Part 38 (2/2)

”And I now I hope we can get some news,” spoke Cora, when some sort of order had been brought out of the confusion, and the s.h.i.+p had been formally taken in charge by the authorities.

”You shall have all there is,” promised Lieutenant Walling. ”First, in regard to your parents,” and he looked from Cora to the twins.

”They are safe, so far as can be judged, though they may be in some distress.”

”But where are they?” asked Cora, for Jack had found a chance to tell her that he had been informed they were put ash.o.r.e.

”On Double Island,” answered Lieutenant Walling. ”They were made prisoners when the mutineers rose and seized the s.h.i.+p. They were locked in their cabins, so some of those who have confessed told me, and when the storm was over, they were treated fairly well. They were forced to remain on board while the plan of entering into the smuggling game was carried on. They tried to get ash.o.r.e, or to send messages for help, but were frustrated.

”Then, finally, some of the crew began to grumble at the presence of the pa.s.sengers. Food was running low, and a certain amount of care was required to prevent them from escaping. The upshot of it was that your parents were put ash.o.r.e on Double Island, with a fairly good amount of food and other supplies.”

”How long ago?”

”Where is a Double Island?”

”Can't we start and rescue them?”

”What of Inez's father?”

These questions were fairly rained on Lieutenant Walling, ”One at a time, please,” he said, as he gazed at the young people gathered about him in the cabin of the Ramona. ”It was over a week ago that the pa.s.sengers were put ash.o.r.e on Double Island--there were only your parents,” he added, glancing again from Cora to the twins. ”All the others had departed in the small boats when it was feared that the Ramona was sinking. As to the location of Double Island--it is about two days' steaming from here. We certainly can, and will, rescue them, and as for the father of Miss Inez--well that is another matter. We shall have to see Senor Ramo. He seems to know something about the prisoner--at least Miss Inez thinks that does.”

At that moment Inez came into the cabin. Whether she had been all this while ”laying down the law,” as Jack phrased it, to the Spaniard was not, for the present, disclosed. But she was greatly excited, and she flourished in her hand a package of doc.u.ments.

”I have ze papairs!” she cried, exultantly. ”Now my father will be free. Oh, Senorita you will help me--will you not--to go to Sea Horse Island and rescue him?”

”Of course,” spoke Cora, in answer to this pleading. ”My! but we have lots of work ahead of us!” and she sighed.

”But you are equal to it, my dear,” said Bess.

”Oh, to see papa and mamma again!”

”And to think of them living on some lonely little island!” sighed her sister. ”We can't get to them quickly enough!”

”You had better go ash.o.r.e for the night,” suggested Lieutenant Walling, ”and we'll start early in the morning. I'll go with you--if you will let me,” and he looked at Jack's sister.

”Of course,” murmured Cora, blus.h.i.+ng slightly.

”You'll need more gasoline perhaps, and other stores,” the officer went on. ”And the journey will be much easier made with a good morning's start.”

So it was decided. Supper was served for the young people aboard the Ramona, by direction of the British officer who was put in charge.

There was rather more room to move about than on the Tartar. After the meal--the merriest since the strange quest had begun--explanations were forthcoming.

”I want to know how Inez got those papers away from Ramo,” said Walter, with a flash of admiration at the Spanish girl.

”Ah, Senor, it is no secret!” she laughed. ”I said I knew he had zem, and if he did not gif 'em I would tear zem from his pocket!

”He gave zem to me,” she finished, simply.

”Good for you!” cried Jack. ”What became of him?”

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