Frontier Boys in the South Seas Part 17

"Where did he pick up those Darlington boys?"

"Who knows? He came with them on the train--all except Jim."

"What has this Jim been doing?" went on the captain.

"Nothing. He is crazy. Since I saw you, I followed him here, there, everywhere."

"Did he know you were following him?"

"He? No. He is the imbecile."

"Do you think he knows where we are going?"

"No." The dwarf laughed contemptuously. "He knows nothing. They are all of them to hunt for the treasure. He thinks no more of the girl."

"Don't be too sure of that," returned the captain. "I think he is on our trail, but we will give him the slip yet. And we will be rid of her, the day after to-morrow."

"What are you going to do with her?" asked the dwarf.

"Put her ash.o.r.e at San Matteo. If we don't get rid of her pretty soon he will be bringing the whole pack down on us."

"Him!" muttered the dwarf, "leave Jim to me. But he thinks more of the gold."

"Why didn't you at least get the papers from him?"

"Carambo!" hissed the dwarf. "Why didn't I? I had the bag and those clumsy gringoes were chasing one another in the dark, when the professor, maledictions upon him, came in my way. Who would have looked for him there?"

"And he picked you up and spanked you like a bad little boy," said Broome, maliciously.

"Curses on him!" howled the dwarf. "But I--I, Manuel de Gorgiza," he struck himself on the chest, "will have my revenge on them all. But I fooled them. I swam under the water, and while they waited for me to come up I am under the dock, and I laugh at them all for the fools that they are. They think that I am down at the bottom of the bay, but I will have them yet."

"It is time we were getting under way," said the captain, rising. "You will have to postpone your revenge until we come back."

Going on deck, the captain gave orders to start and in a short time the Sea Eagle was on her course out through the Golden Gate.

"I wonder if they will follow us," mused the captain.

It need only to be recalled that the Sea Eagle on leaving the harbor headed north, and when the captain was satisfied that he was not followed the ship's course was altered.

"The little Mexican was right. Them boys are looking for the gold," the captain decided, rubbing his gorilla-like hands together with satisfaction.

The next day, however, when the Sea Eagle had entered San Matteo Bay and Captain Broome discovered the Storm King, he almost exploded with wrath.

But the dwarf, who had been standing on the afterdeck, and with a spy-gla.s.s watching the other boat, had seen the boys go on sh.o.r.e. His crafty mind had even then conceived a plan of revenge worthy of the arch fiend himself.

Having devised his scheme, the dwarf went at once to Captain Broome, who was on the forward deck directing the stowing away of the stuff that was being transferred from the lugger to the Sea Eagle.

The captain listened attentively as the Mexican unfolded his plan. When the dwarf had concluded, Broome removed his hat and bowed graciously.

His only comment was: "I take off my hat to you."

CHAPTER XII.

TREACHERY.

The Senor had pa.s.sed an anxious day. He had at first thought of going on board the Sea Eagle and demand surrender of his daughter. But he feared, after the revelation made by Jim, that he would be but placing in Broome's hands opportunity for further evil.

At four o'clock, therefore, he summoned the innkeeper, who brought from the corral two horses. One the Senor mounted, and leading the other, he started for the arranged place of meeting. Jim and his party were at that moment in hiding, as had been arranged.

The task of loading the Sea Eagle had evidently been completed, and the ship itself, under the influence of the tide which was then running out, was moving very slowly toward the ocean end of the harbor.

With a begrimed and patched sail flapping listlessly, the lugger could be seen riding motionless at anchor.

There was a brief interval of suspense, then there was observed, moving toward the sh.o.r.e from under the lea of the lugger, a small boat. In it were three persons, all well known to Jim. The Senorita sat in the stern, and so was facing them. At the oars was a big fellow with a bristling red moustache, close-cropped hair, and evil looking black eyes. An equally big, red haired woman, Big Annie, the captain's sister, was in the bow. This woman, as Jim knew from sad experience, was as powerful as a man.

When the boat grounded, Big Annie sprang lightly ash.o.r.e, and walked rapidly toward the appointed tree under which stood the Senor, holding the bridles of his two horses.

The watching party hidden from observation were not close enough to the Senor to hear what was said by either he or Big Annie when they met.

They saw the former take from his saddle bag a heavy package which he gave the woman.

"There is the money!" cried Jim, excitedly.

"Shall we stop them?" asked Juarez.

"No," answered Jim, "but I fear that he is making a mistake. He was not to give up the money till his daughter was on sh.o.r.e."

"But you are not going to let them get away with the money, are you?"

asked Berwick disgustedly.

"It seems we must," returned Jim. "At least we must for the present. But I mean to get that later."

"Huh!" muttered Tom. "There is no time like now."

"All we can do now," protested Jim, "is to see that the Senorita is safe. She is still in these villains' hands, and if we show ourselves, it will be an excuse for them to try to get away with her. That's what I fear, anyway."

"See!" called Jo, "the Senor is walking with the woman toward the boat."

"And he promised me to stay at the tree."

Jim was wild with anxiety, yet dare not make known his presence. But the opportunity to act was close at hand.

Reaching the sh.o.r.e, the Senor and his daughter were exchanging salutations, while the woman Annie sprang lightly into the boat, and it was then swung about, seemingly to allow the girl to land. The man rose from his seat as if to lend aid. Big Annie took the oars, and immediately, with quickly repeated strokes impelled by her powerful arms, the boat shot away. At the same instant the man grasped the Senorita, holding her before him so as to protect himself from harm should the Senor be armed. This all happened far more quickly than it can be described.

Now, all too late, the party in hiding sprang forward.

"Help! Help!" called the Senorita. "Save me, Senor James!" She had at once recognized him among the party.