Part 37 (1/2)
”I wonder if father is getting ready to land,” said d.i.c.k. ”I suppose if he does he will come ash.o.r.e where we did.”
”Yes, but that is a good distance from here,” was Sam's comment.
”Wonder if it would do us any good to yell?” said Tom.
”And bring Merrick and his gang down on us,” said his younger brother.
”No, thank you.”
”I don't believe they are around,” said d.i.c.k. ”I am going to try my lungs.” And he began to yell with all the power of his vocal organs.
Then Tom and Sam joined in, and they kept this up, off and on, for fully an hour.
”I am not only dry but hungry,” said Tom. ”Wish I had that lunch we brought along.”
”Tad Sobber sneaked that away,” said d.i.c.k. ”If ever there was a fellow with a heart of stone he's the chap. Why, Dan Baxter in his worst days wasn't as bad as this young rascal.”
Another hour went by and then d.i.c.k uttered an exclamation:
”Listen!”
”What did you hear?” asked his brothers.
”I thought I heard somebody calling!”
They strained their ears and from a great distance heard a cry, but what it was they could not make out.
”Let's call back,” said d.i.c.k.
”It may do us harm,” interposed Sam.
”We'll take the chance,” said Tom, and started a loud cry, in which all joined. They waited patiently for an answer to come back. But for several minutes there was absolute silence. Then, to their surprise, a pistol shot sounded out.
”Hullo!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k. ”Something is up. I wonder what it is?”
CHAPTER XXIII
WHAT WINGATE HAD TO TELL
After the departure of the Rover boys from the steam yacht Mr. Rover and Captain Barforth held a consultation, and it was decided that the search for the treasure cave should begin in earnest at daybreak.
”I do not think the boys will locate the cave in the coming darkness,”
said Anderson Rover. ”But still it will do no harm to let them have a try at it.”
”Mr. Rover, do you suppose those on board the _Josephine_ have landed yet?” asked Fred, who was present.
”There is no telling for certain, Fred. But I should say not, since their steamer is nowhere in sight.”
”I hope they do not come for some days,” said Mrs. Stanhope. ”For if they do, and you meet, I feel sure there will be serious trouble.”