Edward Stratemeyer

“ All the young folks had surprises for their parents and for Professor Potts. There was a set of South American maps for the old professor, a new rifle for Dunston Porter, a set of cyclopedias for Mr. Wadsworth, a cane for Dave's father, and a beautiful chocolate urn for the lady of the house.
"Merry Christmas!" was the cry that went the rounds the next morning, and then such a handshaking and such a gift-giving and receiving! Dave had a new pocketbook for Laura, with her monogram in silver, and a cardcase for Mrs. Wadsworth. ”

“ Dave, I'll not offer you a reward, for I know you won't take it. But I thank you, my boy, I thank you most heartily!" And Mr. Wadsworth caught Dave by both hands, while tears of emotion stood in his eyes.
"It saved us all from a tight place, if not ruin," added Dunston Porter.
"How is that old watchman?" asked our hero, to change the subject.
"You mean the man who was hurt?" asked his father. "He is about as well as ever." ”

“ All were about to run out on the beach when Dave suddenly called a halt.
"Don't do it," he said. "If we can't follow them, it will be best for the present not to show ourselves."
"How's that?" demanded Giles Borden. "It's a bloody shame to let them go in this fashion."
"If they see us, they'll know we are after them and they'll sail away as fast as possible," went on our hero. "If they don't see us, they may take their time in getting away, and that will give us so much better chance to catch them."
"Dave is right!" cried the senator's son. ”

“ On a nail hung a lantern.
"We'll light this," said Dave, taking the lantern down. "You can carry it, and I'll keep the gun handy."
With lantern and gun held out before them, and with their hearts beating wildly, the two youths walked cautiously through the workshop. They had to pass through two rooms before they reached the entrance to the offices. The light cast curious shadows on the walls and the machinery, and more than once the lads fancied they saw something moving. But each alarm proved false.
"Why not call the watchman?" suggested Roger, just before entering the offices. ”

“ The news of the robbery had upset the Wadsworth household completely. Mrs. Wadsworth was as much distressed as her husband, and Jessie was as pale as if seriously ill.
"Oh, Dave, supposing the jewels are not recovered!" said Jessie, when they met in the hallway. "It will ruin father,—I heard him tell mamma so!"
"We are going to get them back—we've simply got to do it," Dave replied.
"But how? Nobody seems to know what has become of the robbers." ”

“ Merwell was just as anxious to see daylight, even if he was to be held a prisoner, and together the boys hunted around for some exit from the underground watercourse. But the only way out seemed to be far overhead, and to climb up the smooth, sloping rocks proved impossible.
"Oh, what shall we do?" groaned Merwell, after they had attempted to climb up and had failed. "We are caught like rats in a trap!"
"Perhaps we'll have to swim for it," answered Dave. "This water is very salt, which proves it comes from the ocean. Moreover, it is gradually going down, showing it is affected by the tide. ”

“ 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." ”

“ JASNIFF AND MERWELL
"It's a man!"
"One of the Englishmen!"
"You are right, lads," came from Captain Sanders. "And see, he is bound hands and feet to the rocks!"
What the master of the Golden Eagle said was true, and as the firebrand was flashed on the scene, the chums could do little but stare in astonishment. ”

“ The boys occupied a large chamber, with two double beds in it, for they loved to be together, as at school.
"Listen to that!" cried Dave, as he was unlacing a shoe.
"It's the telephone downstairs!" cried Phil. "My, but it's ringing to beat the band!" he added, as the bell continued to sound its call.
The boys heard Mr. Porter leave the library and go to the telephone, which was on a table in an alcove. He took down the receiver.
"Yes! yes!" the boys heard him say. Then followed a pause. "You don't mean it! When, just now? Was that the noise we heard? Where did they go to? ”

“ Rumney had had a quarrel with his fellows, just as Merwell had quarreled with Jasniff.
"Just you wait, Rumney; we'll fix you for going back on us," growled Andrew Geswick. But this threat did him little good. In the end he and Pardell had to hand over every penny taken from Giles Borden, and then they were marched off to jail, to await a hearing before the authorities.
In the meantime Dave had run across the deck and followed Jasniff down the companionway. He was afraid that the evil-minded youth might hide the stolen jewels or throw them overboard. ”

“ Porter, you can well be proud of Dave!"
"And I am proud of him," replied the parent, heartily.
"We are all proud," added Dunston Porter.
In the excitement it must not be supposed that Phil and Roger were forgotten. While Dave related his story to the men, and delivered the jewels to Mr. Wadsworth, his chums had to tell about all that had occurred, to Mrs. Wadsworth and the girls. And the questions that were asked and answered would fill a chapter and more.
"And what will they do to Jasniff?" asked Laura. ”

“ Dave could not keep still, and paced the deck by the hour, or scanned the bosom of the ocean with the marine glasses Captain Sanders loaned him.
Only once came a thrill of excitement. A bit of wreckage was sighted and the ship sailed toward it. It was a yardarm, and to it were lashed a cask and several boxes, one of the latter bearing the name Emma Brower. Not a sign of a human being could be seen.
"If a man was on that wreckage the storm tore him loose," said Captain Sanders. ”

“ Dave looked thoughtfully out of the window and tapped the table with his fingers.
"You still think Merwell and Jasniff guilty?" remarked his uncle, with a smile.
"Yes, Uncle Dunston. After what Hooker Montgomery said, I'll think them guilty until somebody proves otherwise."
"Then I tell you what I'll do, boys," said Dunston Porter. "I'll take a trip down to Florida with you and look into this matter. I'd rather be on the move than sitting still waiting for something to turn up."
"Will you go?" cried Dave, eagerly. ”

“ Not without difficulty the man was freed of the rope and helped to get out from between the rocks. Then Dave and Roger half carried him down to the cave proper. The crowd had a canteen of water and the man drank, eagerly.
"So your friends robbed you?" said Captain Sanders, curiously.
"Do not call them friends of mine!" returned Giles Borden. "They are not friends—they are vipers, wolves! Oh, if ever I meet them again at home I'll soon have them in prison, or know the reason why!" ”

“ I don't want you to make a fool of yourself in front of the whole crowd. See how everybody is staring at you."
"Humph! Let them stare," muttered the bully; yet he followed Ben and Dave into the freight room, and Ben stood at the doorway, so that no outsiders might come in. One boy tried to get in, thinking possibly to see a fight, but Ben told him to "fly on, son," and the lad promptly disappeared.
"Now then, Nat, tell me what you are driving at," said Dave, as calmly as he could, for he saw that the money-lender's son was growing more enraged every minute. ”

“ And at this sally there was a general laugh.
"Well, I'm ready," went on Phil, as he arose from the bench. "Say, but isn't it just a glorious day for the outing?" he added, casting his eyes around and drawing in a deep breath of the pure, cold air.
"It couldn't be better, Phil," answered Dave. "And we ought to have a fine time at the island, bringing down rabbits and squirrels. Old Jerry Lusk told me that hunting was never better."
"What's the matter with having some of the rabbits and squirrels for lunch?" asked Sam Day.
"Perhaps we can cook them, Sam," returned Dave. ”

“ In the morning Merwell was the first to stir, and when Dave awoke he found the campfire burning merrily. The big youth was nowhere to be seen.
"Can he have run away?" mused our hero, and quickly felt to learn if the money-belt with the jewels was safe. ”

“ 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."
"It's queer to me that they sailed with us. It's not such a pleasant voyage."
"I overheard a little of their talk," answered Dave, and, knowing he could trust the captain, he related what had been said.
"Pirates' gold, eh?" muttered the master of the ship. "Most of those yarns are fairy-stories. ”

“ Wondering what else had happened to upset the head of the school, Dave followed his chums to the dining-hall. Here a late supper awaited the crowd, to which, it is perhaps needless to state, all did full justice.
"Do you think we can track Jasniff and Merwell?" asked the senator's son, during the course of the repast.
"I don't," answered Dave frankly. "For they will do their best to keep out of our way." ”

“ Do you think you boys can get along alone?"
"I think we can, Uncle Dunston," answered Dave. "You know we are used to taking care of ourselves," and he smiled faintly.
"Then go ahead and do as you think best."
"We want Captain Sanders to start for Barbados as soon as he can," went on our hero, and told of the telegrams received.
A general talk followed, lasting until Dunston Porter had to ride away to catch the train for New York.
"You must be right, and Merwell and Jasniff must be guilty," he said. "And if they are, spare no expense in catching them. ”

“ Dave went up first, testing each vine with care as he advanced. Twice he slipped back, and once Merwell came to his aid and held him. It was a little thing to do, but it pleased our hero, and his face showed it. At last they were out of the hollow and each threw himself on the ground to rest. Then Dave walked to a near-by hill and gazed in every direction. Not a human being was in sight anywhere. ”

“ I want those jewels, every one of them, and I am going to have them."
"I haven't any jewels."
"I know better."
"All right then, you can search me if you want to—and search my baggage, too," went on Jasniff, and held out his arms as if willing to have the investigation begin on the spot.
"If you haven't the jewels on your person, you have hidden them," went on Dave. "Bring them out, right away." ”

“ We'll never do it by supper-time."
"Then where are we going to get something to eat?" demanded Buster. "I'm not going without my supper just because I can't get back."
"Perhaps we can get something at some farmhouse," suggested Phil.
"I've got an idea!" cried Dave. "Why can't we get some farmer to hook up a carriage or a sleigh and take us to the Hall that way?"
"Hurrah, just the cheese!" cried Ben, who did not relish walking such a distance. "The thing is, though, to find the farmer," he continued soberly.
"Keep your eyes open for lights," suggested Dave, and this was done. ”

“ He reached out and caught the sheet just as it was about to go overboard.
"Hello, what's this?" he cried, as he looked the sheet over. "Must be some sort of a chart."
"It is," answered Roger, gazing at the paper. "See, here is a spot marked Barbados, and other marked Cave Island, a little to the eastward."
"Why, look what it says, up here!" cried Phil. "'Map of the Don Amorandos Treasure, buried in 1715.' Say, do you think those Englishmen——"
"Hi, you! Give me that map!" bawled a voice from near by, and with a very red face, the Englishman named Geswick bore down on the boys. ”

“ Dave carried his gun and the captain had a pistol.
"If there is any game, we'll have a try for it," said Dave. "Even a few plump birds would make fine eating."
"Yes, or a rabbit or hare," added Roger.
The party walked along the shore as far as they could go and then, coming to what appeared to be an old trail, took to that.
"What do you make of this path?" said Dave. "I had an idea the island was uninhabited."
"It is supposed to be," answered Captain Sanders. "But there is no reason why somebody shouldn't live here." ”

“ Great was the surprise of the Wadsworths and of Laura when the boys and Dunston Porter announced that they were going to start for Florida the next morning.
"Why, Dave?" asked Jessie. "Why are you going in such a hurry?"
"Oh, I hardly care to tell, Jessie," he answered. "It may prove only a wild goose chase."
"It is about the missing jewels?"
"Yes."
"Then you are after Merwell and Jasniff."
"Yes, but please don't tell any outsiders."
"Oh, Dave, don't get into any trouble!" cried the girl, as she clung to him. "They are such bad fellows I You know what they have done to you in the past!" ”

“ Dave had a small room to himself and next to him were his chums, with Captain Sanders and the first mate opposite. Billy Dill was, of course, in the forecastle with the other sailors.
"It's grand to have you along ag'in," he said, to Dave and Phil. "Seems like old times, when we sailed the Pacific."
"So it does," answered our hero.
"Only ye ain't a-lookin' for no uncle this trip, be you?" And the old tar chuckled.
"No, Billy, we are looking for somebody quite different—two rascals who ran away with a lot of diamonds."
"Mackerel an' codfish! Ye don't tell me, Dave! Your diamonds?" ”

“ No one but myself and the general manager are supposed to know just what we have on hand."
"We must get busy and see if we cannot follow the robbers!" cried David Porter. "No use in wasting time here now. Let us scatter in all directions. One can go to the railroad station and the others to the roads leading out of town. We may pick up some clew."
"The police, we'll have to notify them!" said Roger.
"Yes! yes! Call the police up on the telephone!" ejaculated Mr. Wadsworth, starting to his feet.
Dave ran to the end of the office, where a telephone rested on a stand. ”

“ Dave slipped on his shoe again and fairly threw himself into his coat, and Roger also rearranged his toilet.
"Wait—I'll go with you!" cried Phil.
"Can't wait, Phil—every second is precious!" answered our hero. "You can follow with the men."
"Take the gun, or a pistol—you may need it," urged the shipowner's son, as he started to dress.
In a corner stood Dave's double-barreled shotgun loaded. He took it up. Roger looked around the room, saw a baseball bat in another corner, and took that. Then the boys ran out into the hallway, where the electric lights were now turned on full. ”

“ During that week Ben had Shadow Hamilton and Buster Beggs visit him. Of course, the new arrivals had to hear all about the robbery, and they came over with Ben to call on the other boys, and on the girls.
"This is fierce!" was Buster's comment. "And Ben says you rather suspect Merwell and Jasniff," he added, in a whisper.
"We do, but don't say anything to any outsiders about it," answered Dave.
"Say, that puts me in mind of a story," said Shadow. "A little girl once——"
"Wow! Cut it out, Shadow!" burst out Phil.
"Stories don't go with robberies," supplemented Roger. ”

“ The bushes where they landed gave way, and down they rolled on some smooth rocks. They tried to stay their progress, but this was impossible, and they continued to roll for several minutes. Then Dave bumped into some sort of barrier and Roger landed beside him.
"For gracious sake, what's this?" gasped Roger, when he felt able to speak. The breath had been all but knocked out of him.
"I guess we have found one of the caves," answered Dave, grimly. "Phew, but that was some roll, wasn't it! "
"We must be down near the center of the earth," murmured the senator's son. ”

“ Here and there were numerous cabins, with hordes of colored children playing about.
"This is the Southland, true enough," observed Dave. "Just see how happy those pickaninnies seem to be!"
"Yes, one would almost envy their care-free dispositions," answered Dunston Porter. "Their manner shows that it doesn't take money to make one happy."
They had passed through Richmond and were now on their way to Emporia. It was growing steadily warmer, and by noon all were glad enough to leave the car and go out on the observation platform at the end of the train. ”