DISASTER
It would be impossible to do full justice to the joy and excitement
occasioned by the return of Dave Fearless to the _Swallow_.
Dave had come up to the steamer unperceived. He knew how to get to the
old familiar deck without being discovered.
His first rush was for the dear old father, seated on a stool watching
the cheerful scene ashore, but all the time thinking of his missing son.
There was an affectionate greeting between these two who thought so much
of one another. Then Captain Broadbeam nearly wrung Dave's hand lame,
trying to express his delight at seeing him once more safe and sound
aboard the _Swallow_.
"Mr. Stoodles away--and Bob, too?" exclaimed Dave disappointedly, a
little later, as he was told of the happenings with his friends since he
had last seen them. "That is unfortunate. I hope they will soon return
safely. In fact, it is almost indispensable that Mr. Stoodles see the
poor native I brought aboard with me."
"He'll have to see him soon, then," said Doctor Barrell, shaking his
head seriously. "The man is in pretty bad condition, Dave. I doubt if I
can pull him through."
"He is the possessor of a great secret," said Dave. "Let me tell you
about it."
"I hope Stoodles comes back in time to talk with the outcast," said Amos
Fearless anxiously, after Dave had told his story.
The next morning there was some disturbing news to report by the
boatswain. Gerstein had escaped during the night, taking the best
equipped of the small yawls with him.
Then there were two days of solicitous nursing of the outcast and
anxious waiting for the return of Stoodles and Bob.
One morning a loud cheer brought the coterie at the captain's table in
great haste and excitement on deck.
Stoodles and Bob had arrived by the overland route.
There was a vast babel of talk and welcome lasting over an hour, while
all matters were mutually explained.
"I'm so solid with the present government of the Windjammers," boasted
Pat proudly, "that I could command legions and phalanxes at my instant
beck and call."
"That is good, Mr. Stoodles," smiled Dave. "So you had them out looking
everywhere for me, did you?"
"Yes, and I promised them that a fearful visitation of fire--some of
Bob's foine fireworks--would disrupt the nation if within three days you
were not found."
"Well, Stoodles," said Captain Broadbeam, "we may need the help of the
natives when we get farther along. For the present, however, there is
only one thing to do. Get into shape to go for that treasure. The
_Swallow_ is all fixed up. We are in perfect sailing trim. We know
that Nesik and his crowd are still alive, but we need have no fear of
them without a ship to harbor them. Another thing--Gerstein's escape is
unfortunate. He may get to his friends and warn them. In the morning
we will start to hunt up the treasure."
"Gerstein may get there first," suggested Dave.
"Suppose he does. He's got no ship to carry the treasure away in. I
see possible fighting ahead if we run across Nesik and the Hankers, but
we've got the upper hand of them. Dave, lad, take Stoodles down to see
the native you brought here. Try to find out something definite about
the hiding-place of the treasure, will you, Pat?"
"Shure, I will," declared Stoodles.
"Oh, the man will tell you freely--I know it from his gestures to me!"
declared Dave. "He was very low last night, though. Come, Mr. Stoodles,
I will take you to him, let him know that you are my friend, and the
rest will be easy."
They went to the forecastle. The boatswain met them at the door of the
little compartment that marked the hospital of the ship.
"Mr. Stoodles is to see the sick native, Mr. Drake," said Dave.
The boatswain looked very somber.
"Mr. Stoodles is too late," he pronounced solemnly.
"Too late?" echoed Dave.
"Yes; the poor fellow died an hour ago."
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 hurried on his clothes and rushed after Bob to the deck.
A blow from a marlinspike sent Bob flat and a rough stranger grabbed
Dave as he appeared.
Captain Broadbeam and his crew were hemmed in near the bow, held at bay
by a dozen armed men.
With a sinking heart Dave realized what had happened--the brave little
_Swallow_ was in the hands of their enemies: Captain Nesik of the
_Raven_, the Hankers, and all that rascally crew.