CHAPTER V.

SUSPICIONS.

"Land, ho!"

It was several days after the catching of the shark, and the boys were eating breakfast alone when they heard the call. Leaving their unfinished meal they rushed out of the cabin and hurried to the bridge, where they found their uncle and Captain Ole, the former gazing through a large pair of field glasses.

"Is it it?" Bob asked eagerly.

"I'm not sure but, unless I'm off my reckoning, it ought to be," his uncle smiled as he handed the glass to the captain.

During the past three days they had sighted several islands, most of them small, but one or two of considerable size. Early in the voyage Mr. Lakewood had explained that his plan was to proceed to the island which he had reached in the open boat so many years before, and which, he told them, was the most northerly of the group called The Marquesas Islands, and which were owned by the French. This Island was of considerable size, and being a coaling station, he was sure that they would be able to lay in a fresh supply of fuel oil. From there they would set out on the search for the Island of Pearls, as they had come to call it, and which, he was quite sure, was not shown on any map.

"That's the island," Mr. Lakewood assured them a few minutes later. "I remember those two low hills which you can see just a little way in from the shore."

"Looks as though we were expected," Jack declared. "Look at the crowd down there by the wharf."

"It's quite an event for a boat to come in," his uncle told him.

"You're sure they're peaceful?" Bob asked a bit anxiously, as the boat came near enough for him to see the dark skins and scanty attire of the natives.

"You're not afraid, are you?" Mr. Lakewood asked in a tone of surprise.

"No," Bob told him. "I'm not afraid only, you know, I always had an idea that I'd make pretty good soup and----"

"Don't let him razz you, Uncle," Jack interrupted. "When you see Bob afraid you can know there's something to be afraid of."

By this time the boat was only a few yards away from the long flimsy looking pier, which reached out some fifty feet into the sea and Pat rang to reverse, and a moment later, her side brushed the end of the structure and a half dozen, all but naked, natives eagerly caught the line thrown them by one of the deck hands. Scarcely was the boat tied up, when a short pompous appearing man, clad in a somewhat soiled suit of white duck, pushed his way through the crowd.

"Welcome," he shouted as soon as he had reached the edge of the wharf.

"Thanks," Mr. Lakewood smiled as he stepped ashore and grasped the man's outstretched hand.

From the deference paid him by the natives, the boys judged that the white clad man must be the head man of the island or, at least, someone high in authority. A moment later their uncle introduced them, and, somewhat to their surprise, they learned that Mr. Umgubsolongas spoke almost perfect English with only the faintest trace of a soft slightly slurring accent.

"I am very much pleased to have the honor of welcoming you to my poor island," he told them as he took each by the hand, "and all that I have is yours."

The boys eagerly assured him that the pleasure was mutual, and their uncle invited him aboard, an invitation which he readily accepted, and, after they had shown him over the boat, they sat down to a meal which Mr. Lakewood had cautioned Wong to make particularly good. Their guest proved an excellent conversationalist and, before the meal was finished, the boys knew more about the lives and habits of the people of the South Sea Islands than they could have gotten from books in a long time.

"You must be my guests for the evening meal," Mr. Umgubsolongas told them when, finally, they pushed back their chairs. "Of course," he added, "I cannot hope to equal your most splendid hospitality but I hope to offer you a dish or two which will, at least, be new to you."

For an hour they chatted beneath an awning of the forward deck and then their guest took his departure, after promising to call for them at six o'clock.

"And you must bring your captain with you," was his parting word.

"Afraid he'll eat you, Bob?" Mr. Lakewood chuckled as the native disappeared amid the crowd which still thronged the pier.

"He seems fine, all right, but you never can tell," Bob replied with a smile.

"He's a prince," Jack declared.

"King, rather," his uncle corrected him.

"But I thought this island belonged to the French."

"So it does, but they all have a king just the same."

"But who would have thought of finding so well educated a man on one of these islands," Bob said.

"Most of their head men are more or less educated," his uncle told him. "I imagine you'll find that fellow has been to school and maybe to college in England or France."

"How long are you going to stay here?" Jack asked.

"Not more than a couple of days, I reckon."

"Did you ask him if we could get oil?" Bob asked.

"No, but I will tonight. I'm pretty certain we can."

"Suppose we can't?" Jack asked.

"Then we'll have to load on some coal. We can burn coal as well as oil, you know. By the way, if you want to see some real swimming and diving go over to the rail and throw a dime in the water."

There were perhaps twenty boys, naked save for a loin cloth, sitting on the edge of the wharf as the two boys reached the railing at a point some ten feet away from the side of the pier.

"Some of them look almost white," Jack whispered as they gazed at them.

"But their oval faces, wide nostrils and large ears stamp them as Polynesians all right," Bob whispered back.

"But some of them are not bad looking at that."

"I'll say they aren't. Look at that fellow the third from the end. Dress him up in evening clothes and he'd pass for a gentleman anywhere."

As he spoke Bob took a bright new quarter from his pocket, and held it up. Instantly the native boys sprang to their feet, their sharp eyes fixed on the coin. With a smile Bob threw the money some twenty feet out from the side of the boat and, although he did not throw it very high, Jack afterward declared, that every mother's son of them was in the water before the coin had disappeared. The race to the spot where the coin had disappeared was a matter of a moment only, and then the entire crowd disappeared. One by one the curly heads reappeared and soon one held up his hand and showed the coin.

"Good boy," Bob shouted as he threw a dime into their midst.

This time they remained below the surface longer than before, and the boys were beginning to wonder if they were ever coming up, when the boy, Bob had pointed out to Jack, shot out of the water and held up the coin. Followed more coins and for the better part of an hour the boys amused themselves watching them dive.

"I'll be bankrupt if we keep this up much longer," Jack finally said.

"I'll let them have this last dime," Bob replied as he threw the coin.

"They sure are at home in the water," Jack said as they turned away from the rail.

"Well, I reckon they about live in it."

"No doubt."

"Did you get a run for your money?" Mr. Lakewood smiled as they rejoined him.

"Sure did, and the other fellows had a dive for it," Jack laughed.

"They're probably the best swimmers and divers in the world," Mr. Lakewood told them.

"But I'd like to see Jack try one of them on a long swim," Bob said.

"He'd be licked before they started. Those boys think nothing of swimming ten miles or more."

"Don't the sharks ever get them?" Jack asked.

"Not often. You see, they very seldom come in so close as this and when they swim outside they carry a knife in a belt and if a shark attacks them he usually gets the worse of the argument."

It was exactly six o'clock when they saw a Ford touring car drive down the beach to the wharf, and their newly made friend stepped out and came toward the boat. They met him before he had reached the end of the wharf and he once more shook hands with them all, including Captain Ole who somewhat against his wishes, had been persuaded to accompany them.

"I deeply regret that I have not a more luxurious car to offer you," the native apologized as he led the way.

"They get you there and bring you back," Mr. Lakewood smiled.

The home of the king of the island proved to be a large affair when compared with the others of the village. Built almost entirely of bamboo it contained several rooms, including a large comfortably furnished living room, as well as a commodious dining room. The meal was very good, consisting of many courses, several of which were entirely new to the boys. But they liked them all, and afterward agreed that they had never eaten a better dinner. At eleven o'clock they were driven back to the boat more pleased than ever with their host.

"He says we can get all the oil we want," Mr. Lakewood told them, as they parted for the night shortly before twelve o'clock. "We'll spend tomorrow getting stocked up and be off early the next morning."

Filling the oil tanks took the best part of the next day, as the oil was brought out to the boat in buckets by the natives. After watching them for some time in the morning, the boys decided they would take a walk about the village and, after being cautioned against getting into trouble by their uncle, they started off shortly before ten o'clock. There was much to interest them in the quaint settlement, and the time passed so rapidly that they were surprised when Bob's watch told them that it was high noon.

"We'll be late to dinner," Bob said. "Wonder how far we are from the wharf."

"Can't be more'n a half mile, I reckon."

"Well, come on, we'll have to hustle to get back on time and you know how much Wong likes to have us late for a meal."

"About as much as I like castor oil," Jack laughed as they turned down a side street thinking to take a short cut back.

"Sure this is the way?" Bob asked a moment later.

"I'm pretty sure of the general direction. We can't miss it very much I reckon," Jack replied.

They had walked rapidly for several minutes, turning a number of corners and had just come in sight of the ocean, when Bob suddenly caught hold of Jack's arm.

"What's up?" Jack asked.

"S-s-s-s-s-h," Bob whispered. "Follow me quietly, and don't speak."

Mystified at his brother's action but never doubting, but that he had a good reason for it, Jack fell in behind and followed close at his heels. About a hundred feet in front of them was a large low building, constructed of bamboo with a thatched roof and as they reached the corner on which it stood, Bob paused and held up his hand. Jack stopped and wondered what was going to happen next. Bob pressed his body close to the side of the building and Jack did the same. In a moment he heard a voice which he recognized and the meaning of Bob's move was partly solved.

"You understand?"

It was Josh Kelley speaking.

"I get you all right, but are you sure you have the right dope?"

The reply was in a voice strange to Jack and he strained his ears to catch Josh's next words.

"Oh, I've got the dope all right. If you do as I say, everything will go off all right."

"I'll play my part all right, don't you fret yourself about that."

"Sure you understand?"

"Sure's shooting."

"Then I'll have to hurry back. See you later."

"So long."

That was the end of the conversation and, after waiting a few minutes they started again for the boat. Josh was not in sight as they stepped around the corner nor did they see anyone who, they thought, could have been his companion.

"That was Josh Kelley," Jack declared.

"Sure it was," Bob assured him. "I saw him come out of that shed there and turn the corner. That's why I stopped."

"Sure he didn't see us?"

"I wasn't at first, but if he had, I guess he wouldn't have been talking to that other fellow."

"Probably not."

"What do you make of it?"

"Search me."

"He's up to something."

"Looks that way."

"And it must be something shady."

"Shouldn't wonder. It seems funny he should know anyone here."

"Especially as he never mentioned it on the boat."

"The plot thickens," Jack quoted.

"And there's no knowing how thick it may be," Bob added.

By this time they had reached the end of the wharf and, for a moment, Bob stood looking at the boat.

"Think we ought to tell uncle?" he asked.

"I don't think, I know," Jack replied decisively. "It can't possibly do any harm, and it may save a lot of trouble."

"Just what I was thinking," Bob agreed as he stepped onto the pier.

There was no one in sight when they stepped on board, except a couple of the sailors, and the boys hurried to the dining salon where they found Wong clearing away the dishes from the table. There was no one else in the room.

"You tlink you gleet dinner now, you have velly well one more tlink coming," he greeted them.

"We're awful sorry, Wong," Bob began, but Wong interrupted.

"No use be solly now. Dinner velly well over."

"But, Wong, old man, we're starving," Jack gave him his most enticing smile.

"You no stlarve till supper."

"But we might, and then think how you'd feel," Bob too smiled.

"Wong no feel velly bad," he grinned.

"Now you know that's not true," Jack told him. "Come, just give us a little bite, that's a good fellow."

"No blite."

"But, Wong----"

"No blut. Dinner velly well over," and he started out of the room with the last of the dishes.

"Guess he means it," Jack whispered.

"'Fraid so," Bob replied.

But just as he reached the door he turned back.

"You slit down. Mebby gleet leetle blite," he grinned over his shoulder.

"I knew he was fooling," Jack sighed as he sat down.

"Yes, I did not," Jack grinned.

"Wonder where uncle and Captain Ole are," Bob said a moment later.

"Guess they're not very far off."

"They can't have been through dinner very long."

"We'll hunt them up as soon as we get something to eat. It wouldn't do to leave the room now."

"I'll say it wouldn't."

Just then Wong returned bearing a large tray filled with dishes piping hot.

"Wong, you old fraud, you saved our dinner for us," Bob said as he sat the tray down.

"Mellican boy no deserve it," he grinned placing the food on the table before them.

"I'll say we don't," Jack agreed. "But you're one good scout."

"You no velly bad boys," Wong conceded.

Just as they were finishing Mr. Lakewood entered the room.

"So Wong saved you something after all," he smiled.

"I'll say he did," Jack told him.

"He declared by all his gods that he wouldn't."

"And he really convinced us that he hadn't," Bob told him.

"I thought all the time he would. What did you think of the town?"

"Good what there is of it and plenty of it as 'tis," Jack replied.

"We couldn't find an ice cream store, that's what's the trouble with him," Bob laughed.

"Well, you said yourself that you wouldn't want to spend the rest of your life here," Jack retorted.

"By the way, we had a bit of an adventure," Bob said and proceeded to tell his uncle what they had overheard.

"You're sure it was Josh?" he asked when he had finished.

"There's no doubt about that," Bob assured him.

"Then it looks bad."

"What do you think he's up to?" Jack asked.

"Haven't an idea."

"But you think he's up to something shady?" Bob asked.

"It looks that way to me. By the way, are you sure he wasn't talking to one of the crew?"

"Pretty sure," Bob told him. "Of course we didn't see the fellow but his voice was strange to me."

"And to me too," Jack added.

"I've never trusted the fellow, though I couldn't say why," Mr. Lakewood mused.

"What'll you do?" Jack asked.

"Nothing."

"But----"

"Think a minute and you'll see that we haven't enough to go on. If we accused him of crooked work he'd deny it, of course, and he could easily make up a plausible story to explain it."

"I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am. No, the only thing to do is to keep a close eye on him. I'll tell Ole and put him on his guard. After all, you know, it may not be anything that concerns us."

"But you think it is?" Bob asked

"I almost know it is."

"But not quite, eh?" Jack grinned

"Exactly. Now, don't let Josh know you suspect him," he cautioned them as he rose and led the way out on deck.

The natives had resumed their work of filling the oil tanks, but by three o'clock the task was completed and Mr. Lakewood announced that he and the captain had decided to put to sea at once and not wait until morning. "Kind of too bad not to say goodbye to the king," he added. "But we told him we might leave this afternoon and he said he'd try to come down."

"And there he is now," Jack announced pointing to the shore.

The old Ford ran down dose to the end of the wharf and then stopped with a suddenness which nearly threw the driver through the windshield. Jumping out of the car the king ran down to the boat and leaped aboard.

"I was afraid you might be gone before I could get here," he gasped as he held out his hands for them to grasp.

Followed an hour of pleasant conversation during which the king urged them to remain longer as his guests but, finding that they were determined to leave, he finally bade them goodbye about four o'clock and, insisting that they make him another visit sometime, he cranked up the Ford and disappeared up the street in a cloud of dust.

"Gee, but he did his best, short of asking outright, to find out where we're going," Jack declared as they turned back to the boat.

"I'll say he did," Bob agreed, "but I reckon it was nothing but curiosity."

"Which same killed the cat, you know," Jack reminded him.

"Look here, son, don't you go getting suspicious of everybody. Pretty soon you'll be watching me," Bob grinned.

"Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea at that."

An hour later they pulled out and, after running south until the island was out of sight, swung in a wide circle until they were headed north.

"Just as well not to let them know which way we're going," Mr. Lakewood explained as he stood with the boys on the bridge.

"Does the second mate know what we're after?" Jack asked.

"Not unless he's overheard something," his uncle told him. "We three and Captain Ole are the only ones in the secret so far as I know. But he may be wise at that."

"How far away do you think that island is?" Bob asked.

"I haven't much idea. When I took that trip I wasn't in a condition to notice much of anything especially during the last part of it, and I may have come a hundred miles and then again it may been nearer five hundred. We're simply to hunt until we find it. I know it's around here somewhere, and I reckon we'll strike it sooner or later."

"But aren't we likely to pass it in the night?" Jack asked.

"We're going to anchor as soon as it is dark, provided it's not too deep and if it is we'll just drift."