Part 18 (1/2)

Once in a while they would glance up at the Bridge where stood the Captain with his powerful stooped figure. He was evidently on the lookout, for with his eye at a long gla.s.s, he kept scanning the sky-line to the east. What was he looking for? Juarez knew instinctively that he was afraid of pursuit.

If only they could be overtaken and captured, his heart thrilled at the thought and he watched the Captain eagerly for the first sign of excitement. About ten o'clock he saw by the Skipper's actions that something of interest had come under his observation.

There were a number of quick, sharp orders given and Juarez noticed the increased volume of smoke pouring from the stack. The Sea Eagle began to show the speed that was in her trim, black form. Juarez worked around the port side of the boat as rapidly as he dared, and his heart leaped with hope.

He saw low upon the eastern horizon a smudge of black smoke. If he only had known what the Skipper knew, his hopes would have risen still higher. Certain preparations were going on upon deck. The three cannon, one in the stern, that had fired the salute to the group on the sh.o.r.e, one on either side of the quarter-deck, were divested of their canvas jackets.

They certainly gleamed bravely in their polished bra.s.s. Then the ammunition was got ready beside each separate gun. It begin to look like business. The Sea Eagle began to justify her name and fly through the water. Still the spot upon the horizon grew bigger.

Then Juarez began to have a paralyzing feeling of doubt. The steamer, though coming up fast, did not seem to be steering the proper course to head the Sea Eagle, bearing on her port-quarter instead of across her bows as would have been the natural course if she wished to intercept her.

Then the doubt in his mind was changed to disappointed certainty for the Skipper waved his hand to the mate, who was busy on the deck below. It was after he had taken a pull at the spygla.s.s, which this time seemed to have an intoxicating effect upon the Captain.

”It's all right, Bill,” he yelled, ”It's nothing but a steamer bound for 'Frisco. It looks like the Panama.”

Juarez and Tom resumed their work doggedly. That was all that was left for them to do. They scarcely glanced at the big steamer as she appeared, growing constantly larger above the horizon, and then diminis.h.i.+ng as she steamed North towards San Francisco.

Juarez was scrubbing the deck near a cabin door when it suddenly opened, and a tall, long-legged figure stepped out and fairly over him. He came to the conclusion that it was the man who had come aboard the night before.

He took in the tall, gaunt man with the smooth-shaven face and long hair at two glances--one not being sufficient to his height.

”Well, who are you?” he inquired lounging on the rail and regarding Juarez with mild-eyed interest.

”I'm Juarez Hopkins, deck scrubber. Who are you?”

”I'm James Howell, sheep farmer. I'll add you two lambs to my flock,” he replied, whimsically, glancing at Tom who was down the deck a way.

”You are more apt to find us wolves in lamb's hide,” retorted Juarez.

”Where's your farm?”

”There,” said the stranger, pointing with a long, bony finger on the port-quarter, ”that nigh island.”

Then Juarez saw to his surprise, two islands that seemed to have sprung like magic upon the South-eastern horizon. The further one lay long and low and dark but distant beneath the fog-lined sky, the ”nigh one” was more short and dumpy in appearance.

CHAPTER XX

TO THE RESCUE

During the afternoon, everything had been made ready for the journey of the morrow. There was not a great deal to be done for the three rescuers would travel light. There would be no need of a pack animal, because the Senor had a.s.sured the boys that they would find hospitality on the way.

Jo however was in mourning because when he gave his black a trial gallop, it was discovered that he was badly lamed in the right knee. It would not have been safe for any of the pirate gang to come within range of Jo's wrath.

”The cursed brutes stove him up for fair,” he declared grinding his teeth.

”I'm afraid it will take a month's rest before he will be fit,”

determined Jim.

”Then I'm out of it,” exclaimed Jo sorrowfully.