aboard you may -tell the captain to get under way.” - -Manuel repeated this order at once, and the sailing master, after -speaking a few words to the engineer, did not disdain to work the -capstan himself, hauling the little craft directly over the anchor. - -The black smoke which came from the stack, together with the soft murmur -of escaping steam, told that the Zoe could be on her way out of the -harbor in less than three minutes from the time the word to start was -given. - -Vance was thoroughly displeased that Roy should have thus taken the -management of matters so wholly into his own hands. - -He fancied that both the sailing master and the interpreter looked very -well satisfied after it was decided the latter should accompany the -yacht, and felt quite confident they exchanged triumphant glances when -the word was given to be ready to leave the instant Ned came aboard. - -Unfortunately, however, he did not remonstrate with Roy, as he should -have done, but went aft and remained there alone, watching for Ned. - -The most suspicious person could have found nothing in the actions of -the crew to warrant any fears on the score of foul play. - -The steward and the engineer appeared to be intent only upon their -duties, and the captain had already shown that he was willing to turn -his hand to anything which could forward the wishes of his employers. - -Not until nearly an hour after the machinists had gone ashore did Ned -put out from the dock, and when he came alongside Manuel stood ready to -catch the painter. - -Ned gazed with surprise at the captain and steward, both of whom chanced -to be on deck, and then, beckoning to Roy, who was in the wheel-house, -went below. - -“Well?” the latter asked as he followed the newcomer. - -“I found the telegraph office, and there hasn’t been any trouble with -the cable for the past year. The interpreter has lied to us, and he must -have some reason for so doing.” - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - AN ILL-ADVISED START. - - -Vance hastened to the forward cabin as soon as he saw Ned go down the -companion-way, and arrived there just in time to hear the last portion -of his remark. - -Roy seemed thoroughly bewildered on thus learning that the interpreter -had deceived them, and stood silent and motionless as Vance said -bitterly: - -“With such a man to manage the job, it isn’t hard to fancy that they’ll -make a pretty thorough search of this craft before leaving her.” - -“The best thing we can do is to send him ashore at once,” Ned added. “We -don’t want such fellows around, for it isn’t safe.” - -“But Boy has already hired a sailing master and a steward. In addition -to that, he has engaged Manuel to go with us to Key West.” - -Ned looked at Roy as if asking if the statement was correct. - -“I didn’t think there would be any harm in making ready to leave as soon -as possible, for the machinists reported that the engine had been -repaired, and by leaving now we can be in Key West before morning.” - -“But you surely are not willing to take a crew selected by Manuel after -what I have told you?” Ned said in surprise. - -“When I engaged them I didn’t know there was anything wrong.” - -“But now that—What is going on? It sounds as if we were under way!” - -Ned ran hastily up the companion stairs, looked around for an instant, -and then leaped below in the greatest excitement as he said hurriedly: - -“It is a fact! We are steaming out of the harbor! What is the meaning of -it?” - -“I told them to start the minute you came on board,” Roy said in a low -tone, wishing from the very bottom of his heart that he had never given -such an order. - -“And we are going to run across with four men on board who are perfect -strangers, except that we know one told an absolute lie for the purpose -of preventing you from sending any word to your parents!” Ned exclaimed -as he literally threw himself into a chair and stared moodily at the -floor. - -“I wasn’t consulted in the matter at all,” Vance said angrily. “I told -Roy I thought he should wait till you came aboard.” - -“I surely asked your opinion about taking Manuel as interpreter,” Roy -said sharply. - -“Yes; but that was after you had made the trade with the others, and -they virtually had possession of the yacht.” - -“Well, it can’t be helped now, and we must decide what may be done to -prevent them from taking us by surprise,” Ned said with a long-drawn -sigh. - -He fancied he knew exactly how Roy felt when he made the bargain, and -that it had only been done from a desire to be with his parents as soon -as possible, therefore it did not seem to him right that the boy should -be blamed. - -“Why can’t it be helped?” Vance cried sharply. “What is to prevent us -from ordering them to put back?” - -“If they have come on board with any idea of taking possession of the -steamer, they wouldn’t obey the command and we should only succeed in -starting a row before being prepared.” - -“I’ll soon know what they mean!” Roy said angrily as he went toward the -companion-way. - -“Wait a minute!” Ned cried as he caught him by the arm. “Don’t act as -hastily as you did before, but think the matter over first. Suppose they -refuse to obey orders, what can we do before mapping out a plan?” - -“I’ll take one of the revolvers with me and make them do as I say.” - -“And probably be knocked down before you had spoken half a dozen words, -even though the men were perfectly honest. Who do you suppose would -allow a boy to come at him with a drawn weapon without making some kind -of a row?” - -It did not take many moments for Roy to realize the truth of this, and -he seated himself on one of the lockers in moody silence. - -“Well, see here, this won’t do,” Vance suddenly cried. “The yacht is -getting further out of the harbor every moment, and if there is such an -idea as turning back, it should be carried into effect at once.” - -“I don’t know what to say,” Roy replied in dismay. - -“And I think it would be foolish to attempt to change any of the orders -which have been given,” Ned added. “If the men are bent on mischief they -wouldn’t obey, and if they are honest we shall get to Key West without -trouble.” - -“Well, are you going to sit here and let matters take their own course?” -Vance asked impatiently. - -“This is what I think might be done,” Ned replied, speaking slowly, as -if weighing well his words. “One of us could sit in the pilot-house and -the other in the engine-room all the time, each armed with a revolver. -The third would spell either when it became necessary, and thus a watch -might be kept over the two most important sections of the craft.” - -“But suppose they should raise a row because we remained on guard?” -Vance asked. - -“If they are perfectly honest nothing of the kind could happen, and if -not, the question will surely arise, when we can speak right out and say -exactly why we don’t like the looks of things. Men who have come aboard -simply to earn their wages by performing the necessary work surely -wouldn’t object to those who stand in the place of the owners caring for -the property.” - -“What do you think of that plan, Roy?” Vance asked. - -“I’ll go in for anything you two believe best. After being so smart I -ought to be willing to tie my head in a bag until we reach port.” - -“But you haven’t made any provision for keeping an eye on the hold,” -Vance suggested in a whisper. - -“Why can’t you do that? I’ll go into the pilot-house, Roy into the -engine-room, and you would be at liberty to prowl around anywhere. It -won’t be a very long watch if they intend to play square.” - -“Then let’s begin at once.” - -All hands arose to their feet and ascended the companion-way, since it -was necessary first to go on deck in order to reach either of the places -referred to. - -Manuel was standing just beneath the wheel-house when the boys reached -the open air, and it looked very much as if he had been hovering around -the hatch-way in the hope of overhearing what might be said in the -forward cabin, where the consultation was held. - -“We are under way,” he said to Roy, treating him as the leader of the -party, as was but natural, since by him he and his friends had been put -in possession of the little craft. - -“So I see. We should arrive some time during the night, for this craft -can make twelve knots under ordinary circumstances.” - -“If the weather holds good you will awaken in port,” was the reply. “The -captain has been to Key West many times, and will get the little steamer -there as soon as any other person could.” - -“How about the engineer?” Vance asked. - -“Oh, he is a master of his trade; you need have no fears but that she -will be kept at full speed.” - -“I think I’ll have a look at him,” Roy said, and as he started aft -followed by Manuel, Ned suddenly remembered that after deciding upon -their course of action they had been so careless as to forget the -weapons, which were in one of the after-cabin lockers. - -“Hold on a minute!” he said quickly. “I wish you would show me where -those papers were put.” - -“What papers?” Roy asked innocently, and the most careless observer -would have understood that there was nothing of the kind aboard. - -“The ones I gave you just before I went on shore,” and by dint of much -winking, which may or may not have been seen by the interpreter, Roy -finally understood that he should accompany his friends. - -“Well, of all thick-headed mortals you are the worst!” Vance whispered -when they were in the after cabin. “It was necessary for Ned to give the -whole snap away before you could understand that he wanted to speak with -you.” - -“I’ll admit that I’m about as stupid as fellows are usually made,” Roy -replied seriously, “and the knowledge of what I have possibly done only -makes me worse. What is it you wanted, Ned?” - -“We forgot the revolvers, like a set of chumps, and they are here,” Ned -replied as he opened the locker. - -The words had hardly been spoken, and before the weapons could be -raised, when the companion-way doors were suddenly pulled to, the hatch -drawn over, while the click of metal told that the bolts had been drawn. - -Vance was at the top of the stairs instantly pounding on the wood-work, -but no attention was paid to him for several moments. - -“Unlock this door!” he shouted. “What do you mean by shutting us in -here?” - -The party on the outside appeared to be making the fastenings secure, -and not until this had been done to his satisfaction did he condescend -to reply; then the prisoners heard the voice of Manuel as he said -loudly: - -“We have taken a notion to learn where those old coins come from and -think you may have a good supply on board, consequently found it -necessary to take possession. It won’t do any good to shout and rave, -for we are well out of the harbor. So try to make the best of a bad -matter.” - -Ned took careful aim in the direction of the voice and discharged one -barrel of his revolver, the bullet plowing its way through the thin -barrier; but, so far as could be ascertained, doing no further damage. - -“I’ll soon show you how to do that sort of thing, my bantam,” Manuel -replied angrily, and then the sound of his footsteps on the roof of the -cabin told that he had gone forward. - -“It is just as I feared,” Ned said with a sigh. “That fellow had all the -opportunity he needed and has taken advantage of it. The sight of the -money told him almost as plainly as words could have done that we had -found a treasure on the key where the yacht went ashore.” - -“And I was such a fool as to arrange everything for them in the best -possible shape!” Roy moaned. “It doesn’t seem as if a fellow _could_ -make such a fool of himself as I have succeeded in doing.” - -“It’s no use crying over what can’t be helped,” Ned said cheerily as he -mentally braced himself to appear cheerful lest his companions should -lose all courage. “We must try to get the best of those fellows.” - -“And we stand a mighty good chance, don’t we? Four of them against three -who are locked into a place where they not only can’t help themselves, -but are shut out from every other portion of the steamer!” Vance said -bitterly. “Now they are convinced there is treasure on board, it won’t -take more than ten minutes to discover it, and most likely the yacht is -being headed this very minute where they can trust to finding friends.” - -[Illustration: NED SHOOTS AT MANUEL THROUGH THE CABIN SKYLIGHT.—Page -251.] - -“I don’t fancy she is bound for Key West,” Ned replied, “but I can’t see -why it is necessary to look for friends, since they have got things all -their own way, while we’re shut up here like rats in a trap.” - -Then came a long interval of silence as each fellow was trying in vain -to devise some scheme by which the recapture of the yacht would be -possible, and all were startled as if by an electric shock when a loud -report rang out, followed by the splintering of wood and glass, as a -bullet lodged in the panels of the state-room door within a few inches -of Ned’s head. - -For an instant the three stood as if panic-stricken, and then Vance ran -toward the bulkhead which divided the cabin from a portion of the -engine-room as he cried: - -“Get up here, quick! He’s trying for another shot!” - -As he spoke he pointed to the skylight, from which direction the bullet -had come, and there could be seen the interpreter’s legs as he was -gliding noiselessly around in the hope of seeing his intended victims -more clearly. - -This was just the opportunity Ned wanted, and, resting his revolver on -his arm in order to take more steady aim, fired twice in rapid -succession. - -A scream of pain told that at least one of the missiles had struck the -target, and the oaths and imprecations which followed gave very good -evidence as to who had been wounded. - -“You shall pay for this, you scoundrels!” Manuel cried in a fury. “Don’t -think that because you are hidden from view it is impossible to get at -you. There is no need of our hunting you out; a few days with neither -food nor water will soon do the business!” - -“But what is to prevent our winging all hands of your party before we’re -starved?” Ned cried. “We are justified in shooting to kill, for you have -shown yourselves to be pirates, and we shan’t give in without a -struggle. Watch your chance!” he added in a whisper to Roy. “We’ve got -to shoot them down or else go under ourselves.” - -“You won’t crow so loud to-morrow,” Manuel shouted, and then the sound -of halting footsteps told that he had gone forward once more. - -“You are shivering like a fellow with a chill,” Vance said to Roy. - -“So would you if you had gotten us into the scrape that I have. It seems -as if I had doomed all three to death.” - -“You mustn’t give way like that,” Ned said sharply, “or there will be -very little hope for us. Vance, you take the revolver until Roy pulls -himself together, for just now I don’t believe he could hit the side of -a barn.” - -“Is this all we are to do—stand here for them to sneak up and shoot us -whenever they feel like it?” Vance asked as he obeyed the order. - -“Not by any manner of means, an’ it won’t pay to remain in this spot -very long, for they can fire at us from the engine-room. I’ll go into -one of the state-rooms, and you take the other. By leaving the doors -open it will be possible to keep watch on the skylights, and that is the -most dangerous point just now.” - -Vance made his way quickly into the room on the starboard side, -fastening the door open with a chair lest the motion of the craft should -close it, and Ned went into the apartment opposite, Roy following him. - -Not until this had been done was it learned that the stock of cartridges -was yet in the locker, and it was necessary they be divided before -Manuel should have attended to his wound and returned to watch for a -chance to shoot one of the prisoners. - -Ned darted out very swiftly, knowing he stood a poor show of returning -if one of the pirates caught a glimpse of him, and in a very short time -both the watchers were well supplied with ammunition. - -There was no encouragement to be gained from the fact that they were -well armed and sheltered from view, as all three realized after they had -had time to think the matter over. - -The men could easily find the gold and silver, run the yacht into some -harbor, and there abandon her, or, making preparations to leave in the -small boat at the proper moment, scuttle her. - -It was more than probable they would pursue this last course, as Ned -admitted to himself after studying the matter several moments, and he -could not repress a shudder as he thought that even now they might be -arranging such a plan. - -The yacht need not be taken more than a dozen miles from the island of -Cuba before the deed could be done with but slight chance of detection, -and the treasure in the hold was sufficient to tempt such men as they -undoubtedly were to commit even a greater crime in order to gain -possession of it. - -The watchers were sitting on the floor with their backs against the -bunks, where they could have a full view of the skylight, and each held -his revolver in his hand ready for immediate use. - -“There’s precious little hope that either of you will get a chance to -shoot,” Roy said after a long time of silence, during which he had -remained with his face buried in his hands. “They are not obliged to -come aft for everything, and even if it should be necessary, it could be -done after dark when we can’t see them.” - -“I’m a Dutchman if there isn’t one thing in our favor!” Ned cried as a -sudden thought occurred to him. - -“What is that?” Roy and Vance asked in concert. - -“The boat is being towed behind. They have got to come around here -before they can abandon the yacht.” - -“There’s no chance of that being done unless——” - -Vance ceased speaking very suddenly as he understood what Ned had been -thinking about, and to him the future, not very bright before, suddenly -grew yet more dark. - -Then came another time of silence, during which the motion of the screw -suddenly ceased, and the prisoners looked at each other in surprise and -alarm. - -Was this stoppage due to the engine itself, or had the pirates arrived -at that point where they were ready to adopt yet bolder tactics than -before? - -As a matter of course this question could not be answered among -themselves, and they waited in painful suspense for some noise by which -they might gain an inkling of the true state of affairs. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - PRISONERS. - - -To the great relief of the prisoners the throbbing of the engine was -heard a few moments later, and there was no longer any question but that -the momentary stoppage had been caused by some trifling defect in the -machinery, which could only be remedied by slowing down. - -The alarm which the boys felt at the yacht’s suddenly becoming -motionless on the waters served a far different purpose than the pirates -could have suspected. - -It suggested to Ned’s mind a way of overcoming those who had taken -possession of the steamer, and that without taking too many risks of -being killed. - -Instantly the engine was started again he leaped to his feet, thrust a -revolver into Roy’s hands, and whispered: - -“Keep the sharpest lookout you know how on the skylight. If you see so -much as a shadow, fire at once!” - -“What are you going to do?” - -“I hardly know yet awhile; but I’ve got a sort of an idea which may turn -out to be a big thing.” - -Then, to the great surprise of both his companions, Ned began examining -the partition which separated the cabin from the upper portion of the -engine-room. - -The inspection appeared to afford him considerable satisfaction, and he -began cutting the highly polished moldings on either side of the center -panel with his pocket knife. - -This apparently useless destruction was more than Vance could witness in -silence, and he asked quite sharply: - -“What’s come over you now?” - -Ned placed his finger on his lips as a token that no noise should be -made, and continued to work with feverish haste, stopping every now and -then to make certain he was not heard by any one who might chance to be -on the opposite side of the wood-work. - -During an hour he labored industriously, and then there was an -expression of the most intense satisfaction on his face as he went -softly to Vance’s post of duty, beckoning for Roy to join them. - -“That bulkhead is only made of thin boards,” he said in a whisper, “and -I have cut away the moldings until the center panel can be pulled out in -a few seconds.” - -“Well, what does that amount to?” Vance asked impatiently. - -“It will be possible to get into the engine-room, and if that can be -done without raising an alarm, I count on regaining possession of the -steamer with but precious little trouble.” - -“How?” both boys asked in the same breath. - -“Here is the scheme, and mind that you understand it perfectly, for -there will be no opportunity to explain matters after we begin -operations. There is a speaking-tube from this room to the pilot-house, -isn’t there?” - -Yes,” Vance replied wonderingly. “Father had it put in so he could talk -to the man at the wheel without being obliged to go on deck.” - -“Very well: when I give the word, you must whistle through and claim to -want to talk with Manuel. That will bring him up to the pilot-house. -Then you are to ask him on what terms he will agree to set us adrift at -some point where we can reach Key West without difficulty——” - -“But we mustn’t think of leaving the yacht until it becomes absolute -necessary,” Roy exclaimed. - -“Wait till I finish. You are to keep on trying to make a trade with -Manuel until you hear me whistle, and then you can stop. While he is -there the sailing master will beat the wheel as a matter of course, -which leaves no one but the steward and the engineer below. I shall pull -out the panel the moment you nod to show me Manuel has come to the tube. -Then each of us carrying a revolver, Vance and I will slip through. I -count on surprising the engineer so much that I shall have the weapon -leveled at his head before he knows we are anywhere near. Vance mustn’t -stop, but keep right on to the kitchen and make the darkey a prisoner in -the same manner. Then I shall whistle; you must rush down as quickly as -possible and secure all the hatches leading to the upper deck, and with -one of the revolvers run back here to shoot the first person who -attempts to get in this way.” - -“But we shall be shut up below the same as we are here,” Roy said -thoughtfully. - -“Yes, but it’ll be for us to say whether the yacht shall go ahead or -astern, and those fellows will be forced to come to our terms, for if a -craft of any kind should heave in sight she’d be certain to bear down on -us for the purpose of learning what was the matter, and then if the -truth didn’t get out it would be our own fault.” - -“It’s a big scheme,” said Vance approvingly, “only we had better -understand beforehand what is to be done if the engineer and steward -don’t give up when we cover them with the revolvers.” - -“In such a case there must be no hesitation about shooting them at once. -By that time we shall have gone so far that it will be the only way of -saving our own lives.” - -“Let’s begin immediately,” Vance said eagerly. - -“Wait till I fasten the cabin doors on the inside so they can’t get in -that way without considerable trouble,” Ned replied as he stole softly -and noiselessly toward the companion-way. - -Three minutes later everything was in readiness for the bold scheme, and -as Vance and Ned stationed themselves in front of the partially loosened -panel, Roy whistled through the tube. - -It was nearly a minute before he received any reply, and then he nodded -his head to show that the interpreter had spoken. - -Ned looked at his companion to make certain the latter had his weapon -ready, and dexterously inserting the blade of his knife in the crevices -of the wood-work, succeeded in wrenching out the panel with but little -noise. - -It can safely be said that their hearts were beating furiously as the -two boys darted through the opening thus made and ran swiftly down the -iron ladder which led to that portion of the yacht where it was -necessary the engineer should remain in order to attend to the -machinery. - -The man looked up in surprise at the sound of the hurried footsteps, and -before he had an opportunity to speak a word Ned was aiming the revolver -directly at him as he said in a low, stern tone: - -“Up with your hands, quick, or I shall fire! I shan’t have the slightest -hesitation about shooting you as I would a dog!” - -The fellow had obeyed at the first glimpse of the weapon, and Ned -stepped aside slightly in order to let Vance pass him, saying as he did -so: - -“Bring the darkey back here as quick as you can!” - -Then turning to his prisoner, for the man had shown the white feather -instantly he was at the boy’s mercy, he added, “Catch that bar above -your head and hold on there. Remember that at the least movement I shall -shoot. I ought to do that at once, for pirates like you are not worth -the trouble necessary to keep them prisoners.” - -It could be seen that the man understood English from the alacrity with -which he obeyed, and when he was grasping one of the spare steering-rods -in such a manner as to raise himself slightly from the deck, Ned held -the revolver at his head with one hand, while with the other he searched -the fellow’s pockets. - -A pair of wicked-looking brass-knuckles was the result of this search, -and then Ned took from the engineer’s belt a keen-edged knife, both of -which articles he threw into the furnace-room. - -This work had but just been completed when Vance entered the apartment, -driving the darkey in front of him, and never did a black face show more -evidences of fear than at this moment. - -“Back that fellow against this one!” Ned said sharply as Vance appeared, -“and see how quick you can lash them together. I’ll stand ready to kill -the first one who makes any kick.” - -Vance went to work as expeditiously as if he had always been accustomed -to such tasks. - -First he hastily unbuckled the belts of both, and with them made a strap -of sufficient length to go around the prisoners while their arms were -lowered. Then, running back to the forward cabin, he brought out a -quantity of ratline stuff, with which he proceeded to do them up in a -perfect network. - -Ned did not wait until the task was wholly accomplished. - -When Vance had so far secured them that it was impossible either could -do anything toward effecting his release, Ned ran to first one -companion-way and then the other until in less than a couple of minutes -he had them well secured. - -The upper door leading from the engine-room was the only point at which -those on deck could gain an entrance without considerable labor, and the -greater portion of this being glass, he thought it possible that in the -first frenzy of rage Manuel might attempt something of the kind. - -Hastily dragging a couple of mattresses from the state-rooms, he placed -these against the door in such a manner that they would serve as a -screen to whoever might be standing there as sentinel. - -“She’s ours, or, at least, the lower portion of her is, and I reckon -those villains will have mighty hard work to search for treasure now!” -he cried, and Vance, who had finished his task, came from the -engine-room. - -“Is it safe to leave things alone there?” - -“Yes, there’s plenty of water in the glass, the fires are all right, and -the prisoners lashed up so tight that it’ll be hard work for them to so -much as wink.” - -“Then we’ll notify our particular friends in the wheel-house that we -don’t care about running on this course any longer,” and Ned led the way -to the state-room where Roy, looking thoroughly frightened, was yet -parleying with Manuel. - -“Is it all right?” he asked in a whisper. - -“Snug and neat a trick as you ever saw,” Ned replied, and then taking -his station at the tube, he cried, “Say, my piratical friend Manuel, -we’ve concluded that we don’t care to give this craft up to you without -a struggle, and while Roy was talking with you to make certain you -didn’t get into danger, Vance and I had an interview with your two chums -below. Now we have concluded that we will shut off steam awhile, because -of a very grave suspicion that the yacht is not headed for Key West.” - -An exclamation of rage and astonishment could be heard by all, and then -the sharp click of the cover told that the interpreter had left very -suddenly to ascertain if the story was true. - -“We may get a chance to shoot at him again,” Ned cried as he sprang to -the barricade of mattresses. “Vance, you attend to the after -companion-way, and let Roy shut off the steam. Look lively, all hands, -for now is the best chance we shall have.” - -The boy was willing to take many risks for the purpose of ending the -struggle speedily, and stood peering out from the edges of the -mattresses where he could see any one who came to starboard of the -deck-houses. - -His companions obeyed the commands so hurriedly given, and in a few -seconds the throbbing of the screw ceased as Roy shut off the supply of -steam. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - SUCCESS. - - -The machinery had hardly ceased moving before Ned saw a target at which -to aim. - -The worthy Manuel was creeping as stealthily as a cat to the engine-room -door, and before he could stretch out his hand to grasp the knob a -bullet struck his arm, calling forth a wild shriek of pain. - -There was no opportunity for a second shot, for the fellow disappeared -from view with remarkable celerity, and Ned muttered to himself: - -“It’s better to disable them than have the thought always before a -fellow that he has killed a human being.” - -“I reckon by the sound that you hit the mark,” Vance cried from his -station in the cabin. - -“It was Manuel again, and this time I reckon he’ll find it mighty hard -work to use a revolver, unless he’s left-handed.” - -“Now what are we to do?” - -“Hold on as we are. We can lose nothing by lying here, and they may find -themselves in trouble if a revenue cruiser should happen along; even a -merchantman might think it worth while to make it hot for them.” - -Roy, having done as he was bidden, joined Ned. - -“You know something about an engine, don’t you?” - -“Either Vance or I can start or stop her now that she is in running -order, and I reckon it won’t be a hard job to keep the steam up.” - -“There’s no danger of her exploding?” - -“Not a bit. The steam will blow off itself if the pressure gets too -heavy.” - -“Then I reckon we can stick it out as long as they can. Suppose you take -a look at all the hatches and make certain I fastened them securely?” - -Roy went below at once, and until he returned not a sound could be heard -from the wheel-house, where the two pirates were, unless they had seen -fit to sneak along the port side in the hope of getting a shot at one of -the boys. - -Then the whistle was heard, and Ned motioned for Roy to attend to it. - -“Sing out what they say, so all hands will have a chance of deciding any -question which may come up.” - -Roy went into the room and an instant later cried: - -“He says the yacht is drifting on to a reef, and will be ashore in ten -minutes if we don’t go ahead.” - -“Tell him nothing will suit us better than to have her there!” Vance -cried angrily, and Ned shouted cheerily: - -“It’s all a lie, for even if they have been running up the island we -have nothing to fear while the wind holds as it did when we started.” - -Roy repeated Vance’s words, and added on his own account: - -“There is no use for you to shout through this tube, for we don’t care -to make any trade with you, unless it should be on the basis of your -leaving the yacht at once.” - -“Will you put us ashore if we agree to give up our weapons?” - -Roy repeated the question to his companions, and Ned said: - -“We can’t afford to run the risk of their treachery. If they want to -take to the small boat, we’ll allow them the chance of getting into her; -but it must be done mighty quick.” - -There was no reply to this decision for a long while, and Roy had gone -into the engine-room to assure himself things were all right there, when -the whistle was heard again. - -Neither Vance nor Ned dared to answer it lest it should be a trick -similar to the one they played a short time previous with such good -success, and it was necessary to wait until Roy returned. - -Then the following conversation ensued, Manuel, as a matter of course, -being the spokesman at the wheel-house end of the tube: - -“We are willing to admit that we are beaten, and will take to the small -boat at once if you send our friends up.” - -Ned dictated the reply: - -“It can’t be done. Go alone if you choose, but they stay where they are -until we reach port or are overhauled by some craft, when you will have -a chance to explain how you happen to be on deck with everybody else -holding the fort below.” - -“Then we shall stay here, and it may be you’ll have a chance to fight -fire after we get ready to take to the small boat.” - -This threat had the effect of frightening Roy somewhat, but Vance cried -positively: - -“They won’t dare to do anything of the kind while their chums are in the -hold. Besides, I’d rather take my chances of fighting fire than of -letting them loose. What would prevent them from doing the same thing -after their friends were freed?” - -“That’s so!” Ned cried. “Here’s a good trade for them! If they’ll get -into the small boat and push off where we can see them, we’ll let the -others go one at a time. They can swim to the small boat, and thus save -themselves from spending quite a while in jail.” - -Roy repeated the words, and a few moments later, to the surprise of all, -Manuel cried: - -“We’re in a tight place, and are willing to accept the offer. When shall -we start?” - -“He’s up to some mischief now or I’m a Dutchman!” Ned exclaimed in a low -tone, and added: “Tell them to leave at once, and to push off thirty or -forty yards on the port side.” - -“Do you think it’s safe?” Vance asked nervously. - -“We’d better take the chances than hang ’round here two or three days. I -believe I can outwit them by working lively.” - -Roy repeated the proposition, and Manuel replied: - -“Then we’ll start at once, for it will take us nearly all night to pull -back to the island.” - -“Now, Vance, keep your eyes open and be ready to run to the wheel-house -on the starboard side,” Ned said quickly, and he waited at his post -until the sound of footsteps on the deck told that the two men had gone -aft. - -Then he hurriedly joined Vance, and the latter whispered nervously: - -“They have got at least one revolver, and probably two between them. We -should have insisted on taking the weapons, otherwise they may fire on -us while we are getting under way.” - -“That’s exactly what I count on their trying to do, but I reckon they -won’t make very much by it,” Ned said as he went into the port -state-room aft. “Keep a sharp watch there until the boat pushes off, and -then get into the wheel-house as lively as you know how.” - -It was evidently a portion of Manuel’s scheme to play fair until his -companions should be with him, when he probably intended to try -something else. - -Ned had opened the bull’s-eye a few inches to enable him to see what was -going on, and when the men in the boat came within his range of vision -he said to Vance: - -“Now is your time to get into the wheel-house. Be careful to keep out of -sight, and don’t stand erect until we are beyond range.” - -“Now send over our friends!” Manuel shouted. - -“You shall have them as soon as we can make the necessary arrangements,” -Ned replied as he pushed the muzzle of his weapon through the aperture. -“For fear you might take a notion to board us again, or send a few -bullets at the man at the wheel, I shall stand right here ready to kill -you whenever either of your party makes a threatening gesture. Bring up -the prisoners, Roy.” - -It was some moments before this order could be obeyed, owing to the -network of ropes, but they were finally released and driven through the -cabin, Roy marching behind with the heavy starting-bar ready to strike -down the first one who attempted to show fight. - -“See that they jump together,” Ned said, still keeping his eyes fixed on -the boat, where Manuel was busily engaged heaping maledictions on the -heads of the boys because his plans were not working exactly to suit -him. “Comeback here instantly they are in the water.” - -Roy gave the word for the march to be resumed, and the prisoners rushed -on deck after the companion-way door had been forced by the aid of the -bar. - -A moment later a loud splash told that they had leaped together, and as -Roy came at full speed below, Ned cried: - -“Start her as quick as possible. A few seconds means everything to us -just now!” - -The men in the water swam directly toward the boat, and as if to pick -them up at the earliest possible moment, the sailing master pulled -toward them. - -“That’s their game, to board us again, thinking we can’t start the -engine,” Ned muttered to himself. “Manuel fancies he has released his -chums, and that we are still in his power.” - -Nervous as Ned was, it seemed as if the screw would never revolve. - -The men had been pulled on board the boat and the sailing master was -rowing toward the bow of the yacht with all speed, probably intending to -board from there. - -“Hold on or I shall shoot!” Ned cried, and the words had hardly been -spoken before the little craft was so far ahead that he could no longer -see her. - -“Hurry up there unless you are willing we shall take those fellows -aboard again!” Ned cried as he ran to the engine-room door, and then, -tearing away the barricade he had erected, rushed on to the deck. - -A bullet whistled past his head as he emerged, and on shrinking back he -understood that the machinery was in motion. - -“Give it to her for all she’s worth!” he shouted excitedly, running -through the cabin to the main companion-way, and just as he was where he -could look out, the boat swept past within half a dozen feet of the -stern. - -In the bow of the little craft was the darkey, who had been trying to -gain a hold of the yacht as she moved swiftly ahead. - -“We’ve done it by the skin of our teeth!” he cried sufficiently loud for -Roy to hear as he ran forward once more, and shouted from the -engine-room door, “take care of yourself, Vance! They are most likely -ready to shoot.” - -Three minutes later he ventured on deck, and looking far astern, saw the -pirates sitting motionless in the boat as if dazed at the very -successful manner in which their villainous scheme had been frustrated. - -It seemed incredible that the little craft could have traversed such a -distance in so short a time, but there was no disputing the fact, and -Ned set up a shout of triumph, in which he was joined both from the -wheel-house and engine-room. - -Then he ran to where Vance, having just risen to his feet, was swinging -the yacht around as if to intercept a small craft which was running to -the westward. - -“That explains why those fellows were so anxious to gain possession of -the craft at once that they were willing to accede to our terms in the -slight hope of getting the best of us. Unless I’m very much mistaken -that is a Key West pilot-boat, which has been up the coast somewhere, -and we had better speak her.” - -Vance was not mistaken. - -Half an hour later they had overhauled the craft and taken on board a -reliable pilot, who promised they should be at anchor at Key West before -midnight, and, what was better still, he kept his word to the letter. - -Between them Vance and Roy ran the engine, and it is safe to say both -felt a sense of the most intense relief when they heard the signal to -slow down, followed by a command to Ned to “clear away the anchor.” - -It yet lacked a quarter of twelve when the mighty splash told that the -Zoe was in the home port once more, and her capture nothing more -dangerous than some hideous nightmare which is quickly forgotten. - -Vance and Roy were on shore very soon after sunrise next morning, and -almost the first person they met was the former’s father. - -The party had heard at New York of the fears which were entertained -concerning the safety of the Zoe, and passage was taken on the Key West -steamer at once. - -They had arrived the evening previous, and Mr. Stewart had left the -hotel thus early in order to hire a craft of some kind to make a tour of -the keys in search of some tidings of the missing ones. - -Now that there is no possibility there can be any trouble regarding the -Zoe or her cargo, it is time to end the story. - -There is really nothing more to say, except that Ned spent that winter -with Vance and Roy, and very many short cruises did they take in the -Zoe; but, putting them all together, there was not as much adventure in -them as had been crowded into the first voyage. - -As a matter of course the treasure was taken charge of by Mr. Stewart -and Mr. Harland, and to-day, in a certain New York City bank, there is -$8,000 as Ned’s share of the treasure found on Spider Key. - -Up to the present time the boy who the good people of Jonesboro had -decided was certain to come to some bad end has never returned to that -place, nor is he likely to do so until after he has passed an -examination for Columbia College, which he, with Vance and Ned, intends -to enter next term if possible. - -Where is the Zoe? - -That question cannot be answered, although it is very probable she is in -the vicinity of Key West; but if any of the readers should keep a sharp -lookout during the coming summer, it is more than likely they will see a -jaunty little steam craft, bearing the same name, which is owned by Ned, -Vance, and Roy, having been purchased with a portion of the money found -in the old hulk on Spider Key. - - - THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. P. 257, changed “either side the center panel” to “either side of - the center panel”. - 2. Table of Contents added by transcriber. - 3. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wrecked on Spider Island, by James Otis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WRECKED ON SPIDER ISLAND *** - -***** This file should be named 63561-0.txt or 63561-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/5/6/63561/ - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Melissa McDaniel, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - |