The Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure Cave Part 14

"That's a go," said Grant. "Is everybody ready?"

The word was given and the life-boat shot forward on its course. The game being played served to cheer up the members of the little party and as a matter of fact no one had remained greatly worried about their condition for any length of time. Youth is always hopeful and every one on board had always had the feeling deep in his heart that they would be rescued before long. Lack of food and water had not a.s.sailed them as yet.

"The hour must be nearly up," remarked George at last.

"Huh," snorted Fred. "I don't believe we've been going over twenty minutes."

"Certainly not an hour," agreed Grant. "Stick to it a while longer, Pop."

"All right," sighed George, "but I know we've been working at least an hour."

"You never worked an hour in your life," said John. "How do you know how long it is?"

"I warn you not to talk like that," said George, pretending to be angry.

"I am sitting right behind you, you know, and it would be no trouble at all for me to give you a good, swift punch in the middle of the spine."

"Oh, Pop," exclaimed Fred. "How bloodthirsty you're getting."

"I'm thirsty for a drink of water, that's sure," exclaimed George.

"You'll have to wait until the hour is up," said Grant.

"I say it's up now."

"The rest of us say not, though," reminded Grant. "Besides that, we're three to your one, so we can make you do pretty much as we please."

"Is that so?" exclaimed George haughtily. "Well, if I want to turn my head around I don't know who could stop me."

"Don't try it," warned Fred, who pulled the bow oar. "You'll be sorry."

"How about Fred up there?" demanded John.

"We've all got our backs turned to him and he may look around every minute for all we know."

"Sam can see him," exclaimed Grant. "Has he looked around yet, Sam?"

"Ah ain't seen him if he has," replied Sam, grinning from ear to ear and showing a double row of ivory teeth.

"If he does, you just tell us," said Grant, "and we'll fix him."

"Yas, sah," grinned Sam. "Ah'll report all right."

"Seen any boats yet, Sam?" demanded George.

"No," said Sam before Grant could stop him.

"Look here, Pop," exclaimed Grant hotly, "you ought not to have asked him that question. We made an agreement not to look around, but what's the use if you aren't going to live up to it?"

"Did I look around?" demanded George.

"No, but--"

"Well, that's all I agreed to."

"I know, but--"

"Seen any land, Sam?" asked George. He knew how angry he was making Grant, but one of his main objects in life was to tease people.

"Ah ain't sayin'," said Sam warily. "Yo' all ain't gwine to ketch me nappin' again."

"That's right, Sam," exclaimed Grant; "don't you answer a single question that any one asks you."

"Oh, Grant," mocked George, at the same time pitching his voice like a girl's. "I think you're just horrid."

"Hit him, somebody!" exclaimed Fred laughingly. "Don't let him live."

At this moment, however, George, who had been paying more attention to the conversation than the rowing, caught a crab. He lost his balance completely and toppled over backward, sprawling at full length on the bottom of the boat. As a consequence the whole crew was disorganized.

The agreement not to look around was entirely forgotten and all heads were turned to look at George.

Suddenly John stood up in the boat and cheered at the top of his voice.

"Look there!" he cried. "There's land this time, all right!"

CHAPTER X

ASh.o.r.e

All eyes were immediately turned in the direction in which John pointed.

Sure enough, and every one saw it this time, land appeared far off on the distant horizon. It could be seen only faintly, but there was no mistaking it. The low-lying sh.o.r.e and the outline of a few hills were plainly visible.

"What do you think of that?" exclaimed Grant joyously. "It certainly looks as if our luck had turned."

"Sho' it has," said Sam readily. "Soon as we lef' dat hard luck Finn Ah knowed we'd be all right. Ah suttinly is glad Ah is not in de same boat wid him."

These words of Sam threw a sudden damper upon every one in the boat. The four boys looked at one another in consternation and much of their joy at the sight of land was taken away by the recollection of the tragic end of their shipmate Petersen. Sam, however, seemed entirely unconscious of having said anything out of the way. His face was wreathed in smiles and showed nothing but satisfaction, now that he was separated from Petersen. If any doubt had still lingered in the boys'

minds as to Sam's sincerity that doubt was now dispelled. There was no question at all that the negro recalled nothing of his tragic deed.

"What's de mattah wid you gentlemen?" demanded Sam, noticing the strange behavior of the four young sailors.

"Nothing at all," said Grant quickly.

"Let's row for sh.o.r.e," exclaimed John, doing his best to change the subject.

"That's what I say," agreed George, who had now picked himself up and had taken hold of his oar once again. "I want to feel some good old earth under my feet for a change."