Roy Rockwood

“ The air in the diving bell was anything but pure, and now of a sudden it stopped coming in altogether.
"We are lost!" cried Dave. "We shall be smothered to death!"
"I cannot believe Captain Broadbeam has forgotten us," signed Amos Fearless. "As I said before, something must be wrong!"
The old diver was right; something was very wrong on board of the Swallow.
While the two divers were at work under the surface of the ocean, a wild cry had arisen on board of the ship, a cry which thrilled everyone who heard it to the heart. ”

“ But instead of climbing to the outer bank, the snake crawled out close to the rock behind which Dave was in hiding.
It was against human nature to remain hidden under the circumstances, and the young diver leaped up with all rapidity.
At the same time he yelled at the snake, and the reptile, much startled, dropped back into the stream and was lost to view.
"Dave Fearless!" gasped Bart Hankers, as soon as the danger from the snake was past.
"That boy!" came from Lemuel Hankers and Pete Rackley in a breath.
"Yes, it is I," answered the young diver, boldly. ”

“ In a moment he was digging away at the small mound in the center of the shell-like structure.
The moss came away readily, and to their gaze was disclosed—a heap of shining gold!
"The treasure!" burst from the young diver. "Found at last!"
His father was equally pleased.
The gold was mixed with bits of other bright metal and glass, for whoever had stored it there had known no difference in value and had simply made a collection of stuff bright to the eye.
"Let us go back and fill up the diving bell," said Amos Fearless, by signs. ”

“ Father and son ran for the diving bell.
But now the demons saw them and the roar increased.
Soon fully fifty of the ferocious creatures were leaping and swimming toward the mound.
Their sharp teeth clicked together as if anxious to bury themselves in the bodies of the human beings.
With all haste Amos Fearless and Dave got into the diving bell. But before they could close the door one of the demons was upon them. ”

“ Dave could scarcely believe his eyes and ears. Who had thus unexpectedly come to his deliverance?
"Bob!" The cry was little short of a scream. "Where in the world did you come from?"
"From the bowels of the earth, I reckon," was the reply, as the young engineer of the Swallow ran forward. "Is the beast dead?" he went on, as he halted at the outer edge of the underground stream.
"I guess he is," answered Dave, watching the jaguar for a moment. "You are a good shot." ”

“ The question came from Bob Vilett.
The sinking of the brushwood had ceased, and he and Dave found themselves in water almost up to their chins, in absolute darkness.
"I'm sure I don't know, Bob," was the young diver's response. "We are in a tight box, and no mistake."
"We can't stay here forever."
"True, but if we make a move we may sink deeper than ever, and then it will be all up with us." ”

“ The demons swarmed all around the bell, but did not dare to touch the glass sides or the crab-like claws.
Soon the bell passed from the zone of submarine light and then the demons dropped back, for they could not breathe in the upper portions of the ocean.
The bell cleared of water, father and son took off their diving suits.
"Thank Heaven we are out of that!" came in the sign language from Amos Fearless.
"We were lucky to escape," answered Dave, earnestly. "But, father, the treasure—how will we ever get at it, with those demons around?" ”

“ Just below the spring was a wide pool several feet deep, and in this pool numerous small lizards were darting around.
"Everything is full of life in the tropics," remarked the young diver. "Just look at the birds and fish, and lizards and spiders, and a hundred and one other things!"
"Yes, and the vegetation is very plentiful," added the captain.
They were still some distance from the shore when Dave called a halt.
"Look at the big birds yonder," he whispered. "Can't we bring down two or three with sticks or stones? They will make fine eating." ”

“ At this Pete Rackley emitted a low whistle.
"In that case our cake is dough," he muttered.
"Not if I know it," muttered Lemuel Hankers, savagely. "Do you think I am to be worsted by a mere boy?" And he shook his fist at Dave.
All three of the young diver's enemies came to the edge of the stream.
"How did you get where you are?" repeated Lemuel Hankers.
"As I said before, I tumbled."
"You are trying to poke fun at me."
"I was never more serious in my life."
"You think you are smart," put in Bart.
"What I think is none of your business." ”

“ Watching his opportunity, Captain Broadbeam let fly with his club, hitting the gorilla in the neck. Then Dave put another arrow into the creature's body, and at last it gave a shudder and a gasp and rolled over dead.
"Kilt, is it?" came weakly from Pat Stoodles. "Sure an' it's a good job done, so it is!"
The camp-fire was stirred up and the captain picked up a torch and walked over to the gorilla.
"Dead as a stone," he announced, and then Dave and the doctor approached.
"We can save the skin and the skull," said Doctor Barrell. "They, at least, can do us no harm." ”

“ The water glistened and sparkled like diamonds as it washed against the sides of the diving bell.
"The light is growing brighter," observed Dave, presently. "Isn't it wonderful!"
They now felt they were approaching the bottom of the Pacific, for the diving bell was moving very slowly. Soon they saw great, ribbon-like grasses, the ends floating upward past the diving bell.
At this Amos Fearless shook his head.
"We don't want to get caught in those grasses," he signed. "They may prove worse than ropes of wire." ”

“ The announcement that the savages were trying to get into the cave under the waterfall filled Dave and his friends with new alarm.
"You are sure of this, Stoodles?" questioned Captain Broadbeam, as he leaped to his feet.
"I am," was the Irishman's answer.
"We ought to be able to hold them back," put in the doctor. "Can't we hurl them into the stream as fast as they appear?"
"That's the talk," came from Bob. "Let us line up just this side of the waterfall."
"Perhaps we can scare them," suggested Dave. "I know all savages are very superstitious." ”

“ After this Captain Broadbeam went on guard, and, utterly exhausted, Dave lay down and slept soundly until long after the sun came up on the following morning.
"Now I feel like a new man," said the young diver on arising. "I can tell you a sound sleep is a wonderful thing."
"The question is, what are we to do next?" came from the doctor. "We cannot remain on this island forever."
"Well, we shall have to remain until some ship takes us off," said Captain Broadbeam.
"And in the meantime we have got to provide for ourselves," put in Dave. ”

“ Captain Broadbeam surveyed the storm with anxiety, for he realized that it was unusually severe, and threatened the very existence of his craft.
The lightning played all around the metalwork of the ship, and the roar of the thunder was deafening.
"You had better go below," said the captain to Dave and his father. "You can do nothing on deck."
"Yes, we will go below," answered Amos Fearless. "Come, my son," and he led the way down into the cabin. ”

“ Fortunately for the evildoers, steam was up, and in less than half a minute the Raven had left the cove and was moving swiftly out into the Pacific Ocean.
Those on shore could scarcely believe their eyes.
"She is sailing away!" burst from Captain Broadbeam.
"They do not intend to take us on board!" put in Doctor Barrell.
"But do they know who we are?" questioned Bob.
"They must know," said Dave. "Remember, they have powerful glasses on board. Perhaps they spotted us as soon as we came into sight."
"It would please them, I suppose, to have the savages kill us," went on the captain. ”

“ Some of the snubbings flashed over Dave's mind as he sped after Bart Hankers, who was running to where he had left a small boat tied up at one of the village docks.
"I'll show him that he is not to play the sneak on us, even if he does snub me," muttered Dave, as he reached the dock, to find Bart just entering the rowboat.
In a minute he was at the stringpiece of the dock.
"Hi, Bart Hankers, I want to talk to you!" he called out.
"What do you want of me, Dave Fearless!" returned the rich youth, sullenly. ”

“ Both Amos Fearless and Dave were very weak from having remained at the ocean's bottom so long, and it was several days before either felt entirely like himself again.
Strange to say, however, the trip after the treasure had helped Mr. Fearless' organs of speech, and soon he could talk almost as well as ever.
"This is the best yet," declared Dave. "It's better than finding the treasure."
"I am thankful from the bottom of my heart," answered the old diver, and his face showed that he spoke the truth.
"I don't think that I want to go to the bottom of the Pacific again, father." ”

“ Down and down they went, the pressure on the diving bell becoming each second more powerful.
At such a depth no human being could have lived without something to protect him from a weight which was ever ready to crush anything from the outside world.
At last the diving bell rested on the bottom of the ocean, and Amos Fearless sent up the signal to stop lowering. ”

“ Over they went, and then Dave set down his burden and took a well-earned rest.
By this time night was coming on, and still they were at least half a mile from the sea-coast.
"We won't gain the Swallow to-day," murmured the young diver, ruefully.
"And perhaps we won't gain the ship at all," responded the young engineer.
As is usual in the tropics, night came on suddenly. The sun went down behind the trees and the rim of the distant ocean, and soon the stars shone out clearly and beautifully. ”

“ Shall we go along with Captain Broadbeam?"
"If my application as master diver is accepted," and Amos Fearless smiled faintly.
"Then you've applied for such a position?"
"Yes. I did it as soon as I heard Broadbeam was in charge. I know he will do what he can for me."
"And what of me, father?"
"If I go, you shall go as assistant."
"Hurrah! Then the sunken treasure is as good as ours!"
"Don't be too sure, Dave. Even if we are successful, there is plenty of work cut out for us before we lay our hands on that million dollars, or any part of it. We must—what's that?" ”

“ The powerful marine glass belonging to Captain Nesik was handed to him.
He gave one look, then muttered an imprecation not to be placed upon these pages.
"Who is it?" questioned Bart.
"Dave Fearless, Captain Broadbeam and some others, probably men from the Swallow!"
"What!" ejaculated the youth. "And look, they act as if they wanted to board our ship!"
"They must have learned of Pete Rackley's doings!" burst from Lemuel Hankers' lips, and his face grew deadly pale.
"Then our jig is up, dad."
"They wish to make trouble!" groaned the rich man. ”

“ Crouched on the seats, with poor Bob and Pat Stoodles beside them, Dave, the captain, and the doctor talked the situation over.
"We are certainly in a pickle," said Dave. "If we can't find the ship, what then?"
"We must find the Swallow," declared Captain Broadbeam. "Unless we do, we'll starve to death."
"We might return to the island at nightfall," said the doctor. "Remember, we need water and so do these poor sufferers." And he pointed to Bob and the Irishman.
"That's a scheme," cried Dave. "We might land under cover of darkness and hide somewhere until we can locate the ship." ”

“ Again he led the way through the jungle, striking out directly for the ocean shore.
To force their way through the tropical growth was not easy, and made every one of the party pant for breath.
They stirred up many tropical birds and once came upon a colony of monkeys, who fled, shrieking and chattering, in all directions.
At last they could plainly hear the booming of the surf.
"The ocean!" cried Dave.
"If only we come in sight of the Swallow!" put in Bob.
"Perhaps we had better be careful before we show ourselves," remarked Captain, Broadbeam. "There may be natives on the beach." ”

“ It was easy to see that the castaway had not always been simple-minded.
"I knew him years ago quite well," said Captain Broadbeam. "He once sailed under me. He is suffering for the want of companionship. Many a castaway, you know, has gone stark mad through loneliness. The savages were really no company for him."
"Do you think he will get over it?" asked Dave.
"I think he will," put in the doctor. "I have seen such cases before. Sometimes the recovery is quite rapid, when the castaway gets back among his own people." ”

“ From around the curve of the beach appeared half a dozen wild savages of the South Sea type, and the two youths were discovered.
"Hi ki werra!" shouted one of the savages. He was armed with a bow and arrows, and quickly leveled an arrow at Dave, who was nearest.
"Hi ki werra!" repeated the other savages, and they, too, leveled their arrows. "The white demons! The white demons!"
"We are in for it now!" whispered Dave. "Give them a shot from the rifle!"
"No, that would only make them mad," replied the young engineer. Nevertheless, he pointed the rifle at the head of the nearest native. ”

“ Soon they saw one of the electric-light fish in the vicinity.
They had brought some bait along, and this was tied up in the net.
The monstrous fish scented the bait and came forward slowly and cautiously.
He was hungry, yet he did not altogether like the appearance of the diving bell.
He had never seen a live human being before, although he had feasted upon the body of more than one dead sailor, coming down with some wreck.
Amos Fearless and Dave remained as motionless as statues. ”

“ The birds ceased their songs, and presently all was quiet.
"I suppose we may as well proceed to make ourselves comfortable," said Dr. Barrell.
"Somebody has got to remain on guard," came from Dave, who was not inclined to forget that the gorilla was still at large.
"We'll divide up the night into three watches of three hours each," said the captain. "I can take one watch, Dave another, and the doctor the third."
So it was arranged, and it fell to Dave to go on guard first.
"That suits me," said the young diver. "I hate to break in on my night's rest after I have once retired." ”

“ Each now lost no time in arming himself with a stout club and with a couple of fair-sized and sharp stones. They listened, but could hear nothing of the gorilla.
"I'd feel safer if I knew that beast was dead," said the captain. "He may take it into his head to attack us again."
"And he may be only one of a regular tribe," put in Dave.
"No, Dave; gorillas don't live together like monkeys. At the most you'll find two together."
With great caution they climbed to the top of the rocks and peered over. Not a living creature of any sort was in sight. ”

“ On this occasion it had been agreed not to look for anything but the sunken treasure ship; consequently, the fish net and several other similar appliances had been left behind.
In their places the diving bell contained several tools for digging and hauling and also several under-water firearms, for use against a possible enemy. In addition to the firearms, father and son had provided themselves with long and sharp knives.
"There is no telling what we may run across away down there," said Amos Fearless, in his sign language. "We are taking our lives in our hands, to my way of thinking." ”

“ Here's land!" burst out Dave, peering into the darkness. "A shore of some kind."
"Beware of the savages," cautioned Doctor Barrell. "They may be close at hand."
"I'd rather meet the savages than drown in this storm," came bluntly from Captain Broadbeam.
The rowboat had indeed drifted to some sort of a shore. Close at hand was a sandy beach, and beside this some rocks and a grove of tropical trees. The details of the scene were lost in the darkness.
As the rowboat struck on the beach the captain leaped out and hauled the craft up. ”

“ This last blow was too much for the ray of fire, and slowly it fell away and floated off, Dave did not know to where.
Freed from his captor, Amos Fearless sank in a heap at the door of the diving bell.
Was he dead?
In frantic haste the youth pulled himself and his parent into the bell and shut the door.
Then he gave a quick signal to be raised to the surface.
There was no immediate answer, and a fresh alarm took possession of the young diver.
"What does this mean? Why don't they pull us up?" he asked himself. ”

“ Besides, I have no more wish for your company than for the company of that snake which just disappeared."
"Boy, you are a—a young scamp!" burst from Lemuel Hankers' lips.
"Thanks, but I don't wish any of your backhanded compliments, Lemuel Hankers. I am not half as much of a scamp as you are a villain."
"A villain?"
"That's what I said."
"Don't you dare to call my dad names," put in Bart, shaking his fist across the stream.
"I overheard your plot," went on Dave, ignoring Bart. "It's a pretty piece of business for a gentleman to propose." ”