Frontier Boys in the South Seas Part 14

On leaving the lawyer's office, Captain Beauchamp went at once to the office of Samson & Co., where, on presentation of the order, the Marjorie was turned over to him. Thence to the Barbary coast, where he had little difficulty in picking up the crew he needed, including a man of his own type as mate. These he sent on board at once. The engineer was ordered to get everything in readiness for immediate departure. To the mate he gave directions that on the following afternoon he should set out for Playys, a small harbor near San Matteo Bay, and there await his coming.

Selecting two of the crew upon whom he could rely, the captain hired a team of horses and a driver and set out upon the road to San Matteo.

They traveled without incident, stopping over night at a hotel on the way, until they came within about a mile of San Matteo. Here the driver with his horses was sent back, they proceeding the rest of the way on foot.

San Matteo Bay is a point at which it will be seen many interests are centering.

CHAPTER X.

AT SAN MATTEO BAY.

"I thought you said that the rendezvous was somewhere in the South,"

drawled Berwick.

He was standing with Jim and the professor on the afterdeck of the Storm King, watching away in the north the fast disappearing Sea Eagle.

"So I did, and so it is," answered Jim stoutly. "That heading to the north is only a ruse on Broome's part to lead us in the wrong direction."

"Hope you are right, but--" returned Berwick, leaving the sentence significantly unfinished. "I am going down to the engine-room again. Let me know if anything new transpires."

"Which way shall I lay our course, sir?" asked the captain, coming up to where the others were standing.

The professor, before replying, looked at Jim inquiringly.

"To the South!" insisted Jim.

"South it is then," directed the professor.

"South it is," answered the captain, going back to the bridge.

"We will keep on that course until morning," added the professor. "And as there is a fair breeze blowing we will proceed under sail. Ask Mr.

Berwick to bank the fires in the boiler."

It was now dusk. The stars were showing in the sky, and the lights of the Sea Eagle were lost in the mist on the horizon.

For awhile the voyagers sat around on the deck listening to the professor's stories of his experiences in the South Seas, but it had been a long and arduous day and they soon began to grow weary.

"I think," began Tom, in a pause in the talk, suppressing a yawn. "I think I shall turn in until time for my watch." It had been arranged that some one of the four should always be on deck.

"A very sensible idea," agreed the professor; "I think we will all be better for a good night's rest."

Without incident of note, all through the night the Storm King sped on her way south.

The party were all on deck early the next morning. It seemed on looking around that they were alone on the wide sweep of water. Way off to the west the sails of a vessel showed white like the wings of a bird on the horizon, and far away to the north was a blur from the smoke of a steamer.

It was well along in the morning when the bold headline of the cliff that marked the entrance to San Matteo Bay came into view, and it was middle afternoon when the yacht glided into the bay and sought an anchorage.

"Broome," said the captain, "knows this harbor as he knows his cabin, but I am not familiar with any part except that near the entrance. It's full of rocks farther in, and I will anchor under the lea of these northern cliffs where I know there is sufficient depth of water."

The harbor covered an area of several square miles, and there was to be seen only one other vessel, a small lugger which lay close to the lower end of the bay.

"Well," remarked Berwick, looking about the harbor. "Our piratical friend Broome doesn't seem to have kept the appointment you made for him, Jim."

"Not yet," replied Jim, "but there is still time enough."

"And you still hold to the opinion this is the place?" asked the professor.

"I may be mistaken," replied Jim, "but I don't believe I am. In any case the morning will determine. I am for going ash.o.r.e then, and will investigate."

Watches were set for the night, and for each interval of two hours one of the boys was on duty. Tom was on deck during the darkest period between two and four, and shortly before the latter hour he noted at a distance, although he could not see the ship, the noise of machinery, and felt sure that a newcomer had entered the harbor.

None were surprised at early dawn to observe the Sea Eagle riding quietly at anchor well toward the inner sh.o.r.e of the harbor, and some two and one-half miles distant.

Alongside of the Sea Eagle was a boat of nondescript appearance, the one they had seen the night before, and it was evident that the masters of the two ships had business of importance in hand.

"By Jove, old fellow," cried Berwick, addressing Jim, "you were right after all. It is her, all right. We had better be getting ready."

"Better go fully armed," advised the professor. "You know that they are a pretty tough lot."

"Tough enough," agreed Berwick, "but I think we can take care of ourselves. I am not afraid to tackle anyone except that fiend of a Mexican. He is so little and slippery that I never feel quite safe when he is around."

"I think we have seen the last of him," put in Tom.

"Perhaps," doubted Berwick, "but I don't believe it. He's got more lives than a score of cats."

"Will you need any help from the crew or myself?" asked the professor.

"No," replied Jim, "I think we can take care of the situation, and beside," he laughed, "someone will have to look after this yacht or Broome will be getting away with her."

"He will have a jolly good time doing it," a.s.serted the professor. "By the way, Mr. Berwick, you might attach a hose to the boiler so we can give them a warm reception if they try to come on board."

"What are your plans, Jim," the professor asked.

"First and foremost to see that the compact for the surrender of their prisoner, the Senorita, is carried out. Beyond that I must be guided by circ.u.mstances."

"While Captain Broome is ash.o.r.e with his men may be your opportunity to get back your ship."

"I have that in mind, but any move now before she is free would add to the peril of the young girl."

While they had been talking, the long-boat had been lowered and was now alongside the gangway.

"All aboard," directed Jim.

Each member of the party was armed with a rifle and a revolver. It took but a moment for the five to get into the boat. Jim and Juarez took the oars.