of a mile was covered and they were close to the cave, when Arnold Baxter suddenly halted.
"Dan, supposing Captain Langless doesn't come back," he exclaimed, loud enough for Dick and his companion to hear.
"Doesn't come back!" ejaculated the bully. "Why, he's got to come back."
"No, he hasn't."
"But I don't understand — "
"You know well enough that the Rovers tried to bribe the captain."
"Yes, but they ran away — "
"Perhaps it's only a bluff, Dan. The boys may have been taken to another part of the island, from which Langless can transfer them to the schooner later."
"What, and desert us!" groaned the bully.
"Yes, and desert us. I think we were foolish to leave the Peacock without taking the captain or Cadmus along. I won't trust any of them any longer."
"Well, what shall we do, dad; go back?"
"It's too late now. The Peacock has gotten under way long ago."
"Well, let us try to get on the track of the two boys. Perhaps we can follow them up from the cave. If all of the footsteps point this way we'll know the captain has been deceiving us."
Again the Baxters moved on, and so did Dick and Peterson. The way was rough and made Dan grumble a good deal.
"We ought to have kept this game all in our own hands from the start," said the former bully of Putnam Hall. "We made a rank mistake to take Captain Langless into our confidence."
"I won't care if only we make Anderson Rover pony up that money," answered the father. "I'm afraid the mine scheme will have to fall through."
"What did you strike him for in cash?"
"Ten thousand dollars."
"You ought to have made it fifty."
"I wanted to get ten first and double that afterward. If I struck him too high first I was afraid he wouldn't try to meet me, but put the detectives on the track without delay."
CHAPTER XXIV
AN ENCOUNTER IN THE DARK
A little while later the Baxters reached the cave where Tom and Sam had been held prisoners.
The sailor who had been left bound had long since been released, so the place was deserted.
"Look out for snakes," said Dan. "We had better light torches."
This was done, for it was now dark under the trees.
Hiding in a thicket, Dick and Peterson saw the Baxters enter the cave. The pair remained inside for fully quarter of an hour, and came out looking much disappointed.
With torches close to the ground they searched for Sam and Tom's trail.
"Here are footprints!" exclaimed Arnold Baxter, at last. "They are not made by men, either."
"They must be the boys'," answered Dan. "Come on, let us follow."
"It is very dark, Dan. I'm afraid we'll have to wait until morning."
Nevertheless, the pair passed on, and again Dick and Peterson came behind.
Hardly three rods had been passed when Dan Baxter let out a cry as some small wild animal dashed across the trail. The bully turned to run, and discovered Dick ere the latter could hide.
"Dick Rover!" he gasped.
"Rover!" cried Arnold Baxter. "What are you talking about, Dan?"
"Here is Dick Rover! And that lumber fellow is with him."
"Impossible! Why, Rover, where did you come from?" And Arnold Baxter came up, hardly believing his eyes.
"We were following you, Arnold Baxter," answered Dick quietly.
"For what?"
"To see what you were going to do next?"
"Have you found Sam and Tom?" questioned Dan quickly.
"Dan, be still!" thundered his father. "You are always putting your foot into it."
"I reckon you chaps are fairly caught," put in Luke Peterson.
"Caught?" came from both, in a breath.
"Yes, caught," said Dick. "We did not follow you for nothing."
"Perhaps you are the ones who are caught," said Arnold Baxter, with a sickly smile.
"Hardly," and Dick showed his pistol. "We are well armed, Arnold Baxter, and will stand no fooling."
"We are armed, too — " began Dan, but his parent stopped him.
"Of course you came to this island on a boat of some sort," went on the elder Baxter.
"How else could we come? The mainland is miles away."
"Where is your boat?"
"Not far off, and well manned, too," added Dick. "We came not alone to capture you, but also the Peacock and all on board."
At this announcement the faces of the Baxters fell, and Dan actually trembled.
"Where is your boat?" repeated Arnold Baxter.
"As I just told you, not far off. The question is, will you submit quietly, or must I summon help?"
"Submit to what?"
"Submit to being taken to our boat."
"You have no right to make me go to your boat."
"I'll be hanged if I'll go," growled Dan.
"And you may be shot if you don't go," answered Dick significantly. "I know you well, and I shall take no further chances with you. Now will you go or not?"
"I suppose, if we don't go, you'll bring some officers here to compel us to do as you wish."
"Exactly."
"You may as well give in," said Peterson. "This island is not large, and even if you try to run away you'll be found, sooner or later. The Peacock is probably already captured, and those on our boat will see that no other boat comes near here until we have you safe on board. The jig is up."
"I won't give in!" cried Arnold Baxter. "Come, Dan!" He caught his son by the arm, and both turned and sped into the nearest brush.
It was dark, the torches
