Part 40 (2/2)
The brushwood scratched our hero's face and he could not repress a cry of alarm. Merwell screamed loud and long and an echo came back that was weird and ghostlike. Then came a mighty splash, and both boys went into the water over their heads.
Dave was a good swimmer, and as soon as he entered the water he struck out to save himself. He came up in almost utter darkness, so he had to go it blindly, not knowing in what direction to turn. Then he heard a wild spluttering and knew the sounds came from his enemy.
”Merwell!”
”Oh, Porter! Sa-save me, please!” gasped Link Merwell.
”Why don't you swim?-that is what I am doing.”
”I-I-struck my head on a rock! Oh, save me!” And then came a gasp, and the scamp disappeared under the surface.
Dave was close by and knew the direction by the noise. Taking a few strokes, he b.u.mped into Merwell, who promptly tried to catch his would-be rescuer by the throat. But our hero was on guard and turned him around.
”Keep quiet, or I'll let go!” he ordered, as he began to tread water.
As Merwell obeyed, Dave struck out to where he saw a faint streak of light. He made out a shelving rock, and after some difficulty, reached this. Here the water was only up to his waist, and he waded along, half carrying his enemy, until they reached another series of rocks, where both crawled up to a spot that was dry. From somewhere overhead came a faint streak of light, testifying to the fact that there was an opening beyond, even if it could not be seen.
”Oh, my head!” murmured Link Merwell, and put up one hand to a lump that was rising on his forehead.
”I got struck myself,” said Dave. ”But it didn't amount to much. I told you to stop. If you had done so, we wouldn't have gotten into this pickle.”
”Whe-where are we?” asked Merwell, and there was a s.h.i.+ver in his tone.
”Down at the bottom of that hole.” Dave tried to pierce the darkness.
”Looks like some underground river to me.”
”The water is salt.”
”Then this place must connect with the ocean.” Dave drew a deep breath. ”Merwell, tell me truthfully, what did you do with those jewels?” he questioned, eagerly. Even in that time of peril he could not forget the mission that had brought him to Cave Island.
”Who-who said I had the jewels?” faltered the other.
”I know you and Jasniff took them-it is useless for you to deny it.”
”How do you know that?”
”Never mind now. Answer my question. Have you the jewels, or did you give them to Jasniff?”
”I didn't give Nick anything.”
”Then you have them.”
”How do you know?”
”I am not here to answer questions, Link Merwell. I want to know what you did with the jewels.” Dave's voice grew stern. ”Answer me at once!” And he caught Merwell by the arm.
”Don't-don't shove me into the water!” cried the scamp, in alarm, although Dave had no intention of doing as he imagined. ”I-I-we-er-we divided the jewels between us. But Nick got the best of them.”
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