CHAPTER XX
Adrift in the Indian Ocean
"Wish to goodness we hadn't been so prodigal with our provisions," said Denbigh as the three chums ruefully surveyed the excavation. "It will be short commons, unless——"
"Unless what?" asked Armstrong.
"Unless the fellows who have forestalled us have omitted to remove all the stuff."
"It looks as if they've made a clean sweep of most of the gear and burnt what they couldn't move. They've evidently poured petrol over the place and set fire to it. Now, what was the object?"
"Perhaps a landing-party from one of our ships destroyed the cache," suggested O'Hara.
"Possibly," replied his chum. "But, on the other hand, unlikely. It's my opinion that some of the Germans, finding that the Pelikan was held up, have made a dash for the island. In that case it is reasonable to suppose that they have fitted out the whaler, and are either making tracks for some navigable river lower down the coast or else they will attempt to capture the first tramp they fall in with."
"Not much chance of escaping capture themselves," said Armstrong.