Part 23 (2/2)

CHAPTER XVII

JULIAN'S STORY AGAIN--THE SEARCH FOR THE LOST COMRADES

The storm had put things on the _Pearl_ topsy-turvy. Norris' first care was for his cannon, of which he was happy to find the las.h.i.+ngs had held.

He threw off the tarpaulin.

”Ah!” he said, ”she's O. K. Just a little--”

He was cut short by Robert.

”There goes a boat!” cried Robert. ”And there's Wayne and Ray in it!”

”The h--l!” said the staring Norris, and he ran to where Captain Marat and two sailors were unlas.h.i.+ng one of our boats. In a pair of minutes we had it in the water.

”Robert, Julian, Carlos,” spoke Captain Marat. ”We go.”

Captain Marat and Carlos each took up a rifle, and the next minute we were pulling for sh.o.r.e. We had not covered half the distance to the beach, when we were attracted to another boat moving from the _Orion_, this one full of black men. Then Norris' cannon boomed. That boat full of black men took the shot in the middle and ceased to be a boat. I saw men swimming toward the _Orion_. Some must have been killed, though I could not tell for the debris.

”Norris got them!” Robert said, exulting.

Captain Marat's eyes danced. ”Thad Englishman one ver' good man,” he said.

We hurriedly pulled to the beach and sprang out. We ran down the beach a way, then pushed through the cocoanut palms and into the forest, to head off those with Wayne and Ray. But we were too late, and the forest too thick, we could not see them. We searched for hours; and then it began to grow dark, so we went back to the _Pearl_.

”When they got in the jungle you had no chance,” said Norris, when we told of our failure. ”I'll have a try in the morning,” he added.

Rufe had supper on the table. While we ate, we talked over what was to be done.

”It ver' plain what Duran he want to do,” said Captain Marat. ”He want to hide thee boys again, an' w'en we look for them, then he sail away.”

”Well it's up to us,” said Norris, ”to see that he doesn't sail away till we find them. Now, and I'll bet he don't!”

We divided the night into two watches; nine to twelve, and twelve to three. Norris, Robert, and I were to take the first watch, Captain Marat and Carlos that from twelve to three. We were to go in the small boat to the islet, and move along the beach to some place near the _Orion_, and observe any activity that might be going on there.

During that first watch all was quiet on the _Orion_. There was little movement on her deck, which was plainly visible in the bright moonlight.

There were one or two wounded, as we could see by the conduct of those waiting on them.

It was during Captain Marat's watch that Duran returned aboard in the other boat. It was plain, Captain Marat said, that Wayne and Ray were not in the boat with him.

Day had just dawned when Norris and Robert and I climbed down into the boat to go ash.o.r.e in search of the boys.

”Now, Captain Marat,” said Norris, as we cast loose, ”the first signs that skunk shows of clearing out, give him that shot alongside. I'll hear it an'll be back in a jiffy. And we'll soon have him out of his notion.”

”All righ',” said Captain Marat. ”I do like you wish.”

<script>