"It's plain as day!" he cried, preparing the canoe for a voyage. "The man indicates that this gold is a mere sample of what he can produce. It is hidden on an island west. He pokes dots in the outline he draws, as if it is full of caves. He is angry at the treachery of the Windjammers. He will have nothing further to do with them. If I will cure him up, he will take me to the treasure. If I will stay his friend and carry him away from his enemies, he will give up all the gold--all of it. Oh! a famous bargain. Well, I simply must find the Swallow now."
Dave got afloat. He put some soft grasses in the bottom of the canoe and made the invalid comfortable.
They got out to sea, and the youth progressed with some skill, for it was not his first experience with the paddles.
During the ensuing ten hours Dave did not see any craft afloat or person ashore. He kept going north.
"Somewhere along the coast I am bound to run across the Swallow," he confidently told himself.
Dave was utterly worn out as dusk began to come down over land and sea. He did not cease his paddling, however, tired as he was. Some distance away he had made out a familiar landmark.
The shades of night were falling as Dave drove the canoe past the natural curtain of vines that hid the cave for which he was making.
"Oh, see!"
He dropped the paddles and sat like one transfixed. A glorious picture was outlined by a cheerful camp-fire ashore.
It showed animated figures preparing an evening meal--comfort, good cheer, homelikeness.