On board of the Swallow there was much anxiety when Dave and the engineer did not return.
Captain Broadbeam did not deem it advisable to acquaint Amos Fearless with the true state of affairs at once.
When the old diver asked where Dave was, he was told that his son and Bob Vilett had determined to stay out until the next day.
In the meantime poor Dave remained a prisoner in the cave. His wet clothing gave him something of a chill during the night, and morning found him sick and hungry, and almost ready to give up in despair.
It was scarcely daylight when Dave heard odd-sounding footsteps approaching from the outer entrance of the cave.
He strained his eyes and at last made out a large wild animal.
It was a savage-looking jaguar, and had tracked the footsteps of those who had come to the cave the day before.
Presently the jaguar came to the underground stream.
Here it paused for a moment, then leaped to the other side.
It was now less than fifty yards from where Dave stood, a prisoner.