Young Hunters in Porto Rico/Chapter 28
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BOB IS TAKEN PRISONER.
They now felt thoroughly at home on the mountain top, and set a straight course for the Dark Cave.
It promised to be an exceedingly warm day, and they had not proceeded far before all were bathed in perspiration.
"This is too bad," observed Don. "We won't want to go underground while we are so hot. We may get a chill."
"We can rest awhile at the entrance to the cave," said Robert Menden. "We'll need it before climbing over the rough rocks to where that crack is located."
Reaching the entrance, they threw themselves on a grassy bank in the shade to rest.
Although they did not know it, Joseph Farvel was close at hand, and now watched them intently.
The fellow felt that they had discovered something, and wished to ascertain, if possible, just what it was.
"I'll dog them; see if I don't," he said to himself.
The negroes he had with him were brawny fellows, willing to do almost anything he ordered.
Presently Bob, feeling rested, sprang up and began to walk around near the entrance to the cave, and then toward a nearby pool of water.
His course took him out of sight of his companions, and close to where Farvel and the negroes lay concealed in the tall grass and trailing vines.
As the boy approached, a sinister look came over the man's face, and he whispered a few words to his black companions. They evidently understood, and nodded in agreement with him.
Bob had just procured his drink and was watching the flight of several birds near by, when he felt himself clutched from behind.
Before he could make the slightest outcry a hand was clapped over his mouth, and he was lifted from his feet and borne into the jungle.
Bob's eyes were wide open and he easily saw who had made him captive.
The natives carried him with ease, while it was Joseph Farvel's hand which was clapped over his mouth.
After several hundred feet had been covered, he was set down, and a handkerchief gag was inserted in his mouth.
"Make an outcry and you will be sorry for it," said Joseph Farvel, grimly.
Bob wished to ask where he was being taken, but was given no chance to do so. The natives bound his hands behind him, and then he was told by Farvel to march.
As there was nothing to be gained just then by resisting, poor Bob marched along, through the jungle and across several tiny mountain streams.
Presently they reached a rough shelter built of tree branches and palm leaves, and here they halted.
The boy was tied to a tree, hands and feet, the natives using some tough vines for that purpose. Then he was searched, and his pistol and pocketknife were taken from him.
"If I ungag you, will you promise to make no outcry?" asked Joseph Farvel.
As Bob was nearly smothered, he nodded his head, whereupon the obnoxious gag was quickly removed.
"What do you mean by handling me in this fashion?" demanded the youth, as soon as he could speak.
"Now don't get on a high horse, or it will be the worse for you," replied Farvel, bitterly.
"I ask you a direct question and I expect a direct answer," went on Bob, indignantly.
"I brought you here to get some information from you, young man."
"You'll learn nothing from me."
"Perhaps I shall."
"I'll cut my tongue off before I tell anything."
"It's easy enough to talk that way now. But you'll change your tune presently."
"I don't think so."
"We'll see. Do you realize that you are entirely in my power?"
"That doesn't scare me so very much, Joseph Farvel. You won't dare to do much."
"I am here for that treasure, and I'm bound to have it by hook or by crook. If you know anything definite, you had better tell me about it."
"As I said before, I'll tell you nothing."
In a rage Farvel stepped closer and slapped Bob's cheek.
"You little rat, I'll make you talk!" he stormed. "Your party has located the treasure; I feel certain of it."
Bob was boiling with indignation, and had his hands been free he would have knocked Farvel down. But he was helpless, and could do absolutely nothing.
"Are you going to talk?" demanded the enraged man, after a short pause.
"No."
"Don't you know what is best for you?"
"Perhaps I do."
"You act as if you didn't."
"I'll chance it."
"You shan't have a mouthful to eat or to drink until you promise to tell me all you know."
"Then I'll starve," said Bob, promptly.
Joseph Farvel had not looked for so much grit in the youth, and now he was completely" nonplussed.
"You don't mean what you say."
"Try me and see."
"Have your friends located that tablet?"
"Go ask them, and find out—if you can."
"Don't get cheeky. What is your name?"
"Bob Hobart—I'm not ashamed of it either—as I would be if my name was Joseph Farvel."
"Don't anger me too greatly, or I'll—I'll"
"What will you do?"
"I'll bring you to terms in a hurry."
"You can't bring me to terms. And now let me do a little talking. I demand that you set me at liberty."
"Go ahead and demand, and that is all the good it will do you."
"If you continue to hold me a prisoner, when I get free I'll have you arrested, just as sure as you're an Englishman."
"Perhaps you won't get the chance."
So speaking, Farvel walked away, to consult with the blacks, one of whom immediately made off in the direction of the Dark Cave.
In vain Bob tugged at the vines which bound him. They were as tough as iron and refused to part. At last with a groan he gave up the struggle.
Half an hour passed, and then the second negro left, and Farvel approached Bob once again.
"Have you changed your mind about talking?" he demanded.
"I have not."
"If Robert Menden finds that treasure, are you to have a part of it?"
"If you wish to know so bad—yes."
"What part?"
"Robert Menden is going to give our party one-quarter of all that is found."
"Humph! I wouldn't be satisfied with a quarter."
"We consider that the treasure is really his—if he finds it."
"It belongs to me. Now I have a plan that ought to interest you. If your party will drop Menden and come with me, I'll give your crowd one-half of all we get."
"I'm not making a deal with you, Joseph Farvel. I wouldn't go into partnership with you for a million dollars."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't like you and I don't think you are honest. If you"
Bob was allowed to go no further. White with rage, Farvel sprang forward and planted a blow directly on the defenceless boy's nose. The onslaught drew blood, which trickled down over Bob's mouth and chin.
"You coward!" moaned the boy, when Farvel hauled off for another attack. But now an interruption came, as welcome to the boy as it was terrifying to Farvel. What it was we shall speedily learn.