Part 14 (2/2)
”Broome,” said the captain, ”knows this harbor as he knows his cabin, but I am not familiar with any part except that near the entrance It's full of rocks farther in, and I will anchor under the lea of these northern cliffs where I know there is sufficient depth of water”
The harbor covered an area of several square miles, and there was to be seen only one other vessel, a ser which lay close to the lower end of the bay
”Well,” re about the harbor ”Our piratical friend Broome doesn't seem to have kept the appointment you made for him, Jim”
”Not yet,” replied Jih”
”And you still hold to the opinion this is the place?” asked the professor
”I may be mistaken,” replied Ji will deterate”
Watches were set for the night, and for each interval of two hours one of the boys was on duty To the darkest period between two and four, and shortly before the latter hour he noted at a distance, although he could not see the shi+p, the noise of machinery, and felt sure that a newcomer had entered the harbor
None were surprised at early dawn to observe the Sea Eagle riding quietly at anchor well toward the inner shore of the harbor, and soside of the Sea Eagle was a boat of nondescript appearance, the one they had seen the night before, and it was evident that the masters of the two shi+ps had business of importance in hand
”By Jove, old fellow,” cried Berwick, addressing Jiht We had better be getting ready”
”Better go fully armed,” advised the professor ”You know that they are a pretty tough lot”
”Tough enough,” agreed Berwick, ”but I think we can take care of ourselves I am not afraid to tackle anyone except that fiend of a Mexican He is so little and slippery that I never feel quite safe when he is around”
”I think we have seen the last of him,” put in Tom
”Perhaps,” doubted Berwick, ”but I don't believe it He's got more lives than a score of cats”
”Will you need any help from the crew or myself?” asked the professor
”No,” replied Jim, ”I think we can take care of the situation, and beside,” he laughed, ”soetting aith her”
”He will have a jolly good ti it,” asserted the professor ”By the way, Mr Berwick, you ive them a warm reception if they try to come on board”
”What are your plans, Jim,” the professor asked
”First and foremost to see that the compact for the surrender of their prisoner, the Senorita, is carried out Beyond that I uided by circumstances”
”While Captain Brooet back your shi+p”
”I have that in mind, but any move now before she is free would add to the peril of the young girl”
While they had been talking, the long-boat had been lowered and was now alongside the gangway
”All aboard,” directed Jim
Each member of the party was armed with a rifle and a revolver It took but a et into the boat Jim and Juarez took the oars