CHAPTER XVIII.
STRANGERS IN CAMP.
"Joseph Farvel!" ejaculated Bob. "Did he see you?"
"I don't think so. The moment I spotted him and his companions I dove out of sight behind a rock. He and the others are carrying quite some baggage, including torches and several ropes."
"Then he is bound for the caves, beyond a doubt."
"True; but he hadn't any rope with him before, so I don't think he has discovered anything yet. More than likely he found out that he couldn't get to where he wanted to go without a rope."
"If dey is comin' over de bridge dey will see dat smoke," put in Danny, as he pointed to the fire—which was now burning low, but still throwing off considerable smoke.
Without delay Bob ran to the fire and kicked it out. But the mischief had already been done, and soon they heard Farvel and the two negroes coming toward them.
Their first impulse was to hide; their second, to stay where they were. "We have done nothing wrong—he can't harm us," said Dick.
"Hullo, my Irish boy!" sung out Farvel, as he caught sight of Danny. "What are you doing here?"
"Sure an' we're restin'," replied Danny, coolly. "How are ye afther feelin' now?"
"Oh, I'm first-rate again." Farvel looked at Dick and Bob. "Did you belong to that party I met this morning?"
"We did."
"I didn't see you."
"We left before you came to your senses."
"Oh, I see."
"Sorry we can't offer you any supper," said Bob. "We just ate the last of what was cooked."
"I've had my supper, thank you," was the short reply. Then the man's face grew dark, and he whipped a handkerchief from his pocket. "Will you tell me who owns that?" he asked, tossing the article over.
"Why dat's Mr." began Danny, and stopped short.
"Where did the handkerchief come from?" questioned Dick slowly, hardly knowing what to say.
"It was the one I found bound around my head this morning, when I arrived at Caguas." "I didn't put it on your head."
"Do you see the initials, R. D. M?" And catching up the handkerchief once more, Joseph Farvel pointed them out.
"What of that? They are not my initials," said Dick.
"Nor mine."
"Dem must be old Rusher's initials," put in Danny, quickly. Dat's his name, Rusher Daniel March."
"Who is Rusher?" and Farvel's face took on a different look.
"You'll have to ask de captain, Mr. What'syour-name."
"My name is Joseph Farvel."
"Well, wot yer making all dis fuss about dat hankerchief for?"
"I know a man who has those initials—Robert Dascott Menden, of London."
"I suppose dare's lot uf fellers has dem same letters, an' why not? I'll turn dat handkerchief over to de rest of de crowd, if yer say so. I see yer got yer head plastered up now."
"What are you going to do with those ropes?" asked Dick, determined to follow up the advantage Danny's ready wit had brought them.
"That is my business."
"Oh, all right. Sorry I spoke."
"I want to know if you met this Robert Menden?"
"Perhaps I had better say that is my business, too," answered Dick, coldly.
"I believe you have met him, and that that is his handkerchief," went on Farvel, sourly.
"All right; think what you please. We did you a good turn this morning, but you are not making us particularly happy over it."
"Oh, if you want pay for what you did, there you are," growled the newcomer; and pulling a couple of silver dollars from his pocket he flung them at Dick.
On the instant Dick's face grew crimson, and he walked up to the man with clenched fists. "You are no gentleman, Joseph Farvel," he cried. "I have seen quite enough of you. The sooner you leave our camp, the better I will be pleased."
"And so will I be pleased," put in Bob.
"An' yer kin take yer money wid yer," added Danny. "We ain't so hard up as yer seem to t'ink."
"You don't dare to answer me about Robert Menden," burst out Joseph Farvel.
"We have no reason to answer any of your questions," said Dick.
"I'll wager all I am worth that he is with the rest of your party."
"And what if that should be true," put in Bob. "Hasn't a man a right to travel where he pleases?"
"Robert Menden has no right to be on the island of Porto Rico, and in this vicinity."
"Why not?"
"Because he is after something that belongs rightfully to me."
"He tells a different story," burst out Bob, momentarily forgetting himself.
"Ha! so you acknowledge at last that he is with you? Take my advice and beware of him."
"I would rather trust him than you," said Dick, bluntly.
"So he has poisoned your minds against me, eh? Very well, that is another score to settle with him. As soon as I catch him I shall have him arrested."
"What for?"
"It was he who knocked me down and robbed me."
"Nonsense; it was a Carib did that!" cried Bob.
"I do not believe it."
"If Robert Menden knocked you down, would he take the trouble to bind up your wound afterward?"
"He probably got scared, being afraid that he had killed me and must hang for it."
"You is away off de track," said Danny. "A big black feller struck you down—we kin all give our word on dat."
"I am not willing to take your word."
"Then you had better clear out and leave us alone," said Dick, sharply.
"Don't get too dictatorial, young man."
"I mean what I say. We did you a favor, and you have made yourself as disagreeable as possible. Now the sooner you take yourself off, the better we shall be pleased."
"Bound to make me your enemy, eh?"
"I think you have made yourself that already."
"Be it so, but—" Joseph Farvel paused. "Beware how any of you cross my path—that's all."
"Oh, pshaw! I never did like melodramatics," cried Bob. "The world is wide enough for us. You go your way, and let us go ours."
"Answer me one question. Are you travelling with Robert Menden?"
"We are resting at present."
"You know what I mean."
"We have nothing more to say," said Dick. "Now leave us alone."
Joseph Farvel's face grew blacker than ever. "Be it so," he muttered. "But remember what I said about crossing my path." And then he turned away, taking his two negro companions with him. In a few minutes a turn in the trail took him out of the sight of the three boys.
"I don't know whether we did right or wrong," observed Dick, doubtfully. "I reckon he knows now pretty nearly how matters stand."
"I wonder if he will meet Menden and the others on the trail," said Bob. "I hope not."
"If dey meet, dare will be a fight, an' I know it," put in Danny. "Dat feller is a bad egg, if ever dare was one."
A half hour dragged by slowly. It was now quite dark and the boys began to think that the others would not be back.
Suddenly a shot rang through the stillness of the night air, followed by two others.
"Gracious! what does that mean?" demanded Bob, leaping up.
"Perhaps it's the fight Danny mentioned," answered Dick, grimly. He looked at his pistol. "I've a good mind to walk down the trail and investigate."
"You may walk right into danger, Dick."
"I'll risk it. You and Danny remain here until I get back. There is no use in all of us going."
A few seconds later Dick was off on his mission.