Part 3 (1/2)
”Where away has it been sighted, lookout?” called the commander.
”Off our windward quarter, captain.”
”Maintain your watch, sir, and report if there is any change.”
”They have sighted land,” whispered Jack. ”It must be one of the islands lying off the Venezuelan coast.”
Both of his companions could not help feeling a thrill of pleasure at this announcement, while they hoped it might lead to their speedy escape from their present uncertain situation. But, from their position, no trace of the looked-for sh.o.r.e could be discovered, and it is safe to say no three upon the vessel watched and waited for the morning light with greater anxiety than the two young engineers and their faithful companion.
At different intervals the lookout announced the situation as viewed from his vantage ground, but no satisfactory word came until the dawn of day, when even those upon deck saw in plain sight the sh.o.r.e of one of the tropical islands dotting the sea.
While our friends were looking on the scene with intense interest, Francisco de Caprian pa.s.sed by them, whispering as he did so:
”The island of Curacao. It looks as though we were going to touch at the port.”
He did not stop for any reply from our party, but Jack said to his companions a moment later:
”If I am not mistaken Curacao belongs to the Dutch. It is about fifty miles from the Venezuelan coast, and westward of Caracas.”
”Which means that we have pa.s.sed the line of that city,” said Ronie.
”Exactly.”
”Had we better try and land here?”
”I am in doubt. Perhaps young De Caprian will be able to advise us.
There is no doubt but they intend to stop here.”
This was now evident to his companions, and half an hour was filled with the exciting emotions of entering harbor after a voyage at sea.
As they moved slowly toward the pier it became evident that they had been expected, for, early as it was, quite a throng of spectators were awaiting them, and among the crowd were to be seen a small body of troops.
At this moment Francisco managed to pause a minute beside them, saying:
”They are stopping here to take off one of Matos' officers. The island seems to have been turned into a sort of recruiting ground for the insurgents.”
”Aren't the Dutch neutral in this quarrel?”
”They are supposed to be, but it is my opinion considerable secret a.s.sistance is being given the insurgents from Europe--particularly from the Germans. But I shall create suspicion if I talk longer. Above all, appear to be indifferent to whatever may take place.”
”You do not think we had better try and leave the vessel here?”
”You could not if you would. Every movement of yours is watched. Be careful what you say or----”
Francisco de Caprian did not stop to finish his sentence, though his unspoken words were very well understood by the anxious trio, who saw him among the most active of the mixed crew a moment later.
Then they were witnesses of the embarkation of a small squad of Venezuelan soldiers under charge of an officer who appeared in a supercilious mood.
”Whoever he is,” whispered Jack, ”he stands pretty near the head, and he evidently intends that every one shall know it. Our stop is going to be short. Well, the shorter the better, perhaps, for us. If we should succeed in getting ash.o.r.e we should find ourselves in the power of the insurgents, which, it may be, we are at present,” he added, with a smile. ”All we can do is to keep our eyes open and await further developments.”
Jack realized that his companions knew this as well as he, so he did not expect a reply, while they watched the following scenes in silence.