While Mr. Fearless was gazing anxiously ashore and Bob was tracing every movement of his distant chum through the spyglass, Captain Broadbeam was giving quick orders to his men.
A boat was to go ashore at once and a signal given from the deck of the Swallow that Dave would understand.
"Don't delay, my friends," the excited Stoodles kept urging the sailors. "Let us get into action before my former subjects come into sight again."
All was ready, boat, men, and weapons, to start to the succor of Dave, when Bob Vilett uttered a shout of dismay.
"Oh, captain," he cried, running up to the commander of the Swallow, "it's too late."
"How's this? What do you mean?" demanded the captain.
He snatched the glass from Bob's hand and took a look himself. Then he uttered a hollow groan.
Dave and the others were still visible on the cliff, but over a hundred natives had suddenly swarmed about them.
As he looked, the captain saw these surround Dave and the others. They were seized, bound, and carried off into the forest before his very eyes.
CHAPTER XXI