Chapter XXVI: Conclusion

An arduous tramp of a half hour brought the professor and his party to the base of the steep incline that led to their objective point. Here they halted a moment for a rest and looked about them. The side of the cliff, which was two or three hundred feet in height, was heavily wooded and ran upward at an acute angle, but with several ledges that stretched across the face so that an ascent was possible, but only at the expense of a considerable journey. Steady effort, going from one ledge to another, climbing through crevices and around projecting barriers finally brought them to the summit. Here, on a small open space, they found the remains of the fire which had been the source of the column of smoke, the embers, notwithstanding the wetting they had had, still giving out a little vapor.

"Well, boys, we can go no higher except by the aid of the branches of the trees."

"I was considering which tree to climb," responded Tom. "That one on the point is the highest, but the one nearer us we climbed before and is the easiest to get up."

"Let it be the highest," determined the professor.

It was not an easy task they had undertaken, as the trees were several feet in diameter, without a branch for eighteen or twenty feet from the base; but the boys, with the aid of Berwick and the professor, by dint of clinging like flies to each little projection in the trunk, managed to get a hold on the lower branches and pull themselves up into the trees; then by degrees to the highest point that could safely be reached.

"Phew," said Tom, who was the first to get to a place where he could look off over the surrounding country, "what do you think of that?"

"What is it?" panted Jo.

"Look there!" answered Tom. "Looks as though we had our work cut out for us."

"It does look interesting," coincided Jo, who had gotten up to where he could see about.

Away off to the south, a distance of about five miles in a small harbor lay two ships, one of which, even at that distance, the boys had no difficulty in recognizing as the Marjorie. They were riding quietly at anchor, but there were small boats passing to and fro between the two vessels and the shore.

They also noted that the mountains extended to the south, with another range a little farther away, beyond which the ground sloped away again down to a nearly level plain, which ran away to the water's edge. The mountains were heavily wooded, and the plains or more level surfaces, as well. To the east the mountains appeared to extend in an unbroken range to the shore.

"Well," said the professor, when they had climbed down. "What did you find out?"

"The Marjorie is off there," replied Tom.

"And another, vessel, too," added Jo.

"Humph!" ejaculated the professor, "this doesn't seem to be any place for us!"

"But what about Jim?" asked Tom.

"Oh, that's another matter," said the professor, in a whimsical way he had when confronted by a serious problem. "One thing at a time, you know."

"How do you think they know we were here?" asked Berwick.

"I have it!" cried Tom, excitedly, "The smoke!"

"What about it?" said Jo.

"Why, don't you see," responded Tom. "It was a signal."

"Well, suppose it was, what has that got to do with them?"

"Everything," replied Tom. "That was a sign that the Storm King was here."

"But who did it?" persisted Jo.

"That villain of a steward," asserted Tom. "You know that someone on board was signalling to the Marjorie, and just as soon as we got in here he made some pretense to get ashore."

"Tom is right," agreed Berwick.

"I knew it was him," lamented Tom, "and to think we let him get away."

"I am afraid that that was because of my over-confidence," admitted the professor, "but I was deceived in him. He had been to the South Seas with me, you know."

"Well, it can't be helped now," declared Jo, philosophically. "The question is, what is the next thing to do?"

"Let us make a reconnoitre down by the harbor, and see what we can find out," suggested Berwick. "Perhaps we might get an opportunity to capture a prisoner or two that we could hold as a hostage for Jim."

"That's a good scheme," agreed the professor.

"I hope we can get a hold on that villain of a steward," cried Tom, vindictively.

"Or that imp, Manuel," added Jo.

"Don't speak of him," remonstrated Berwick. "It is like a premonition of evil whenever I hear his name."

"Come on," said Tom, picking up his rifle. "The sooner we get there, the better."

As they journeyed toward the harbor, the professor related to the others the facts concerning his acquaintance with Mr. Jranvin, now the chief of Rarihue. He spoke of his fine character, and recalled his long struggle with adversity because of inherited pulmonary trouble.

"And do you really believe that he knows about the treasure and that it is gone?" asked Tom.

"I believe that he speaks of what he knows, but I think it not unlikely that he could tell, if he would, where it is gone."

"Then is our venture a failure?"

"Who can tell? Anyway we shall not give up the search."

As there seemed reasonable assurance that they were alone in the forest, they advanced rapidly and exercised no special caution till they were nearing the harbor. Approaching the fringe of wood near the water's edge, they carefully made their way to a point where an unobstructed view was had of the bay. Tom was the first to announce to the others the identity of the other vessel they had seen from the tree top.

"By all that is wonderful! If there isn't the Sea Eagle just moving out of the harbor!"

"The Sea Eagle? Well, this is hard," said Jo. "Just to arrive in time to see her sailing away."

"And what a row they are having on board the Marjorie; looks like a regular mutiny," cried Berwick.

The panorama on the bay, which was being enacted before them, was one of startling interest. What had happened to have brought the now disappearing Sea Eagle to the harbor they could not determine, but disorder and confusion was apparent on the Marjorie's decks.

"Captain Beauchamp is not to be seen," said the professor. "There seems to be merely a lot of sailors, and it looks as if two factions were contending for the mastery."

"Jim is not there," said Jo, sadly. "I wonder what has become of him?"

"Probably he is still a prisoner, and we--hush! There is somebody moving through the woods!"

Some one was approaching, but in a slow and hesitating manner, yet making no effort at concealment.

"It is the steward," whispered Jo, after a moment. "Be ready, Tom, we will get him for sure!"

Absolutely motionless they all were until the steward had come to within a dozen feet of where they lay hidden, then, as he turned to move in another direction, Jo and Tom, at a signal from the former, sprang to their feet and with one bound were upon their intended prisoner. They bore him to the earth and held him secure, while Berwick quickly bound his hands behind his back.

Greatly to the surprise of all, the steward offered no resistance and made no effort whatever to escape. He hung his head on seeing whom his captors were and looked like a man suffering abjectly.

"Quick, you villain," cried Jo, grasping his arm. "Where is my brother?"

Without hesitation came the answer, "He is quite safe. He has escaped."

"How can we know?"

The steward looked only at the professor and for answer said, "May I speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Certainly not. Say openly what you have to say," was the answer.

"I think," interposed Berwick, "I would grant his request. It can do no harm."

The boys and Berwick separated, each taking a few steps in different directions so as to prevent any possible attempt at escape.

The two thus left alone, although under close observation, conversed earnestly for a few moments, and then the professor called the others together.

"It is a deplorable matter," said the professor. "This man is deserving of condemnation and of punishment. He has been a traitor to our cause, but he admits fully his crime and wants to atone in any way he can. Jim, he says, was confined on board the Marjorie, but he himself helped him to escape and he believes that Jim is now safe and sound, probably by this time on board the Storm King."

"How can we be sure of that?" Jo asked.

"We have only this man's word, and in a sense his word is valueless, but he can go with us and we can deal with him accordingly, if he tells not the truth."

"What's happening on the Marjorie?" asked Berwick.

The steward did not know. He told of liberating Jim, who had gotten into the Sea Eagle's dory, and had ordered the two Swedes who manned the oars, and who of course did not know him, to row him ashore. The steward, filled with remorse for his treachery to the professor, had later swam to the land and, uncertain what to do, now really welcomed his capture.

"We will leave your fate to later consideration," said the professor, "and if Jim is not found on board, it will go hard with you."

The other made no protest to this decision and promptly they undertook the return journey to their ship.

Every precaution was taken to prevent the escape of the steward, but he made no effort in that direction. He walked with bowed head, misery in his face and manner.

Fully two thirds of their return journey had been accomplished when they were startled by the sound of three long blasts from the Storm King whistle. What new danger might portend?

Onward now they pressed with the utmost speed, and arriving at the water's edge they saw the welcome sight of the Storm King riding safely at anchor, and recognized two familiar figures on the bridge. Jim was one, safe and sound to all appearances, and the other Jranvin, the Rarihue chief.

Another sight greeted their eyes. It was two long, rakish crafts, manned by many dusky islanders which lay peacefully enough along side the big ship.

In a brief interval all were on board and explanations were in order. Jim was uproariously welcomed and quickly told his story, which brought astonishment to the ears of his listeners. Briefly this was his tale: The steward had unlocked his door and paved the way for his escape, but Jim had not rowed ashore. He had observed the contending factions of the two ships, who having rescued from the water those who had fallen overboard from the long boat, for the nonce fraternized and were bent on a visit to the Marjorie for further orgies and libations.

Noting the absence of Broome's men from the decks of the Sea Eagle, Jim had quickly changed his plan. He had ordered his two oarsmen to row him to that vessel. On the deck he had found only the Swedes and their commander, Captain Luhrensen. Boarding the ship, Jim had said: "I am the owner of this boat."

It was an astonishing declaration, but Jim drew from his pocket papers which bore out his assertion, and he soon won to his standard the ship-wrecked commander, and with him, of course, went his crew. At once the ship had been gotten under way. Broome and his crew were all on board the Marjorie. It was evident that Beauchamp and Broome and other officers were securely imprisoned in the Marjorie cabin while the sailors were discussing with more or less forceful animation their next move.

Jim, with the decks of his beloved Sea Eagle once more beneath his feet, had made all speed under sail and steam to the entrance of the harbor where lay the Storm King, and had come aboard to report his safety and the successful outcome of his venture.

One startling tale had scarcely been assimilated when another was offered for their consideration.

The chief of Rarihue stepped forward and embracing the professor, said: "You remember this morning I told you that the treasure for which you sought had gone? It is gone from the cave in which you hoped to find it. But I will tell you now, I am the present possessor."

"Then I congratulate you most heartily," responded the professor. "May you live long and enjoy it."

The chief shook his head, smiling the while. "I may find use for a little of this wealth," he said, "and I am going to ask you, my dear friend, to take it back with you."

"I will most gladly do your bidding."

"And fairly rewarded you shall be. I can trust you and I like the looks of your associates." Saying this, he walked to the gunwale and called in their native tongue to the occupants in the boats.

Upon his order, many bags of woven grass, their contents of considerable weight, were hoisted aboard.

"Ten per cent of what this realizes, and I think there is value to a quarter of a million, I want deposited to my credit in the Bank of England. I may never call for it, but _all the remainder is yours_."

"Hurrah for the chief of Rarihue!" cried Tom, and a right ringing cheer was given.

"And now," said Jim, "we must not tarry here. Professor, you have won out and do not need me any longer. I have my Sea Eagle and her papers indent her to Cuba. With Captain ter Tofte Luhrensen as sailing master, to Cuba she shall go."

To Cuba the Sea Eagle did go, as those interested in the fortunes of the Frontier Boys may learn in a volume to follow, "The Frontier Boys in Cuba."

"You are released, albeit with reluctance," slowly answered the professor, "and my thanks for your valued aid. Your share of our success will be deposited in the Bank of America, New York, against your homecoming."

"And whom can you spare to go with me, and who wants to go to fight for freedom's cause?"

Jo and Juarez were quickly by his side and with less alacrity, Tom joined them. All looked at Berwick.

"Mine for a quiet life," said that worthy, laughing. "I shall stay by the professor."

A word more as to the steward. After careful consideration and a talk with Mr. Jranvin, he was left with the islanders. He deserved punishment, but his belated renunciation of his evil ways and his helpfulness to Jim were taken into account.

As Jim had said, there was no time to be wasted, and within an hour adieux had been said, and the two ships were steaming in absolutely diverse directions, the one to San Francisco and the other to Cuba.

THE END.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:

Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise, every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and intent.

End of Project Gutenberg's Frontier Boys in the South Seas, by Wyn Roosevelt