Part 42 (1/2)

They had a compa.s.s with them, and leaving the vicinity of the shattered cave, struck out in a direct line for Horseshoe Bay. Much to their surprise they found an easy path, and came out on the sandy beach almost before they knew it.

”Well, I never!” cried d.i.c.k. ”If we had known of this before, what a lot of trouble we might have saved ourselves.”

”Well, we know it now,” answered Tom. ”And as we marked the path it will be an easy matter in the future to go back and forth from the cave to the bay.”

It took them some time to get their boat, and it was almost nightfall before they reached the steam yacht. It can readily be imagined that the Stanhopes and Lanings awaited their coming with interest.

”What success, d.i.c.k?” cried Dora eagerly.

”Not so very much as yet,” he answered, soberly, for he hated to disappoint the girl who was so dear to him. And then he told her of all that had happened. She shuddered when she found he had been a prisoner of Sid Merrick and his followers.

”Oh, d.i.c.k, I am so thankful you escaped,” she cried, with tears in her eyes. ”You must not get into such a situation again! Why, the whole treasure isn't worth it.”

”But I want to get that money and the jewels for you, Dora.”

”Yes, but I don't want money and jewels if--if you are--are going to get hurt,” she answered, and her deep eyes looked him through and through.

”I'll be careful after this--but we are going to get the treasure, sure thing,” he added, stoutly.

”I was afraid an earthquake might have played pranks with that cave,”

was Captain Barforth's comment. ”An earthquake can shake down the top of a cave quicker than it can shake down anything else. It doesn't take much to do it.”

The captain said he had a fair quant.i.ty of powder on board, to be used in the cannon for saluting and signalling. If they wanted dynamite, however, he'd have to run over to one of the big islands for it.

”And then we may have trouble getting it,” he added. ”We'd probably have to buy up the supply of some contractor who happened to have it on hand.”

”I don't like to think of leaving the island while Merrick and his crowd are around,” answered Anderson Rover.

On the following morning Mr. Rover and Captain Barforth went ash.o.r.e, taking d.i.c.k, Tom and Sam along. The steam yacht was left in charge of Asa Carey, and the mate was told to remain close to the mouth of the reef and to send some of the others ash.o.r.e armed if there came a signal of distress.

”We have enemies on this isle,” said Captain Barforth. ”And they may try to do us harm.”

”I'll watch out,” answered the mate, shortly. And then he turned away with a thoughtful look on his sour countenance. That there was something on his mind was evident.

The small boat was brought ash.o.r.e at the point where the path led directly to the sunken cave. Although there was a lively breeze blowing, those landing did so without mishap. They had with them some tools for digging, and also a rock drill and some powder.

”It will do no harm to blast one or two of the rocks and see what is underneath,” said Anderson Rover. ”We may possibly be lucky enough to find some entrance into the cave, although I must confess I doubt it.”

When they got to the vicinity of the shattered cave they found everything as they had left it. Even a pick Tom had forgotten remained undisturbed.

”Evidently the Merrick crowd has not yet found its way here,” said d.i.c.k.

”We shall have to be on our guard when we go to blasting,” answered his parent. ”For the noise may bring that rascal and his gang here in a hurry.”

And then all set to work with vigor to see if by some means they could not get down under the rocks and to the spot where the precious treasure had been deposited so many years before.

CHAPTER XXVII