Part 32 (1/2)
”The _Josephine_ isn't here yet,” said Fred.
”No, but she may put in an appearance at any time,” answered Tom. ”I believe in taking time by the forelock, as the saying is.”
The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then it was decided to let Tom, d.i.c.k and Sam go ash.o.r.e in company with two sailors, who would then bring the rowboat back to the steam yacht. The boys were to take blankets and some provisions with them and spend the night on the island.
”I don't think you'll find the cave without Bahama Bill's aid,” said Mr. Rover. ”But it will do no harm to look around. If this isle is like the rest of the West Indies there will be little on it to hurt you.
There are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of some negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose.”
The rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best wishes of those left behind. Hans wanted to go very much, but was told he must wait until morning. Bahama Bill said he would rather sleep on s.h.i.+pboard any time than on sh.o.r.e.
”A bunk for me,” were his words. ”It's better than under the trees or bushes. Once I was ash.o.r.e sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my legs. I thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped up. When I see the snake I run about three miles without stopping. A cozy bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!”
It was exciting to bring the rowboat through the pa.s.sage of the reef and once the boys thought they were going to s.h.i.+p a good deal of water.
But the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. They helped the lads to land, on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to the steam yacht.
”Treasure Isle at last!” cried d.i.c.k, when they were left alone. ”So far our quest has been successful. Now to locate the cave and unearth that treasure!”
”And may it prove to be worth all that has been said of it,” added Sam.
CHAPTER XX
THE BOYS MAKE A DISCOVERY
The boys had landed at a spot that was particularly inviting in appearance, and they stopped for several minutes to take in the natural beauty surrounding them. There were tall and stately palms, backed up by other trees, trailing vines of great length, and numerous gorgeous flowers. A sweet scent filled the air, and from the woods in the center of the isle came the song of tropical birds.
”What a fine camping place!” murmured Sam. ”A fellow could spend several weeks here and have lots of fun, bathing and boating, and hunting birds, and fis.h.i.+ng,” and his brothers agreed with him.
Yet the beauty of Treasure Isle was soon forgotten in their anxiety to locate the cave. They had a general idea that it was in the center of the horseshoe curve, and that center was quite a distance from where they had been brought ash.o.r.e.
”The best we can do is to tramp along the water's edge,” said d.i.c.k.
”Then when we reach the center we can go inland.”
”We haven't over an hour,” replied his youngest brother. ”By that time it will be too dark to do much more. And we'll have to find some suitable place to camp for the night.”
”Oh, we can camp anywhere,” cried Tom. ”It's good enough--just for one night.”
They began to trudge along the edge of the horseshoe curve, over smooth sand. But this did not last, and presently they came to a muddy flat and went down to their ankles. d.i.c.k was ahead and he cried to the others.
”Stop! It's not fit to walk here!”
”Why, it's like a bog!” declared Sam, after testing it.
”We'll have to go inland a distance,” said Tom. ”Come on,” and he turned back and struck out for the palms and bushes beyond.
It was then that the Rover boys began to realize what was before them.
Scarcely had they penetrated the interior for fifty yards when they found themselves in a perfect network of trailing vines. Then, after having pulled and cut their way through for fifty yards more, they came to a spot that was rocky and covered with a tangle of th.o.r.n.y bushes.