Part 27 (1/2)

”St. Croix was discovered by Columbus in 1493, and at times the Dutch, British and Spanish owned it. In 1733 Denmark bought it, and has owned it since. The average temperature is--”

”That'll do you!” interrupted Walter. ”We can read a guide book as well as you can. Come again, Jack.”

”Well, I thought you'd be wanting to know something about it, so I primed myself,” chuckled Jack.

Curious eyes regarded our friends as they reached the hotel. Walter and Jack left the girls in the parlor while they, themselves, went to make inquiries at the office. And more curious were the looks, when it became known that Jack and the others were seeking traces of those wrecked on the Ramona.

Curious looks, indeed, were about all the satisfaction that was had.

For no news--not the most vague rumor--had come in regarding the ill-fated vessel. The wreck had not even been heard of, for news from the outside world sometimes filtered slowly to St. Croix.

”Well, that's our first failure,” announced Jack, as, with Walter, he rejoined the girls. ”We must expect that. If we found them at our first call, it would be too much like a story in a book. We have a long search ahead of us, I'm thinking.”

”That's right,” agreed Walter. ”But, Jack, if this island is twenty-two miles long, might not the refugees have come ash.o.r.e somewhere else than on this particular part of the coast?”

”Yes, I suppose so. But, if they did, they'd know enough to make their way to civilization by this time. It's over a week since the hurricane.”

”I know. But suppose they couldn't make their way--if they were hurt, or something like that?”

”That's so,” was the hesitating answer. ”Well, we might make a circuit of the island to-morrow.”

”Oh, let's do it--by all means!” exclaimed Cora, catching at any stray straw of hope. ”We--we might find them--Jack!”

”All right, Sis!” he agreed.

”You look tired,” she said to him, as they sat in a little refreshment room, for Walter had offered to ”stand treat” to such as there was to be had.

”I am a bit tuckered out,” confessed Jack, putting his hand to his head. ”It was quite a strain getting things ready for the start.

But, now we're at sea, I'm going to take a good rest--that is, as much as I can, under the circ.u.mstances.”

”You mustn't overdo it,” cautioned Cora. ”Remember that we came down here for your health, but we didn't expect to have such a time of it.

Poor little mother!” she sighed. ”I wonder where she is to-night?”

”I'd like to know,” said Jack, softly, and again his hand went to his head with a puzzled sort of gesture.

”Does it ache?” asked Cora, solicitously.

”No, not exactly,” answered Jack slowly, uncertainly.

They finished their little refreshment, being, about the only stranger-guests at the hotel, and then went out to view what they could of the town by lamp-light. Some of the shops displayed wares that, under other circ.u.mstances, would have been attractive to the girls, but now they did not feel like purchasing. They were under too much of a strain.

”Well, no news is good news,” quoted Walter.

Alas! how often has that been said as a last resort to buoy up a sinking hope. No one else spoke, as they made their way to the dock where the little ferry boat awaited them.

”What's the matter, Jack?” asked Walter, as he sat beside his chum on the return trip.

”Matter! What do you mean?”