Despite their struggles they had
been overpowered and bound, being carried to the cave, where they
were laid in a row on some old bags.
"It certainly is a most unpleasant situation, to say the
least," observed Mr. Parker.
"And all my fault," repeated Mr. Jenks.
"Oh, no it isn't," declared Tom Swift, quickly. "We were just
as ready to follow you into that cave as you were to go. No one
could tell that the men would return so soon. It's nobody's
fault. It's just our bad luck."
From where he lay, tied hand and foot, the young inventor could
look out into the cave where he and the others had been caught.
The diamond makers were busily engaged, apparently in getting
ready to manufacture another batch of the precious stones. They
paid little attention to their captives, save to warn them, when
they had first been taken into the little cave, that it was
useless to try to escape.
"They needn't have told us that," observed Tom, as he and the
others were talking over their situation in low voices. "I don't
believe any one could loosen these ropes."
"They certainly are pretty tight," agreed Mr. Damon. "I've been
tugging and straining at mine for the last half hour, and all
I've succeeded in doing is to make the cords cut into my flesh."
"Better give it up," advised Mr.
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