He was right. Lying half-way up the steep bank, and only partially screened by the foliage, was a craft of native construction. Two or three paddles, a length of rope and a piece of canvas lay within it, while a jagged hole close to the water-line showed that the boat had come to grief against one of the sharp rocks with which the bed of the river abounded.
"See any tracks?" asked Captain Restronguet.
Hythe, to whom the question was addressed, was minutely studying the ground through a powerful pair of binoculars.
"Not much doubt about it, sir," he replied. "There"s a well-defined track leading in a south-easterly direction. I can follow it as far as those trees."
"We"ll take the craft up a bit and follow the supposed direction," said Captain Jones. "Ten to one there"ll be some sort of a clearing further on. Tilt the forward planes, McPherson. That"s enough; keep her as she is and carry on."
For nearly two miles the "Pride of Rhodesia" flew steadily over the tree-tops. So dense was the foliage that for the whole of that distance no sign of the ground was visible.
"Are you prepared to have a bullet through the envelope of the airship?"
asked Captain Restronguet.
"No, I"m not," replied Jones bluntly. "Why?"
"We offer a tempting mark. If any of those rogues spot us and open fire----"
"There they are!" exclaimed Hythe.
CHAPTER x.x.xII.
THE FATE OF VON HARBURG.
The sub pointed to a glade in the forest slightly to the north of the course the "Pride of Rhodesia" was following. Here the ground rose gradually, and save for a few p.r.i.c.kly pear-trees was dest.i.tute of verdure. Four roughly-constructed tents made from ships" sails had been erected, with a breast-work of boxes surrounding, except for a narrow opening that gave access to the camp. Seven or eight men, regardless of the blazing sun, were lying down or sitting with their backs propped up against the boxes. No attempt had apparently been made to post sentries or to take any steps against a possible surprise, although every man had either a rifle or a revolver close to hand.
"Wonder they haven"t heard our motors," remarked Captain Jones, as he ordered the engines to be stopped and the quick-firers to be manned.
"They must be sound asleep. I vote we cover them pretty tightly, fire a blank shot and summon them to surrender at discretion."
"They"ll fight; they know that as prisoners they"ll have a halter round their necks," said Captain Restronguet. "But where are the others?
There were several more of the rascals."
"How many, do you think?"
"Not less than thirty all told."
"Well, here goes," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the "Pride of Rhodesia"s" Captain. "Fire a blank from the for"ard starboard quick-firer, Evans. That ought to give them a shake up."
The forest re-echoed to the sharp detonation of the gun, but not a man of von Harburg"s party stirred. From the trees myriads of birds, alarmed by the report, rose and flew terrified away, uttering harsh and discordant cries. Then a strange silence brooded over the solitary camp.
Captain Restronguet and Hythe exchanged glances. The look was significant. Captain Jones whistled softly.
"There"s murderous work down there," he remarked.
"Sure, sorr, they are as dead as door-nails," exclaimed O"Shaunessey.
"Faith, I can see it is a bash over the head as that man has. "Twould take more than a rale Irish shillelah to do that."
"We must investigate," said Captain Restronguet.
"Don"t fancy it somehow," objected Captain Jones.
"All the same it is desirable," continued the "Aphrodite"s" owner. "If von Harburg is not down there our quest is not yet at an end. Personally I do not like the business, but how can we report the death of the modern pirate unless we know definitely that such is the case?"
"Very well," agreed Jones. "I"ll land you. I"ll remain here, for if there are any survivors of the gang and they show fight I can render you much more a.s.sistance than if I were down there."
Accordingly the airship was brought close to the ground and Captain Restronguet, Hythe, O"Shaunessey, and Carnon descended the wire rope ladder. Revolver in hand they advanced towards the silent camp. As they approached evidences of what had occurred were not wanting. The canvas tents were shot through and through, the packing cases were riddled and splintered. Every man lying within the wooden breastwork was stone-dead, only one of them being killed otherwise than by a bullet.
Cautiously picking his way Captain Restronguet opened the flap of one of the tents. He paused to allow his eyes to get accustomed to the gloom, then turned and signed to Hythe to enter.
Lying across an empty box was a short, heavily-built man, whose long matted hair and unkempt beard well-nigh concealed his features. A partially discharged revolver lay by his side, his left hand still grasped a flask of spirits. He was stone-dead.
"Karl von Harburg," whispered Captain Restronguet. "My debt in that direction is paid, though I"m glad that he did not die by my hand. He has altered somewhat since last I saw him, but we ought to be able to find conclusive means of identification."
Bending over his dead rival the captain drew a watch from von Harburg"s pocket. It was a gold hunter. Within the case was an inscription in German: "To Karl von Harburg from his friend, Ludwig von Thale--September, 1913."
"We"ll take this," continued Captain Restronguet. "He was very fond of showing it to people. Ludwig von Thale was a high court official whom von Harburg sold very neatly. But we"ve seen enough here. Let us get some fresh air."
Further examination showed that most of the boxes had contained gold.
By strenuous exertions the crew of the "Vorwartz" had succeeded in dragging a portion thus far. Then they quarrelled amongst themselves.
A desperate fight ensued, and of the thirty men only one survived, and he was a raving lunatic. Of the others twelve were found within the camp, the remainder having continued their fight to the death in the neighbouring wood, for there O"Shaunessey and Carnon discovered their bodies, some of them literally grasping their former comrades" throats.
"What"s to be done with them, sir?" asked Carnon, pointing to the gold ingots.
"Leave them," replied Captain Restronguet shortly. Then in a lower tone he added, "They are veritably the price of blood. Let them stay.
Perhaps someone will find them who will have more need of riches than either you or I will, Carnon. My life-work is practically done now, Mr.
Hythe, so let"s get back to England as quickly as we can."
"To England!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the sub. "I thought you had----"
"Mr. Hythe, remember I am still an Englishman. It is now my intention to settle down in my native Cornwall. I have now more than enough to keep me in ease. My comrades who stood by me so faithfully in times of peril and misfortune, will likewise be amply provided for."
"And the "Aphrodite," sir?"
Captain Restronguet"s brow clouded.
"I know what you mean, Mr. Hythe," he exclaimed. "No, I mean to keep my vow. I swore I would never hand her over to the Admiralty, and I must keep my word. In due course, Mr. Hythe, I will let you know my intentions; but do not seek to swerve me from my decision. It will be useless to attempt to do so."
Without another word Captain Restronguet turned and strode swiftly towards the airship"s ladder. His companions followed. All save the sub put down their leader"s taciturn manner to the reaction of the excitement caused by the dramatic termination of his quest. But they were mistaken.
"All accounted for," commented Captain Jones. "Well, that"s a blessing, for we don"t want rascals of that sort finding their way into British territory. Let her go, McPherson. Full speed ahead. We"ve got to look pretty smart if we want to get back before sunset."
But the captain of the "Pride of Rhodesia" was mistaken in his calculations. The outward journey at a r.e.t.a.r.ded speed had taken thrice as long as the airship did to fly back to where the captured "Vorwartz"
lay.