CHAPTER XX
BOB TAKEN ILL
Securing the boat, Jerry took a survey of the camp. Ned and Bob hadlighted other lanterns and, by their gleams, it could be seen thatnothing had been taken. The improvised burglar alarm had given timelynotice, or the boys might have mourned the loss of the _Dartaway_, aswell as other of their possessions.
"They seem to have gotten away," remarked Jerry, coming back from wherehe had made the motor boat fast. "I wonder how they got here?"
"In a canoe," answered Ned, pointing to the marks of where the keelof one had rested on the little beach of the lake. "But what was thattremendous racket?"
"A little invention of mine," and Jerry explained it.
"I wonder who they were?" asked Bob.
"Some of the same negroes with whom the professor has gone off,"replied Jerry.
"Do you really think so?"
"I do. I believe it is all a part of a scheme to rob him and us. Thosemen wanted to get him out of the way so they could plunder our camp. Iguess they thought we were boys who had never been out alone before."
"They think differently now," observed Bob. "I reckon my bullet wentuncomfortably close to some of 'em."
"We may have scared them off for the time being," went on Jerry, "butwe've got to be on the watch. Our camp represents a lot of wealth tothose colored men, and they'll stop at nothing, short of a gun, to getit. It'll have to be watch and watch after this."
"You're right," agreed Ned. "We should have done it at first. But it'snot too late, thanks to the fish-line burglar alarm."
The boys arranged to spend the rest of the night taking turns atstanding guard, but their precautions were needless, for they were notdisturbed again. In the morning they made a more careful examinationand, by the tracks in the mud, came to the conclusion that at leastfive men had endeavored to loot the camp.
"What about the professor?" asked Bob, when they had discussed theoccurrences of the night.
"I'm worried about him," admitted Jerry. "He's such an innocent andtrusting gentleman that he'd do anything those scoundrels asked him to.I suppose by this time they have him several miles away from here."
"Do you think they'll harm him?" asked Ned.
"Maybe not. They'll certainly rob him, and they may turn him adrift inthe everglades, and that's the worst thing they could do. He'll neverbe able to find his way out."
"Is it as bad as that?" asked Ned.
"I don't want to take too gloomy a view of it," went on Jerry, "but youmust admit it looks serious."
"Still, the professor is a smart man. He's used to going in densewoods after insects and finding his way out," said Bob. "Look at thedifferent places he has been with us--even in the buried city inMexico--and he got out all right."
"This is different," Jerry stated. "The everglades are worse than anyforest. If he gets off the firm ground he'll sink down in the swamp andnever be able to get out. Boys, I wish the professor was safely backwith us. But there's no help for it now, and all we can do is to wait.Perhaps I'm too nervous and he may turn up all right, but the attack onthe camp looks bad."
"Poor old professor!" murmured Ned. "I'd hate to have anything happento him."
"So would I," put in Bob, "but I guess, as Jerry says, there's nothingto be done but to wait."
The day seemed very long, for they were watching for the return ofthe scientist. No one had the heart to do anything, and the boys satlistlessly about the camp, even Bob having a poor appetite for hismeals.
Toward afternoon Ned proposed that they take their guns and a walkalong the edge of the lake, not going far away from camp.
"We might see something to shoot at," he said. "It will make the timepass quicker, and if there are any negroes hiding about they'll hearthe guns and know we're on the watch."
The plan was agreed to, and the boys tried several shots at loons andalligators. Jerry succeeded in wounding one of the big saurians, butthe creature buried itself in the mud and the boys could not get it.
"We'll take the boat to-morrow," said Ned, "and have a try at some ofthese big lizards. If we could skin one or two we'd have some nicehides to show for our trip."
"Excuse me from skinning alligators," remarked Bob, making a wry face."The weather is too hot."
As they started back for camp Bob espied a bush laden with yellowfruit. He approached it on the run.
"Just what I've been wishing for!" he exclaimed, pulling off some andbeginning to eat them.
"Hold on!" cried Jerry. "What are those things? They may be poison."
"They're mangoes," answered Bob, eating his second one.
"Are you sure?" and Jerry looked doubtful.
"Of course," answered the always-hungry youth. "I've read about themand I know."
"Better leave 'em alone," advised Jerry. "They may be the mango fruit,but I wouldn't take any chances. Besides, if they are mangoes, thisvariety, from having grown in the everglades, may be poisonous."
"They don't taste so," remarked Bob, continuing to eat the fruit, whichsmelled delicious and had a fine appearance. "Better have some, Ned."
"No, thanks. Camp stuff is good enough for me when I'm not sure of whatthe other is."
Bob continued to enjoy himself on the fruit, which certainly wastempting. He only laughed at the warnings of his companions, and filledhis pockets with the yellow things, a number of which he took back tocamp.
In accordance with the plan of the previous night, the boys maintaineda watch. The fish-line alarm was set again, and with a lantern burningdown near the boat, where it would disclose any persons who might tryto sneak up and cut the mooring lines, Ned and Jerry prepared to turnin. It was Bob's turn to stand first watch. The boys had not lost theiruneasy feeling concerning the professor, and they hoped every moment tohear his cheery hail as he returned.
"Don't you wish you'd brought some of the mangoes?" asked Bob of hischums, producing some of the yellow fruit as he prepared to begin histour of duty. "This will keep me awake."
"Call us at the slightest sign of danger," cautioned Jerry, as he wentinside the tent.
It seemed that he and Ned had been sleeping but a short time when theywere suddenly aroused by Bob shaking them.
"What is it? The negroes again?" asked Jerry as he sat up and grabbedhis gun.
"No," replied Bob in a faint voice. "Oh, Jerry, I'm awful sick! I guessit was those mangoes. I can hardly stand! Can't you do something forme?"