Part 37 (1/2)

”I wonder if they've seen us, and are waiting for us?” ventured Walter.

”They may have seen us, but they wouldn't stop--not in this sea,” was the reply of the revenue officer. ”They're up to some trick, and I can't just fathom what it is.”

With keen eyes he watched the steamer as it tore on through the mist.

It was much nearer now.

”I have an idea!” suddenly exclaimed the British officer. ”I'll be back in a moment.”

He hurried down to the cabin again, and through a port Jack and Walter saw him bending over some charts. In a few minutes the lieutenant was up on deck again.

”I understand!” he cried. ”I know what they're up to now.”

”What?” asked Jack. He did not have to shout so loudly now, as the storm seemed to be lessening in its fury.

”They're going to run in under the lea of Palm Island,” said Lieutenant Walling. ”I guess they've had enough of it. This is the beginning of the end. They must be in bad shape.”

”Sinking--do you mean?” asked Walter.

”No, not exactly. But they may have run out of coal, and can't keep the engines going any longer. Yes, that's what they're doing--making for Palm Island.”

”What sort of a place is that?” Jack wanted to know.

”A mighty ticklish sort of place to run for during a storm,” was the answer. ”There's a bad coral reef at the entrance to the harbor, but once you pa.s.s that you're all right. I wonder if they can navigate it?”

”And if they don't?” asked Jack.

”Well, they'll pile her up on the reef, and she'll pound to pieces in no time in this sea.”

Walter and Jack followed the lieutenant to the after deck, where the wheel was. There the revenue officer relieved Joe, the latter going to his motor, which needed attention. The storm was constantly growing less in violence.

As yet there was no sign of an island, but presently, through the gathering darkness, there loomed up a black ma.s.s in the swirl of white waters.

Now came the hard and risky work of getting in through the opening of a dangerous coral reef to the sheltered harbor. The big steamer went first, and, for a time, it seemed she was doomed, for the current played with her like a toy s.h.i.+p. But whoever was in charge of the wheel had a master's hand, and soon the craft had shot into the calm waters, followed by the Tartar.

It was a great relief from the pitching and tossing of the last two days.

”Oh, to be quiet again!”

”Isn't it delightful!” agreed Bess. ”And now if we can only find our folks!”

Lieutenant Walling lost no time. As the Ramona dropped her anchor, he sent the Tartar alongside, and on his official hail a ladder was lowered. Walter and Jack mounted with him.

”Every mutinous member of this crew is under arrest!” was the grim announcement of the revenue officer. ”Who's in charge? Are there any pa.s.sengers aboard?”

Anxiously Jack looked for a sign of his mother, or for Mr. and Mrs.

Robinson. He saw nothing of them.

”The pa.s.sengers were all put ash.o.r.e, sir,” said sailor, with a salute.