Part 24 (2/2)

The boat is too public. But I shouldn't wonder if he hasn't some deal with those men.”

”Just what I've been thinking,” agreed Norris. ”But if they're not found by dark we'll have to look out; the _Orion_ will sure be trying for a getaway tonight, and we've got to prevent that. I don't think he'll try it in daylight, for he isn't so sure what we might do. But we'll have to know what he's up to.”

So we three prepared to embark in the small boat. It was deep water close under the sheltering isle, so both schooners lay fairly close in to the narrow beach of it. We were soon over, and up among the brush of the hill. We found a good lookout, from which we could peer down on the deck of the _Orion_, where the blacks lounged lazily.

”Everything's ready for sailing,” said Norris. ”And there's that white cuss using his gla.s.ses to see what he can see on sh.o.r.e.”

It was a tedious afternoon, hot, not a breath stirring. We were glad when the sun set and we saw Captain Marat and Carlos returning. We hurried back to the _Pearl_ to meet them.

They were alone. Their faces were gloomy with failure. Not a sign of any kind had they found to encourage them. Rufe was so disappointed, tears were in his eyes.

”I jes' had a kind o' notion,” he said, ”you-all would a' had dem boys back wid ye dis time. I jes' been fixin' de bes' kin' o' bread puddin', de kin' dem boys was so crazy about. Dey ain't had a decen' meal for ebber so long!”

When we were at supper, and Rufe had poured a second cup of coffee all round; I heard him mumbling to himself, as he went to the galley, ”I jes' goin' to save dat puddin' anyway. I ain't goin' to give up--no sah, I ain't goin' to give up.” And the pudding was not forthcoming; and no one inquired for it.

Captain Marat and Carlos went to watch the _Orion_ this time. The moon was very bright; the cocoanut palms stood out distinct on that sh.o.r.e to the east. Somewhere behind them lay our two friends, Wayne and Ray, and I wondered how they were faring. A light breeze sprang up after nine o'clock, and the ripples danced on the waters of the bay. It was then we saw Captain Marat and Carlos coming in the boat.

”They make ready to sail,” said Captain Marat, before he scrambled over the rail.

”High there! Rufe!” called Norris. ”Heat that poker.” And he went to his gun and threw off the tarpaulin, and with help rolled the carriage round, and trained the gun.

Presently we heard the squeal of a block coming from the _Orion_.

”That means a sail going up,” said Robert.

”Now, the poker!” cried Norris.

Rufe came running forward with the glowing iron.

There came a flash and a ”Boom!”--and a splash over near the _Orion_.

Then we heard the rattle of the block as the sail was allowed to drop.

”They took the hint,” said Norris. ”That fellow is not so dull.”

Marat and Carlos were soon again off to the isle to watch; and Norris rammed home another charge in the bra.s.s cannon; and Rufe kept a little fire going in the galley stove. We waited long for another attempt to sail on the part of the _Orion_, but no such news came from the watchers.

At last came an alarm from Rufe. ”Dar!” he cried. ”You-all--look dar!”

Instinctively we looked toward the _Orion_. Then we turned to Rufe who pointed sh.o.r.eward. There, under the palms we saw a beacon flas.h.i.+ng--flash followed flash.

”It's Wayne and Ray!” cried Robert.

We produced a lantern and signalled back. But the sh.o.r.e signals had suddenly ceased.

”To the boat!” cried Norris.

Directly, the three of us were moving sh.o.r.eward, Norris and Robert pulling with all their might.

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