“And don’t forget radio,” put in Dick. “If we hadn’t had the batteries of the set along the dynamite wouldn’t have done us any good.”
“They made a good team,” assented Benton. “And now before we do anything else, we’ll snatch a few hours of sleep. We’ll post guards and keep watch, turn and turn about.”
This met with universal approval, and with the exception of the time spent in sentry duty they slept till noon and awoke refreshed and ready to resume the work of treasure hunting. They were in high spirits when Benton summoned them to a council of war.
“You know why I think the danger is over from those rascals,” he said, “but a wise general never takes anything for granted. We’ve got to make sure as to what they are up to. So we’ll have to do a little scouting. I think Phil had better come along with me, while the rest of you stay here to guard the cave and treasure. I’ve had a lot of experience in this kind of work in San Domingo and Phil has the advantage of having been over the ground before. We’ll be off now, and probably be back in two or three hours.”
They looked well to their weapons and started off. The way was difficult, even more so than before, because of the changes made by the earthquake and volcanic eruption. In places there were streams of lava, not yet cooled, that had blasted everything in their paths. In other sections trees had been uprooted and thrown about in the wildest tangle and confusion. Many times they had to make wide detours, but each had a keen sense of direction, and they steadily pursued the general route that led to the former camp of Ramirez and his gang.
They came to the lagoon, or rather the hollow basin that formed a lagoon when the tide was in. Just now the sands were bare, but Phil could barely repress a shudder as he pointed out to his companion the place where he had had his terrible experience with the sharks. Even now he seemed to feel those horrid noses poking at him through his envelope of seaweed, and his skin prickled at the recollection.
They had reached a height of ground that commanded the sea when Benton suddenly grasped Phil’s arm.
“Look!” he exclaimed, as he pointed out to sea.
A ship had just left the cove that had sheltered it and was beating its way slowly to the open sea beyond. As they watched, another sail was run up, and under the added impetus the schooner quickened its pace and, rounding a headland, was lost to sight.
Benton and Phil looked at each other.