Part 35 (2/2)
”Oh, we haven't rescued your people,” Lieutenant Walling hastened to a.s.sure her, as this time he managed to grasp the rail of the motor boat, swinging himself over on the deck. The swells were so high that no accommodation ladder was needed. ”That's all--you may go back, and say to Captain Decker that I will look after matters,” he said to the sailors in the small boat.
One of them fended off from the side of the Tartar, while the other pulled on the oars. Soon they were on their way back, crossing the stretch of now sullenly heaving water between the two craft.
”I find myself, under the direction of my commanding officer, Captain Decker, obliged to ask for help,” said Lieutenant Walling, with a smile.
”Help?” repeated Jack, who, with Walter, had joined the group of girls about the officer.
”Yes. We have had news that the Ramona has been seen in this vicinity, and we were after her. But there was an accident to our machinery, and we can't go on in the storm. The cutter was obliged to put back when we sighted you.
”I suggested to Captain Decker that possibly you could give us the very help we needed. You have an object in finding the Ramona, not the same object as ourselves, but stronger, if anything,” and the lieutenant looked at Cora. She nodded her head in a.s.sent.
”So it occurred to me,” Lieutenant Walling went on, ”that I might continue the chase in the Tartar. It is doubtful if our cutter could manage to navigate in the storm we seem about to have, so we should have been obliged to put back in any case, even if we had not had the accident. But you can stand a pretty good blow,”' he said, referring to the Tartar.
”She's a good little boat, all right,” said Jack, who knew something of motor craft.
”So I perceive. And now, if you will allow me to use it on behalf of the government, we will try to catch the Ramona.”
”Is there really a chance of doing that?” asked Cora, in her eagerness laying her hand on the sleeve of the young officer.
”There really is,” was his answer. ”She has been sighted by a fis.h.i.+ng schooner--we had word from the captain of it. And the Ramona seems to be crippled. She was going slowly. We ought to catch her soon--if this storm holds off long enough.”
”Oh, isn't it exciting, Cora!” whispered Bess. ”Almost like the time when you saved the papers in the red oar at Denny Shane's cabin!”
”Only I hope there are no physical encounters,” spoke Cora, with a shudder, as she recalled the strenuous days spent on Crystal Bay.
”I fancy you need not be alarmed,” the lieutenant said. ”From what we can learn, the mutineers and smugglers are rather sick of their bargain. There have been dissentions and part of the crew is ready to give up. But the others are afraid of the punishment that will be meted out.”
”Will it be heavy?” asked Belle. ”Heavy enough,” was the significant answer. ”It is a high crime to mutiny on the ocean, especially in time of storm and trouble.”
”Then you have a good chance of catching them?” asked Jack.
”We think so--yes.”
”'But isn't this a rather--er--small force to capture a large steamer, in possession of desperate men?” Walter wanted to know.
”It isn't as risky as you might think,” answered Lieutenant Walling, with a smile. ”As I said, the smugglers are now divided. One-half is already to turn on the other half. Once they are commanded to surrender, in the name of the government, I fancy they'll be only too glad to.”
”And what of the pa.s.sengers--our folks?” asked Cora.
”Well, they are still aboard, as far as can be learned,” was the revenue officer's reply. ”If we have luck, you may be with them before another day pa.s.ses. But we need luck,” and as he said this, he glanced around the horizon, as if to judge how much the elements might figure in the odds against him.
Truly they seemed likely to make the chances anything but easy. The wind was constantly increasing in force, and from a low moan had changed to a threatening whine and growl. The seas were running high and the swells were breaking into foam. As yet the Tartar rode easily, being now under way again, but though she might stand even heavier waves than those now rolling after her, it would not be very comfortable for those aboard.
”Will you take command?” asked Jack in answer to a look from his sister. ”We'll turn this boat over to you, though we're United States subjects and you're--”
”British--you needn't be afraid to say it,” frankly laughed the lieutenant. ”But I fancy we can strike up a friendly alliance. No, I don't wish to take command. This is merely asking you for an accommodation on your part. You are after the Ramona, as I understand it, and so am I. I merely ask to be allowed to go along and help you find her. Once I get aboard I shall put under arrest all the mutineers. And you will be with your people.”
”Oh, if we ever are again!”
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