But they did not go far. Less than a rod of the opening was passed when they began to sink into the black ooze beneath the green moss. They tried to turn back, but it was in vain. From their ankles they sank to their knees, and then to their waists. Their war cries changed to shrieks of alarm and then to frantic appeals to their comrades to help them. Over a dozen were caught in the glue-like bog, and every one of the number was in danger of losing his life. The whites were totally forgotten, and the others, coming up, turned their whole attention to rescuing those in such dire peril. Pat Stoodles laughed loud and long over the success of his ruse. "Now it's good-by to ye!" he cried, shaking his fist at the natives. "I'm no more the grand muck-a-muck, but a dacent Irish sailor come back to his siven senses." Again he led the way through the jungle, striking out directly for the ocean shore. To force their way through the tropical growth was not easy, and made every one of the party pant for breath. They stirred up many tropical birds and once came upon a colony of monkeys, who fled, shrieking and chattering, in all directions. At last they could plainly hear the booming of the surf. "The ocean!" cried Dave. "If only we come in sight of the _Swallow_!" put in Bob. "Perhaps we had better be careful before we show ourselves," remarked Captain Broadbeam. "There may be natives on the beach." The matter was talked over, and it was decided that Stoodles and the captain should go forward to investigate. The pair were gone less than ten minutes when Captain Broadbeam came running back in excitement. "The _Swallow_ is not in sight," he said. "But another ship is." "Another ship?" queried Dave, and then seeing a queer look on the captain's face, he added: "You don't mean the _Raven_?" "Yes, I do mean the _Raven_!" was the answer, which filled the others with dismay. CHAPTER XVII A DASH FOR A ROWBOAT The _Raven_ and not the _Swallow_ was in sight! The several members of the party looked at each other questioningly. What was to be done now? "I'm sure I'm not going to ask Lemuel Hankers for help," said Dave, decidedly. "I'd rather put up with the savages." "No! no! That would be foolish," put in Doctor Barrell. "Why, if those natives got hold of us now they would kill us on the spot." "An' be afther eatin' ye in the bargain," added Pat Stoodles. "But to go aboard the enemy's ship!" protested the young diver. "They wouldn't dare to kill us," said Captain Broadbeam. "They will have to transfer us to our own vessel," said the doctor. While they were discussing the situation, Stoodles went back to learn what the savages were doing. Presently he ran up with the information that the natives had divided into two parties, one to help those in the morass and the other to continue the pursuit of the whites.