Herrera early that day had ascended the river and heard of the flight of the prisoners and the destruction of his hemp-drying plant. Half crazy with fury he kept a watch on the skies and saw the Flying Road Racer, high in air as she was driven seaward after her perilous experience in the circular storm.
In defiance of the wild weather he at once prepared to put to sea disguising his ship, as he had done on other occasions, as she dropped down the river.
Me had seen the storm-racked air craft as she flew above him. He had observed her, in fact, at the very moment that the adventurers espied his tossing craft. To his chagrin, however, she passed out of sight. But he held on in the direction she had vanished determined not to give up the chase of those precious stones till he had exhausted every means of trying to obtain them.
Just as he was despairing of ever hearing of the Flying Road Racer again. Jack’s “S. O. S.” message had come winging across the sea. As soon as his operator gave him the despatch the rascal conceived the daring plan of impersonating the Sea King and in this guise he flashed back the message inquiring the position of the castaways. He took care to ascertain that the gems were safe.
While profound and peaceful sleep wrapped the party of adventurers, a boat landed on the beach, crowded with men. It came from the Tarantula, which had anchored about two hundred yards to seaward. Every man was armed and among them was Herrera with one or two of his chosen aides.
Their plans had been formed before they landed and they silently sneaked up on the castaways’ camp. They were agreeably surprised to find no sentries posted.
According to previous plans, each man of the crew carried ropes and gags. The sleeping party was surprised without warning and tied and gagged without a chance of their presenting any opposition. Each of the Chadwick party, as they awakened under the rough handling of the henchmen of Herrera, was given a strong hint not to resist, in the form of a pistol barrel pressed to the nape of his neck.
As resistance would have been worse than useless all submitted quietly to the outrage, and Herrera’s triumph appeared to be complete. When they all had been secured the marauders commenced a frantic search for the great silver jewel casket. They found it without much difficulty under the professor’s coat which he had used as a pillow. Not expecting any attack he had not taken much pains to conceal it.
Herrera burst into a loud laugh as he opened the casket and took out the three great flashing stones it contained.
“So you thought that you could trick Herrera, eh, you stupid Yankee,” he snarled, “but I caught your message by wireless, you dogs of gringos. I spit on you and despise you. The jewels you thought to steal are now mine. But see—Herrera is generous. He leaves you the box!”