"We can't take time to worry about that now," Joe reminded him. "We have to keep up our search for Frank."
"That's right," agreed Biff. "It's tough to lose our food; but we have enough to last us another day, anyway, and it's more important to get Frank back than our supplies."
"Of course it is," agreed Chet soberly.
The boys picked up their firewood again and, with Joe in the lead, went into the second cave, then on into the cavern where their chum had vanished. As they trudged on through the darkness, following the gleam of the flashlights, Chet and Biff wondered vainly about the thief who had disturbed them and robbed them. Joe's agonized thoughts circled about his vanished brother.
CHAPTER XIV
Captain Royal
When the three boys reached the cave where they had last seen Frank Hardy they piled the driftwood in a heap close by one of the pits in the floor.
They were surprised at the number of holes and crevices they had discovered.
"It's a wonder we weren't all killed," said Chet. "We were all prowling around this cave without any idea of the danger."
"It's a good place to stay out of," Joe remarked. "But first of all we'll try to get Frank out of it too."