Part 21 (1/2)
”The s.h.i.+p most certainly foundered,” declared the captain. ”The next morning bits of wreckage were found by these two survivors.”
”Then all are lost?” half-sobbed Belle.
”I fear so, Senorita,” was the answer of the captain, ”unless some few reached islands in small boats.”
”Is there a chance of that?” asked Jack.
”A slight chance, yes, Senor.”
”Then it's a chance I'm going to take!” cried Jack.
”What do you mean?” asked his sister, wonderingly.
”I mean that we can go in search!” Jack went on, eagerly. ”It's worth trying, isn't it, Walter?”
”I should say so--yes, by all means! But what sort of a craft can we get to cruise in?”
”I just heard of one!” said Jack, eagerly. ”The Tartar. She's a big motor boat, and will be just the thing for us. I'm going to see about it right away. Who's with me for a cruise in the Tartar?”
”I am!” came from Cora.
”We're not going to be left behind,” said Bess.
”Count on me, of course,” spoke Walter, quietly.
”And, Senor Jack--may--may I go?” faltered Inez.
”Of course!”
”Senor--Senor Jack,” she spoke in a tremulous whisper. ”If you are successful--if you find ze lost ones, and we are near Sea Horse Island, would you leave me zere--wiz my father?”
”Leave you there?” cried Jack. ”We'll bring your father away from there, if we get the chance! Now come on! We have lots to do!”
CHAPTER XVI
SENOR RAMO MISSING
Jack's eyes glowed with the brightness of renewed health, and determination, as he looked at his sister, at Bess and Belle, and at Walter. It was like old times, when the motor girls had proposed some novel or daring plan, and the boys had fallen in with it. This time it had been Jack's privilege to make the suggestion, and the others were only too ready to agree.
”Oh, Jack, do you think we can do it?” asked Cora.
”Of course we can!” her brother cried, with a growing, instead of lessening, enthusiasm. ”We'll just have to do something, and I can't think of anything better to do--can you? than going off in search of the folks.”
”We simply must find them--if they're alive,” spoke Bess, rather solemnly.
”We'll find them--alive!” predicted Walter, joining his cheerful efforts to those of his college chum.
”Oh, you Americans--you are so wonderful, so amazing!” whispered Inez. ”I am so glad I am wiz you,” and she divided her affectionate looks impartially between Jack and his sister.