Part 33 (1/2)
”Might as well,” answered Sam. ”It's better than scratching yourself and tearing your clothing in those thorn bushes.”
The boys took to the trail and pa.s.sed along for a distance of quarter of a mile or more. It wound in and out around the rocks and trees and had evidently been made by some natives bringing out wild fruits and the like from the forest.
”It doesn't seem to be leading us to anywhere,” was d.i.c.k's comment. ”I don't know whether to go on or not.”
Nevertheless, they kept on, until they came to a sharp turn around a series of rocks. As they moved ahead they suddenly saw a glare of light cross the rocks and then disappear.
”What was that?” asked Sam, somewhat startled.
”A light,” answered d.i.c.k.
”I know. But where did it come from?”
”It was like the flash of a bicycle gas lamp,” said Tom.
”There are no bicycles on this trail,” said d.i.c.k.
”I know that, too, d.i.c.k. But it was like that kind of a lamp.”
Just then the flash of light reappeared, and now they saw it came from a point on the trail ahead of them. They listened intently and heard somebody approaching.
”Several men are coming!” whispered d.i.c.k.
”Not from our yacht?” said Tom.
”I don't think so.”
”Can they be from the _Josephine_?” asked Sam.
”That remains to be seen.”
”If they are from the _Josephine_ what shall we do?”
”I think the best thing we can do is to keep out of sight and watch them.”
”But they may locate the cave and take the treasure away,” said Tom.
”We have got to run that risk--unless we want to fight them.”
”Oh, if only we could get our crowd here to help us!” murmured Sam.
”We may be mistaken and they may be strangers to us. Come, let us hide.”
Losing no time, the three Rover boys stepped into the bushes beside the trail. As they did so the other party came closer, and the lads saw that they carried not only an acetylene gas lamp, but also a s.h.i.+p's lantern and several other things. The party was made up of Sid Merrick, Tad Sobber, Cuffer and Sh.e.l.ley.
”It's mighty rough walking here,” they heard Tad Sobber complain. ”I've got a thorn right through my shoe. Wait till I pull it out, will you?”
And he came to a halt not over ten yards from where the Rover boys were hidden.
”You didn't have to come, Tad,” said his uncle, somewhat harshly. ”I told you to suit yourself.”