Alger Horatio Jr.
In Search of Treasure
CHAPTER XXIX
ON THE ISLAND
When Guy scanned the island, and saw that it answered the description given in the papers bequeathed him by his uncle, his heart beat gladly. His pride was interested in the reliability of the information given him.
It was on the faith of these that Mr. Saunders, his employer, had risked a considerable sum of money, and now it looked as if he would be richly repaid for his investment.
As Guy stood on deck regarding the island, Captain Richmond walked up to his side.
“Well, captain,” said Guy, “we have been successful. This is the island I wanted to find.”
“Yes, it is the island; but what good will it do you?”
Guy had not made a confidant of the captain except in a general way. He distrusted the man, and feared that in some manner he would interfere with his plans.
“I can tell you better after a few days,” answered Guy, guardedly.
“I suppose you expect to find an immense treasure?” said Captain Richmond, with a sneer.
“Perhaps so.”
“Then all I can say is that you are probably doomed to disappointment.”
“Why do you say that?”
“All these stories of hidden treasures are old women’s tales.”
“If I am disappointed,” said Guy, somewhat nettled, “you will not be a loser.”
“I wasn’t thinking of that; but I hate to see a man make a fool of himself.”
“Am I the man?” asked Guy, smiling.
“No, but the man who has supplied you with money to make this expedition.”
“When you see Mr. Saunders you can tell him so.”
“Now, how long do you propose to delay my voyage in keeping me in this out-of-the-way place?”
“As short a time as possible, Captain Richmond. I should like to go on shore at once, if convenient, and commence my search. Mr. Titcomb and Mr. Clark will go with me.”
“Very well. I will send you ashore, as you desire. I have this to say, however, that I shall not be willing to remain here more than three days.”
“I protest against this limit, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, indignantly. “The contract which I made with your owners says nothing of any such limitations. I am paying a handsome sum for any detention which my business here may occasion.”
“You are paying–” began the captain, with a sneer.
“Yes, as the agent of Mr. Saunders,” responded Guy, firmly.
The captain turned upon his heel and left Guy, but he gave orders that the long-boat should be lowered, and in five minutes Guy and his two assistants were on their way to the island.
The Osprey anchored about a hundred yards from the shore, in order not to get into too shallow water. The boat trip was, therefore, a brief one.
It was a beautiful morning. The island smiled in the bright rays of a tropical sun, and the luxuriant vegetation that covered the hills and plains made it look very attractive.
“This is a charming spot, Guy,” said Abner Titcomb. “The pirates knew what they were about when they selected it.”
“I imagine they cared very little for its appearance,” said Guy. “It seems to be the nearest of the islands, and, therefore, the most accessible.”
“If I were well provided with comforts, I shouldn’t object to spending a few months here,” said Luke Clark.
“Nor I, if at the end of that time I could get off and sail for home.”
They made for a little, sandy beach on the south shore, and one of the sailors, leaping out of the boat, hauled it upon the beach. Guy and his two assistants sprang out.
“When do you want us to come back?” asked the boatswain.
Guy took out his watch.
“We shall spend the day on the island,” he said. “You can come for us at six o’clock.”
“But we shall get hungry before that,” objected Titcomb.
“I thought of that, and asked the steward to put up some lunch for us,” answered Guy, pointing to a square package wrapped in stout paper.
“We shall want drink, also.”
“It will be strange if we can’t find a spring on the island.”
Guy and his two friends stood on the shore and watched the boat as it was rowed back to the ship.
“I can understand the feelings of Robinson Crusoe,” Guy said. “Here we are many thousand miles from home, on an island which has not even a name, so far as I know.”
“True; but there’s our ship, ready to carry us away when we choose. That makes the difference between us and Crusoe.”
“I should prefer that there should be a difference. I don’t care to feel myself a prisoner here.”
“What are your plans for the day, Guy? You are the leader of our expedition. Shall we begin our search for the treasure immediately?”
“To-day let us simply be explorers. I should like to see something of the island. Suppose we strike for the woods.”
“Just as you say. We shall have a delightful walk.”
The woods began about a mile from the beach, but there were scattered trees on the way.
On their branches were birds of strange plumage. They were singing, but the songs were unlike any that the three explorers had heard in America.
There were flowers, also, for on this far-away island it was the season of blooming, and their fragrance perfumed the air.
“I wonder if there are any inhabitants?” said Luke Clark.
“Probably there are no white inhabitants, and I hope there are none of a different race. They might prove dangerous, and interfere with our plans.”
“It almost seems a waste of productive power that such a delightful island should be uninhabited,” said Abner Titcomb. “Suppose it were within a few miles of Boston or New York, or near Portland, how it would attract visitors.”
“Like Peak’s Island,” suggested Luke Clark.
“Where is that?” asked Guy.
“Three miles from Portland. It is much smaller than this, but it attracts many visitors in the summer.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t move this island. Indeed, I shouldn’t want to till I have found the treasure.”
They reached the edge of the woods and plunged in. There was very little underbrush, but the trees rose straight and erect, branching at a considerable distance from the ground.
“What a fine grove for a camp meeting,” said Luke Clark. “Do you know how far the trees reach back, Guy?”
“Three or four miles, according to my description.”
“Shall we push through?”
“Yes. Back of the woods rises the small hill indicated on my plan of the island. I propose that we ascend that, and take a general view. It may be high enough for us to see the shore on the other side.”
It was not a work of difficulty to reach the hill and ascend it.
The rise was gradual, and the hill was comparatively bare of trees. Thus far they had discovered nothing that indicated any previous occupation by white men; but now on the summit of the hill they saw a pole looking somewhat like a telegraph pole.
“Do you see that, Guy?” said Abner Titcomb.
“Yes.”
“That must have been placed there by white visitors.”
“Probably by some of the pirates of whom my uncle speaks.”
“Yes; and so far it is a confirmation of his story.”
“You are right. It should be looked upon as encouraging.”
There was something else that suggested former visits. On the top of the hill, a hundred feet from the pole, was a rude seat made by a plank resting upon supports at either end.
“Let us sit down,” said Guy, “and take a general survey of the island.”
CHAPTER XXX
LOOKING FOR TREASURE
Though not very high, the hill on which Guy and his friends were seated was of sufficient altitude to command a general view of the entire island. With the exception of this hill, the surface of the island was flat, and it was possible to see its general contour.
In front, at a comparatively short distance, the Osprey rode at anchor.
“It is the sight of the ship that makes me feel comfortable,” said Abner Titcomb, pointing to it.
Through the clear atmosphere they could see distinctly all that passed on board the vessel.
“See,” said Luke Clark, “the captain is pacing the deck with an impatient step. Ten to one he doesn’t enjoy being detained here.”
“I know he doesn’t,” said Guy. “He loses no opportunity to ridicule my search after the treasure, and thinks Mr. Saunders an idiot for the expense he has incurred in chartering the vessel.”
“I don’t see what business it is of his,” said Titcomb. “You, or rather Mr. Saunders, are paying the owners well for the time consumed.”
“True; but he is impatient to go on to Bombay. He asked me if I couldn’t get through my search in three days.”
“What did you say?”
“That this time was entirely insufficient.”
“It is a pity that Captain Grover is not in command.”
“Yes. It would be a great deal more comfortable for me.”
From time to time, as they could see, the captain looked toward the island and then resumed his walk.
“I wonder he doesn’t propose to come on shore and aid you in the search, Guy.”
“I don’t think he cares to have me succeed. For some reason which I don’t understand he appears to have taken a dislike to me.”
“It is partly because you are independent of him. He has authority over all on board the Osprey except ourselves, and this chafes him.”
“I shouldn’t like to be in the power of such a man.”
“Nor I. But for your firmness, Luke and myself would have lost our cabin privileges and been obliged to eat with the sailors.”
“So far as pleasant society is concerned, I should be as willing to keep company with them as with Captain Richmond.”
“I feel the same way, but I was unwilling that the captain should impose on me.”
“Boys,” said Luke Clark, suddenly, “I think we made a mistake in not bringing some water with us. I am beginning to feel thirsty.”
“I shall feel so soon,” said Titcomb. “We may as well hunt for a spring. Thirst is, if anything, harder to bear than hunger.”
“Very well,” said Guy. “Let us make a search.”
They descended the opposite slope of the hill, and in a covert near the bottom found a clear, pellucid spring, from which they dipped water in the hollow of their hands and drank.
There was a slight mineral flavor which was not unpleasant, and all three enjoyed the cooling draughts.
“This is a very important discovery,” said Titcomb, “and would be even more so if we were obliged to remain any length of time on the island. Now, Guy, what shall we do next?”
“Continue our exploration,” said Guy. “This is only the first day, remember.”
“But the captain wants to limit you to three days.”
“Yes; but I have not accepted the limitation. After traveling so many thousand miles, I don’t propose to be hurried.”
“I applaud your pluck, Guy. You have an unusually strong will for a boy of sixteen. From whom do you take it?”
“Not from my father,” answered Guy. “He is altogether too gentle and yielding, and allows himself to be bossed by one of his deacons. Fortunately, I thwarted Deacon Crane in one of his schemes when I was at home.”
“Your father is a minister, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“That accounts for it.”
“I don’t know. Some ministers are quite as fond of having their own way as any of their congregation. However, that isn’t the case with my father.”
“I suppose, Guy, you have some clue to the place where the treasure is concealed?” said Titcomb. “I have not inquired, hitherto, but it seems to me that while we are exploring we may as well keep our eyes open, and perhaps we may chance upon the spot.”
“It is time I told you what I know,” answered Guy. “I am obliged to confess that the directions are not as clear and explicit as I should wish. Yet I think they may be sufficiently so for our purpose.”
“Go ahead, Guy,” said Luke Clark. “I confess that my curiosity is aroused.”
“Then I will tell you all I know.”
Guy took from his pocket a roll of paper, discolored by time, and unfolding it, read this paragraph:
“There is a place on the island where six trees are arranged (by nature) in the shape of a cross, as this drawing will show.
“Between the second and third of these trees, counting from the top downward, the pirate’s treasure is concealed. A large cavity was dug out, and in this was placed a sailor’s chest, in which are stored gold, silver, and jewels, besides a considerable amount in bank notes—some English, some French, and some American. As to the value of these treasures, no one knew anything except the captain, and possibly even he was uninformed.”
“There is more,” added Guy, “but this is all that is of importance.”
Abner Titcomb and Luke Clark listened thoughtfully.
“That seems a pretty good clue,” said Abner, at length. “It is hardly likely that there will be more than one group of trees arranged in the shape of a cross.”
“You are, no doubt, right.”
“I move that we use our eyes as we go along. We may come upon this cross this very day.”
“I wish we might.”
“If we do, we may conclude that we have succeeded in our quest, even if we do not dig at once for the treasure.”
“Yes.”
“I shall feel more interest in our walk now, as we shall have an object in view.”
“It seems to me,” said Guy, “that the pirates might easily have selected a place more difficult to find.”
“I don’t know about that. Of course, now that we have the clue, it seems simple, but otherwise how could we be led to suppose that the treasure would be hidden there rather than in any other place? All puzzles are easy when you have found out the key to them.”
After this the party naturally confined their explorations to the wooded part of the island. Somewhere among this multitude of trees were to be found the six trees arranged in the shape of a cross.
“It seems as if it ought to be easy to find,” said Guy.
“Yes; but you must remember that the woods, besides running back for perhaps three or four miles, reach nearly across the island in breadth. It may be a long and tedious search, after all.”
“But I don’t think we can fail to succeed at last.”
“Yet it may be a matter of weeks before we find the cross.”
“At any rate we have the clue. It does not require sharpness, only patience.”
When midday came all felt hungry, and they sat down to eat the provisions they had brought with them.
As they had discovered water nowhere else, they were obliged to work their way back to the spring which they had originally chanced upon.
“It is a pity that we didn’t bring a pail with us to hold water, so that we need not have been obliged to retrace our footsteps.”
“We shall know better how to manage to-morrow.”
The three explorers wandered about till they were very tired, and a full hour before the time set they were on the beach waiting for the boat to carry them back to the Osprey. They were seen from the vessel, and in a few minutes they were on board again.
“Well,” said Captain Richmond, addressing Guy, “what have you accomplished?”
“We have discovered a spring and explored a part of the island.”
“Have you found the treasure?”
“Not yet,” answered Guy.
“So I supposed,” returned the captain, with a sneer.
He said nothing more, but he had succeeded in making Guy feel uncomfortable.
CHAPTER XXXI
A STARTLING SUGGESTION
The program for the next day was like that of the first, except that no time was spent on a general exploration of the island.
The impatience shown by Captain Richmond made Guy fear that unless the treasure were speedily found he would object to staying longer. Of course, this would be in violation of the agreement he had made with the owners, but there was no court to enforce that agreement, and if the captain should, in his obstinacy, decide to sail away, the whole object of the expedition would be lost, or, at any rate, indefinitely deferred.
Therefore, on reaching the island in the morning, Guy and his two friends immediately set about searching for the six trees arranged in the shape of a cross. It did not seem that it would be difficult to find them, but nevertheless three more days slipped away, and at the end of that time they were no nearer success than before.
Even Guy began to feel anxious. He knew that in the event of the failure of the expedition Mr. Saunders might blame him for the loss of the considerable sum which had been spent in fitting it out, and, moreover, he would feel in duty bound to return the five thousand dollars which the merchant had advanced to him.
A part of this sum had been spent, some of it in paying the mortgage on his father’s house, and he would be left hopelessly in debt.
“Don’t feel blue, Guy,” said Abner Titcomb. “It took us months to come here, and surely we can spare a month for the search.”
“Yes, Abner; but will the captain wait for us that long?”
“There is the rub?” said Titcomb. “For some reason he is very impatient, and very averse to staying here.”
“Probably he is naturally impatient,” suggested Luke Clark.
“That does not explain it. He is evidently unfriendly to Guy, and does not want him to succeed.”
“And for that reason I am all the more determined to succeed,” said Guy, firmly.
For two hours after this they searched vigorously and earnestly. Not a clump of trees but was scanned critically, in the hope that it might be the lucky cross of which they were in quest.
The time most dreaded by Guy was the evening and the return to the ship unsuccessful and empty-handed.
Captain Richmond was always on hand, and always put the question:
“Well, have you succeeded?”
“Not yet,” answered Guy, reluctantly.
“Of course not,” retorted the captain, contemptuously.
“But I mean to do so,” said Guy, pluckily.
“And how many years do you expect me to ride at anchor here waiting for you?”
“We have been here but five days, so far,” said Guy.
“And have accomplished nothing. You might as well make up your mind, first as last, that there is nothing to be found here. I don’t believe, for my part, that any pirates ever visited the island.”
“Why, then, should a dying man tell my uncle so, Captain Richmond?”
“It was a sailor’s yarn. There are some men who can’t help lying, even upon their deathbed.”
“Don’t you believe any pirates ever concealed their booty?”
“Nine out of ten of the stories about pirates and hidden treasure are fabrications.”
“Be that as it may, Captain Richmond,” said Guy, with dignity, “you will lose nothing by waiting.”
“I shall lose my patience, for one thing.”
“I don’t think you have much.”
“No impertinence, young man!” said Captain Richmond, angrily.
“I don’t mean to be impertinent, but I want you to carry out in good faith the terms of the agreement I made with your owners.”
The captain walked away without a word, but there was a look upon his face which Guy did not like. He knew that if the captain chose to put an end to his stay upon the island he would have no alternative but to submit, and would be obliged to keep on to Bombay in the humiliation of failure.
Guy’s fears were increased by a few words he had with Frank Low, the young sailor already referred to as an object of dislike to the captain.
It was one evening, when the captain had retired early.
“Guy—Mr. Fenwick,” said Frank, “let me speak a few words to you.”
“By all means, Frank. You need not call me Mr. Fenwick. I am only a boy like yourself—younger, indeed.”
“But you are a passenger, while I am only a poor sailor.”
“You are my friend, all the same. Now what have you to tell me?”
“Captain Richmond is in a great funk at being obliged to stay here while you are on shore.”
“I know that very well, Frank, but he has no right to be. I made a special agreement with the owners of the Osprey for which they will be handsomely paid.”
Frank shook his head.
“That’s all very well, Master Guy, but the captain will play you a trick if he can.”
“What trick can he play me?”
“He can forbid your going on shore again.”
“He wouldn’t do that. He knows that in that case, the contract being broken, I should have an excuse for refusing to pay the sum agreed upon.”
“Is it after hidden gold you are searching, Master Guy?”
“Yes; after treasure concealed on this island by pirates.”
“Do you believe it is there?”
“Yes. I have very good reason to believe it.”
“Then why don’t you get the captain on your side by offering him something—say a thousand dollars—in case you find it.”
“It wouldn’t do much good. The captain doesn’t believe in the treasure.”
Frank Low looked uneasy.
“I’ll tell you what I am afraid of, Master Guy,” he said.
“Go on, Frank.”
“I am afraid some day when you are on the island he will set sail without you.”
Guy looked startled, as he well might, at this suggestion.
“He wouldn’t dare do that,” he replied.
“I don’t know. I believe he would dare to do anything. Besides–”
“Well, Frank,” said Guy, seeing that he hesitated.
“Besides, I don’t think the captain is wholly responsible for what he does.”
“Why do you think that?” asked Guy, quickly.
“From the way he behaves. Sometimes he paces up and down the deck, muttering to himself. I shouldn’t be surprised if he were off his base.”
“You mean that he is crazy?”
“It looks to me like that. I had an uncle who was affected in the same way. He used to go up and down through the village, muttering, and took very little notice of anyone he met when he had the fit on him. After a while he got worse, and at last had to be carried to an asylum.”
“Then you think that with the fit upon him, the captain might sail away and leave me and my two friends on the island?”
“That is what I am afraid of.”
“Thank you for putting me on my guard, Frank. I will think over what you have said and try to prepare for it.”
“I don’t see how you can.”
“I must still continue my visits to the island, whatever risk I run; that is due to my employer. But, should the worst happen, you can do something for me.”
“I will do anything for you, Master Guy,” said the young sailor, earnestly.
“Then, Frank, if the captain treacherously deserts us, and keeps on his course to Bombay, as soon as the Osprey arrives there I want you to call on Mr. Saunders, my employer, and let him know where I am. He will probably have the captain arrested, and will send the Osprey or some other vessel to our help.”
“But you will be left to starve!”
“I don’t fear that. There are natural fruits on the island, and animals that we can kill for food. I think that we can get along as Robinson Crusoe did.”
“I will remember what you have told me, Master Guy, but I hope there will be no need to do it.”
“I trust, too, that the necessity will not arise.”
“Don’t you think you had better give up your search, Master Guy, considering how much opposition there is to it?”
“No, Frank,” said Guy, firmly. “You must remember that I am in the employ of Mr. Saunders, and represent his interests. I will prove faithful to him, whatever happens.”
Frank Low looked perplexed and uneasy. He had become anxious, and being warmly attached to Guy, who treated him as a friend and an equal, thought chiefly of his safety.
