Jack struggled and strained at his bonds, as, in fact, all the rest of the party were doing. To his delight, after a brief period of struggling, he managed to loosen them considerably. The work of tying up the party had been done hastily, and, consequently, the knots were not very hard to loosen. In fact, all that Herrera had wanted, was to keep them quiet till he had looted the treasure of the gems. When Jack had worked his hands free he pulled the gag out of his mouth, and then, after undoing his ankle bonds, he drew out his knife and rapidly liberated his companions. “Well, a fine mess I’ve made of it,” grumbled out Captain Andrews, as soon as he was free. “I don’t see that you were any worse than the rest of us,” said Professor Chadwick; “in fact, it was you who had a keen enough mind to guess that our message might have been received and answered by another craft than the _Sea King_.” “Which it was,” put in Mr. Jesson. “Yes; but I kept watch for a while,” contritely said the captain, “and—I’m bitterly ashamed to say it,—I fell asleep at my post of duty.” “For which we don’t attach a bit of blame to you,” said Professor Chadwick; “what we had passed through was enough to exhaust a giant. To tell you the truth, I almost feel relieved now that the gems are gone.” “The natives had a legend that they brought bad luck,” said Mr. Jesson, “and indeed they seemed to.” “I hope they bring evil fortune to that greaser who has them now,” struck in Abner Jennings. The two sailors added their growling assent to this wish, nor could any of the party refrain from echoing it. [Illustration: Jack liberated Captain Andrews.] “I suppose he’s got clear away,” hazarded Ned presently. “Of course he has,” grunted Captain Andrews. “I’ll bet there’s twenty miles between him and this island right now. And, incidentally, I’m ready to bet as to his future.” “What will it be?” asked Jack, with some curiosity. “Why, he’ll throw up his governorship,—the Diaz government is on its last legs, anyhow,—and skip out to Paris. He’ll sell those gems over there and—live happy ever afterward.” “Why Paris?” asked Mr. Jesson. “Oh, all those scallywags go over there when they’ve made their graft,” laughed Ned; “they won’t tolerate them any other place, I guess. When I was over there with my folks two years ago we saw more princes and exiled presidents from South America than you could shake a stick at. You couldn’t have thrown a brick on the main boulevards without hitting some ruler who had left his country for his country’s good.” “All of which disquisition,” said Professor Chadwick dryly, “doesn’t solve our problem.” “No, indeed,” said Mr. Jesson; “we are as badly off as before.” “Worse,” exclaimed Jack. “How’s that?” asked Tom. “Well, haven’t we lost those gems?”