by G. A. Henty
"Yes; we had to make a clean bolt for it. However, in the four days wewere there we got about seventy pounds of gold, and we have stuck tothat. Now you know as much about it as we do. There is gold enough tomake you all rich, but you will have to fight, and fight hard, to getthere and come away again."
The horses were unsaddled and picketed, Dave and Joe taking carethemselves to unload the three packed ponies, and that the flat bags,over which blankets had been stuffed, should not be noticed. Theystopped there for two days to rest the horses, and then proceeded ontheir way, arriving at Pueblo a fortnight later. Thence they traveledtogether to Santa Fe, and then hired a wagon and joined a large caravangoing across the plains east. When they reached St. Louis theyseparated. A division was made of the gold, and the lads started bytrain for New York, and the next day took their passages for England.
When Dick reached home he was received by his family as one from thedead. The _Northampton_ had arrived three weeks before, and, from thereport Mr. Allen had given, they had slight hopes indeed that Dick wouldrecover from his wounds, although the letter that Tom had written threedays after he landed had given them some slight grounds for hope. Theletter had been shown to the owners of the _Northampton_, and as thestatements respecting the captain and the first mate were confirmed byMr. Allen and the third officer, the captain and first mate had beensummarily discharged from the service.
The astonishment of the lads' fathers when they found that each lad hadbrought home a hundred pounds of gold, worth about five thousand pounds,was great indeed. With it shares were bought in the ships of thecompany, and when in time both attained the rank of master they had thesatisfaction of sailing in ships in which they held shares. Neither hadany inclination ever to embark again upon the operation of gold-mining.
The Stone Chest;
or,
The Secret Of Cedar Island.
The Stone Chest.
Chapter I.--A Mystery Of The Storm.
"What a fearful night, Bob!"
"Yes, mother; it's about the worst storm of the season," replied BobCromwell, as he entered the seaside cottage and shook the water from hiscap. "It will go hard on any vessel near the coast. The wind is risingto a perfect gale. Just listen to it sing."
There was no need to listen. The storm was so violent one could scarcelyhear aught else. The little cottage, standing so boldly out upon the seacliff, shook and rocked from end to end as if preparing to leave itsfoundations.
"I see supper is ready," went on Bob. "By the way, was Mr. Vasty here?"
At once Mrs. Cromwell's face grew dark and troubled. It was anaristocratic face, and plainly indicated that the lady had seen betterdays.
"Yes, he was here, Bob."
"And what did he say?"
"We must leave on Monday. The cottage has been sold over our heads."
Tears stood in Mrs. Cromwell's eyes as she spoke.
"Sold!"
"Yes, my boy. He said he could wait no longer. He believes, as do all inSea Cove, that your father is dead."
"Perhaps he is," sighed Bob. "It is now over six months since the_Bluebell_ went down. If he escaped in a small boat we should have heardfrom him before this."
"Oh, I cannot believe your father dead, Bob," cried the mother, burstinginto tears. "If I thought that--" She did not finish.
Bob sat down to the supper table in silence. He had little heart to eat,and swallowed the food mechanically.
Bob was seventeen years of age, bright, handsome, and fearless. He wasMrs. Cromwell's only son and his father had been a sea captain.
We say, had been, for the _Bluebell_ had been wrecked some time beforeand all in Sea Cove thought the captain dead--all saving Mrs. Cromwell,who still hoped for his safe return--hoping, as it were, against hope.
Years before the Cromwells had been rich, owning four large tradingvessels. But bad luck had come and continued until the fortune dwindleddown to nothing but the ownership of the old _Bluebell_. It was thenthat the captain had determined on a voyage to Alaska, taking with him aparty of men who wished to explore the new gold mines in that territory.
The _Bluebell_ was supposed to have gone down in sight of the coast andonly two of the survivors had thus far returned.
As time went by the little cottage, a poor affair at the best, wasmortgaged to pay outstanding debts. It was the last of the Cromwellbelongings.
Bob worked at the docks, handling freight. It was not what he had beenbrought up to, but it was the best employment he could obtain in thevicinity.
"I don't see what's to be done, Bob," said Mrs. Cromwell, during a lullin the storm. "We must move and I have only three dollars in all."
"Oh, I forgot!" he suddenly exclaimed, and pulled a ten-dollar bill fromhis pocket. "Here, mother, is a little to help us."
"Why, where in the world did you get that, Bob?" she ejaculated.
"A young gentleman gave it to me--insisted I should take it."
"What for?"
"He said I saved his life."
"And did you?"
"Well, I don't know--perhaps," mused Bob. "You see, it was CaptainRandolph Sumner, the gentleman who owns that splendid new yacht down toMarcey's. He fell into the water right in front of the incoming steamer_Flag_, and I fished him out just as he was on the point of beingstruck. He was very grateful and made me keep the money, although Ididn't want it and told him so."
That was all Bob said. He was too modest to mention that Randolph Sumnerhad called him a hero and that the crowd standing by had given him acheer for his bravery.
"Ten dollars is a windfall," began Mrs. Cromwell. "Now if we--Gracious,the signal gun, Bob!"
Boom!
Bob sprang up from the table. He knew that sound only too well.
Boom!
"Ship has struck, mother!" he cried. "I must go down and see if I canhelp in any way."
And waiting for no reply, the youth grabbed up his cap and storm coatand rushed out into the storm.
Bob was right--a ship had struck. Away off through the mist and rain hecould see the colored lights and the flash of the gun, calling for help.
The lifeboat men were already out and getting ready to launch theirheavy craft.
"Look! look! The ship is going down!"
The cry thrilled everyone to the very heart. It was true. The statelyship was sinking fast. Down she went and came up again, once, twice--and then no more.
The lifeboat went out in a hurry, but it was of no avail. The storm haddone its work and all on board had perished.
No, not all. Walking at the foot of the cliff a little later, Bob hearda low moan, and soon came upon the body of an aged seaman jammed inbetween the rocks. The man was fearfully bruised and did nothing butmoan as the youth bore him up to the cottage.
Here he was made as comfortable as possible on a cot. It was an hourbefore he was able to open his eyes.
"Where am I?" he asked faintly. "Oh, the storm. I was hit in the back--Iam dying; I know it. Take me to Mrs. Leon Cromwell."
At this utterance Mrs. Cromwell and Bob were both greatly astonished.
"I am Mrs. Cromwell, sir."
"You! It is not possible!"
"Mother tells the truth," put in Bob. "What do you want?"
"You are the wife of Leon Cromwell?"
"I am," said the woman.
"Heaven be praised! Who brought you to me?"
"I brought you to our cottage," returned Bob. "You lay unconscious onthe rocks."
"It is the work of Providence," murmured the sufferer. "I was on my wayhither when the storm overtook the _Mary Lee_. I--I--a drink--I amfainting!"
Water with brandy was brought and the man revived a little. He glaredstrangely at Mrs. Cromwell.
"I must speak quickly, for I am dying--I know it, feel it. I was sick onboard; that's why I know. The doctor said I couldn't live, and the stormhas only hastened matters. I want to talk to you about your husband."
"Is he alive?" came from mother and son simultaneously.
&nb
sp; "He is--or was three months ago. At Zaruth, on the Siberian coast--wherethe stone chest was left--we--more drink--quick!"
Again the sufferer had a relapse.
"The stone chest caused the trouble. There was gold and silver, andafter the wreck----"
"Never mind the gold and silver. Where is my husband?" interrupted Mrs.Cromwell.
"I was going to tell you. We started for--for----" The man gasped forbreath. "It's my head. We started for the coast, when the people livingthere who had seen the stone chest, got together and--oh!"
The sufferer fell back in a spasm of pain, from which it was almostimpossible to revive him. At last he spoke again.
"He was made a prisoner, and;--water, or I die--I can't drink--it isgrowing dark--the papers in my pocket are for you--and may Heavenforgive me!"
The man leaped almost to his feet, then fell back in another spasm. Aminute later he was dead. With tenderness mother and son cared for thebody. In one of the seaman's pockets was found a packet of papers yellowwith age.
Bob opened the packet and looked over the paper with interest. An hourpassed. Then the youth sprang to his feet.
"Mother, I am going to Cedar Island on the Siberian coast and tofather's rescue!" he cried, with sudden determination.
Chapter II.--Off For Zaruth.
"To Siberia--Cedar Island!"
"Yes, mother. From what I can make out, father is there, a prisoner ofsome people called the Svlachkys, and all on account of a wonderfulstone chest, said to be filled with gold and silver."
"It cannot be true, Bob."
"I think it is. This dead sailor's name was Ruel Gross----"
"Ruel Gross!" Mrs. Cromwell started. "I heard of him before. Your fathersaid he possessed a wonderful secret."
"He did--about the stone chest. The whole truth is, so far as I canunderstand, he got father to go up there in search of it. After it wasfound they got into some trouble with the natives, and Ruel Grossabandoned father to his fate. Here is a handmade map of the locality."
"Pray Heaven your father still lives," murmured Mrs. Cromwell. "But yousay you are going up there. How?"
"I don't know. But I'll find a way, even if I have to go up on awhaler."
Mrs. Cromwell shook her head.
On the following morning the dead body of the sailor was turned over tothe village authorities.
Between them mother and son decided for the present to say nothing tothe simple fisher-folks concerning Ruel Gross' revelation.
"They'll sneer at us--that's all," said Bob.
But Bob confided in his chum, Jack Larmore, an orphan boy of his ownage. Jack was tremendously interested.
"Say, Bob, I'll go along, if you say the word," he said. "I'm sick ofSea Cove and the mean folks living around here."
"All right."
That noon, when Bob returned home he found Captain Sumner present,talking to his mother.
The captain had come to offer Bob a position on his yacht.
"I would like to go--if you're going up the coast," said Bob. "I want toget to Alaska, and then to Cedar Island, off Siberia."
The rich yacht owner was much astonished. He proceeded to draw Bob out,and an hour later had the youth's story in full. With Mrs. Cromwell helooked over the papers and map.
Then he lit a cigar and began to pace up and down the parlor of thecottage.
"I've half a mind to cruise up there," he said. "To me, one place is asgood as another. I love to roam the wide world over, and have alreadybeen to the South Seas and to the coast of Africa. What if I should takeyou up there, my boy?"
"Will you?" shouted Bob, in quick delight. "Do it, and you shall havethe contents of that stone chest--if we can get it."
"No, I'll only want my share of it," laughed Captain Sumner.
On the next day they talked the matter over once more. The captain was awidower with one child, a girl of fifteen. The girl, whose name wasViola, said she would like to go up the coast to new lands. But shewould like Mrs. Cromwell, or some other lady, to go along.
Persuaded by Bob, Mrs. Cromwell said she would undertake the trip, andbefore they knew it, all arrangements were made.
The _Dart_, as the yacht was named, was sent to San Francisco forstores, and three days later Bob and Mrs. Cromwell and Jack Larmore leftSea Cove, and left it forever!
It is not the purpose of this tale to tell of all that happened ere the_Dart_ put to sea on that memorable voyage up the coast to Alaska.
For awhile all went well on board. But one day there was trouble amongthe crew. The trouble grew worse and three of the fellows had to be putinto irons.
They were let go later on, but ever after they showed their uglinessonly too plainly.
Bob and Jack were not idle while on board. Both did their full share ofwork and both proved themselves good sailors.
A strong friendship sprang up between Mrs. Cromwell and Viola Sumner,and the two became almost inseparable.
Bob found Captain Sumner a fine man to get along with, stern at times,but always fair and square. He had, as he said, been a great rover, andoften told interesting stories of his adventures.
As days went by and they got further north it became colder. Then astorm was encountered which took them many miles out of their course.
So suddenly did it fall upon them that the sails were blown to ribbons.
Viola Sumner, who was on deck, got drenched and nearly drowned. She wassaved by Bob only at peril of his life, and carried down into the cabinnearly senseless.
And now we find the _Dart_ storm-beaten, but still water-tight, blownfar out to sea.
Bob, who had just come on deck, cast his eye first aloft, like the truesailor he was becoming, and then around him.
Not more than half a mile distant towered an immense iceberg, itstopmost pinnacles glowing in the bright morning sun.
Other bergs floated to the southward, while to both east and west couldbe seen long floes of rugged ice.
The yacht was trying to beat to the northward by making short tacksthrough the ice-floes, but, as Bob could see, she made but little way.
"Have we done any good since I went below?" he asked Bok, a sailor whowas steering.
"No, faith, yer honor. The current sets so fast to the south that sorraa bit more north do we make in an hour than I could throw a cat by hertail. It's wearisome work, yer honor, and, be jabers! it's bitterlycold."
Bob buttoned his pilot coat closer around him and shivered.
"You are right, Bok."
"Hullo, Bob!"
Our hero looked around and perceived Jack Larmore's head above thecompanion.
"Come down to breakfast, before it's cold," cried Jack.
Our hero made a bolt down the ladder after his friend.
"What is your opinion, Bob, about the men?" asked Captain Sumner, as Bobtook his place at the table. "I mean the rascals I had to iron up lastweek."
"Well, sir," replied our hero, "they seem to go about their duty allright, but after our experience, we must never trust them."
"It's that scoundrel, Nockey, that I mistrust. The others are more foolsthan knaves. He will never forgive that flogging I gave him."
"It served him all right," broke in Bob. "When we gave them the choiceof taking a couple of dozen or going ashore, not one hesitated."
"Well, even now, we have only eight hands and ourselves."
"What do you mean to do, papa?" broke in Viola. "Surely not go furtheramong these dreadful icebergs? I have read that ships are often crushedby them."
"I should be only too glad to be out of these regions, dear; but, withthe wind and current against us, I don't know what to do."
As soon as breakfast was finished the captain went on deck. His eyerested on the floe to the westward.
"Where are your eyes, you Irish lubber?" he shouted to the steersman."Don't you see yon ice closing in on us? You ought to have let me knowof this."
"Blest if I can see much change," muttered Bok.
"But I can. The channel is
narrowed by half. We shall never get clear ofit before we are nipped. 'Bout ship, boys, and be smart!"
"All hands!" bellowed the mate.
In a couple of minutes the small crew were on deck, hauling in the ropesand halyards.
The topsail-yards swung round, the helm was put hard down.
The sails shivered in the wind as the yacht came about.
"Put both the main- and fore-sails on her, Leeks. We must be out of thistrap as soon as possible," cried the captain.
It took some time to get full sail on the _Dart_.
Once done, however, she flew onward, with the wind on her quarter, at atremendous speed.
"Sixteen knots an hour! Bravo!" cried the captain. "Can't she move,Bob?"
"That she can, sir. But I can't help dreading this still going throughthe ice. There are few ships, except whalers, that have penetrated asfar as we, I should think."
"Right, sir. But desperate circumstances require desperate means. Noneof us want to spend a winter here, and, though we happen to be fortunateas to the time of year, another month or six weeks will see this seacovered with ice."
Chapter III.--Among The Icebergs.
Bang! crash!
At that instant a shock nearly threw them off their feet.
Viola caught Bob's arm, and Mrs. Cromwell and the captain almost felltogether.