Dave Porter on Cave Island; Or, A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission

by Edward Stratemeyer

  CHAPTER XXIX--A CHASE ON THE OCEAN

  It took the best part of the afternoon and evening to get the wholeparty together again, and send word to the mate of the _Golden Eagle_to bring the vessel around to that side of Cave Island. And while thiswas being done the hurts Captain Sanders and Smiley had received werecared for as well as the means at hand permitted.

  The captain and the wounded sailor had a long story to tell, of howthey had followed the three rascally Englishmen and Nick Jasniff, andhow the latter had made a compact with the others, so that they wouldtake him with them when they left the island.

  "The Englishmen were a bit afraid of the captain of the _Aurora_,"said Captain Sanders, "and we overheard them discuss the situation.They knew the captain would want to know what had become of the fourthman he had left here. At last they resolved to try a trick, but theyweren't sure it would work. But evidently it did, for the schooner hassailed."

  "What was that trick?" asked Dave.

  "It seems that when Mr. Borden was on the _Aurora_ he had a headachefrom the sun and wore smoked glasses. Is that right, sir?"

  "It is," answered Giles Borden. "The glare on the waves was beastly,and I wore the smoked glasses all day long."

  "Well, the rascals planned to have Jasniff impersonate Mr. Borden. Oneof them, Geswick, exchanged coats and caps with him, and lent him apair of smoked glasses, and he was to tie up his cheeks and pretend tobe suffering from toothache, and keep to his stateroom as much aspossible during the trip."

  "Oh, what a thing to do--impersonate me!" roared Giles Borden, in arage. "Just wait till I confront him!"

  "Yes, you'll have to wait," put in Phil, dryly.

  "Did you find out where they were going to sail to?" asked Dave,eagerly.

  "To San Juan, on the island of Porto Rico. But they may make somestops on the way."

  "San Juan," mused Roger. "That's a good many miles from here. Perhapsthe _Golden Eagle_ can catch the _Aurora_ before she gets there."

  "If they went to San Juan direct I'd advise waiting till they got inthat harbor before I'd do anything," said Captain Sanders.

  "Why?" asked the boys.

  "Because it is one thing to stop them on the high seas and another tostop them in United States waters. Remember, Porto Rico is now a partof Uncle Sam's domain."

  "Yes, I'd rather go at them there than on the high seas," answeredDave. "But they mustn't get away again, no matter where we have totackle them," he added, determinedly.

  It was impossible to transfer those ashore to the _Golden Eagle_during the darkness, because of the danger in the breakers, so theyhad to wait until daylight before departing.

  Among those to go were, of course, the sailors who had come ashorefrom the wreck of the _Emma Brower_. Captain Sanders told them theycould remain on the island if they wished, but they set up animmediate protest.

  "It's not a fit place for any man," said one of the tars. "There isvery little game and not much fruit, and one is continually in dangerof falling into a hole or a cave. I'll go to Porto Rico gladly, and sowill my mates, and we'll work our passage, if you're willing."

  "All right," said Captain Sanders. "But you'll not have much to do, aswe have about all the hands we need."

  When aboard the ship, the captain and the boys listened to the storythe mate had to tell. Then they learned that the storm had blown the_Golden Eagle_ many miles from Cave Island, and in trying to avoidsome of the keys of another island, the vessel had lost the top of oneof the masts and the rudder had been damaged. This had necessitatedmuch delay, which accounted for the non-appearance of the vessel whenexpected.

  While making repairs, the vessel had been passed by a tramp steamerbound for Trinidad. The captain of the steamer had asked if he couldbe of assistance, and after being told no, had given the informationthat he had picked up three rowboat loads of passengers and crew fromthe ill-fated _Emma Brower_. It may be mentioned here that anotherboat load from the same vessel managed to reach another island in thatvicinity, and in the end it was learned that the going down of thebark was unattended with the loss of a single life.

  With so many on board, the accommodations on the _Golden Eagle_ weresomewhat crowded. The sailors went with Billy Dill into theforecastle, while Giles Borden was asked to share Captain Sanders'stateroom. What to do with Link Merwell became a question. In onesense he was a prisoner, yet Dave hated to treat him as such.

  "There is the extra pantry," said Captain Sanders. "We can clean thatout and put in a cot, and he can use that," and so it was arranged,much to the relief of all of the boys. The pantry had a grating,opening on the main passageway, so it made a fairly comfortablestateroom, although rather hot.

  "Well, I suppose I've got to take my medicine, when we get back,"grumbled Link Merwell, when given his quarters.

  "What else could you expect?" returned Dave. "If this was my affairalone, Link, I might let you go, now you have given up the jewels. Butwhat is to be done is for Mr. Wadsworth and the authorities to say."

  Merwell had confessed that he and Jasniff had taken the skates andother things at Squirrel Island, and told where they had been left, ina barn along the river, and how they might be recovered. He had alsoadmitted impersonating Dave on several occasions and ordering goods inour hero's name, and doing other mean things of which he had beensuspected, and said he was heartily sorry for his actions.

  Soon the _Golden Eagle_ was ready for the departure from Cave Island.As the sails were hoisted the boys gathered on deck to take a lastlook at the remarkable spot.

  "It is really and truly Cave Island," declared Dave. "I don't believeany other place in the world is so full of caves and holes!"

  "I am glad the volcanoes didn't get busy while we were there,"remarked the shipowner's son.

  "So am I," added Roger. "The caves and holes were bad enough, withoutadding other perils."

  "Dave, do you think we'll catch that schooner?" went on Phil, after apause, during which the boys watched the ship drawing away from theisland.

  "I sincerely hope so," was the serious reply. "If we don't, andJasniff gets away, this mission down here will have proved almost afailure."

  "Then you think Jasniff has the most of the jewels?"

  "Yes. If you'll remember, the jewels that were taken were valued atabout seventy-five thousand dollars. Well, I have looked at the jewelsI got from Link, and so has Mr. Borden, who knows something aboutgems, and we have come to the conclusion that those Link turned overto me are not worth over fifteen thousand dollars. That means thatJasniff has about sixty thousand dollars' worth."

  "Isn't that like Jasniff!" cried the senator's son. "Always wanted thebig end of everything! It's a wonder he and Link didn't quarrelbefore."

  "They did quarrel, and Link wanted to leave him several times, butdidn't dare, for Jasniff threatened to expose him. In one way, I amsorry for Link,--but, of course, he had no right to commit such adeed."

  After Cave Island was left in the distance, Captain Sanders had a longconference with Giles Borden concerning the Englishmen who had robbedhim. Later a general talk took place between the pair and the boys.

  "I am afraid we'll have to trust to luck to catch the _Aurora_ orlocate her," said the captain, finally. "She may go to San Juan andshe may go elsewhere."

  "If we pass any other vessels, can't we ask if they saw the schooner?"ventured Dave.

  "Certainly."

  The day went by and also the next. Link Merwell kept to himself, onlyspeaking when addressed. He felt his position keenly, and would nodoubt have given a great deal if he could have cleared himself. He waslearning that the way of the transgressor is hard.

  On the third day, early in the morning, they passed a big barkentinebound for South American ports. Greetings were exchanged, and CaptainSanders asked concerning the _Aurora_.

  "Yes, we met her," was the reply. "Yesterday, about two bells in theafternoon watch."

  "Did she say where she was bound?"

  "Bound for San Juan, Porto Rico."
r />   "Direct?"

  "Yes. She was going to stop elsewhere, but the captain allowed he'dmake straight for San Juan," added the captain of the barkentine,through the megaphone he was using. Then, after a few words more, thetwo vessels separated.

  "It's San Juan sure!" cried Dave. "From what Mr. Borden and Billy Dillsay of Captain Hunker he would not tell a falsehood. I guess the bestthing we can do is to sail for that port."

  "I think so myself," returned Captain Sanders.

  The chase was now a definite one, and Dave felt much relieved. Hewondered if they would be able to overtake the _Aurora_ before PortoRico was reached.

  "We can do that with ease," answered Captain Sanders when questioned."But even so, she may not stick to just the course we take, and we maypass her in the night. So don't worry if we don't see or hear anythingbefore San Juan is reached."

  "I'll try not to worry," answered our hero. Yet he could not help it,for so much depended on the successful outcome of his mission. He knewthat those at home must be in deep distress, and he could picture theanxiety of Mr. Wadsworth and his wife and Jessie, and also the anxietyof his own folks.

  "Oh, we've got to catch Jasniff and get back those jewels!" he toldhimself. "We've simply got to do it! I won't give up, if I have tofollow him around the world!"

  It had been warm, but now the weather changed and a strong breeze madeliving far more comfortable. The breeze was favorable to sailing, andthe _Golden Eagle_ plowed the deep at a good rate of speed. Many ofthe islands of the Lesser Antilles were passed, and some trulydangerous reefs, and then the course was straight for the harbor ofSan Juan, on the northeastern coast of Porto Rico.

  They had seen nothing so far of the _Aurora_, but on the afternoon ofthe last day out they were passed by a freight steamer from the southand received word that the schooner was not far away and making forSan Juan.

  "I guess we had better go right in and get the authorities to takehold," said Captain Sanders. "This is no matter for us to handle, nowwe are in United States waters once more."

  Dave agreed; and as soon as possible they entered the harbor and wentashore. It was an easy matter to notify the harbor police, and insideof two hours half a dozen officers of the law were detailed to makethe necessary arrests. Dave and Giles Borden and Captain Sanders wentwith them, leaving Phil, Roger, and the others aboard the _GoldenEagle_.

  The patrol boat of the harbor police had to remain on the watch allnight and half the next morning before the _Aurora_ was sighted.

  "There she is!" cried Dave, at last, and Giles Borden echoed thewords. Then the patrol boat lost no time in steaming alongside of theschooner.

  "Hello, what's wanted?" demanded Captain Hunker, as he saw theofficers of the law.

  "We'll come aboard, captain," said the officer in charge.

  "What's the matter?"

  "We are after four of your passengers."

  At that moment somebody appeared near the rail, to learn what theshouting meant. It was Nick Jasniff. He gazed at the officers of thelaw and then at Dave. As he recognized our hero his face fell and helooked totally dumfounded.

  CHAPTER XXX--HOMEWARD BOUND--CONCLUSION

  "Jasniff, I want to see you!" shouted Dave.

  "What do you want of me, Dave Porter?" returned the big youth, asboldly as he could.

  "You know well enough."

  "Humph! You think you've got me, don't you?" sneered Nick Jasniff, andthen he left the rail of the vessel and disappeared down acompanionway.

  By this time the officers of the law were boarding the _Aurora_,accompanied by Giles Borden and Captain Sanders.

  "Where are those bloody rascals who robbed me?" exclaimed theEnglishman, excitedly. "Just let me get my hands on them!"

  "I don't understand this!" returned the captain of the schooner, insurprise. "You'll have to explain."

  "You have three Englishmen aboard here--fellows you took to Cave Islandwhen I was with them."

  "Say, you're that fourth man!" gasped Captain Hunker. "But that otherchap,--the fellow with smoked glasses, who had his face tied up----" Hedid not know how to go on.

  "He impersonated me, the villain! But I am after the others, for theyrobbed me of over a thousand pounds, don't you know!"

  "Where are your passengers?" demanded the officer in charge of thosefrom the patrol boat, sternly.

  "If they are not on deck they must be below,--they had no chance toleave the ship," answered Captain Hunker. "This gets me!" he went on,weakly. "I thought they acted rather strange, but I supposed they werenothing but a crowd of weak-minded critters hunting for pirates'gold."

  At that moment Geswick, Pardell, and Rumney came on deck, having heardthe tramping of feet overhead and wondering what it meant. Almostbefore he could speak, Giles Borden had Geswick by the throat and wasshaking him violently.

  "Will rob me, and leave me a prisoner in that cave!" he roared. "I'llteach you a lesson! Give me my money, you bloody scoundrel!" And thenhe banged Andrew Geswick's head against a mast.

  "Ho, let up!" yelled the criminal. "Let up, I say!" And he tried tosquirm away. But it was useless, and in a minute more one of theofficers of the law handcuffed him, and Pardell and Rumney were alsosecured.

  "Now I want my money!" stormed Giles Borden. "Every shilling of it!"

  "I haven't any of it," replied Rumney. "Geswick and Pardell have itall." Rumney had had a quarrel with his fellows, just as Merwell hadquarreled with Jasniff.

  "Just you wait, Rumney; we'll fix you for going back on us," growledAndrew Geswick. But this threat did him little good. In the end he andPardell had to hand over every penny taken from Giles Borden, and thenthey were marched off to jail, to await a hearing before theauthorities.

  In the meantime Dave had run across the deck and followed Jasniff downthe companionway. He was afraid that the evil-minded youth might hidethe stolen jewels or throw them overboard.

  When he got below he looked around, but could see nothing of the otherboy. He ran along a passageway, peering into one stateroom afteranother, and also into the cabin and the pantry. Then he heardsomething like a cover drop near by and hurried in that direction.

  Jasniff was in a corner stateroom on his hands and knees. Beside himwas a flat steamer trunk, which was closed. It was the lid of thistrunk that Dave had heard drop.

  "Jasniff, come out of that!" ordered Dave, sternly. "Come right outand hand over those jewels."

  "Say, Dave Porter, you think you are smart, don't you?" sneered thebig youth, as he got up on his feet.

  "Never mind what I think. I want those jewels, every one of them, andI 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 mybaggage, too," went on Jasniff, and held out his arms as if willing tohave the investigation begin on the spot.

  "If you haven't the jewels on your person, you have hidden them," wenton Dave. "Bring them out, right away."

  "Not much, Porter, I am not that kind of a fool." Jasniff lowered hisvoice to a whisper. "To outsiders I won't acknowledge I have thejewels, but if you'll fix it so I go clear, I'll see to it that oldWadsworth gets the gems back."

  "I'll fix nothing, Jasniff, and you'll hand over every jewel, and doit right now!" cried Dave, and now he was so angry that he leaped onthe criminal and threw him backward over the trunk.

  But if Dave was strong, so was Jasniff, and, as of old, the rascalthought nothing of playing a foul trick. Around and around thestateroom went both boys, with first Dave on top and then hisopponent. Then suddenly Jasniff pulled himself away and caught up awater pitcher that was on a stand.

  "I'll fix you!" he roared, in the same tone of voice he had employedwhen he had once attacked Dave in the Oak Hall gymnasium, and hebrought the heavy pitcher down straight for Dave's head.

  Had the blow landed as intended, our hero would have been knockedsenseless and perhaps seriously hurt. But quick as the bully was, Davewas quicker, and leaped to one
side. Then he let out with his fist,landing on Jasniff's jaw,--a blow that sent the fellow crashing overinto a corner. As Jasniff came up, Dave hit him again, and this timehe went down all but knocked out.

  "Dave!" called a voice from the doorway at that moment, and CaptainSanders appeared. "Having a tussle, eh? Want any help?"

  "May be," panted our hero. "He attacked me with the water-pitcher!"And he pointed to the fragments of chinaware that lay on the floor.

  "Do-don't h-hit me again!" spluttered Nick Jasniff.

  "Will you hand over the jewels and behave yourself?"

  "I--I haven't got the jewels," and now Jasniff arose unsteadily to hisfeet.

  "Perhaps he's hidden them," suggested the captain of the _GoldenEagle_. "It would be like him to do it."

  "I'll search him first and then look around the room. Where are thoseofficers?"

  "They have their hands full just now with those Englishmen. But I'llcall them if you wish it."

  "No, just see that he doesn't get away," answered Dave.

  A rapid search of Jasniff's clothing told our hero that the rascal didnot have the gems on his person. Then Dave looked into the steamertrunk.

  "Are they there?" inquired Captain Sanders.

  "No."

  "You'll never get them from me," growled Jasniff, and gave Dave a lookthat was full of the keenest hatred. "I'll go to prison for lifebefore I'll give them up, now!"

  "Watch him carefully," said Dave to the captain, and got down on hishands and knees in front of the berth in the room.

  "Nothing under there!" cried Jasniff, but his voice had a trace ofanxiety in it.

  Dave felt around, but found nothing unusual. Then he lit a match andcontinued his search. Soon he saw where a board of the side wall hadbeen pried loose and then shoved back into place. He pulled on theboard and it came out, revealing a small compartment between twoupright posts. In the compartment was something wrapped in a bandannahandkerchief. He pulled it out and crawled from under the berth.

  "I think I've found it," he said, in a voice he tried in vain tosteady. Then he untied the handkerchief and brought to light a moneybelt, exactly like that taken from Link Merwell. He placed it on thesteamer trunk and opened it with care. The sight that met his gaze wasa dazzling one. The money-belt contained all that Jasniff had carriedof the Carwith jewels.

  "My, but that's a sight!" murmured Captain Sanders.

  "Going to return them, I suppose," sneered Nick Jasniff. "You're a bigfool to do it! I'd keep them, and have a good time on the proceeds."

  "I am not built that way," answered Dave, shortly. "I'll put thisaround my waist, with the other," he added, and lost no time inadjusting the second money-belt. It wasn't particularly comfortable towear those two belts, yet Dave felt a tremendous satisfaction in sodoing.

  Jasniff was made to march on deck, and there he was handcuffed likethe other prisoners. He no longer pretended to have a toothache, buthe did have a jaw-ache, from Dave's blow.

  The most surprised man was Captain Hunker, and he readily told hisstory of how the Englishmen had hired him to take them to Cave Islandand then call for them later. When Jasniff had appeared, with thesmoked glasses and the bandage on his face, he had pitied the fellowbut had not paid much attention to him. When Dave had fired his gunfrom the shore, Geswick had explained that other fortune hunters wereon the island but that they wanted nothing to do with the crowd, sothe master of the _Aurora_ had gone off without investigating.

  Inside of an hour all of the interested parties had gone ashore, andthe three rascally Englishmen and Nick Jasniff were marched off by theofficers of the law. Roger and Phil appeared and wanted to know theparticulars of the capture.

  "And what are you going to do next, Dave?" asked the senator's son.

  "Get back to Crumville with the jewels, just as soon as I can getaway. But I've got to arrange it with the police first."

  "Aren't you going to send word ahead?" asked Phil.

  "Of course. I'll send a cablegram to-day."

  "Won't they be surprised and glad to get it!" murmured Roger.

  "And maybe I'm not glad to be able to take the jewels back with me!"answered Dave, his eyes glistening.

  An officer had been sent to take charge of Link Merwell, who had beenleft on board the _Golden Eagle_. An hour later came word that Merwellcould not be found. He had left the vessel in some mysterious manner,dressing himself in one of Dave's best suits before going. A littlelater Dave learned that Merwell had left San Juan for the interior ofPorto Rico. The officers of the law said they would look for him.

  The cablegram to Mr. Wadsworth was sent, and soon a reply came back.Then came nearly a week of waiting for a steamer that would take theboys to New York. In the meantime matters were arranged with theauthorities so that they could get away, and take the jewels withthem. A detective accompanied them, to make certain that the jewelswould be properly delivered, for the whole case was now in the handsof the law. Giles Borden remained in San Juan, to press his chargeagainst his fellow countrymen. Captain Sanders remained in the harbor,to await orders from Phil's father.

  "Sorry to part with you boys," said the captain, as he shook hands."Hope you'll sail with me again some day."

  "An' sail with me, too," put in old Billy Dill, who was present, andas much interested as anybody.

  "But not on such a mission as this has been," returned Dave.

  "Nor to such a place as Cave Island," added Roger.

  "For caves and pitfalls that island certainly was the limit," wasPhil's comment.

  The voyage to New York proved to be uneventful, and all of the ladswere glad when it was over. Arriving in the metropolis, they lost notime in getting a train for Crumville, the detective going with them,and Dave carrying the precious jewels.

  And then what a home-coming followed! All the Wadsworths and thePorters were at the depot to meet them, and everybody was brimmingover with good feeling. Mrs. Wadsworth fairly hugged Dave, and Laurakissed him over and over again, and even Jessie could not resist thetemptation to rush into his arms.

  "Oh, Dave, to think you really got the jewels!" said Jessie. "Oh, I'mso glad! What a hero you are!" And she gave him a look that touchedhim to the bottom of the heart.

  And then came Mr. Wadsworth, his voice shaking with emotion, and thenDave's father, and Uncle Dunston.

  "One lad out of a million!" murmured the manufacturer. "Mr. 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 wereforgotten. While Dave related his story to the men, and delivered thejewels to Mr. Wadsworth, his chums had to tell about all that hadoccurred, to Mrs. Wadsworth and the girls. And the questions that wereasked and answered would fill a chapter and more.

  "And what will they do to Jasniff?" asked Laura.

  "Undoubtedly put him in prison for a number of years," answered thesenator's son. "And he deserves it."

  "What a misspent life!" sighed Mrs. Wadsworth.

  "And what about Link Merwell?" asked Jessie.

  "I don't know what they'll do to him. Perhaps they won't catch him,"said Phil.

  "If they don't, I hope he turns over a new leaf and makes a real manof himself," said Laura.

  Dave had gone to the jewelry works with the men, and soon Phil andRoger followed. Here the jewels were examined with care, being checkedoff on a list,--the duplicate of a receipt Oliver Wadsworth had givento the owner of the gems.

  "Four stones are missing," announced the manufacturer. "And they areworth less than a thousand dollars. Dave, you certainly did well."

  "We can get back at least two of those stones," answered Dave. "Thepawnbrokers will have to give them up."

  "Then the loss will be less than five hundred dollars--a mere triflealongside of what it might have been. Dave, I'll not offer you areward, for I know you won't take it. But I thank you, my boy, I thankyou most
heartily!" And Mr. Wadsworth caught Dave by both hands, whiletears of emotion stood in his eyes.

  "It saved us all from a tight place, if not ruin," added DunstonPorter.

  "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 aswell as ever."

  "And have you heard from Hooker Montgomery?"

  "Not a word, and we sha'n't need to, now."

  "Any word from Oak Hall?" asked Roger.

  "Yes, the place opened again last week."

  "Then I suppose we'll have to get back once more," said Phil. "Well,we've had a long enough vacation,--if you can call it such," he added,with a grin.

  "And such adventures!" murmured Roger. "We'll never see such strenuoustimes again, eh, Dave?"

  "There is no telling, we may," answered Dave. There were still manyadventures ahead, and what they were will be related in the nextvolume of this series, to be entitled, "Dave Porter and the Runaways;or, Last Days at Oak Hall," in which we shall meet our hero and hischums and enemies once more.

  "If we are to go back to Oak Hall so soon, let us have all the fun wecan," said Dave, after the matter of the jewels had been settled; andthe next day he and his chums and the girls went out for a grandsleighride, for it was still winter at home, even though it had beenlike summer on Cave Island.

  "Dave, are you glad to be back?" asked Jessie, while they were glidingover the snow.

  "Yes, I am," he answered. "And doubly glad to be here, at your side,"he added, in a lower voice.

  "Oh, Dave, I was so afraid while you were away!"

  "Of what?"

  "That those bad boys would harm you! Oh, please be careful in thefuture, for my sake."

  "All right, Jessie, I'll be careful," he answered, and then, under thebig robe, he gave her little hand a tight squeeze, and I don't knowbut that Jessie gave him a squeeze in return. To her Dave was thefinest boy in all the world.

  "Let's have a song!" cried out Phil, from the seat in front.

  "Right you are!" returned Dave. "What shall it be?"

  "Oh, anything!" came from the girls in concert; and then they startedto sing one familiar song after another; and while they are singinglet us say good-by and take our leave.

  THE END