Dave Fearless

“ 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." ”

“ They reminded Dave of sailors he had often seen on shipboard getting over a debauch.
"Why," said the man in the bow, staring in amazement at Dave, "if it isn't young Fearless, the diver!"
"I remember you, Mr. Daley," responded Dave, recognizing the speaker as one of the crew of the Raven. Dave had a dim memory, too, of having seen Daley's two companions with Captain Nesik's crew.
Daley drew the two yawls close together with a boathook, and he and Dave were face to face.
"Young Fearless of the Swallow," he kept saying, in a marveling tone. "And in this fix. Why, where did you ever come from?" ”

“ They acted like new men under the spur of new hopes. They evidently believed in Dave. It was some time, however, before Daley would consent to forego his thirstings for revenge against Nesik and the Hankers.
"Don't you go for to spoil everything by thinking up a rumpus," advised one of the sailor's companions. "Young Fearless means what he says. Let's rest on that, say I, and follow his orders."
"I have none to give at present," said Dave. "When I do, I am sure we will work in harmony all right. Mr. Daley, you are the pilot. Can we reach the Windjammers' Island in any way?" ”

“ At the end of an hour Dave looked triumphant.
"It's plain as day!" he cried, preparing the canoe for a voyage. "The man indicates that this gold is a mere sample of what he can produce. It is hidden on an island west. He pokes dots in the outline he draws, as if it is full of caves. He is angry at the treachery of the Windjammers. He will have nothing further to do with them. If I will cure him up, he will take me to the treasure. If I will stay his friend and carry him away from his enemies, he will give up all the gold--all of it. ”

“ Dave went back to the cabin with the sad news. Stoodles expressed a curiosity to see the outcast, and the boatswain accompanied him to the hospital.
When later Dave looked for Pat, the Milesian sent word by the boatswain that he was very busy and would see his friend in the morning.
It was about two hours after midnight that Dave awoke with a great start. As he sprang to the floor from his berth Bob Vilett dashed into the stateroom.
"Dave, Dave!" he cried. "It's all up with us."
"Now what----" began Dave. He was interrupted by great tramping on the deck and the sound of pistol-shots. ”

“ Dave felt as if he had been scalped.
Dave was lying on the grass and Stoodles was working over him, digging and dabbling with a handkerchief to get the youth's eyes and mouth clear of the glutinous "frew-frew."
"Sorra a bit too soon was I," said Pat, as Dave blinked and groaned. "I've a lock of your hair for a keepsake, lad! I saw you go into that threacherous pit, I threw a plank across, I grasped your topknot. It was loike taking a drowned cat out of glue. Sit up, if you can't stand up. If you let that stuff harden once, you'll be stiff as a statoo." ”

“ There seemed to be no doubt but that Dave was back on the old stamping-ground of Pat Stoodles. He was not at all sorry for this. It was the destination of the Swallow. Perhaps the steamer had already reached it.
"Things are working easier for me than I had any right to expect," reflected Dave, "only I must keep out of the clutches of any of the natives till I locate my friends."
Dave got behind an obscure rock. From there he peered intently at the two men who now entered the cave; the one crawling on his hands and knees, the other maintaining still his lofty bearing of superiority. ”

“ 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?" ”

“ If he is left here alone, he will starve and die of neglect. Yes," said Dave firmly, "black or white, friend or foe, the poor fellow relies on my sympathy. He is going to get it, too, to the fullest extent. I won't desert him."
Dave busied himself looking for food. He hoped that Daley or the other two men might show up. He was near the sea. The Swallow might happen by.
"Well, you're a persistent sort of a fellow," commented Dave, as the outcast for the twentieth time or more pointed to the island he had first indicated in the same pleading way. ”

“ 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." ”

“ There was not the least possible hope of any aid from the Swallow. He had gone overboard unseen by any person except Gerstein.
"He will tell no one," reflected Dave. "In the first place it would be dangerous for him to do so, for they would suspect treachery on his part. In the next place he is probably glad to get rid of me. Unless Bob or father look into my stateroom, I shall not be missed before morning. By that time----"
Dave halted all conjecture there. The present was too vital to waste in idle surmises. He planned to use all the skill and endurance he possessed to keep afloat. ”

“ A furious gale was blowing, and the frail yawl was riding on high waves.
Daley had crawled along the boat. He was shaking Dave vigorously by the arm. At the same time, bringing his lips close to Dave's ear, he shouted loudly a word that aroused Dave like an electric shock:
"Land!"
"What--where?" cried Dave, starting up.
"Steady, mate," warned Daley, holding Dave back in the seat. "Get your peepers wide open and all your senses woke up. Drop the oars," he yelled to his companions, "they're only in the way. Let her swing. It's drift or drown now, sure." ”

“ Dave, rushing up on deck quite pale and agitated, had made the announcement that brought Bob to his feet with a shock.
They were two sturdy boys. The flavor of the briny deep was manifest in their bronzed faces, their attire, their clear bright eyes, and sinewy muscles. They had known hardship and peril such as make men resolute and brave. Although Dave was deeply distressed, determination rather than despair was indicated in the way in which he took the bad, bad news now being conveyed with lightning speed, mostly with depressing effect, all through the ship. ”

“ He opened his eyes. It was clear starlight. He lay on a sandy beach. The waves lapped him to the knees. Beside him was the yawl, stove in at one side. He was still attached to it by the wrist held firmly in the rope loop.
The yawl had proved a loyal convoy. As the tempest swept it along, Dave must have been held at least a part of the time out of the water. This had saved his life. Perhaps, he thought, he might at times also have lain across the upturned keel of the yawl. ”

“ If Dave had been alarmed before, he was doubly so now, and he scarcely knew what to do. He remembered passing a pool of water a distance back, and he ran to this, filling the water bottle Bob had been carrying.
The water revived the young engineer somewhat, and in the meantime Dave cut loose his shoe. He found the injured ankle much discolored, and swelling rapidly. He bathed it, and this gave some relief, until the pain gave way to a stiff numbness.
"Now I am in a pickle," groaned Bob. "Did ever anybody run up against such luck before?"
"Better not try to stand yet," replied Dave. ”

“ The various articles he sampled tasted most appetizing.
"Fine as home cooking," said Dave, with satisfaction, stepping back from the mat. "One man wouldn't have all that stuff for breakfast, though. Is it some native ceremonial like Stoodles has told me about? Or does the man expect friends? That's it," Dave reasoned it out. "Maybe he has gone to meet them. I had better make myself scarce."
Dave was now satisfied that he was really on the Windjammers' Island. The articles in the cave were in a measure familiar to him. ”

“ Dave had the bold idea in mind of capturing this man. As he went along he thought of plan after plan. If he could get Schmitt-Schmitt helpless in his power, he could convey him to the Swallow on the raft.
"The very thing," said Dave gladly, as he neared the vicinity of the hut. Lying across the top of some bushes was a fishing net. It had long rope ends. Dave with his pocket knife cut these off and thrust them in his pocket. ”

“ From where he was Dave could look down the beach. He comprehended that the savages had come across the yawl and had probably seen his footmarks. They had calculated he would return and had hidden under the boat. Now, judging from the actions of the two natives down the beach, they were hunting for other footmarks.
At least it looked so to Dave. They seemed to locate some disturbance in the sand like a trail. They followed it up this course, which took them finally out of view of Dave.
Dave's guard reclined at the edge of the bluff, looking out at the sea. His spear lay beside him. ”

“ Dave, looking worried and hopeful, in doubt and suspicious, by turns, kept scanning the photograph.
"Who is the man, anyhow?" he asked, placing his finger on the pilot's companion.
"Schmitt-Schmitt, he calls himself--from the Dutch West Indies, he says."
"He calls himself that, does he?" said Dave thoughtfully, "and he is a Dutchman?"
"All I know is that he got onto the island here somehow--I believe from a tramp steamer a few days ago. He's close up to the governor and the pilot. Every craft that touches here, he visits its captain and wants to charter the ship." ”

“ Dave ran for a telescope. He viewed the government boat with a good deal of curiosity.
The official, Silverado, stood up in the stern gesticulating with energy, and evidently inciting his men to their best efforts at the oars.
"In a hurry to reach town, it seems," muttered Pat.
"In a tremendous hurry," said Dave. "So much so, that one of the men has leaped overboard, waded ashore, and is making a lickety-switch run across lots for the town." ”

“ After resting awhile, Dave dressed himself, and the pair went back to the camp.
Dave was delighted to note that Bob was recovering rapidly and that Pat Stoodles was also doing as well as could be expected.
"You want to be careful, Dave," said Bob. "We can't afford to lose you."
"And I don't want to be lost," answered the young diver, grimly.
"Have you seen anything of the savages?"
"Not a sign."
"They must wonder what has become of us."
"Perhaps they think we escaped to the ship." ”

“ He was a learned man, and Dave felt certain that if anything could be done for his parent, Doctor Barrell could do it.
The cabin boy went off with difficulty, and it was fully ten minutes before he returned with the medical man.
In the meantime, Dave laid his parent on the floor.
By placing his ear to his parent's breast, he found that his father still breathed faintly.
He was just pouring water over the sufferer's face when Doctor Barrell came in.
"What is the trouble?" he asked. "Has he had a tumble? I do not wonder; I have tumbled twice myself." ”

“ A peculiar mark, a circle inclosing a cross, was visible on the chest of the suppliant.
"I know what that means," mused Dave. "They brand their criminals, drive them away, and if they ever approach the tribe again, they burn them alive. That is the outcast brand. Stoodles told me so when he was on this island with me."
The refugee cowered with shame. Then he kicked aside some of the dishes of the feast which his august visitor had spurned.
"I'm glad of that," thought Dave. "Now he won't be likely to notice that I have been trespassing."
The outcast went to a sort of shelf in the cave. ”

“ The prow was splintered, one of the seats was broken out, but Dave sank down into the craft with a luxurious sense of relief and delight.
There were no oars, but Dave did not think much of that. He had something under him to sustain him. That was the main thing for the present.
"I can make rude oars of some of the driftwood and the front seat," he calculated. "If it rains I shall have water, and there are clouds coming up fast in the west now. I may catch some fish. What's in there, I wonder," and Dave pulled open the door of the little locker. ”

“ One afternoon, returning from a brief visit to Bob Vilett, as he was making for the cabin passageway, a chink of light attracted his attention.
It emanated from a crack in the paneling of the cabin occupied by Gerstein. Dave drew nearer to the chink, and could look quite clearly into the compartment that housed the person in whom he was naturally very much interested at all times.
"H'm!" said Dave, with a bright flicker in his eye. "He's making a chart, too, is he?" ”