“Now for the search!” exclaimed Ned. “We’ll see if that tramp knew what he was writing about with his funny message.”
Around the cabin were several lockers. These the boys opened in succession, only to find them empty. Clearly the booty, if it was aboard, was not in this part of the vessel.
But there were many other places to search. The craft was not a large one, but there was a forecastle, and a small hold amidships. The boys decided to try the hold first. To get into it they found they would have to slide back the deck hatch, and then lower themselves into the black hole by means of a rope which hung from the gaff, and which was evidently used to hoist cargo in or out of the schooner.
With the hatches open the dark hole was made lighter but at best it was not a pleasant place. Still the boys were determined to explore it. Seeing that the rope was securely fastened to the gaff, Jerry swung himself over the hatchway, and went down hand over hand. It was about ten feet from the deck to the bottom. Bob and Ned followed.
In his descent Bob dropped the candle, which, after burning a little while on the bottom of the hold, went out.
“That’s nice,” said Jerry. “Don’t move now until we get a light. No telling what sort of a hole you may fall into. Stay under the patch of sunshine.”
The boys remained immediately under the hatchway until Jerry, groping around, had found the candle end and lighted it. Then the boys peered around them, Jerry holding the tallow illuminator above his head.
“Forward!” cried Ned.
The next instant there sounded a scurrying as if some one was running about the hold.
“Some one’s coming!” cried Bob. “Come on! They’re after us!”