Books: The Motor Boys on the Pacific
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Clarence Young >> The Motor Boys on the Pacific
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The sky was more cloudy now, and the moon was oftener obscured by
masses of dark vapor. Still, there was light enough for the boys to
make out landmarks, and distinguish objects when they came near the
low cliff, on which they had seen Blowitz and the other man.
"There's the place," called Ned suddenly, from his position near the
wheel.
"That's right," admitted Jerry. "Better put us in near that rock where
we talked to Blowitz. We can fasten the boat there and go ashore.
There's no swell in here."
In a short time the three boys were on the rocky shore. Jerry carried
a lantern and Ned had a coil of rope, as he thought if the man had
fallen over a cliff, and was unable to help himself, they might need a
line to hoist him up.
"Go easy now," cautioned Jerry, as they moved forward. "We don't want
to send out notice that we have arrived. Blowitz may still be sneaking
around."
As cautiously as possible they advanced. They found there was a rough
path leading from the beach up the cliff, on top of which the two men
had stood. With Jerry, holding the lantern to guide them, Ned and Bob
followed. They paused now and then to listen, but the only sound they
heard was caused by the waves of the Pacific breaking on the rocky
shore, the rattle of the pebbles on the beach, and the soft swish of
the seaweed.
"It was right over there that he seemed to fall," said Ned, pointing
to indicate where he meant.
"That's where I made it out to be," agreed Jerry.
It was not easy walking, as the rocks were slippery, and some of them
were thick with weeds, for, at very high water, they, were covered by
the ocean. Several times Bob slipped and nearly fell.
"Look out," cautioned Jerry. "We don't want two wounded persons to
look after."
They paused a moment to get their breath, after a stiff bit of
climbing, and, as they stood there in the silence of the night, with
the moon fitfully showing through the clouds, they suddenly heard a
groan.
"What's that?" whispered Ned, tensely.
"It must be the man we're looking for," replied Jerry. "He's hurt.
Where did the sound come from?"
Ned pointed to a dark spot at the foot of the cliff. The three boys
hastened toward it, Jerry flashing his lantern.
When they got to the place they saw, lying huddled up on a bed of
seaweed, the form of a man.
As the light flashed on him they noticed that there was blood on his
pale face, and one arm was doubled up under him in a strange manner.
"He's dead!" whispered Bob softly,
"No; he's breathing," answered Jerry, as he bent over the man on the
rocks. "Get me some water in your cap, Ned. I'll try to bring him to."
CHAPTER XXII
DE VERE'S STORY
NED ran down to the shore, slipping and stumbling over the rocks, and
once falling and bruising himself considerably. But he did not mind
this. He wanted to get the water, for it might save the man's life. It
looked as if some crime had been attempted, and evidence pointed to
Blowitz.
Making as quick progress on the return trip as the carrying of a cap
full of sea water would permit, Ned held it so Jerry could sprinkle
some drops on the man's face. He stirred and seemed to be murmuring
something.
"We ought to have some fresh water for him to drink," said Bob. "I'll
get some from the cooler on the boat."
Off he hurried, returning presently with a pitcherful of fresh water
and a glass, and with this the man was given a drink, when Jerry held
up his head.
The water seemed the very thing needed for the sufferer, as they could
see by the light of the lantern, opened his eyes, and gazed
wonderingly about him.
"What-- where am I?" he asked, in a hoarse whisper.
"You're at the foot of the rocks-- on the cliff near the ocean," said
Jerry. "You had a fall. Are you badly hurt?"
The man groaned in reply. Then an angry, light shone in his eyes.
"No! I didn't fall!" he exclaimed. "I was shoved over the cliff. He
wanted to get me out of the way so he could claim everything! He's a
villain!"
"Who?" asked Ned quickly.
"Who? Who else but Carson Blowitz! I suppose he thinks I am dead, and
he can have all that is on the ship! But I'll--"
The man stopped suddenly, and a spasm of pain passed over his face.
"What is it?" asked Jerry.
"My arm-- Oh, I'm afraid it is broken!"
The boys remembered how the left arm of the man was doubled up under
him in a peculiar manner. He had doubtless fallen on it.
"Wait a minute and we'll lift you up so that you will rest more
comfortably," said Jerry, and, with the aid of his chums he made from
their coats and some seaweed a rude sort of bed for the man.
There was no doubt that the stranger's left arm was broken. It hung
limply down, and the least motion of it produced terrible pain.
Fortunately the man did not again lose his senses, and he directed the
boys how to bandage the arm close to his side, with their
handkerchiefs tied together, so that the injured member would not
swing about, and further splinter the broken bones.
"Do you think you can walk down to our boat?" asked Jerry. "We can
take you to a doctor, for I think you need one."
"Need one? I should say I did," replied the man. "It is a wonder I was
not killed by that fall. I'm afraid my ankle is sprained, but, after I
rest a bit, and get over this dizzy feeling, I'll try to walk to the
boat. It's lucky you boys happened to come along, just when you did."
"We didn't 'happen' to come along," said Jerry. "We were looking for
you."
"Looking for me'?"
"Yes, we saw you and Blowitz talking on the cliffs in the moonlight,
and then we saw you disappear. We thought it was queer at the time,"
and Jerry related the subsequent events.
"I'm glad you witnessed that," said the man, when Jerry had finished.
"This will be additional evidence against that scoundrel who intends
to rob me, and who tried to get me out of his way. However my time of
reckoning will come. But would you mind telling me your names?"
Jerry introduced himself and his companions, briefly, telling the
reasons for their presence in California.
"My name is De Vere," said the man. "Maurice De Vere. I was in
partnership with Blowitz, in several ventures, including the one in
which a brig named the Rockhaven is concerned."
"Are you interested in that?" asked Jerry eagerly. "Why that is the
derelict Blowitz wanted us to go in search of in the motor boat."
"He did? Now I understand why he wanted to get me out of the way!"
cried Maurice De Vere, quickly. "He was afraid I would meet you boys."
"Yes, and that's why he was in such a hurry for us to start," added
Ned, and they told of their dealings with Blowitz, and his anger at
their refusal to take part in his schemes.
"I can't be thankful enough to you boys," said the wounded man. "I
don't know what would have become of me if you hadn't happened to have
seen Blowitz push me from the cliff. I-- I wish--"
Mr. De Vere seemed overcome by a sudden weakness, and fell back on the
pile of coats and seaweed.
"We had better get him to a doctor," said Ned. "He may be more injured
than we suppose."
"I-- I'll be all right in a little while-- that is all but my arm,"
said the injured man faintly. "It was just a little weakness. If you
will give me some more water--"
They gave him some and he seemed to feel better after that. Then he
tried to rise, but he had to fall back again.
"My ankle-- I think it's sprained," he said.
"Then let us carry you to the boat," suggested Jerry.
"I'm afraid you can't."
"Well, we can try."
They did, but it was hard work. By dint of carefully picking their
steps over the rocks, however, the three boys finally managed to get
Mr. De Vere into the cabin of the Ripper, where they made him
comfortable on the cushions.
"Now speed her up for the doctor's," said Jerry to Ned, who had taken
charge of the engine. "That is if you know where to find one."
"There is a physician whom I know, not far from the main wharf at San
Felicity," said Maurice De Vere. "If you run the boat there I can get
into a carriage and drive right to his house. Then after he has set my
arm, I should like to tell you my story. That is, if you care to
listen."
"We certainly do," said Jerry. "We will be very glad to help you in
any way that we can."
"Will you?" asked the man eagerly. "Then, perhaps, I can get ahead of
Blowitz after all."
Quick time was made to the dock, and, though it was quite late, the
boys found several public hackmen on hand. Mr. De Vere was put in one
of the vehicles and driven to the doctor's office, whither, after they
had secured their boat, the boys followed.
It took a little time to set the broken arm, and, after some
restoratives had been administered, and the sprained ankle, bandaged
(though that hurt was not as severe as at first supposed) Mr. De Vere
received the boys in his room, which his friend, the physician had
provided.
"I do not want to detain you boys too long," he said, "and it is not
necessary to go into all the details of my story now. I will tell you
a little of it, and then I have a request to make of you. I have been
making plans while the doctor was working over me. It helped me to
forget the pain."
"We'll do anything we can for you," promised Jerry, and the other boys
nodded in assent.
"Well, Blowitz and I have been associated in many enterprises," said
Mr. De Vere, "but, of late, I have had my suspicions of him. I began
to fear he was trying to get the best of me, so that he would control
all the interests. Now I am sure of it.
"We went equal shares in loading the brig Rockhaven with valuable
merchandise, for trade among the Santa Barbara Islands. There was
also, aboard the brig, some valuable papers, and a considerable sum in
gold, that was to go to a client of ours. After the ship was loaded I
learned that Blowitz sent some mysterious boxes aboard. They came from
Boston, I understand. I--"
"Those are the boxes we saw in Cresville!" exclaimed Bob.
"What's that?" asked Mr. De Vere, and the boys explained the curious
actions of Blowitz in connection with the boxes.
"Very likely they were the same," said Mr. De Vere. "What they
contained I do not know, but I--"
"Excuse me for interrupting you," said Jerry, "but I think at least
one of the boxes contained something poisonous," and he related how
the dog, in the Cresville freight station, had been affected by
smelling at the broken package.
"That's it!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. De Vere, after a moment's thought.
"I see it all now. I can understand his actions. But I will explain
later, for I want to be very sure of my facts. At any rate, not to
burden you with too many details, after the brig had sailed, Blowitz
wanted to purchase my interest in her. As he offered me a large sum I
consented, and I transferred all my rights to him.
"As soon as I had done so he left town, and then I learned that he had
cheated me, for he had pretended to give me certain property for my
share in the ship, and this property he gave me was utterly worthless.
I then considered the deal off, and I knew that I still had a right to
my half of the ship and the cargo. But, more than this, I also learned
that Blowitz had cheated me in another way, by taking property and
money that belonged to me. I consulted my lawyers, and they told me I
had a right to the entire ship Rockhaven and all that it contained. I
am the sole owner, and Blowitz has no right to the brig nor anything
on it. It is all mine, though he is trying to get it.
"This all happened before the brig was abandoned and became a
derelict, but I can't understand how that happened, as she was a very
stout vessel, though small. There has been no collision, as far as I
can learn. It is all something of a mystery, but I am going to solve
it. As soon as I learned what a scoundrel Blowitz was, and of the
wrecking of the brig, or, at least, the reported wrecking of it, I
came here for further news.
"When I met Blowitz I accused him of cheating me, and I claimed the
brig, when she should be found. He wanted to argue with me, and talked
of seeing lawyers, but I knew I was right. Then he asked me to meet
him on the clips to-night, to talk matters over. He said we might get
some news of the ship from the captain of a fishing smack.
"Rather foolishly I consented to meet him, and talk the thing over. We
quarreled, and he attacked me, with what result you saw. He pushed me
over the cliff, and fled, leaving me, I suppose he thought, for dead.
"Now what I am going to ask of you boys is this: Will you go with me
in your motor boat and search for the brig? Wait; do not give me an
answer now. I think I can prove to you that I have a right to the
abandoned ship, and I will pay you well for your time and trouble.
Better than Blowitz offered to. But do not decide in a hurry. I must
get in a little better shape myself, and then I have some arrangements
to make. But I hope you will decide to go. Of course, if you don't
care to, I can hire some one else, but I would rather have you boys.
Now you can go home and think it over, and let me know at your
leisure."
The boys did not know what to say. Events had happened so rapidly that
they did not exactly understand all of them. They realized, however,
that they had another chance to go on a cruise on the Pacific, in the
Ripper, and they felt that they ought to take advantage of it, and aid
Mr. De Vere.
"I think I shall have to break up this little party," said the
physician, coming in just then. "I can't have my patient getting a
fever. You boys will excuse me, I know, if I ask you to let him get
some rest now."
"That's all right," spoke Jerry. "We'll see you to-morrow, Mr. De
Vere."
"Very well," was the answer, and the boys left the injured man to the
care of the doctor.
"Well, what do you think of that?" asked Ned, as he and his chums were
on their way to the Seabury bungalow. "Isn't it simply great?"
"Great? It's immense!" exclaimed Bob. "We're going, aren't we, Jerry?"
"If you fellows say so, and outvote me, I suppose you are."
"But you want to go, don't you, Jerry?"
"I didn't say I did not. I think we have a different man to deal with,
in this Mr. De Vere, than we had in Blowitz. I think we shall go
derelict hunting, boys."
"And maybe we'll not have sport!" exclaimed Ned.
They were soon within sight of the bungalow. The storm clouds had
continued to gather, and the moon only shone at brief intervals. The
wind was blowing considerable, and there was every evidence that it
would rain before morning.
"Guess we got in just in time," said Ned, as they entered the gateway.
As he spoke Ned came to a sudden stop. He was looking at a dark figure
which seemed to be stealing up to the bungalow.
It appeared to be that of a man, advancing so as to make no noise, and
attract no attention. The fitful gleams of moonlight showed him to be
stooping over, and, now and then, glints of light about him, indicated
that he carried a dark lantern, which he flashed at intervals to
enable him to see his way.
"Look!" whispered Ned, grasping Jerry's arm.
"I see," was the low answer.
"It's a burglar," spoke Bob. "Let's creep up on him, and make a
capture!"
CHAPTER XXIII
OFF ON A CRUISE
CAUTIOUSLY the boys advanced. They did not stop to think what they
were going to do, nor how they would capture the man, who, if he had
evil designs, was probably armed and desperate. With the sole desire
of protecting from loss their friends in the bungalow, they determined
to prevent the man from breaking into the place. That this seemed his
intention was almost certain to the boys, for they saw him approach
one of the low windows, stop under it, and flash his light several
times.
"Now's our chance!" whispered Ned. "Let's creep up and jump on his
back. Then yell like mad and Ponto, and some of the servants will come
and help us."
With light footsteps, hardly making a sound that was not covered by
the noise of the wind in the trees, the boys advanced until they were
within a few feet of the man. He did not suspect their presence. The
three chums were trembling with nervousness and excitement.
Suddenly the man flashed a bright beam of light on the ground, and
made a quick motion.
"Now!" whispered Ned. "Jump boys!" for it looked as if the intruder
was about to open a window, and spring inside.
The chums leaped together, and fairly bore the man to the earth. Down
they came upon him, as if they were stopping a halfback, with a
football, running around right end on the second down.
"We've got him!" yelled Bob.
"Help! Help!" shouted Ned.
"Murder! Thieves! Robbers! Fire! Police! Help!"
These were cries coming from the man who was struggling to get rid of
the crushing weight of three healthy, sturdy boys.
"He's trying to get away!" called Jerry: "Hold him, fellows!"
"Let me go! Help! Help! I haven't any money!" pleaded the man
underneath!" Fire! Police! Help!"
"What is it?" cried Mr. Seabury, opening a window just over where the
struggle was going on, and thrusting his head out. "What's the
matter?"
"We've caught a burglar!" cried Bob.
"A burglar? Hold him until I get my revolver! Ponto! Where are you?
There's a burglar below! Hurry up and help the boys! Where is that
black rascal? I'll bet he's gone to sleep again!"
"Comin'! I'se comin' Massa Seabury," answered Ponto's voice from the
far distance. "I were jest takin' a nap--"
"Do you take me for a burglar?" suddenly asked the wriggling man, as
he succeeded in getting his head from under Bob's stomach where it had
practically been out of sight. "Did you think I was trying to rob the
house?"
"Of course; aren't you--" began Jerry, when a light flashing from one
of the windows, as Ponto approached, shone full on the prostrate man's
face. Upon the startled view of the boys there burst the vision of the
peaceful, though sadly surprised, face of Professor Snodgrass.
"Pro-fes-sor Snodgrass!" exclaimed Ned weakly.
"Pro-fes-sor," stammered Bob, rolling over in his astonishment.
"Well, if we--" began Jerry but he could not finish.
He let go his hold of the scientist's arm, and Ned at the same time
loosened his grip on the supposed burglar's leg. The professor arose,
smoothed out his rumpled clothing, and remarked in a sad tone:
"I suppose it's got away, now."
"What?" asked Ned.
"The horned toad. I was chasing one through the garden by the light of
my portable electric lantern. I cornered him under the window, and I
was just casting the net over him when you jumped on me. The toad got
away. It's too bad, but of course you didn't know it. I must continue
my hunt, for at last I am really on the track."
"Whar am dat bug'lar man?" suddenly demanded Ponto, opening the side
door a crack, and thrusting a gun out. "Whar am he? Jest hold him up
agin this yeah shootin' iron, young gem'mens, an' Ponto'll make him
wish he done gone stayed home? Whar am he?"
"Lookout for that gun," cautioned Ned. "It might be loaded. There's no
burglar, Ponto. It's all a mistake. It was Professor Snodgrass,
hunting for horned toads."
"Yes," added the scientist. "I heard they were always out just before
a storm, and so I went after them. I saw a fine specimen, but he got
away. However I shall catch him."
"No bug'lar, eh?" mused Ponto, in disappointed tones. "Golly, it
shorely am lucky fo' him dat dere ain't. I shorely would hab plugged
him full ob holes, dat's a fact!"
By this time Mr. Seabury had dressed and come down, and the girls were
calling in anxious voices to know what all the excitement was about.
Matters were soon explained, and the awakened household prepared to
return to its normal state. That is all but the professor; he decided
to continue his toad hunt, and, probably would have done so, but for
the fact that it began to rain just then, and there was such a
down-pour that it was out of the question to search in the garden.
"Anyway," the scientist consoled himself, "I don't believe the toads
would be out in the rain. I shall probably find one to-morrow," and,
with that comforting reflection he went to sleep.
Though it was rather late Mr. Seabury insisted on hearing from the
boys the rest of the adventure, part of which his daughters had told
him. He was much surprised at the disclosure of Blowitz's acts, and
congratulated the boys that they had had nothing to do with him.
"Do you think it would be safe to go with Mr. De Vere?" asked Ned.
"I think so," replied Mr. Seabury. "Of course you want to make an
investigation, but, if you find him all right, I see no reason why you
should not go off on a cruise after the derelict."
"Oh, I wish we could go," spoke Rose wistfully, but she knew it was
out of the question.
Mr. De Vere was much better the next day. The swelling in his ankle
had gone down, and he could walk around, though he had to carry his
arm in a sling. He sent for his lawyer, who soon proved that what the
injured man had said was true. The boys consulted further with Mr.
Seabury during the next two days, and made up their minds to go on the
cruise.
"Now, when can you start?" asked Mr. De Vere, after this point had
been settled. "Or, rather, when can we start, for I intend to go with
you, though I can't do much with this broken arm
"We can go whenever you are ready," replied Jerry.
"Then I'll give orders to have the Ripper provisioned, for I am going
to pay all expenses. By the time we get ready I think this storm will
have blown over," for the wind and rain had continued for three days.
Under Maurice De Vere's directions preparations for the cruise were
soon completed. On the fourth day the storm blew away and there was
the promise of settled weather, though some old sailors, down at the
dock, said there were liable to be high winds for some time yet.
The Ripper was overhauled, a plentiful cargo of provisions and
supplies had been stowed aboard, and, having bid good-bye to their
friends, the Seaburys, the boys were ready for their cruise.
"When will you come back?" asked Rose, as she and her sisters went
down to the dock to see the party off.
"When we find the derelict," answered Jerry.
"Good luck!" said Nellie.
"Don't let a sea serpent catch you," cautioned Olivia, as she waved
her hand.
Jerry threw on the switch, Ned turned the fly wheel over, there was a
throbbing of the cylinders, and the Ripper was off on her long cruise
after the derelict brig.
CHAPTER XXIV
HUNTING THE DERELICT
"WELL, now that we're under way," said Jerry, who had assumed charge
of the engine, "in which direction do you propose going, Mr. De Vere?
We are under your orders you know."
"There are to be no special orders given on this cruise," was the
answer. "I regard you boys as my partners in this enterprise. We will
all do our best to find the brig, and if any of you have any
suggestions, I hope you will not hesitate to offer them. To be frank
with you I do not know where to look for the Rockhaven. She is
somewhere in this vicinity, floating around, but at the mercy of wind,
wave and cross currents. All we can do is to cruise about, hoping to
get a sight of her."
"I thought when you searched for anything on the ocean you had to have
the longitude and latitude," said Rob.
"So you do usually," replied Mr. De Vere, but, in this case it is
impossible to get those figures. If it were it would be an easy matter
to pick up the brig. But, in the case of a derelict, that is floating
about, going in no particular direction, and making only such speed as
the wind or the currents give it, there is no telling where it will
drift to. It might be at one spot at night, and many miles off the
next morning."
"We are prepared for a long cruise," spoke Ned, "and it doesn't matter
which way we go. How would it do to go about in big circles, taking a
new one every day?"
"That's a good plan," said the owner of the Rockhaven. "We might try
it, at any rate."
So this was done. With chart and compass Mr. De Vere, who understood
the science of navigation, worked out a plan of traveling about in big
sweeps, that took in a goodly portion of that part of the Pacific.
They had some strong marine glasses aboard and, with these, they would
take an observation, every now and then, to see if there was any sight
of the brig. As they did not expect to come upon her close to the
harbor of San Felicity, this work was not undertaken until the
afternoon of the first day.
In the meanwhile the Ripper's cabin had been put in ship-shape, bunks
were arranged for sleeping and, at his request Bob was put in charge
of the galley, to prepare the meals and be cook.
"And mind," cautioned Jerry, "don't eat all the things yourself. Give
us a chance, once in a while."
"Of course; what do you think I am?" asked Bob indignantly.
"I don't think-- I know," replied Jerry with a laugh.
Mr. De Vere could not do much to help the boys as, with his broken arm
in a sling, he had to be careful how he moved about so that he would
not be tossed against the side of the boat and injured. The Ripper was
a large boat, for one of the motor class, but, when it got outside the
harbor, and felt the full force of the Pacific swell, it was not as
easy riding as the boys had imagined. At first they were a little
inclined to be seasick, as it was some time since they had been on
such a big stretch of water, but, after a while, they got used to it.
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