Dave Fearless after a sunken treasure

by Roy Rockwood

"But he will get well?"

"I think so."

After that Dave was silent for a long while. Then Captain Broadbeam came in, his face covered with smoke and grime.

"I suppose you thought we had deserted you," said the captain. "We had a hot time of it, I can tell you."

"A hot time? What do you mean?"

"Don't you know the ship has been afire, lad?"

"No."

"Well, it has been, and that's why we didn't haul you up before. I was afraid we were all bound for Davy Jones' locker, sure."

Of course, Dave was surprised and he listened to the particulars of the fire with interest.

"The galley is burned off clean and clear," said the captain, "and we've got an ugly hole in the forward deck. But otherwise the ship is all right."