Part 39 (2/2)
A little later the whole party left the cave, and Giles Borden pointed out a number of other caves he had visited.
”The island is full of them,” declared the Englishman. ”And one has to be careful, for fear of falling into a hole at every step.”
The middle of the afternoon found the party once more at the water's edge. They had seen no trace of Jasniff and Merwell, or of the rascally Englishmen. All were tired out and content to rest for a little while.
”Looks like a wild goose chase, doesn't it, Dave?” remarked Roger.
”Oh, you mustn't grow discouraged so quickly, Roger,” was Dave's answer. ”Unless Jasniff and Merwell have a chance to leave this island we'll be sure to locate them, sooner or later. What I am worried about mostly is the question: Have they the jewels or did the gems go to the bottom of the ocean?”
”Yes, that's the most important question of all.”
”It will be poor consolation to catch Jasniff and Merwell and not get the jewels,” put in Phil. ”I reckon, Dave, you'd rather have it the other way around-get the jewels and miss Jasniff and Merwell.”
”Indeed, yes, Phil.”
”In case we don't--” began the senator's son, and then stopped short.
He had seen Captain Sanders leap up and start inland.
”What did you see, Captain?” asked Dave.
”I saw somebody looking at us, from behind yonder trees!” cried the master of the _Golden Eagle_.
”One of the Englishmen?” queried Phil.
”No, it was somebody younger-looked a little like that picture of Link Merwell!”
”Come on-after them!” cried Dave, and started on a run in the direction the captain indicated.
All were soon on the way, climbing over some rough rocks at first and then cras.h.i.+ng through the heavy undergrowth. Then they entered a forest of tropical trees and vines.
”I see them!” exclaimed Dave, after several hundred feet had been covered. ”Jasniff and Merwell as sure as you live! Stop! Stop, I tell you!” he called out.
”You keep back, Dave Porter!” yelled Nick Jasniff in return. ”Keep back, or it will be the worse for you!”
”Jasniff, you had better surrender!” cried Roger.
”We'll be sure to get you sooner or later!” added Phil.
”You'll never catch me!” answered the other. ”Now keep back, or maybe somebody will get shot.”
”Do you think he'll shoot?” asked Captain Sanders, in some alarm, while Giles Borden stopped short.
”Possibly,” answered Dave. ”But I am going after him anyway,” he added st.u.r.dily. ”I came here to catch those rascals and I am going to do it.”
”And I am with you,” said Phil, promptly.
”Scare 'em with your gun, Dave,” suggested the senator's son.
”I will,” was our hero's reply, and he brought the weapon to the front. ”I've got a gun, Jasniff!” he called out. ”You had better stop!
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