"What became of the other boats?"

"Ain't seen nuthin' of 'em yet."

"Is that your boat was split in two, between the rocks in that direction?" and Dave pointed to where such a craft had been found by him and Roger.

"That's her, messmate. Putty badly used up, eh?"

"And you are quite sure those two pa.s.sengers had no baggage?" went on our hero, after a pause.

"Nary a thing, messmate, excepting wot they wore. It wasn't no time to think o' baggage, it was a time to think o' what to do to save your life!"

CHAPTER XXII-THE HURRICANE

"What direction did those fellows who ran away take?" asked Dave.

"That's the way they went," answered one of the sailors, pointing to some heavy undergrowth behind the camping-out spot.

"Where does that lead to, do you know?" asked the senator's son.

"Leads to a spring o' fresh water an' half a dozen big caves," was the reply.

"Caves?" queried Dave. "Then perhaps the fellows, who ran away, took to one of the caves."

"Like as not, messmate. Them two chaps have been explorin' them caves ever since we came ash.o.r.e."

"Let us walk back and have a look," suggested our hero. "We may be able to give Phil and Captain Sanders some a.s.sistance."

Without further delay, the two boys left the camp of the castaways and hurried along a small trail through the bushes. They soon came to a rocky depression in the midst of which was a tiny spring.

"That water looks good," exclaimed Dave. "Let us get a drink."

"Perhaps it is poisonous, Dave."

"If it was, I think those sailors would have warned us."

They found the water fairly cold and of a good flavor, and each drank his fill. Then Dave flashed the electric light around. Ahead they made out a series of rocks, with here and there a gloomy opening, leading to unknown depths.

"This is Cave Island and no mistake," was our hero's comment. "The place seems to be fairly honeycombed."

"Be careful that you don't go into a hole and drop out of sight,"

warned his chum.

They walked to the entrance of one of the caves and peered in. All was dark and silent. Then they went to the next cave. Here they caught a glimmer of light.

"Somebody is moving in here!" exclaimed Dave. "A man with a torch!"

They waited, and presently saw that two persons were approaching slowly, having to pick their way over the uneven rocks.

"They are the captain and Phil," cried Roger, and set up a faint call.

"h.e.l.lo! Who is that?" answered the captain of the _Golden Eagle_.

"Dave and Roger!" cried Phil. "Oh, say," he added, eagerly, "we've seen Jasniff and Merwell!"

"So we suspected," answered Dave. "But you didn't catch them?"

"No, they got away from us," returned Captain Sanders.

"In this cave?" queried Roger.

"Yes."

"But if they are in here, we can get them sooner or later," put in Dave.

"No, my lad. There are several openings to these caves. We found one at the far end, and I reckon those rascals got away through it."

"Did you speak to them at all?" asked our hero.

"Didn't get time," answered Phil. "The minute they saw us they ran like frightened deer."

"Did they have any baggage, Phil?"

"Not that I could see. I rather fancied Jasniff had a small bundle under his coat, but I may have been mistaken."

"The sailors said they came ash.o.r.e without baggage. Perhaps the jewels went down with the bark."

"Oh, I think they'd make an effort to save such costly gems-anybody would."

"Not if they were thoroughly scared," broke in Captain Sanders. "A person who is thoroughly scared forgets everything but to save his life."

"Then you haven't any idea where they went to?"

"No, lad. But I don't think they'll get off this island in a hurry."

There was nothing to do but to return to where the four sailors were encamped. Then the whole party proceeded to where Billy Dill and Smiley had been left.

"I don't think it will be safe to try to get through those breakers in the darkness," said Captain Sanders. "We may as well make ourselves comfortable until morning. We have plenty of grub on hand, so you fellows shall have your fill," he went on, to the castaways.

The sailors were glad enough to build another campfire, close to the landing-place, and here they were served with all the food and drink they wanted, which put them in good humor. They related the particulars of how the _Emma Brower_ had gone down, and of how one boat after another had put off in the storm. It had been a time of great excitement, such as none of them were liable to ever forget.

The boys were worn out from their exertions and willing enough to rest. They fixed up some beds of boughs and were soon in the land of dreams. The sailors rested also, each, however, taking an hour at watching, by orders of Captain Sanders.

It was about five o'clock in the morning when Dave awoke, to find the wind blowing furiously. Two of the sailors were busy stamping out the campfire, for the burning brands were flying in all directions, threatening to set fire to the undergrowth.