Dave Porter on Cave Island: or, A Schoolboy's Mysterious Mission

“Yes. If you’ll remember, the jewels that were taken were valued at about seventy-five thousand dollars. Well, I have looked at the jewels I got from Link, and so has Mr. Borden, who knows something about gems, and we have come to the conclusion that those Link turned over to me are not worth over fifteen thousand dollars. That means that Jasniff has about sixty thousand dollars’ worth.”

“Isn’t that like Jasniff!” cried the senator’s son. “Always wanted the big end of everything! It’s a wonder he and Link didn’t quarrel before.”

“They did quarrel, and Link wanted to leave him several times, but didn’t dare, for Jasniff threatened to expose him. In one way, I am sorry for Link, – but, of course, he had no right to commit such a deed.”

After Cave Island was left in the distance, Captain Sanders had a long conference with Giles Borden concerning the Englishmen who had robbed him. Later a general talk took place between the pair and the boys.

“I am afraid we’ll have to trust to luck to catch the Aurora or locate her,” said the captain, finally. “She may go to San Juan and she may go elsewhere.”

“If we pass any other vessels, can’t we ask if they saw the schooner?” ventured Dave.

“Certainly.”

The day went by and also the next. Link Merwell kept to himself, only speaking when addressed. He felt his position keenly, and would no doubt have given a great deal if he could have cleared himself. He was learning that the way of the transgressor is hard.

On the third day, early in the morning, they passed a big barkentine bound for South American ports. Greetings were exchanged, and Captain Sanders asked concerning the Aurora.

“Yes, we met her,” was the reply. “Yesterday, about two bells in the afternoon watch.”

“Did she say where she was bound?”

“Bound for San Juan, Porto Rico.”

“Direct?”

“Yes. She was going to stop elsewhere, but the captain allowed he’d make straight for San Juan,” added the captain of the barkentine, through the megaphone he was using. Then, after a few words more, the two vessels separated.

“It’s San Juan sure!” cried Dave. “From what Mr. Borden and Billy Dill say of Captain Hunker he would not tell a falsehood. I guess the best thing we can do is to sail for that port.”

“I think so myself,” returned Captain Sanders.

The chase was now a definite one, and Dave felt much relieved. He wondered if they would be able to overtake the Aurora before Porto Rico was reached.

“We can do that with ease,” answered Captain Sanders when questioned. “But even so, she may not stick to just the course we take, and we may pass her in the night. So don’t worry if we don’t see or hear anything before San Juan is reached.”

“I’ll try not to worry,” answered our hero. Yet he could not help it, for so much depended on the successful outcome of his mission. He knew that those at home must be in deep distress, and he could picture the anxiety of Mr. Wadsworth and his wife and Jessie, and also the anxiety of his own folks.

“Oh, we’ve got to catch Jasniff and get back those jewels!” he told himself. “We’ve simply got to do it! I won’t give up, if I have to follow him around the world!”

It had been warm, but now the weather changed and a strong breeze made living far more comfortable. The breeze was favorable to sailing, and the Golden Eagle plowed the deep at a good rate of speed. Many of the islands of the Lesser Antilles were passed, and some truly dangerous reefs, and then the course was straight for the harbor of San Juan, on the northeastern coast of Porto Rico.

They had seen nothing so far of the Aurora, but on the afternoon of the last day out they were passed by a freight steamer from the south and received word that the schooner was not far away and making for San Juan.

“I guess we had better go right in and get the authorities to take hold,” said Captain Sanders. “This is no matter for us to handle, now we are in United States waters once more.”

Dave agreed; and as soon as possible they entered the harbor and went ashore. It was an easy matter to notify the harbor police, and inside of two hours half a dozen officers of the law were detailed to make the necessary arrests. Dave and Giles Borden and Captain Sanders went with them, leaving Phil, Roger, and the others aboard the Golden Eagle.

The patrol boat of the harbor police had to remain on the watch all night and half the next morning before the Aurora was sighted.

“There she is!” cried Dave, at last, and Giles Borden echoed the words. Then the patrol boat lost no time in steaming alongside of the schooner.

“Hello, what’s wanted?” demanded Captain Hunker, as he saw the officers of the law.

“We’ll come aboard, captain,” said the officer in charge.

“What’s the matter?”

“We are after four of your passengers.”

At that moment somebody appeared near the rail, to learn what the shouting meant. It was Nick Jasniff. He gazed at the officers of the law and then at Dave. As he recognized our hero his face fell and he looked totally dumfounded.

CHAPTER XXX – HOMEWARD BOUND – CONCLUSION

“Jasniff, I want to see you!” shouted Dave.

“What do you want of me, Dave Porter?” returned the big youth, as boldly as he could.

“You know well enough.”

“Humph! You think you’ve got me, don’t you?” sneered Nick Jasniff, and then he left the rail of the vessel and disappeared down a companionway.

By this time the officers of the law were boarding the Aurora, accompanied by Giles Borden and Captain Sanders.

“Where are those bloody rascals who robbed me?” exclaimed the Englishman, excitedly. “Just let me get my hands on them!”

“I don’t understand this!” returned the captain of the schooner, in surprise. “You’ll have to explain.”

“You have three Englishmen aboard here – fellows you took to Cave Island when I was with them.”

“Say, you’re that fourth man!” gasped Captain Hunker. “But that other chap, – the fellow with smoked glasses, who had his face tied up – ” He did not know how to go on.

“He impersonated me, the villain! But I am after the others, for they robbed me of over a thousand pounds, don’t you know!”

“Where are your passengers?” demanded the officer in charge of those from the patrol boat, sternly.

“If they are not on deck they must be below, – they had no chance to leave the ship,” answered Captain Hunker. “This gets me!” he went on, weakly. “I thought they acted rather strange, but I supposed they were nothing but a crowd of weak-minded critters hunting for pirates’ gold.”

At that moment Geswick, Pardell, and Rumney came on deck, having heard the tramping of feet overhead and wondering what it meant. Almost before he could speak, Giles Borden had Geswick by the throat and was shaking him violently.

“Will rob me, and leave me a prisoner in that cave!” he roared. “I’ll teach you a lesson! Give me my money, you bloody scoundrel!” And then he banged Andrew Geswick’s head against a mast.

“Ho, let up!” yelled the criminal. “Let up, I say!” And he tried to squirm away. But it was useless, and in a minute more one of the officers of the law handcuffed him, and Pardell and Rumney were also secured.

“Now I want my money!” stormed Giles Borden. “Every shilling of it!”

“I haven’t any of it,” replied Rumney. “Geswick and Pardell have it all.” Rumney had had a quarrel with his fellows, just as Merwell had quarreled with Jasniff.

“Just you wait, Rumney; we’ll fix you for going back on us,” growled Andrew Geswick. But this threat did him little good. In the end he and Pardell had to hand over every penny taken from Giles Borden, and then they were marched off to jail, to await a hearing before the authorities.