CHAPTER XVIII
THE OUTCAST'S SECRET
The young ocean diver had a right to be astonished and interested. Thefirst moment his eyes landed on the coins the outcast had exhibited, hefelt sure they were part of the ocean treasure.
They were similar in size to the bulk of the pieces brought up from theocean bed in the diving bell. They looked the same at a distance.Besides, where on this rarely visited island would the native get such ahoard except from the treasure heap?
The priest gathered up a lot of the coins. They manifestly pleased him.He laughed with glee and clinked them musically together in his hands.
Then he seemed to ask the outcast a great many questions. He stampedhis feet as the latter appeared to evade direct answers.
"It's plain," said the anxiously watchful Dave, "those coins came fromour stolen store. This native knows where it is."
Dave thought this a great discovery. From the way the outcast pointedDave decided the bulk of the treasure was at a distance somewhere.
"I don't believe he has told the priest where," Dave surmised. "Heseems bargaining to have the outcast edict removed, then he will pay amuch greater amount. That's the way all this jabbering looks. Ah, theyhave come to an agreement."
The priest had become very gracious now. He pointed, too, in his rapidtalk as if agreeing to return to the royal village and acted as if someproposal was to be made to the native king.
"I hope I can get out of here before they bring any more people,"thought Dave. "I can't do it just now, though, that is sure."
The priest went away. The outcast began to array himself in newapparel. He grinned and chuckled and acted as if delighted. Davefigured out that he had bought his pardon.
Clearing the mat the native sat down in its center, first surroundinghimself with a variety of native weapons.
"He is going to receive his company in state," decided Dare. "I simplycouldn't get past him without being seen. He is heavily armed, too.Well, I'll have to wait patiently and watch out for my chance toescape."
One hour went by, two hours. Dave did not dare to stir from the covertin the cave where he crouched. Once the idea was suggested to his mindof overcoming the native who possessed a secret of such importance tohim. The next moment, however, he saw how foolish this would be. Evenif he succeeded, what could he do with the man, on his hands alone, notknowing the whereabouts of his friends, and his captive speaking alanguage he could not understand?
Dave was thinking over all these things when there came a sudden climaxto the situation.
Without warning a dozen armed natives dashed past him with echoingyells.
It was patent to Dave that these men, apprized by the priest, had beeninstructed to steal into the cave by another entrance than the front oneknown to them and seize the outcast.
It looked as if the law of the island would not allow the king to treaton any terms whatever with an outcast. All the poor fellow'snegotiations, therefore, seemed to have gone for naught. He must haverealized treachery. He must have guessed that he would now be taken tothe king as a captive, his secret tortured out of him, and the voice ofthe populace might demand that he be burned alive.
At all events he acted with acute alarm. He was on his feet in aninstant. Dave saw him clear the entrance to the cave in a flash. Themen who had burst so quickly upon the scene dashed out after him.
Dave could not help running to the entrance of the cave to see howthings turned out. The fugitive had gone west away from the coast. Davesaw him far outdistance his pursuers. Darts and spears were hurled afterhim, but they all missed him. He finally disappeared into a grove, anddistance shut out his pursuers as well.
Dave seized his spear and started promptly in the direction of the sea.In his brief survey from the heights he had made out the high plateauwhich he and Stoodles and Bob Vilett had once crossed in joining theirfriends on the other side of the island.
"It's due north, and it looks to be only about ten miles distant,"calculated Dave. "I know that from the plateau we could see all overthe island. If I could reach it, and the _Swallow_ has arrived, Icertainly could make her out. Yes, I must try to get to the plateau."
Dave used due haste in descending the cliff by the route he had come.He had the idea in his mind of trying to mend up the yawl on the beach.Then he would wait for dark and skirt the coast in the direction of theplateau.
He was glad when he got down to the shore bluffs. He planned how hewould fix the hole in the side of the yawl and make some oars.
"I will make an inspection of the boat," he thought, going towards itacross the beach. "I did not notice it particularly, and maybe it isn'tmuch damaged."
The yawl lay keel upwards, as it had landed with him and as he had leftit earlier in the morning.
As he got nearer he saw that several boards were badly sprung. Theywere, however, all above the waterline.
"I think I can manage to make it seaworthy for a little cruise," saidDave. "Wonder if she is damaged inside."
Dave stooped, put his hand under the side of the yawl, and gave the boata tremendous lift and a push.
Over she went, but to disclose a fact that gave Dave a decided shock.
Three natives had lain in hiding under the yawl. They arosesimultaneously. Three spears were leveled at Dave, and he knew he was aprisoner.