De Vere was able to ascend, holding on by one hand, and was soon on
the deck of the brig.
"At last!" he exclaimed. "Here we are! I was afraid we'd never find
her, and, if we did, that Blowitz would be ahead of me. But, thanks to
you, boys, I have beaten him. Now I must see if my papers are safe."
"Where will you look for them?" asked Jerry.
"They must be somewhere in the captain's cabin. That is where the gold
will likely be. I suppose we'll have to hunt for it."
"Shall we help you?"
"Yes, if you will. Let's go below. Is the motor boat securely made
fast?"
"I'll guarantee she'll not drift away," declared Ned, as he and his
companions followed Mr. De Vere to the main cabin.
On every side were evidences of a hurried abandonment of the brig.
Some of the sailors had gone off without taking all their clothing,
for garments were scattered here and there. Things were in confusion
below decks, and the captain's cabin showed signs of having been
ransacked.
"There is something queer about this," said Mr. De Vere as he surveyed
the scene. "The ship is not sinking, and I don't believe it has leaked
a drop, though at first I thought so. There was no collision, for
there is no sign of damage. Yet there is every indication that captain
and crew deserted the brig in a hurry. Now what made them do that? Why
did not Blowitz give me some reason for that? What caused the
abandonment of the brig?"
"Perhaps the sailors got superstitious, I've often read that they do,"
suggested Jerry.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164