“If you are going to signal to the schooner, you had better do it pretty quick,” advised Roger.
“I think I will. It can’t hurt much—they are going to sail away, anyhow. Come on.”
All ran out on the sandy beach, and Dave discharged his shotgun twice as a signal. The others waved tree-branches and brushwood, and Phil even lit some of the latter, to make a smudge.
But if the signals were seen, no attention was paid to them. Those on the schooner continued to hoist the sails, and presently the Aurora turned away, leaving Cave Island behind.
As the schooner moved off Dave’s heart sank within him. On board of the craft was Jasniff, and the rascal had the larger portion of the Carwith jewels in his possession.
“It’s a shame!” burst out Phil. “Oh, why didn’t we get hold of Jasniff when you collared Link!”
“Where is your own ship?” asked Merwell. “Why don’t you find her and follow that crowd?” He felt as sour as ever over the thought that he had been captured while his companion in crime had escaped.
“I wish the Golden Eagle would come in,” answered Dave. “I can’t understand what is keeping her, unless she suffered from that storm and had to lay to for repairs.”
“And where do you suppose Captain Sanders and Smiley are?” put in Roger.
“I don’t know. They may have fallen into one of the caves, or they may have been made prisoners by those who have sailed away.”