RIVAL OCEAN DIVERS _Or, The Search for a Sunken Treasure_ By ROY ROCKWOOD AUTHOR OF "A SCHOOLBOY'S PLUCK," "THE WIZARD OF THE SEA," ETC. GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK Copyright, 1900 (as a serial) BY N. L. MUNRO Copyright, 1905 BY STITT PUBLISHING COMPANY PREFACE This story of the "Rival Ocean Divers" has been written especially for such boys as like tales of the deep blue sea. A search for a hidden treasure is certain to be a fascinating one, and when the treasure is located at the bottom of the great ocean the quest is bound to become more or less perilous. In opening this tale I had a twofold object in view. The first was to write a story which would interest boys, and the second was to unfold to their view a few of the marvels of deep-sea life, telling of the strange fish and other creatures to be found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. In 1898 the United States government sent out an expedition to certain portions of the Pacific to test a new diving bell and a new machine for deep-sea soundings, and also to bring back such specimens of deep-sea animal and vegetable life as the expedition might be fortunate enough to obtain. The official report of this expedition is extremely interesting and useful, and from it the author has obtained much data of value, for use in the present work. This story was originally used as a serial in a popular weekly. It seemed to please its readers, and the author hopes that in its present enlarged and rewritten form it will meet with equal favor. Roy Rockwood. April 1, 1905. CONTENTS I. PUNISHING A SNEAK II. THE HANKERS' MOVE III. A STRANGE HOTEL ADVENTURE IV. AN OCEAN MONSTER V. FROM ONE DANGER INTO ANOTHER VI. STRUCK BY LIGHTNING VII. "I CANNOT TALK!" VIII. A DISASTROUS HUNT IX. A PRISONER UNDERGROUND X. DAVE OVERHEARS A PLOT XI. FACING A JAGUAR XII. WELL-TIMED SHOTS XIII. SURROUNDED BY SAVAGES XIV. ANOTHER CAPTURE XV. A DOOR OF WATER XVI. THE ESCAPE TO THE COAST XVII. A DASH FOR A ROWBOAT XVIII. ON THE BOSOM OF THE OCEAN XIX. FIGHTING A GORILLA XX. AN ATTACK IN THE DARK