Shaking his head in a negative manner, the captain pursued his way.
With a heavy heart Carl followed him, and in time the ship was reached.
They entered the water room, closed the doors, and the captain touched abell.
Directly it sounded within the vessel, the pumps were heard at work, thewater gradually lowered, and when it was all out they opened the innerdoor and regained the dressing-room.
It was indeed a pleasure to have the helmets removed, for they hadretained them so long that they were oppressed and ill.
The captain was the first to speak.
"I am very sorry for the misfortune that has happened," he exclaimed;"you must not think me hard-hearted because I returned."
"But Mont will die," answered Carl; "he is lost, and does not know hisway back."
"His supply of air will last another hour and a half. There is yethope."
"What can we do?"
"I will send out a party to search for him, and I will head it myself,"replied Captain Vindex.
At this generous offer Carl's heart was filled with fresh hope.
The captain gave orders for three negroes to accompany him.
They were soon dressed and supplied with air, Captain Vindex himselftaking a fresh reservoir.
Then the ceremony of going out was repeated, and, as the exploring partyquitted the ship, all Carl could do was to pray fervently for theirsuccess.
He, the professor, and Stump were very languid, and, in spite of theiranxiety, they could not shake off the somnolent effects of their longwalk.
Each sank down on the floor of their cabin, and was soon fast asleep.
How long they remained there they did not know.
Barnaby awoke, feeling a hand laid on his shoulder. It was CaptainVindex.
Springing to his feet in an instant, he said:
"Have you found him? Where is Mont?"
"Unhappily," said the captain, "we could find no trace of him."
"Why did I let him go last? I ought to have had him in front of me,"cried Carl angrily. "Poor Mont! he is lying at the bottom of the sea,and I shall never see him again. Never, never!"
He covered his face with his hands, and the tears trickled down hischeeks.
"I have dispatched another party to seek for him," exclaimed thecaptain; "I am too worn out to go with them this time. If they find thebody, we may restore him to consciousness."
"There is no hope," said Carl sadly; "you are the cause of his death.Why did you inclose us in this tomb, and then take one of us in the seato die?"
"Was it my fault? You are hasty, my boy, and do me great injustice. I amas much grieved as yourself, for I had begun to love that lad," said thecaptain feelingly. "We will mourn for him together; there is a silentfriendship in grief. We are friends, for we have the same sorrow."
In a few hours the searching party came back, weary and unsuccessful.
They could see nothing of Mont.
Everyone gave up all hope, and our hero was mourned for as one dead.
CHAPTER XIX.
MONT'S PERIL.
"Where am I? Where are you, Carl?"
After about an hour's sleep Mont was aroused by an acute sensation ofpain in his right leg.
Stretching out his hand, he encountered a slimy substance, and withdrewit very quickly.
Leaning on his elbow, he saw by the light of his lamp that a strangefish, with a head like a frying-pan and a body resembling that of acodfish, was biting through his waterproof covering and trying to eatpart of his leg.
In an instant he seized his gun, and, firing at its eye, wounded itgrievously, causing it to splash about and retreat into a mass of weeds,where its struggles continued for some time.
For a moment Mont forgot where he was.
But as his senses came back to him, he recollected everything, and,rising, looked about for his companions.
As he could see nothing of them, a horrible fear took possession of him,and he trembled from head to foot.
They had lost him in the depths of the ocean.
Without an experienced guide like Captain Vindex, it was impossible forhim to find his way back.
The dangerous and perhaps fatal sleep which had overcome him must befought against.
For if it came on again he knew he must die.
How much precious air had he not consumed already?
To him, in his condition, air was life.
He knew that he had only a supply for a limited period.
The only course that remained open to him was to march as quickly as thedense mass of water would let him, and try to regain the _Searcher_.
But though he turned round, he could not find the sandy plain they hadfirst traversed on leaving the ship.
The forest of sea weeds, rising straight as arrows on all sides of him,erect and motionless, grew dense; animal life was everywhere.
Strange fishes glared at him, and seemed to mock his misery by theirquick, darting movements and sportive gambols.
He pushed his way fiercely through the vegetable growth, but only tobecome more entangled.
All at once the ground became hilly, and it seemed as if he had come tothe end of the valley and was ascending one of the sides.
He pushed on, thinking he would give the world to be able to rise to thesurface.
If he could only penetrate that thick water and float on the top of thewaves, breathing the free air of heaven, he would have gladly done so,even if he were to die an hour afterward.
Gradually he quitted the forest, and the sun's rays began to be visibleagain.
Decidedly he must be getting higher.
Presently a great black mass appeared at his side.
He could see that it was a ferocious shark, whose huge mouth seemedcapable of engulfing him.
Instinctively he threw himself on his back.
The voracious creature had made a dart at him, but shot past,disappointed of its prey.
If it had seized his arm or his leg, or even his head, one snap of itsmouth would have been sufficient to cut off either.
As the animal swam around him Mont pointed his gun and fired.
The shot entered its stomach, but was not mortal.
Another and another followed, and at last the vast mass floated slowlyupward, showing that it was dead.
Thanking Providence for this narrow escape, and congratulating himselfon his presence of mind, our hero continued the ascent.
The path became steep and rugged, and it was with difficulty that hemade his way.
He was evidently ascending the side of a rock, which became moreprecipitous as he went on.
Where did it lead?
Was it raised above the surface or did it fall short of it?
If so, he would have his trouble for nothing.
He breathed with an effort, and his breath grew shorter and shorterevery moment, for he was making a great demand upon his reservoir of airwhile undergoing strong exertion.
At length he had to stop.
It seemed as if his strength were failing him.
The sleepy feeling overtook him again, and he leaned back against theshining rock, which reflected the sun's rays.
He was face to face with death.
Not much longer would his lungs be supplied with breathing air.
Suffocation threatened Mont with a painful end, yet he was so weak andprostrate that he seemed unable to make another effort.
Every moment was of priceless value.
At last he went on.
How he did it he never knew; but he managed to climb the almostperpendicular rocks, which afforded little or no footing.
At last the sun's rays were more vivid, and, with a feeling of wonder,Mont found himself moving with comparative ease.
This was because he had reached the summit of the rock after climbingnearly two hundred and fifty yards.
He was out of the water.
With nervous hands he tore off his helmet, and, lying on his side,inhaled the air for
a few minutes.
"I am saved, saved!" cried Mont delightedly.
He rose at length, and looked around him.
The rock on which he was standing was a narrow, barren peak, which justrose above the surface, and that was all.
The remainder of the ledge was under water. If he had not ascended inthat place he must have died.
Afar off was what appeared to be a small island. But whether it was anarid desert or not he was unable to tell.
"Perhaps I shall die of hunger and thirst," he muttered; "but death isbetter here than in the forest under the sea."
Sleep again overcame him, and he passed several hours in a deep slumber.
With wakefulness came a horrible sensation of hunger and thirst.
While he was gazing around him, with despair again attacking him, hesaw something rise in the sea a short distance off.
He thought he recognized the black back of the _Searcher_, and he wasnot mistaken.
The trapdoor opened, and two men appeared on the platform.
They were Captain Vindex and Professor Woddle.
Mont tried to cry out, but only a feeble sound came from his lips.
He, however, waved his hands, and the signal was seen.
Soon the electric boat floated gently to the rock.
He stepped on the platform, which was by this time crowded with thecrew, Carl, and Stump.
The next moment he was in the arms of kind friends.
He sank fainting at their feet, and was carried below, where he remainedsome days before he entirely recovered his strength.
Captain Vindex had entertained an idea that Mont might reach the surfaceby climbing up the rocks, although he scarcely dared to hold thisopinion as a certainty.
But when nothing could be seen of him below the surface, he resolved tolook for him above.
Consequently the _Searcher_ rose under his orders, with the happy resultwe have described.
CHAPTER XX.
THE WRECKS.
When Mont was fully recovered, the negro Number One announced that theywere going on a long voyage.
"Massa say him start for, um South Pole," he said. "In one hour we beoff, and travel for many week. Travel to the Pole."
In effect, they soon heard the motion of the machinery, and the_Searcher_ began her long submarine cruise.
For about a week they saw nothing of the captain.
This mysterious man shut himself up and sought intercourse with no one.
Every day, for some hours, the panel in their cabin slid back, and theyenjoyed the treat of looking at the sea lighted by electricity.
The direction of the _Searcher_ was southeast, and she kept at a depthof a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet.
One day, while the electric ship was stopping to replenish her power, acurious incident happened.
Stump was looking out of the window, and he suddenly exclaimed:
"What is that, sir?"
Everyone went to examine, and a ship dismantled was seen slowly sinkingto the bottom.
It had foundered a short time before with all hands.
Several men were lashed to the riggings, and their agonized facestestified to their late sufferings.
A shoal of sharks followed the sinking wreck with distended eyes,anticipating a feast of human flesh.
As the hull passed the window, Mont read her name, which was the_Firefly_ of Savannah.
This was not an isolated case, for they frequently saw wrecks, andremains of wrecks, such as cannons, anchors, chains, and decaying hulls.
"Well, this is a lively existence," exclaimed Mont; "we eat nothing butfish, and see nothing but fish."
"And wrecks," put in Carl.
A heavy step was heard behind them, and all turned round, to see thecaptain.
He placed his hand upon a map, and exclaimed:
"Do you see this island--Malonon? It is where the gallant Frenchexplorer Posterri perished. We are close to it, and, if you please,gentlemen, you shall land and explore it for yourselves."
This was good news.
"But," said the professor, "if I remember rightly, it is inhabited bysavages."
"Certainly."
"Shall we not be in danger?"
"I fear nothing," said the captain. "I have braved danger amongcivilized nations, and I can afford to despise savages. If you do notwish it, however, I will continue my voyage."
"Don't do that, sir," replied Mont. "I'll chance the niggers. Let usland. I know Carl and Stump would like it."
"And you, Mr. Professor?" said the captain.
"I, sir, will go anywhere in the interests of science," replied HomerWoddle, with a nervous tremor in his voice which showed he did not likesavages.
The news raised the boys' spirits to the highest pitch.
After confinement on board the _Searcher_ the prospect of going on landwas enchanting.
No matter what danger they might encounter they were ready.
Carl whispered that they might have a chance of escaping.
Mont said nothing, but he was of the same opinion.
CHAPTER XXI.
ON LAND ONCE MORE.
The party were allowed to go on shore without even promising to return,and the heart of each beat high with the prospect of liberty beforethem.
Professor Woddle explained that they might traverse the country nearby,and so get to some port, but the journey would be perilous in theextreme.
His advice was to camp in the wood, obtain fresh provisions, and awaitthe course of events.
Stump alone was in doubt.
"The captain," he remarked, "is a wonderful man, and knows perfectlywell what he is about. He has told us we shall never again set our feeton civilized ground, has he not?"
"Yes. Everyone knows that," answered the professor.
"He'll keep his word, and I'll bet a new hat we are on board againto-morrow, or perhaps to-day."
"I'll take you," replied Mont, "though how the bet is to be paid I don'tknow, as there are no hat shops on board the boat."
"I'd give something to find out all about our skipper," said Carl. "Heis the most curious beggar I ever met. All four of us are not a matchfor him."
"Speak for yourself, my young but still intelligent friend," answeredthe professor. "Time will show."
"We'll have some fresh meat soon," observed Stump, "and if you'll trustthe cooking to me, Master Mont, you shall have a dinner fit for a kingin half an hour after running down the game."
"A little venison or wild boar, which is pork, would be veryacceptable," answered the professor; "and my knowledge of naturalhistory enables me to tell you that we shall find both on this islandwhich we are about to visit."
"Roast pork--lovely! It makes my mouth water," said Stump.
"Do you want to have the jaw all to yourself?" asked Mont. "Go and askwhen the boat will be ready to take us ashore."
Stump departed on his errand and found the boat already prepared forthem.
It was made of various pieces of wood, which were easily put togetherwhen it was wanted and taken apart when it was not required.
It would hold half a dozen men, and floated by the side of the_Searcher_.
Each of the four companions was provided with an electric gun containingthe usual twenty shots.
"A pleasant excursion, gentlemen," said the captain, as they emerged onthe platform; "I hope you do not intend to deprive me for any length oftime of the pleasure of your society."
"Wouldn't do such a thing for worlds, sir," answered our hero.
"You needn't return to-night, if you prefer camping out."
"We didn't mean to," replied Mont.
A peculiar smile crossed Captain Vindex's expressive face, as if heguessed what was passing in the youth's mind.
"Remember one thing," he said; "be very careful of your ammunition."
"Why?"
"You will find out in time. All I have to say is, recollect my advice,"was the answer.
They got into the boat and row
ed ashore, picking their way carefullythrough the coral reefs, and in five minutes the bottom of the boatgrated upon a sandy beach.
"Hurrah!" cried Mont, throwing up his cap; "land once more!"
Stump, who was thoroughly familiar with all the tricks of boys, put downhis hands and "turned a wheel," after which he stood on his head, togive expression to his delight.
Huge forests stretched far inland, and raised their mighty heads ahundred feet from the earth.
Palms, shrubs, and creepers were mingled with the trees in grandconfusion, and this scene, in the glowing sunshine, was indescribablybeautiful.
The professor saw a cocoanut palm, and, knocking off some of the fruit,gave it to the boys, who pronounced it delicious.
"Now," he said, "we will shoot something and dine as we have not dinedfor a long time."
"I've some salt in my pocket, and Stump has knives," remarked Carl.
"It looks to me," said Mont, "as if we were likely to have a sirloin oftiger for dinner; that forest ought to be full of wild beasts."
"No matter," answered Carl, "anything's better than fish. Come on."
They skirted the forest, fearing to enter it lest they might losethemselves in its dense interior.
Keeping their guns ready for instant action, they proceeded about half amile, when the professor held up his hand.
In front of them was a large breadfruit tree, and under its branches wasa wild boar, engaged in eating the tender fruit which had fallen to theground.