Chapter 24
HELP FROM CAPTAIN HAGER
THREE hours now had elapsed since Captain Hager, Judy and Kathleen had ascertained that Bart Ranieau was somewhere deep in the cave, beyond the siphon.
Unable to penetrate farther, the three had made the arduous climb back to the cavern entrance where Miss Meadows anxiously awaited them.
Their report had been a discouraging one. Without question, Bart was somewhere in Calico Cave, but whether or not alive, no one could say.
“The lad may have reached an air pocket, or a chamber,” Captain Hager said. “That’s what he gambled on.”
“He’s been missing a day and a half now,” Miss Meadows reminded the seaman. “While you were down in the cave, I checked on that point. Surely, if he’s ever coming back, he’d have made it by now.”
“Aye,” the captain soberly agreed.
“Can’t something be done?” Miss Meadows urged.
“Not a man in these parts would risk that siphon, ma’am.”