Nicodemus had expected something of this kind from the moment he had first seen Dooley on the spot. He knew that trouble could not be averted.

The latter rascal, for such he really was, was keen enough to read all this in Beere’s face.

He was backed by a dozen hardy men himself, and he did not believe that the captain was so well supported. So he was uppish.

Beere gazed steadily at the other for a moment after this virtual declaration of war, and said:

“The largest share of that gold belongs to me. You shall have a fair share. Is not that fair enough?”

“My friend,” said Dooley bluffly, “mighty little of that gold you’ll see, I can tell you. It belongs to me. I claim it and shall divide it as I see fit.”

“You will?”

“Yes.”

“You are a scoundrel!”

“Easy! I can make trouble for you. Back of me are a dozen faithful fellows who will do anything. It will not pay you to dare me.”

Beere was now furious.

He made a menacing gesture.

“You atrocious rascal!” he gritted. “I’ve a mind to flog you!”

“We’re not aboard ship now!” sneered Dooley. “By the way, I am inclined to believe that you are a dangerous character and ought to be taken care of. Hey, boys!”

He blew a shrill whistle. The result was electrical.

Instantly the two men were surrounded. Dooley made a quick sign, and heavy hands were laid on Beere.

The captain saw in that moment that he was in bad hands.

The rascally Dooley certainly meant him harm. The old captain’s blood was up.

“Avast, ye dirty lubbers!” he roared. “I’ll keelhaul every mother’s son of ye if ye lay hands on me. Mark my words!”

“Tie him up!” yelled Dooley. “Seize him there!”

Beere let out with two sledge hammer blows, which were like the kick of a horse. A man went crashing down with each blow.

Then he was overpowered.

He was a strong man and fought furiously. But the odds were too great. He was obliged to succumb.

Dooley was exultant.

“We have come too far, boys, to have any living man stand between us and that gold.”

The others cheered. Then the villain continued:

“Tie him up to that tree yonder. First, I want to learn whether he has any companions or not.”

Then he interrogated his prisoner.

“Tell me the truth, Beere,” he said, sternly; “how many companions have you, and where are they?”

“You must learn that for yourself,” said Beere, firmly. “I can give you no information.”

A curse dropped from Dooley’s lips. He took a step toward the prisoner, saying menacingly:

“We’ll find a way to open your mouth. Before I’ve done with you you’ll be glad enough to talk.”

But Nicodemus was not to be intimidated, though the situation was a serious one for him. He refused to say anything.

But the villains organized a trailing party and followed his footprints backward along the beach. When they had reached a certain angle they looked up and beheld the air-ship.

It was an astonishing spectacle to them.

They managed to creep up near enough to the Spectre to see three men aboard her, one of them colored, and then they returned to their camp.

It was easy for Dooley to decide upon a move.

“We must capture that hurdy-gurdy,” he said; “how in the world it got away up there on that shelf of rock, I do not know.”

The villain did not know that the Spectre was an air-ship. He had fancied it some sort of water craft.

He proceeded to arrange for a descent upon and the capture of the air-ship that night. He felt sure of success.

Meanwhile Frank and Barney and Pomp had been attending to the routine of their duties aboard the Spectre.

It was some while before the captain’s prolonged absence was noted. Then Frank ventured to say:

“Do you think anything has happened to Beere? He ought to be here now.”

“Begorra, that’s thrue!” cried Barney. “Phwere did he go at all, at all?”

“I done seed him goin’ along dat shore early dis mornin’!” declared Pomp.

“Then he is surely in trouble!” said Frank. “We had better set out to look for him. Come on, Barney!”

The young inventor picked up his rifle and flung himself over the rail.

“All roight, sor!” cried Barney, hastening to join him. Frank turned to Pomp, saying:

“Keep a sharp lookout, Pomp. We will be back as soon as possible. Remember, we’re in a dangerous country.”

“Yo’ kin be sure ob dat, sah,” affirmed Pomp. “Neber fear, sah.”

Frank and Barney were quickly on the beach. They walked on until they came upon Nicodemus’s tracks. Then a startling surprise was accorded them.

There were other tracks.

“By Jupiter!” exclaimed the young inv............