"I wanted to get ten first and double that afterward. If I struck him too high first I was afraid he wouldn't try to meet me, but put the detectives on the track without delay."
CHAPTER XXIV.
AN ENCOUNTER IN THE DARK.
A little while later the Baxters reached the cave where Tom and Sam had been held prisoners.
The sailor who had been left bound had long since been released, so the place was deserted.
"Look out for snakes," said Dan. "We had better light torches."
This was done, for it was now dark under the trees.
Hiding in a thicket, Dick and Peterson saw the Baxters enter the cave. The pair remained inside for fully quarter of an hour, and came out looking much disappointed.
With torches close to the ground they searched for Sam and Tom's trail.
"Here are footprints!" exclaimed Arnold Baxter, at last. "They are not made by men, either."