Part 29 (1/2)
But, instead of clearing away, the storm increased in violence, and by nine o'clock in the morning the wind was blowing close to a gale. Both the captain and the mate were on deck, and the former advised the boys and the other pa.s.sengers to remain below. Two of the Englishmen were very seasick and found all manner of fault because of the storm.
”I'd never have come on this treasure hunt had I known I was to be so sick!” groaned one.
”What b.l.o.o.d.y luck!” said the other sick man. ”All the pirates' gold in the world is not worth it!”
”Stow it!” cried the man named Geswick. ”You know you weren't to mention what we were after.”
”n.o.body can hear us, in this storm,” replied the first man who had spoken.
”Those boys might hear,” put in the fellow named Pardell.
”Oh, well, they are only boys. Besides, they'd not dare to follow us up to Cave Island--”
”Hush, I tell you!” cried Geswick, savagely. ”Do learn to keep your tongue quiet.” And then the men continued to talk in whispers.
Dave had been pa.s.sing the staterooms of the Englishmen during this conversation and he could not help but hear what was said. When he rejoined his chums he told them of the talk.
”They must be on the hunt after pirates' gold,” said Phil. ”Well, they are not the first to do that kind of searching. Party after party has sailed down here for the same purpose.”
”Yes, and each party has been unsuccessful, so far as I know,”
answered Dave.
”Perhaps they have some extra-good clew,” suggested Roger, trying to forget his seasickness.
”Perhaps,” returned Dave. ”Well, if they can find any pirates' gold on any of these islands they are welcome to it, so far as I am concerned.
All I want to get hold of are the Carwith jewels.”
CHAPTER XIX-THE MISSING s.h.i.+P
”How much longer do you think this storm will last?”
It was Dave who asked this question, of Captain Sanders, when the latter came down to get a bite for breakfast. To get a regular meal, with the vessel pitching and tossing wildly, was out of the question.
”I don't know, Dave,” was the grave answer. ”I am hoping the wind will die down by sunset. But the storm may last several days.”
”Are we in any danger?” questioned Phil.
”There is always danger during a storm,” answered the master of the _Golden Eagle_. ”But I hope to weather this blow without much trouble.”
”Can we be of any a.s.sistance?” went on our hero.
”No, boys. There is nothing you can do but keep yourselves from falling overboard. How is Roger?”
”A little better.”
”I heard that two of those Englishmen are pretty sick,” went on Captain Sanders, with a faint smile.
”They are.”