THE CAPTIVES
"Mr. Daley, you are a brave man."
"Glad of the compliment, Dave Fearless. I hope I deserve it."
"You certainly do," asserted Dave warmly. "But where are Jones and
Lewis?"
Daley, who had flushed with pleasure at the handsome compliment bestowed
by the young friend he was learning to like and respect, scowled and
muttered angrily at this allusion to the companions who had been
captured with them by the natives on the cape bluff.
"They're cowards, that's what they are," cried Daley angrily, "the
miserable villains."
"Well, I hope they got away safely, anyhow," said Dave simply.
"They don't deserve it," growled Daley. "Now then, lad, so far so good.
But what next?"
"That's so," remarked Dave Fearless. "What next, indeed?"
It was the second day after their capture. Dave and Daley were in a
queer environment, to explain which it is necessary to go back to the
hour when they were discovered on the cape bluff by the natives.
Their great joy at the discovery of the _Swallow_ so near at hand off
the island coast, had been quickly shadowed.
As Dave's anxious friends had seen through the spyglass from the deck of
the steamer, the arrival of a large body of natives had put an end to
the freedom of the young ocean diver and his companions. All four were
surrounded and bound.
While some of the savages went on with their fetich ceremonies on the
bluff to cast an evil spell on the _Swallow_, the others marched the
captives to the native town.
There they were placed in a wretched hut, without any roof. The hut
filled a cavity in the ground. About a dozen natives squatted on the
surrounding level, and were thus enabled to keep the captives constantly
in sight.
The rest of that day and the next passed in this irksome confinement.
The prisoners were given food and water, but the great vigilance of
their guards was not relaxed.
There was not the least opportunity afforded to escape.
When night came again, Daley and the others went to sleep. They had
become disheartened. Dave, however, never gave up. Escape was
constantly in his mind. His chance came at midnight.
Dave did not know it then, but Stoodles and Bob Vilett were responsible
for the opportunity afforded.
Of a sudden, Dave caught the sounds of great commotion in the center of
the native village, from which their prison place was quite remote.
Some men came running by, shouting loudly to the guards. Dave was
amazed to see the last two of these spring to their feet in great
excitement. They babbled like frightened monkeys. Then, with frantic
yells, they dashed away towards the village.
It took Dave Fearless less than a minute to arouse his sleeping
companions. It took less than another minute to show them that a golden
opportunity for escape was presented.
It had not been a question of getting rid of their bonds at any time.
These had grown loose from their twisting about during the day. It was
the work of but a moment to cast them to the ground.
"There is not a single guard left," said Dave. "Something great and
exciting is evidently happening at the native village. Work fast, men.
We must get out of the enclosure some way quick as we can. Then a dash
for the timber yonder."
Daley braced himself against the side wall of the enclosure. Dave
mounted to his shoulders. As soon as he got safely over on the solid
ground, Dave secured some poles. These he slanted down into the prison
place. The others scrambled up them with agility and had soon joined
him.
"What's that?" demanded Daley suddenly. "There it is again. No, gone.
Something like a big fireball. The trees shut it out. Now then,
Fearless, lead the way."
Daley had caught a momentary glimpse of the balloon Bob Vilett had sent
aloft. Had Dave seen this, it might have suggested the near proximity
of friends from the _Swallow_ and have changed his plans.
As it was, he, like his companions, had only one thought in view--to get
to a safe distance before the guards might return, discover their
absence, and arouse the tribe to a general pursuit.
The refugees were most fortunate in their movements for the next few
hours. Dave had struck out due west. They soon passed all signs of
habitations.
It was two o'clock in the morning when they halted. The others lay down
on the ground. Dave rested a few minutes. Then he arose and walked a
short distance from the spot.
He was intent on studying their surroundings and learning what prospect
lay beyond a sharp rise just in their course to the west.
The moon shone brightly, but by spells clouds occasionally crossed the
sky. Dave had to wait for these fitful illuminations to pick his
course.
Near to the top of the rise Dave halted, studied a slight glare, and
then started on again with caution.
"A fire," he said. "Yes, I can smell smoke. Natives around a camp-fire?
I guess that much. I must hurry back to the others and make back tracks
double-quick."
Dave hastened along fast and recklessly. The sure proximity of enemies
had startled him.
"What's this?" he gasped suddenly, lost his footing, took a header, and
plunged into complete darkness.