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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1bd7e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53692 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53692) diff --git a/old/53692-8.txt b/old/53692-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5a1a68e..0000000 --- a/old/53692-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8389 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Flying Girl and Her Chum, by Edith van Dyne - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Flying Girl and Her Chum - -Author: Edith van Dyne - -Illustrator: Joseph Pierre Nuyttens - -Release Date: December 7, 2016 [EBook #53692] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLYING GIRL AND HER CHUM *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Chris Curnow, Haragos Pįl -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images -made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) - - - - - - - - - - The Flying Girl Series - - The Flying Girl and - Her Chum - - - - - - - -[Illustration: "Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up.] - - - - - The Flying Girl - And Her Chum - - BY - EDITH VAN DYNE - - Author of - The Flying Girl; Aunt Jane's Nieces Series - Etc. - - - - - Illustrated by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens - - [Illustration] - - - - - The Reilly & Britton Co. - Chicago - - - - - Copyright, 1912 - by - The Reilly & Britton Co. - - - - - - - _The Flying Girl and Her Chum_ - - - - - CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER PAGE - - I THE GIRL WITH THE YACHT 9 - - II THE GIRL WITH THE AĖROPLANE 31 - - III A PRODIGY IN AERONAUTICS 46 - - IV THE ALUMINUM CHEST 54 - - V THE LAST DROP OF GASOLINE 63 - - VI CASTAWAYS 73 - - VII TWO GIRLS AND ONE ISLAND 87 - - VIII AN OWL CONCERT 97 - - IX MISS COLUMBUS AND MISS CRUSOE 106 - - X MADELINE DENTRY'S PROPOSITION 117 - - XI A GAME OF CHECKERS 126 - - XII THE QUEST OF THE "SALVADOR" 139 - - XIII CAPRICIOUS FATE 148 - - XIV ON THE BLUFF 159 - - XV BOAT AHOY! 166 - - XVI AN ISLAND KINGDOM 171 - - XVII DON MIGUEL DEL BORGITIS 183 - - XVIII THE MASK OFF 192 - - XIX AN EXCITING RACE 203 - - XX BESIEGED 211 - - XXI CAPTURING AN AĖROPLANE 220 - - XXII RAMON GANZA 231 - - XXIII A DESPERATE ALTERNATIVE 243 - - XXIV THE DIPLOMACY OF CHESTY TODD 256 - - XXV SCUTTLED 270 - - XXVI ORISSA RETURNS 279 - - XXVII FACING THE CRISIS 286 - - XXVIII THE PRISONER 290 - - XXIX ORISSA DECIDES 304 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - - "Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up. - _Frontispiece_ - - "It--it has run away with 'em, Steve. It's gone wrong, man; - there's danger ahead!" _Page_ 120 - - Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the - newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance. _Page_ 184 - - Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her - curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. - "We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced. - _Page_ 246 - - - - - The Flying Girl and Her Chum - - - - - CHAPTER I - - THE GIRL WITH THE YACHT - - -Perhaps they call them "parlor" cars because they bear so little -resemblance to the traditional parlor--a word and a room now sadly out -of style. In reality they are ordinary cars with two rows of swivel -seats down the center; seats supposed to pivot in every direction -unless their action is impeded by the passenger's hand baggage, which -the porter promptly piles around the chairs, leaving one barely room to -place his feet and no chance at all to swing the seat. Thus imprisoned, -you ride thoughtfully on your way, wondering if the exclusive "parlor -car" is really worth the extra fee. - -However, those going to San Diego, in the Southland of California, are -obliged to choose between plebeian coaches and the so-called "parlor" -outfit, and on a mild, sunny morning in February the San Diego train -rolled out of the Los Angeles depot with every swivel seat in the car -de luxe occupied by a passenger. - -They were a mixed assemblage, mostly tourists bound for Colorado, yet -quite unknown to one another; or, at least, not on speaking terms. -There was a Spanish-looking gentleman in white; two prim, elderly -damsels in black; a mamma with three subdued children and a maid, and -a fat man who read a book and scowled at every neighbor who ventured a -remark louder than a whisper. Forward in the car the first three seats -were taken by a party from New York, and this little group of travelers -attracted more than one curious glance. - -"That," murmured one of the prim ladies to the other, "is Madeline -Dentry, the famous heiress. No one knows how many millions she has just -inherited, but she is said to be one of the richest girls in America. -The stout lady is her chaperon; I believe--she's a distant relative--an -aunt, or something--and the thin, nervous man, the stout lady's -husband, is Madeline Dentry's financial manager." - -"I know," replied the other, nodding; "he used to be her guardian -before she came of legal age, a month or so ago. His name is -Tupper--Martin J. Tupper--and I'm told he is well connected." - -"He is, indeed, to have the handling of Madeline's millions." - -"I mean in a family way. The Dentrys were nobodies, you know, until -Madeline's father cornered the mica mines of the world and made his -millions; but the Tuppers were a grand old Baltimore family in the days -of Washington, always poor as poverty and eminently aristocratic." - -"Do you know the Tuppers?" - -"I have never met them. I strongly disapprove of their close -association with Miss Dentry--a fly-away miss who kept Bryn Mawr in a -turmoil while she was a student there, and is now making an absurd use -of her money." - -"In what way?" - -"Haven't you heard? She has purchased Lord Tweedmonk's magnificent -yacht, and has had it taken to San Diego harbor. I was told by the bell -boy at the Los Angeles Hotel--bell boys are singularly well-informed, -I have observed--that Madeline Dentry is to take her new yacht on a -cruise to Hawaii and Japan. She is probably now on her way to see her -extravagant and foolish plaything." - -"Dreadful!" said the other, with a shudder. "I wonder how anyone -can squander a fortune on a yacht when all those poor heathens are -starving in China. What a pity the girl has no mother to guide her!" - -"Tell me about the beautiful girl seated next to Madeline." - -"I do not know who she is. Some stranger to the rich young lady, I -imagine. They're not speaking. Yes, she is really beautiful, that girl. -Her eyes are wonderful, and her coloring perfect." - -"And she seems so modest and diffident." - -"Evidence of good breeding, whoever she may be; quite the opposite of -Madeline Dentry, whose people have always been rapid and rude." - -The fat gentleman was now glaring at the old ladies so ferociously -that they became awed and relapsed into silence. The others in the car -seemed moodily reserved. Mr. Martin J. Tupper read a newspaper. His -stolid wife, seated beside him, closed her eyes and napped. Madeline -Dentry, abandoning a book that was not interesting, turned a casual -glance upon her neighbor in the next chair--the beautiful girl who had -won the approval of the two old maids. Madeline herself had a piquant, -attractive countenance, but her neighbor was gazing dreamily out of the -window and seemed not to have noticed her. In this listless attitude -she might be inspected at leisure, and Madeline was astonished at the -perfect profile, the sheen of her magnificent hair, the rich warm -tintings of a skin innocent of powders or cosmetics. Critically the -rich young lady glanced at the girl's attire. It was exceedingly simple -but of costly material. She wore no jewels or ornaments, nor did she -need them to enhance her attractiveness. - -Perhaps feeling herself under observation, the girl slowly turned her -head until her eyes met those of Madeline. They were gloriously blue -eyes, calm and intelligent, wide open and fearless. Yet with a faint -smile she quickly withdrew them before Madeline's earnest gaze. - -"Will you have a chocolate?" - -"Thank you." - -The strong hand with its well-shaped fingers did not fumble in -Madeline's box of bonbons. She took a chocolate, smiled again, and with -a half shy glance into her neighbor's face proceeded to nibble the -confection. - -Madeline was charmed. - -"Are you traveling alone?" she asked. - -"Yes. I am to meet my brother and--some friends--in San Diego." - -"I am Miss Dentry--Madeline Dentry. My home is in New York." - -"And mine is in Los Angeles. I am not straying very far away, you see." - -Madeline was piqued that her hint was disregarded. - -"And your name!" she asked sweetly. - -The girl hesitated an instant. Then she said: "I am Miss Kane." - -Mr. Tupper looked up from his newspaper. - -"Kane?" he repeated. "Bless me! That's the name of the Flying Girl." - -"So it is," admitted Miss Kane, with a little laugh. - -"But flying is not in your line, I imagine," said Madeline, admiring -anew the dainty personality of her chance acquaintance. - -"At present our train is dragging, rather than flying," was the merry -response. - -Mr. Tupper was interested. He carefully folded his paper and joined in -the conversation. - -"The idea of any girl attempting to do stunts in the air!" he remarked -disdainfully. "Your namesake, Miss Kane, deserves to break her -venturesome, unmaidenly neck--as she probably will, in the near future." - -"Nonsense, Uncle!" cried Madeline; "Orissa Kane, so far as I've read of -her--and I've read everything I could find--is not at all unmaidenly. -She's venturesome, if you like, and manages an aėroplane better than -many of the bird-men can; but I see nothing more unwomanly in flying -than in running an automobile, and you know _I_ do that to perfection. -This Flying Girl, as she is called, is famous all over America for her -daring, her coolness in emergencies and her exceptional skill. I want -to see her fly, while I'm out here, for I understand there's to be an -aviation meet of some sort in San Diego next week, and that Orissa Kane -is engaged to take part in it." - -"Flying is good sport, I admit," said Mr. Tupper, "but it would give -me the shivers to see a girl attempt it. And, once a machine is in the -air, you can't tell whether a man or woman is flying it; they all look -alike to the watcher below. Don't go to this aviation meet, Madeline; -you've seen girls fly. There was Miss Moissant, at Garden City----" - -"She barely got off the ground," said Miss Dentry. - -"And there was Blanche Scott----" - -"They're all imitators of Orissa Kane!" declared Madeline impatiently. -"There's only one real Flying Girl, Uncle, and if she's on the program -at the San Diego meet I'm going to see her." - -"You'll be disappointed," averred the gentleman. "She's a native -of these parts, they say; I presume some big-boned, masculine, -orange-picking female----" - -"Wrong again, sir! The reporters all rave about her. They say she has -a charming personality, is lovely and sweet and modest and--and----" -She paused, her eyes dilating a little as she marked the red flush -creeping over Miss Kane's neck and face. Then Madeline drew in her -breath sharply and cast a warning glance at her uncle. - -Mr. Tupper, however, was obtuse. He knew nothing of Madeline's -suspicions. - -"Have you ever seen this dare-devil namesake of yours, Miss Kane?" he -asked indifferently. - -"Yes, sir," she answered in a quiet tone. - -"And what did you think of her?" - -Madeline was powerless to stop him. Miss Kane, however, looked at her -questioner with candid eyes, a frank smile upon her beautiful face. - -"She has a fine aėroplane," was her reply. "Her brother invented it, -you know. It's the Kane Aircraft, the safest and speediest yet made, -and Stephen Kane has taught his sister how to handle it. That she flies -his Aircraft successfully is due, I am sure, to her brother's genius; -not to any especial merit of her own." - -Mr. Tupper was staring now, and beginning to think. He remembered -reading a similar assertion attributed to Orissa Kane, the Flying Girl, -who always insisted on crediting her brother with whatever success she -achieved. Perhaps this girl had read it, too; or, perhaps---- - -He began to "put two and two together." Southern California was the -favorite haunt of the Flying Girl; there was to be an aviation meet -presently at San Diego; and on this train, bound for San Diego, was -riding a certain Miss Kane who answered to Madeline's description of -the aėrial heroine--a description he now remembered to have often read -himself. Uncertain what to say, he asked haltingly: - -"Do you call it 'aviatrix' or 'aviatrice'? The feminine of 'aviator,' -you know." - -"I should say 'aviatress,' now that you appeal to me," was the laughing -reply. "Some of the newspaper men, who love to coin new words, have -tried to saddle 'aviatrice' on the girl aviator, and the French have -dubbed her 'aviatrix' without rhyme or reason. It seems to me that -if 'seamstress,' 'governess' or 'hostess' is proper, 'aviatress' is -also correct and, moreover, it is thoroughly American. But in--in the -profession--on the aviation field--they call themselves 'aviators,' -whether men or women, just as an author is always an 'author,' -regardless of sex." - -Mr. Tupper had made up his mind, by this time. He reasoned that a -girl who talked so professionally of aviation terms must be something -more than a novice, and straggled to remember if he had inadvertently -said anything to annoy or humiliate Miss Kane. For, if the little -maid so demurely seated before him was indeed the famous Flying Girl, -the gentleman admitted he had good reason to admire her. Madeline -was watching his embarrassment with an expression of amusement, but -would not help him out of his dilemma. So Mr. Tupper went straight -to the heart of the misunderstanding, as perhaps was best under the -circumstances. - -"Your first name is Orissa?" he inquired, gently. - -"It is, sir." - -"Won't you have another chocolate!" asked Madeline. - -Orissa took another chocolate, reflecting how impossible it seemed to -hide her identity, even from utter strangers. Not that she regretted, -in any way, the celebrity she had gained by flying her brother -Stephen's Aircraft, but it would have been so nice to have ridden -to-day with these pleasant people without listening to the perfunctory -words of praise and adulation so persistently lavished upon her since -she had acquired fame. - -"I knew Cumberford some years ago," continued Mr. Tupper, rather -aimlessly. "Cumberford's your manager, I believe!" - -"Yes, sir; and my brother's partner." - -"Good chap, Cumberford. Had a queer daughter, I remember; an impossible -child, with the airs of a princess and the eyes of a sorceress. She's -grown up, by this time, I suppose." - -Miss Kane smiled. - -"Sybil Cumberford is my best chum," she replied. "The description still -applies, so far as the airs and eyes are concerned; but the child is a -young lady now, and a very lovable young lady, her friends think." - -"Doubtless, doubtless," Mr. Tupper said hastily. "If Cumberford is in -San Diego I shall be glad to renew our acquaintance." - -"You are bound for Coronado, I suppose," remarked Orissa, to change the -subject. - -"Only for a few days' stay," Madeline answered. "Then we expect to make -a sea voyage to Honolulu." - -"That will be delightful," said the girl. "I've lived many years on the -shores of the Pacific, but have never made a voyage farther to sea than -Catalina. I'm told Honolulu is a fascinating place; but it needs be to -draw one away from Coronado." - -"You like Coronado, then?" - -"All this South Country is a real paradise," declared Orissa. "I have -had opportunity to compare it with other parts of America, and love it -better after each comparison. But I am ignorant of foreign countries, -and can only say that if they excel Southern California they are too -good for humans to live in and ought to be sacred to the fairies." - -Madeline laughed gayly. - -"I know you now!" she exclaimed; "you are what is called out here a -'booster.' But from my limited experience in your earthly paradise I -cannot blame you." - -"Yes, we are all 'boosters,'" asserted the younger girl, "and I'm -positive you will join our ranks presently. I love this country -especially because one can fly here winter and summer." - -"You are fond of flying?" - -"Yes. At first I didn't care very much for it, but it grows on one -until its fascinations are irresistible. I have the most glorious sense -of freedom when I'm in the air--way up, where I love best to be--but -during my recent exhibitions in the East I nearly froze making the high -flights. It is a little cold even here when you are half a mile up, but -it is by no means unbearable." - -"They call you a 'dare-devil,' in the newspapers," remarked Mr. Tupper, -eyeing her reflectively; "but I can scarcely believe one so--so young -and--and--girlish has ventured to do all the foolish aėrial tricks you -are credited with." - -Mrs. Tupper had by this time opened her eyes and was now listening in -amazement. - -"Yes," she added, reprovingly, "all those spiral dips and volplaning -and--and--figure-eights are more suited to a circus performer than to a -young girl, it seems to me." - -This lady's face persistently wore a bland and unmeaning smile, which -had been so carefully cultivated in her youth that it had become -habitual and wreathed her chubby features even when she was asleep, -giving one the impression that she wore a mask. Now her stern eyes -belied the smirk of her face, but Orissa merely smiled. - -"I am not a 'dare-devil,' I assure you," she said, addressing Mr. -Tupper rather than his wife. "I know the newspapers call me that, -and compare me with the witch on a broomstick; but in truth I am as -calculating and cold as any aviator in America. Everything I do is -figured out with mathematical precision and I never take a single -chance that I can foresee. I know the air currents, and all their whims -and peculiarities, and how to counteract them. What may seem to the -spectators to be daring, and even desperate, is often the safest mode -of flying, provided you understand your machine and the conditions of -the air. To volplane from a height of five or ten thousand feet, for -example, is safer than from a slight elevation, for the further you -drop the better air-cushion is formed under your planes, and you ride -as gently as when suspended from a parachute." - -Madeline was listening eagerly. - -"Are you afraid?" she asked. - -"Afraid? Why should I be, with my brother's wonderful engine at my back -and perfect control of every part of my machine?" - -"Suppose the engine should some time fail you?" - -"Then I would volplane to the ground." - -"And if the planes, or braces, or fastenings break?" - -"No fear of that. The Kane Aircraft is strong enough for any aėrial -purpose and I examine every brace and strut before I start my -fight--merely to satisfy myself they have not been maliciously tampered -with." - -Then Madeline sprung her important question: - -"Do you ever take a passenger?" - -Orissa regarded Miss Dentry with a whimsical smile. - -"Sometimes," she said. "Do you imagine you would like to fly?" - -"No--no, indeed!" cried Mr. Tupper in a horrified voice, and Mrs. -Tupper echoed; "How absurd!" But Madeline answered quietly: - -"If you could manage to take me I am sure I would enjoy the experience." - -"I will consider it and let you know later," said the Flying Girl, -thoughtfully. "My chum, Sybil Cumberford, has made several short -flights with me; but Sybil's head is perfectly balanced and no altitude -affects it. Often those who believe they would enjoy flying become -terrified once they are in the air." - -"Nothing could terrify Madeline, I am sure," asserted Mrs. Tupper, in a -rasping voice; "but she is too important a personage to risk her life -foolishly. I shall insist that she at once abandon the preposterous -idea. Abandon it, Madeline! I thought your new yacht a venturesome -thing to indulge in, but flying is far, far worse." - -"Oh; have you a yacht?" inquired Orissa, turning eagerly to the other -girl. - -"Yes; the _Salvador_. It is now lying in San Diego harbor. I've not -seen my new craft as yet, but intend it shall take us to Honolulu and -perhaps to Japan." - -"How delightful," cried Orissa, with enthusiasm. - -"Would you like to join our party?" - -"Oh, thank you; I couldn't," quite regretfully; "I am too busy just -now advancing the fortunes of my brother Stephen, who is really the -most clever inventor of aėroplanes in the world. Don't smile, please; -he is, indeed! The world may not admit it as yet, but it soon will. -Have you heard of his latest contrivance? It is a Hydro-Aircraft, and -its engines propel it equally as well on water as on land." - -"Then it beats my yacht," said Madeline, smiling. - -"It is more adaptable--more versatile--to be sure," said Orissa. -"Stephen has just completed his first Hydro-Aircraft, and while I am -in San Diego I shall test it and make a long trip over the Pacific -Ocean to exploit its powers. Such a machine would not take the place -of a yacht, you know, and the motor boat attachment is merely a safety -device to allow one to fly over water as well as over land. Then, if -you are obliged to descend, your aircraft becomes a motor boat and the -engines propel it to the shore." - -"Does your brother use the Gnome engines?" inquired Mr. Tupper. - -"No; Stephen makes his own engines, which I think are better than any -others," answered Miss Kane. - -By the time the train drew into the station at San Diego, Madeline -Dentry and her companions, the Tuppers, knew considerably more of -aėroplanes than the average layman, for Orissa Kane enjoyed explaining -the various machines and, young and unassuming as she appeared, -understood every minute detail of their manufacture. She had been -her brother's assistant and companion from the time of his first -experiments and intelligently followed the creation and development of -the now famous Kane Aircraft. - -At the depot a large crowd was in waiting, not gathered to meet the -great heiress, Madeline Dentry, but the quiet slip of a girl whose -name was on every tongue and whose marvelous skill as a bird-maid had -aroused the admiration of every person interested in aėrial sports. On -the billboards were glaring posters of "The Flying Girl," the chief -attraction of the coming aviation meet, and the news of her expected -arrival had drawn many curious inhabitants of the Sunshine City to the -depot, as well as the friends congregated to greet her. - -First of all a tall, fine looking fellow, who limped slightly, sprang -forward to meet Orissa at the car steps and gave her a kiss and a -hug. This was Stephen Kane, the airship inventor, and close behind -him stood a grizzled gentleman in a long gray coat and jaunty Scotch -cap. It was Mr. Cumberford, the "angel" and manager of the youthful -Kanes, the man whose vast wealth had financed the Kane Aircraft and -enabled the boy and girl to carry out their ambitious plans. This -strange man had neither ambition to acquire more money nor to secure -fame by undertaking to pilot the Aircraft to success; as he stood -here, his bored expression, in sharp contrast to the shrewd gray eyes -that twinkled behind his spectacles, clearly indicated this fact; but -a little kindness had won him to befriend the young people and he had -rendered them staunch support. - -On Mr. Cumberford's arm was a slender girl dressed all in black, the -nodding sable plumes of whose broad hat nearly hid Orissa from view as -the two girls exchanged a kiss. Sybil Cumberford had no claim to beauty -except for her dark eyes--so fathomless and mysterious that they awed -all but her most intimate friends, and puzzled even them. - -And now an awkward young fellow--six feet three and built like -an athlete--slouched bashfully forward and gripped Orissa Kane's -outstretched hand. Here was the press agent of the Kane-Cumberford -alliance, Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd; a most astonishing youth who -impressed strangers as being a dummy and his friends as the possessor -of a rarely keen intellect. Orissa smiled at him; there was something -humorous about Radley-Todd's loose-jointed, unwieldy personality. -Then she took her brother's arm and passed through the eager, admiring -throng to the automobile in waiting. - -Beside Mr. Cumberford's car stood a handsome equipage that had been -sent for Miss Dentry's party, and as Orissa nodded to her recent -acquaintances Sybil Cumberford inquired: - -"Who is that girl?" - -"A Miss Dentry, of New York, with whom I exchanged some remarks on the -train. She has a yacht in the bay here." - -"Oh, yes; I've heard all about her," returned Sybil, indifferently. -"She's dreadfully rich; rather snubbed New York society, which -was eager to idolize her--says she's too young for the weary, -heart-breaking grind--and indulges in such remarkable fancies that -she's getting herself talked about. I hope you didn't encourage her -advances, Orissa?" - -"I fear I did," was the laughing reply; "but she seemed very nice and -agreeable--for a rich girl. Tell me, Steve," she added, turning to her -brother, "what news of the Hydro-Aircraft?" - -"It's great, Orissa! I put the finishing touches on it night before -last, and yesterday Mr. Cumberford and I took a trial spin in it. -It carries two beautifully," he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with -enthusiasm. - -"Did you go over the water?" asked Orissa. - -"Nearly half a mile. Then we dropped and let the engine paddle us home. -Of all the hydro-aėroplanes yet invented, Ris, mine will do the most -stunts and do them with greater ease." - -They were rolling swiftly toward the ferry now, bound for the Hotel del -Coronado, a rambling pile of Spanish architecture that dominates the -farther side of San Diego Bay. Presently the car took its place in the -line of vehicles on the ferry and Mr. Cumberford, who was driving, shut -off the power and turned to Orissa. - -"You are advertised to exhibit the new Hydro-Aircraft the first day of -the meet--that's Monday," he announced. "Do you think you can master -the mechanism by that time?" - -"Is it the same old engine, Steve?" she inquired. - -"Exactly the same, except that I've altered the controlling levers, to -make them handy both in the air and on water, and balanced the weight a -little differently, to allow for the boat attachment." - -"How did you do that?" - -"Placed the gasoline tanks in the rear. That makes the engine feed -from the back, instead of from directly overhead, you see." - -Orissa nodded. - -"I think I can manage it, Mr. Cumberford," she decided. "Will Steve go -with me on Monday?" - -"Why--no," returned the manager, a trifle embarrassed. "Our fool press -agent had an idea the event would be more interesting if two girls made -the flight out to sea, and the trip back by boat. Sybil has been crazy -to go, and so I let Chesty Todd have his own way." - -"You see, Miss Kane," added Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd, who was -seated beside Mr. Cumberford, while Stephen and the two girls rode -behind, "the management of the meet couldn't get another aviatress to -take part, because you had been engaged to fly. The other air-maids -are all jealous of your reputation and popularity, I guess, so the -management was in despair. The dear public is daffy, just now, to -watch a female risk her precious life; it's more thrilling than when a -male ventures it. So, as they're paying us pretty big money, and Miss -Cumberford was anxious to go, I--er--er--I----" - -"It is quite satisfactory to me," announced Orissa quietly. "I shall -enjoy having Sybil with me." - -"I knew you wouldn't object," said Sybil. - -"The only thing I don't like about it," observed Stephen, reflectively, -"is the fact that you have never yet seen my Hydro-Aircraft. It's -safe enough, either on land or water; but if the thing balks--as new -inventions sometimes do--there will be no one aboard to help you remedy -the fault, and the invention is likely to get a black eye." - -"Give me a tool bag and I'll do as well as any mechanician," responded -Orissa, confidently. "And your Hy is not going to balk, Steve, for I -shall know as much about it as you do by Monday." - - - - - CHAPTER II - - THE GIRL WITH THE AĖROPLANE - - -The morning following Orissa Kane's arrival, which was the Saturday -preceding the meet, she went with her brother Stephen to his hangar, -which was located near the Glenn Curtiss aviation camp on a low bluff -overlooking the Pacific. There the two spent the entire forenoon in a -careful inspection of the new Hydro-Aircraft. - -As she had told Madeline Dentry, the Flying Girl never wittingly took -chances in the dangerous profession she followed. The remarkable -success of her aėrial performances was due to an exact knowledge of -every part of her aėroplane. She knew what each bolt and brace was for -and how much strain it would stand; she knew to a feather's weight -the opposition of the planes to the air, the number of revolutions to -drive the engine under all conditions and the freaks of the unreliable -atmospheric currents. And aside from this knowledge she had that prime -quality known as "the aviator's instinct"--the intuition what to do in -emergencies, and the coolness to do it promptly. - -Stephen Kane, who adored his pretty little sister, had not the -slightest fear for her. As she had stood at his side during the -construction of his first successful aėroplane and learned such -mechanical principles of flying as he himself knew, he had no doubt -she could readily comprehend the adaptation he had made to convert his -Aircraft into the amphibious thing that could navigate air and water -alike. - -"It seems to me quite perfect, Steve," was Orissa's final verdict. -"There is no question but the Hydro-Aircraft will prove more useful to -the world than any simple aėroplane. If we could carry gasoline enough, -I would venture across the Pacific in this contrivance. By the way, -what am I to do on Monday? Must I carry Sybil in any certain direction, -or for any given distance?" - -"I'll let Chesty explain that," said Steve, turning to the youthful -press agent, who had just then entered the hangar in company with Mr. -Cumberford and Sybil. - -"Why, er--er--a certain program has been announced, you know," -explained Chesty Todd; "but that doesn't count, of course. We'll say -that owing to high winds, contrary air currents, or some other excuse, -you had to alter your plans. That'll satisfy the dear public, all -right." - -Orissa frowned slightly. - -"You mustn't compromise me in such ways, Mr. Todd," she exclaimed. "The -Kane-Cumberford Camp has the reputation of fulfilling its engagements -to the letter; but if you promise impossible things of course we cannot -do them." - -The young man flushed. In the presence of Orissa Kane this big fellow -was as diffident as a schoolboy. - -"I--I didn't think I promised too much," he stammered. "There are two -or three islands off this coast, known as the Coronado Islands. The big -one--you can see it plainly from here--is named Sealskin. No one knows -why. There are seals there, and they have skins. Perhaps that's the -reason. Or they may all be related, and the seals' kin play together on -the rocks." - -"Be sensible, Chesty!" This from Mr. Cumberford, rather impatiently. - -"I'm quite sensible of Miss Kane's annoyance," resumed Mr. Radley-Todd, -"but I hope she will find her task easy. She has merely to fly to -Sealskin Island, a dozen or fifteen miles--perhaps twenty--and -alight on the bosom of the blue Pacific. Mighty poetical in the -advertisements, eh? Then she'll ride back in motor boat fashion. When -she approaches the shore she is to mount into the air again, circle -around the hotel and land on the aviation field before the grand stand. -If any part of this program seems difficult, we can cut it out and tell -the reporters----" - -"Steve," interrupted Orissa, "can I rise from the water into the air?" - -"Of course. That's my pet invention. While skimming along the water you -lift this lever, free the propeller, then point your elevator and--up -you go!" - -"Run out the machine. We will make a trial and you shall show me how -it is done. The rest of Chesty's program seems easy enough, and if I -master this little trick of rising from the water we will carry out our -contract to the letter." - -"All right. Your costume is in that little dressing room in the corner, -Ris." - -While his sister donned her short skirt, leggings and helmet, Stephen -Kane called his mechanicians and had the Hydro-Aircraft rolled out of -the hangar and headed toward the ocean. For himself, he merely put on a -sweater and his cap and visor, being ready long before Orissa appeared. - -The inventor seldom flew his own craft, for an accidental fall had -lamed him so that he was not as expert an aviator as his sister had -proved to be. He was recovering from his hurt, however, and hoped the -injured leg would soon be good as new. Meantime Orissa was doing more -to render the Kane Aircraft famous than any man might have done. - -A wire fence encircled the Kane-Cumberford Camp for some distance, -except on the ocean side, where the bluff protected it from invasion. -There was an entrance gate adjoining the beach road, and while the -assembled party awaited Orissa's appearance Steve noticed that a motor -car stopped at the gateway and a man and woman alighted and entered -the enclosure, leisurely approaching the spot where the Hydro-Aircraft -stood. - -"Oh!" exclaimed Sybil, whose dark eyes were far-seeing; "it's that girl -who owns the yacht, Madeline what's-her-name." - -"Dentry," said Steve. "I wonder if Orissa invited her here. Go and meet -them, Chesty, and find out." - -Mr. Radley-Todd promptly unlimbered his long legs and advanced to meet -Madeline and Mr. Tupper. The press agent had an unlimited command of -language when driving his pen over paper, but was notably awkward in -expressing himself conversationally. He now stopped short before the -visitors, removed his hat and said: - -"I--er--pardon me, but--er--was your appointment for this hour?" - -"Is Miss Kane here, sir?" asked Madeline, unabashed. - -"She is, Miss--er--er----" - -"Dentry." - -"Oh; thank you." - -"Then I will see her," and she took a step forward. But Chesty Todd did -not move his huge bulk out of the way. So many curious and bold people -were prone to intrude on all aviators, and especially on Miss Kane, -that it was really necessary to deny them in a positive manner in order -to secure any privacy at all. The press agent, in his halting way, -tried to explain. - -"We--er--Miss Kane--is about to--er--test the powers of our new -Hydro-Aircraft, and I regret to say that--er--er--the test is private, -you know." - -"How fortunate that we came just now!" cried Madeline, eagerly, as -she flashed her most winning smile on the young man. "Please lead us -directly to Miss Kane, sir." - -"Yes; of course; please lead us to Miss Kane," echoed Mr. Tupper -pompously. - -Chesty succumbed and led them to the group surrounding the machine, -just as Orissa emerged from the hangar. Recognizing her recent -traveling companion, the Flying Girl ran up and greeted her cordially, -introducing her and Mr. Tupper to the others present. - -"I'm going to try out our new Hy," she said, with a laugh. "'Hy,' you -must know, is my abbreviation of the Hydro-Aircraft--too long a word -altogether. If you will promise not to criticize us, in case we foozle, -you are welcome to watch our performance." - -"That will be glorious," returned Madeline. "We have been to the bay -to inspect the _Salvador_, my new yacht, but being anxious to see your -new Aircraft and hoping to find you here, we ventured to stop for a few -minutes. Forgive us if we intruded." - -She spoke so frankly and was so evidently unconscious of being -unwelcome that the entire group accepted her presence and that of her -uncle without murmur. - -Steve took his place in the "Hy" and Orissa sat beside him. - -The motor boat attachment, which took the place of the ordinary running -gear, was of sheet aluminum, as light and yet as strongly built as -was possible for a thing intended to be practical. Adjustable wheels, -which could be folded back when the boat was in the water, were placed -on either side, to give the craft a land start. The huge engine was -beautiful in appearance, while the planes--a crossed arrangement -peculiar to the Kane Aircraft--were immaculately white in their -graceful spread. - -"This upper plane," said Steve, proud to explain the marvels of his -latest mechanical pet, "is so arranged that its position may be altered -by means of a lever. If you're on the water and want to save gasoline -you adjust the plane as a sail and let the wind drive you." - -"Clever! Very clever, indeed," observed Mr. Tupper. "I had no idea -these flying machines had been improved so much since I last saw an -aviation meet, some six months ago." - -"The art of flying is still in its infancy, sir," replied Mr. -Cumberford. "It is progressing with wonderful strides, however, and -young Kane is one of those remarkable geniuses who keep a pace ahead of -the procession." - -Even as he spoke Steve started the engine, and as the first low rumble -of the propeller increased to a roar the machine darted forward, passed -the edge of the bluff and, rising slightly, sped over the placid waters -of the Pacific, straight out from shore. - -He did not rise very high, but half a mile or so out the aviator -described a half-circle and then, as gracefully as a swan, sank to -the surface of the ocean. Instantly a white wake of foam appeared -at the rear of the boat, showing that the propeller was now churning -the water. And now, with speed that to the observers appeared almost -incredible, the Hydro-Aircraft approached the shore. A few yards from -the bluff it abruptly rose from the water, sailed above the heads of -the spectators, and after a circle of the field, came to a halt at -almost the exact spot from which it had started. - -This remarkable performance had taken place in so brief a space of -time that those on the bluff had scarcely moved during the entire -period. They now hastened forward to congratulate the inventor. Mr. -Cumberford's grim features were for once wreathed in smiles; Chesty -Todd capered like a schoolboy and flung his hat into the air as he -yelled "Hooray!" while Sybil impulsively grasped Steve's hand in both -of her own. As for Madeline Dentry, she eyed the young man wonderingly, -asking herself if the marvel she seemed to have witnessed had actually -occurred. - -"Do you know," said Mr. Tupper, his voice trembling with excitement, "I -wouldn't much mind a ride like that myself!" - -Orissa was much pleased with this successful test of the new machine's -powers. As the men wheeled the Hydro-Aircraft back to its hangar she -turned to Chesty and said: - -"I forgive you, sir. Really, you were too modest in your promises. -Sybil and I will carry out your program to the entire satisfaction of -the management and the public, I am positive." - -"I can hardly wait for Monday, Ris," exclaimed Sybil. "If father wasn't -so afraid, I would learn to navigate the Hy myself." - -"Ah, you interest me, my dear," returned her father, blandly; "you do, -really. But as your talents will never enable you to rival Orissa it -will be well for you to curb your ambitions. I've conceded a lot, to -allow you to go with her on that long jaunt Monday." - -"You have, indeed," laughed Orissa. "But Sybil and I will have a real -joy ride, and be perfectly safe in the bargain. How long a time will -the trip take us, Steve?" - -"Oh, a couple of hours, or so; it will depend on whether the current is -favorable to your paddling back. In the air you can do forty miles an -hour, easily." - -"We will take some lunch with us," said Sybil. "Don't forget to order -it, Daddy." - -Mr. Cumberford nodded. Unimpressionable as this strange man seemed, -his daughter was verily the "apple of his eye" and he was not likely -to forget anything that might add to her comfort. Sybil's desire to -aviate had been a constant source of disturbance to her father. He -had worried a good deal over Orissa, during her first attempts to -fly, but was now convinced of the girl's capability and, although he -exhibited nervousness every time she gave one of her exhibitions, he -had by degrees acquired supreme confidence in her skill. Still, being -thoroughly experienced in all aviation matters, through his connection -with the Kane Aircraft, Mr. Cumberford realized that flying is always -accompanied by danger, and whenever an aviator met with an accident -on the field he was wont to inform Sybil that on no account could she -ever accompany Orissa again in a flight. He would even urge Orissa -to abandon the dangerous work; but she answered him gravely: "This -accident, as well as all others I ever heard of, was the result of -carelessness and inexperience. The more flights I make the less liable -am I to encounter accident. Perhaps I realize better than you do, Mr. -Cumberford, the elements of danger, and that is the reason I am so -careful to avoid every hazard." - -Flying was an intoxication to Sybil. She never had enough of it and -always complained to Orissa that their flights were of too short -duration. Each time she was obliged to plead and argue with her -father for days, before obtaining his consent to let her go, and even -now, when he had given his reluctant permission to Chesty Todd to -advertise Sybil as the companion of the Flying Girl, he was frequently -impelled to forbid the adventure. His only consolation was that the new -invention seemed very safe and practical, and with Orissa's guiding -hands at the levers his beloved daughter would be as well guarded as -possible under such conditions. - -As a matter of fact, protests from Mr. Cumberford had little value, -as Sybil possessed a knack of getting her own way under any and all -circumstances. She had really no great desire to operate an aėroplane -herself, being quite content to remain a passenger and enjoy the -freedom of riding, untrammeled by the necessity of being alert every -instant to control the machine. - -Orissa, excusing herself, retired to the hangar to change her costume, -and the young inventor was left to listen to the enthusiastic comments -of his friends. - -"When will your Hydro-Aircraft be on the market, Mr. Kane?" asked -Madeline. - -"In the course of the next three months we expect to complete two other -machines," he replied. - -"I want one of them," she said quickly. "Will you teach me how to -operate it?" - -"Of course," he answered. "That is part of the bargain. But you have -not asked the price, and for all business transactions I must refer you -to Mr. Cumberford." - -"Madeline, my dear! My dear Madeline!" protested Mr. Tupper; "what in -the world are you thinking of?" - -"That I would give Mr. Cumberford a check at once," she calmly answered. - -"But I--we--that is, I can't permit it; I--I really can't allow it, -my dear!" asserted the gentleman, evidently alarmed by her positive -attitude. - -Madeline's slight form stiffened and her eyes flashed defiantly. - -"Mr. Tupper," said she to her uncle, "do I employ you to advise me, or -to manage my business affairs?" - -That he was greatly humiliated by this attack was evident. His face -grew red and he half turned away, hesitating to make reply. Then Mr. -Cumberford came to Mr. Tupper's assistance. - -"Your--eh--friend--is quite right, Miss Dentry; quite right to oppose -your--eh--reckless impulse, if I may put it that way. Your enthusiasm -interests me; it--eh--interests me greatly; but for your own welfare -and the comfort of mind of your friends, I should advise you -to--eh--curb your adventurous spirit, for the present. You have what -is known as the 'Flying Fever,' which attacks the most conservative -people when on the aviation field. Let it alone and it will dissipate, -in time; but if you nurse it you--eh--buy a flying machine and become a -slave. We have machines to sell, you know; we are anxious to dispose of -all we can; but kindly keep your check for three months, and if at the -end of that time you are still disposed to purchase, I will deliver the -machine to you promptly." - -"How can you do that? The demand will be greater than your ability to -build the Hydro-Aircraft, after the exhibition of next Monday," she -affirmed. - -Mr. Cumberford regarded her thoughtfully. - -"I believe you are right," said he. "Anyhow, I hope you are right. But -I'll promise to reserve a machine, pending your decision. Young ladies -who are seriously determined to become aviators and who--eh--have the -means to indulge the fad to any extent, are rare; very rare. Therefore, -my dear Miss Dentry, you--eh--interest me, and I'll keep my promise." - -Madeline could not refuse to admit the fairness of Mr. Cumberford's -proposition, and Mr. Tupper was grateful to him for his efficient -support, so harmony was once more restored. Sybil, indeed, smiled -derisively as she exchanged a meaning glance with Madeline--a glance -that said as intelligently as words: "How clever these men think -themselves, and how helpless they really are to oppose us!" - -Then Miss Dentry invited them all, including Chesty Todd, to dine on -board her yacht the next day, which was Sunday, and the invitation -being promptly accepted they all motored back to the hotel. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - A PRODIGY IN AERONAUTICS - - -San Diego Bay is always interesting, with its shipping from all -ports of the world, but on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon there was -no prettier sight among the scattered craft than the trim yacht -_Salvador_, lying at anchor just north of the ferry path. The -Kane-Cumberford party found a small launch awaiting them at the pier, -which quickly took them aboard the big white yacht, where Madeline, -attired in appropriate sailor costume, cordially welcomed them. - -"This affair is fully as great a novelty to me as it must be to you," -she explained, as they cast admiring glances over the decks. "I bought -the boat of an Englishman several months ago, with the understanding -it should be delivered to me here; but I only arrived to claim it the -day before yesterday. It has a crew of seven, besides the chef, who, -I must admit, is my own selection, as I feared to trust the English -taste in cookery. The English crew, however, seems capable and every -man jack wants to stay with the boat; so I've agreed to keep them. I'll -introduce you to the skipper presently. He rejoices in the title of -'Captain' and has quite awed me with his superior manner and splendid -uniform. But I'll introduce you to the creations of my chef, first, -for dinner is waiting. Forgive Monsieur Champetre, if he falls down -occasionally; he is as unused to the kitchen--or is it scullery? Oh, I -know; the 'galley'--as I am to the cabin." - -Really the chef needed no excuses, and after the meal they made -a thorough inspection of the beautiful craft, peeping into the -state-rooms, the men's quarters and even into the sacred galley. -Everyone aboard, including the big, bluff skipper, was so proud of the -boat that he delighted to have it exhibited, and when it was understood -that the slim, beautiful young lady guest was the famous Flying Girl -the deference shown Orissa was amusing. - -"I had intended to test the _Salvador_ to-morrow and make a short run -to sea in it," said Madeline; "but I am so eager to witness the aėrial -exhibitions that I shall postpone the voyage until later. My yacht is -permanent, but this Aviation Meet is temporary." - -The visitors returned to their hotel early in the afternoon, for -Orissa and Sybil had still a few preparations to make for the -morrow's trip, while Steve and Mr. Cumberford decided to pay a visit -to the aviation field, to which both the Kane Aircraft and the Kane -Hydro-Aircraft had been removed by the mechanicians in charge of them. -Chesty Todd's labors that Sunday evening were perhaps more onerous than -those of the others of his party, for he had to meet an aggressive band -of newspaper reporters and load each one to the brim with material -for a double-header next morning. Having served as a journalist--and -an able one--himself, Mr. Radley-Todd understood exactly the sort of -priming these publicity guns required. - -The home of the Kanes was a delightful orange ranch near Los Angeles, -where the blind mother of Stephen and Orissa--their only parent--lived -surrounded by every comfort and devoted attendants, while her boy and -girl were engaged in the novel and somewhat hazardous exhibitions of -the new Kane Aircraft. Orissa had remained at home with her mother -while Stephen was perfecting his latest machine at San Diego, and -had not left there until it was necessary to prepare for the Meet, -in which she had engaged to take part. Mrs. Kane, perhaps because -of her blindness, seemed to have little anxiety on account of -her daughter's ventures, although at the time of Orissa's first -flights her nervousness had been poignant. Assured of her girl's -skill and coolness, the mother had come to accept these occasions -philosophically, as far as the danger was concerned, and she was -naturally interested in Steve's inventions and overjoyed at the -financial success which Mr. Cumberford's business ability had already -insured the firm. - -This Sunday evening Orissa wrote a long letter to her mother, telling -how perfectly her brother's new machine worked, and assuring Mrs. Kane -of her confidence in winning new laurels for Stephen on the morrow. -"The latest engine, made for the Hy, is more powerful than were -the others," she added, "but its operation is practically the same -and while the combination of boat and aircraft necessitated a more -complicated arrangement of the control, I have easily mastered all the -details and could take the whole thing apart and put it together again, -if obliged to do so." - -The girl slept peacefully that night and neither she nor Sybil were in -the least nervous when they went to the aviation field, overlooking the -sea, after an early luncheon on Monday. - -They found the Kane Hydro-Aircraft reposing majestically in its -hangar, in perfect order and constantly surrounded by a group of -admiring and interested spectators. The little band of professional -aviators present at the Meet welcomed Orissa very cordially, for every -one of them knew and admired the brave girl who had so often proved her -ability to manage her brother's machines. - -The grand stand was packed with spectators, and long rows of -automobiles lined the edge of the enclosure reserved for the exhibitors. - -The "Kane Event," as it was called, was early on the program of the -day, for it was understood that the flight over the ocean and the -voyage back would consume much of the afternoon. Many had brought -binoculars and other powerful glasses to watch the Flying Girl and her -chum during their progress. - -Sealskin Island lay a little to the south of the aviation field and -was one of a group of barren rocks jutting out of the sea and plainly -visible from the mainland. The Coronado Islands, which have little or -no value, belong to Mexico, as the Mexican boundary is only twelve -miles south of San Diego, and this group, although not appearing to be -so far south, is below the line claimed by the United States. Therefore -Orissa's flight would be in a southwesterly direction and most of her -journey made in plain view of every spectator. - -As the "Hy" was run out to the center of the field Steve said to Orissa: - -"I've anchored an aluminum chest just back of your seats, at the -suggestion of Mr. Cumberford. In it are all the tools you could -possibly need in case of emergency, a couple of warm blankets to use -if your return trip proves chilly, and enough 'lunch'--which I think -Sybil pleaded for--to last you both a week. The chest enables you to -carry all this safely and comfortably, and it won't be at all in your -way. Personally, I think such a precaution wholly unnecessary, but Mr. -Cumberford is a good deal of an old woman where Sybil is concerned -and it is easier to give up to him than to try to argue him out of an -idea. Take the trip easy, Ris; we don't need to make time. What we want -to demonstrate is the practicability of the machine, and we ourselves -already know that it is thoroughly practical, and we therefore ought to -be able to convince the world of the fact." - -Orissa nodded. - -"How about gasoline?" she asked. - -"Both tanks are filled. There's enough to run you a hundred miles in -air and fifty miles in water, which is far more than you will require. -Be gentle with the steering gear; it is such a long connection that it -doesn't respond as readily as the old one, and I guess I've made the -rods a trifle too light. I mean to rig up a more substantial device as -soon as I get time, but this will do you all right if you don't jerk -it. Put a little more strength to the wheel and turn it gradually, -that's all." - -"I understand," she replied. "Are you ready, Sybil?" - -"Waiting on you, Ris." - -"And I think the crowd is waiting on us." - -The band was at this moment playing its loudest and most stirring -tune and as the two venturesome girls, dressed in appropriate aėrial -costume, appeared on the field, wildly enthusiastic shouts rose from -ten thousand spectators. Chesty Todd had decorated the braces of the -machine with bunches of fresh violets and the aluminum and nickeled -parts shone gloriously in the sun. - -"Be good, Sybil," said Mr. Cumberford. "Take care of her, Orissa." - -The girls laughed, for this was the old gentleman's customary parting -warning. - -"All right, Ris," said Steve. - -She applied the power and one of the mechanicians gave the propeller -a preliminary whirl. Then Orissa threw in the automatic clutch that -started the machine and it ran forward a few feet and promptly rose -into the air. A moment later it was speeding straight out to sea, at an -altitude of a hundred feet, and the wonderful voyage of Stephen Kane's -new Hydro-Aircraft was begun--a voyage destined to vary considerably -from the program mapped out for it. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - THE ALUMINUM CHEST - - -Orissa realized quite perfectly that Sealskin Island was much farther -away from the mainland than it appeared, so on leaving the shore she -pursued a direction straight west for several miles, intending to make -a turn and proceed south to the island which was the terminus of her -flight. That prolonged the trip somewhat, but she figured it would -prove more interesting to the spectators, since for a part of the -journey she would be flying parallel with the coast. On the return she -planned to run straight back from the island. - -When she decided they had reached a point about as far out as was the -island, she attempted to make the turn--a mere segment of a circle--but -in spite of Steve's warning Orissa was surprised at the stiffness of -the steering gear. The engines were working beautifully and developing -excellent speed, but the girl found she must apply all her strength to -the wheel to make the turn. - -She succeeded, and brought the head to bear directly upon the island, -but the gear grated and stuck so persistently that Orissa's effort -sent the entire craft careening at a steep angle. Sybil gave a gasp -and clung to the supporting rods and both girls heard a loud "chug" -that indicated something was wrong; but the Kane balancing device was -so perfect that almost immediately the machine righted itself and -regained its equilibrium, darting swiftly and in a straight line in the -direction of the island. - -"What was it?" asked Sybil, putting her head close to Orissa's to be -heard above the whir of the motors behind them. - -"The steering gear binds; that's all," was the quiet response. "I think -it will work better when we are in the water." - -"But what made that noise? Didn't something give way?" persisted Sybil. - -"Glance behind us, dear, and see." - -Sybil carefully turned so as to examine the parts of the aėroplane. - -"Oh!" she exclaimed. - -"Well?" said Orissa. - -"That chest that Steve loaded us with. It has broken away from its -fastenings and is jammed edge downward against your gear." - -Orissa thought about it. - -"That's unfortunate," said she. "I suppose the bolts broke when we -tipped so badly. But it hasn't interfered with our engines any." - -"No," answered Sybil, still examining the conditions; "but it has -interfered seriously with your control, I fear. Both your levers are -thrown out of position and even the front elevator bars are badly bent." - -For the first time a worried expression appeared on Orissa's face. - -"If that is true," she said, "our best plan is to return at once." - -"Do," urged Sybil, her dark eyes very serious. - -Orissa tried to turn the wheel. It resisted. She applied more strength. -Something snapped and the released wheel whirled so freely that the -girl nearly lost her seat. Recovering instantly she turned a pale face -to her companion and said: - -"We're wrecked, Sybil. But don't worry. With the boat under us and in -this quiet sea we shall be quite safe." - -"I'm not worrying--especially--Ris," was the reply; "but it occurs to -me to wonder how you're going to get down to the ocean." - -"Why?" - -"You can't stop the engines, unless one of us crawls back over the -planes." - -"I can cut off the spark." She tried it, but the engines chugged as -merrily as before. "Guess there must be a short circuit," gasped Orissa. - -"And you can't depress your elevator, I'm sure." - -"I'll try it," announced Orissa, grimly. - -But the fatal chest balked her attempt. The elevator was steadfastly -wedged into its present position; the engines were entirely beyond -control and the two helpless girls faced one of the most curious -conditions ever known in the history of aviation. - -At an altitude of perhaps a hundred and fifty feet from the water the -aėroplane sped swiftly on its way, headed a trifle to the west of -south. It passed Sealskin Island even while the girls were discussing -their dilemma, and stubbornly maintained its unfaltering course. The -air conditions were perfect for flying; scarcely a breath of wind was -felt; the sky above was blue as azure. - -Suddenly Sybil laughed. - -"What now?" demanded Orissa. - -"I was thinking of the consternation on shore at about this moment," -explained Miss Cumberford. "Won't they be amazed to see us continue -this course, beyond the island? Not understanding our trouble, Daddy -will think we're running away." - -"So we are," replied Orissa. "I wish I knew where we are running to." - -"I suppose we can't stop till the gasoline gives out," said Sybil. - -Orissa shook her head. - -"That's what scares me," she admitted. "Even now the Mexican shore is -a mere line at the left. We're gradually diverging to a point farther -out at sea, and when at last we alight, drained of the last drop of -gasoline, how are we to run the boat back?" - -"We can't. Steve's wonderful Hy will become a mere floating buoy on the -bosom of the rolling blue," responded Sybil lightly. "Oh, I'm so glad I -came, Ris! I'd no idea we were going to have such fun." - -Orissa did not return her chum's smile. - -"Sit still and balance her, Sybil," she said. "I'm going to make an -investigation." - -Exercising the necessary caution she turned and knelt upon the foot -bar, clinging to the seat rail and in this position facing the Aircraft -so she could examine its mechanism. Sybil had described the condition -of things quite accurately. The engine control was cut off and as the -gasoline tanks fed from the rear Orissa had no way of stopping the -flow. The steering gear was broken and the front elevator firmly -wedged in position by the chest. - -"I wonder if we could manage to move this thing," she said, and getting -a hand on one corner of the aluminum chest she gave a tug and tried -to raise it. It proved solid and unyielding. Not heavy in itself, or -perhaps in its contents, the thing was caught between the rods in such -a manner that no strength of the girls, limited in movement as they -were, could budge it a particle. - -Realizing this, and the folly of leaving the seats to get at the -gasoline feed, Orissa resumed her place and faced the inevitable as -bravely as she could. - -"Steve told me," she said to Sybil, "that the gasoline would last a -hundred miles in air and fifty in water; that's at least two hundred -miles in an air line. Have you any idea where we shall be by that time?" - -"Not the slightest," responded her companion, cheerfully. "Ocean, -of course; but latitude and longitude a mystery--and not important, -anyhow." - -Sybil Cumberford was a reserved and silent girl on most occasions. -Few were attracted toward her, on this account. Her dark eyes seemed -to regard the world with critical toleration and she gave one the -impression of considering herself quite independent of her fellows. -Moreover, Sybil was eccentric in character and prone to do and say -things that invoked the grave displeasure of her associates, seeming -to delight in confusing and annoying them. But there was a brighter -side to this queer girl's nature, which developed only in the society -of her trusted friends. On any occasion that demanded courage and -resourcefulness she came to the front nobly, and at such times Sybil -Cumberford became vivacious, helpful and inspiriting. - -Here was such an occasion. Danger was the joy of Sybil's heart and -the "breath of her nostrils." Indifferent to the ordinary details of -life, any adventure that promised tribulation or disaster was fervently -welcomed. Then the girl's spirits rose, her intellect fairly bristled -and she developed an animation and joyous exhilaration entirely at -variance with her usual demeanor. - -So now, as Orissa Kane, a girl of proved courage and undaunted spirit, -grew solemn and anxious at the perilous condition that confronted them, -Sybil Cumberford became gay and animated. - -"It's such an unusual thing, and so wholly unexpected!" she said -blithely. "I'm sure, Ris, that no two girls who ever lived--in this -world or any other--ever found themselves in a like dilemma. We're as -helpless as babes, chummie dear; only no babes were ever forced to fly, -willy-nilly, for hundreds of miles through the air to some forlorn spot -in the dank, moist ocean." - -Orissa let her chatter. She was trying to realize what it might mean -to them and how and when, if ever, they might be rescued from their -difficulties. - -"Our great mistake," continued Sybil, as they swept along, "was in not -rigging the machine with a wireless outfit. To be sure, neither of us -could operate it; but a wireless, in such a case--if we understood its -mysteries--would solve our problem." - -"How?" asked Orissa. - -"We could call up the shore at San Diego and tell them what's happened, -and give them the direction in which we are flying; then they could -send a fast steamer for us, or perhaps Madeline Dentry would loan her -yacht." - -"They may follow us with a steamer, anyhow," said Orissa, thoughtfully. -"If we manage to land safely, Sybil--which means if we drop to the -water right-side-up--we could float for some days, until we were found -and rescued." - -"Thirst is a terrible thing, at sea; and hunger is almost as bad." - -"But in that dreadful chest, which has caused all our trouble, Steve -told me he had packed provisions. Probably there is water there, too," -asserted Orissa, hopefully. - -"Yes, Dad said there was lunch for two. Well, that's one good feed -we shall have, anyhow, provided the chest doesn't get away from us -entirely, and we can manage to open it. In its present position, -neither event is at all probable." - -She seemed to love to discover and point out the gloomy side of their -adventure, that she might exult in the dangers that menaced them. - -Meantime, swift and straight as an arrow the Aircraft continued on its -course. Not a skip to the engines, not an indication of any sort that -the flight would be interrupted as long as a drop of gasoline remained -in the tanks. They could only be patient and await the finale as -bravely as possible. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - THE LAST DROP OF GASOLINE - - -Hour after hour they flew, while each hour seemed, to Orissa, at least, -a month in duration. Sybil chatted and laughed, refusing to take their -misfortune seriously. - -"But," said she, "I'm getting famished. An air-trip always stimulates -the appetite and that lunch of Steve's is so very near to us--and yet -so far! I How did he expect us to get at the repast, anyhow?" - -"Why, in water," replied Orissa, "the chest and its contents would be -handy enough. I do not think it would be safe for us to creep into the -boat underneath us now, for we must maintain the aėrial balance; but, -even if we could get below, we couldn't open the chest while it is -wedged crosswise among the braces and levers." - -"All true, milady," commented Sybil, her usually pale cheeks now -flushed with excitement. "Our present stunt is to 'sit still and take -our medicine,' as the saying goes." - -By this time the Mexican coast had vanished entirely and only the -placid blue waters of the Pacific remained visible, even from the -altitude of the Aircraft. Once or twice they sighted a small island, -bleak and bare, for this part of the ocean is filled with tiny islets, -most of which are unfertile and uninhabited. Farther along, in the -South Pacific, such islands have verdure and inhabitants. - -At about four o'clock a change occurred in the atmospheric conditions. -A brisk wind arose, blowing steadily for a time from the southwest -and then suddenly developing puffs and eddies that caused the -Aircraft to wobble dangerously. One powerful gust seized the helpless -flying-machine and whirled it around like a toy balloon, but failed -to destroy its equilibrium because the girls balanced it with their -bodies as well as they might. When their craft was released, however, -it pointed in a new direction--this time straight west. An hour later -a similar gust swept its head to the southward, and in this direction -it was still flying when the red sun dipped into the water and twilight -fell. - -"I don't like this, Syb," said Orissa, anxiously. "If the gasoline -holds out much longer it will be dark, and when we drop our danger will -be doubled." - -"What will be the fashion of our dropping, anyhow?" asked Sybil. "We -can't volplane, with no control of the rudder. Chances are, dear, the -thing will just tip over and spill us in the damp." - -"Hold fast, if it does that," cautioned Orissa. "If we become separated -from the boat we will drown like rats. The engine may swamp the boat, -in any event, but it has air compartments which will keep it afloat -under any favorable conditions, and we must trust to luck, Sybil--and -to our own coolness." - -"All right, Ris. A watery grave doesn't appeal to me just now," was -the reply. "I'm too hungry to drown comfortably, and that's a fact. On -a full stomach I imagine one could face perpetual soaking with more -complacency." - -"Huh!" cried Orissa. "Listen!" - -Sybil was already listening, fully as alert as her chum. The speed of -the engine was diminishing. Gradually the huge propeller slackened its -rapid revolutions, while its former roar subsided to a mere moan. - -"Thank goodness," said Sybil, fervently, "the gasoline is gone at last!" - -"Look out, then," warned Orissa. - -With a final, reluctant "chug-chug!" the engine stopped short. Like a -huge gull the frail craft remained poised in the air a moment and then -a sudden light breeze swept it on. It was falling, however, impelled -by its own weight, and singularly enough it reversed its position and -proceeded before the wind with the stem foremost. - -Splash! It wasn't so bad, after all. Not a volplane, to be sure, -but a gentle drop, the weight of the heavy engine sustained by the -"air-cushions" formed beneath the planes. - -Orissa wiped the spray from her eyes. - -"That would have been a regular bump, on land," Sybil was saying -affably, "but the old ocean has received us with gracious tenderness. -Are we sinking, Ris, or do we float?" - -How suddenly the darkness was falling! Orissa leaned from her seat and -found the water had turned to a color nearly as black as ink. Beneath -her the bow of the aluminum motor boat was so depressed that it was -almost even with the water and as it bobbed up and down with the waves -it was shipping the inky fluid by the dipperful. - -She scrambled out of the seat, then, to step gingerly over the unlucky -chest and crouch upon a narrow seat of the little boat, near the stern. - -"Come, Sybil," she called; "and be very careful." - -Sybil promptly descended to the boat, which now rode evenly upon the -waves. In this position the propeller was just under water and the -engine rested over the center of the light but strong little craft. -But propeller and engine were alike useless to them now. Overhead the -planes spread like huge awnings, but they carried so little weight that -they did not affect the balance of the boat. - -"Steve planned well," murmured Orissa, with a sigh. "If only he had -never thought of that dreadful chest, we would not be in this fix." - -As she spoke she kicked the chest a little resentfully with her foot, -and it seemed to move. Sybil leaned forward to eye it as closely as the -gathering darkness would allow. - -"Why, Ris," she exclaimed, "the thing has come loose. Help me to tip it -up." - -Between them they easily raised the chest to its former position, where -it rested just before them. Steve had bolted it at either end, but one -of the bolts had broken away and the other had bent at almost a right -angle. Perhaps this last bolt would have broken, too, had not the -chest, in falling, become wedged against the braces. - -"This horrid box has heretofore been our dire enemy," remarked Sybil; -"but let us be forgiving and encourage it to make amends--for it holds -eatables. How does the cover open, Ris?" - -Stephen had shown Orissa how to work the sliding catch and in a moment -the girl had the lid open and held it upright while Sybil searched -within. - -"Hooray! We've discovered a regular cafeteria," said the latter, -jubilantly, as she drew out a number of parcels. "I was afraid we'd -have to nibble, Orissa, so as not to gorge ourselves to-night and -starve to-morrow; but I reckon there's enough to last two delicate -girls like us a week. What shall we tackle first?" - -"Let us plan a little, dear," suggested Orissa, restraining her own -eagerness, for she was hungry, too. "We cannot possibly tell to-night -what this precious chest contains or how much food there really is. We -must wait for daylight to take an inventory. But here are some tins, we -know, which will keep, and that package of sandwiches on your lap is -perishable; so I propose we confine our feast to those for to-night." - -"Perishable it is, Cap'n," answered Sybil, consuming half a sandwich at -a single bite. "If there's only a pickle to go with these breadspreads -I shall be content. It's not only luncheon that we're indulging in, -you know; it's our regular dinner, as well, and there ought to be two -courses--pickles and sandwiches--at the least." - -"You must feel for the pickles, then," returned Orissa, intent upon her -own sandwich, "for it's too dark to use eyes just now." - -Sybil found the pickles--who ever put up a lunch for two girls without -including pickles?--and declared she was quite content. - -"If we hadn't discovered the eats, my dear Cap'n," she remarked with -cheery satisfaction, "I think I could have dined on my own shoes. -That's a happy thought; we'll keep the shoes in reserve. I'd no idea -one's appetite could get such an edge, after being tantalized for a few -hours." - -"Do you realize, Sybil," asked Orissa in a grave tone, as she took her -second sandwich, "that we must pass the night in this wiggly, insecure -boat?" - -"What's insecure about it?" demanded Sybil. - -"It won't stand much of a sea, I fear. This attachment to the Aircraft -was intended for pleasant weather." - -"All right; the weather's delightful. Those long, gentle rolls will -merely rock us to sleep. And--Oh, Ris!--we'll have rolls for breakfast." - -"Do be serious, Syb! Suppose a storm catches us before morning?" - -"Then please wake me up. Where do you suppose we are, anyhow?" - -"I've no idea," answered Orissa, soberly. "We must have traveled a -couple of hundred miles, but it wasn't in a straight line, by any -means. Let's see. Perhaps a hundred miles on our first course--over -Sealskin Island and nearly south--then forty or fifty miles north----" - -"Oh, no; west." - -"Yes; so it was. Then twenty-odd miles south, ten miles or so east, a -couple or three miles west again, and then--and then----" - -"Dear me! Don't bother your head with it, Orissa. We zigzagged like -a drunken man. The only fact we can positively nail is that we were -getting farther away from home--or our friends, rather--every minute. -That's a bad thing, come to think of it. They'll never know where to -search for us." - -"True," responded Orissa. "But I am sure they will search, and search -diligently, so we must manage to keep afloat until they find us. What -shall we do now, Sybil?" - -"Sleep," was the prompt reply. "If we lift this seat off--it seems to -be removable--I think there is room enough for us both to cuddle down -in the bottom of the boat." - -"Oh, Sybil!" This from Orissa, rather reproachfully. - -"Well, I can't imagine anything more sensible to do," asserted her -chum, with a yawn. "These air-rides not only encourage hunger, but -sleep. Did you cork that bottle of water? I want another drink." - -"I--I think we'd better economize on the water," suggested Orissa, "at -least until morning, when we can find out if there's any more in the -chest." - -"All right. Help me bail out this overflow and then we'll cuddle down." - -"Steve said there were two blankets in the chest," said Orissa, -presently, when the bottom of the boat was dry. "I'll search for them." - -She found the blankets easily, by feeling through the contents of the -chest. Offering no further objection to Sybil's plan, she prepared -their bed for the night. Neither of these girls had ever "roughed it" -to any extent, but in spite of the peril of their situation and the -liability of unforeseen dangers overtaking them, they were resourceful -enough and courageous enough to face the conditions with a degree of -intrepid interest. Afloat on an unknown part of the broad Pacific, -with merely a tiny aluminum boat for protection, with final escape -from death uncertain and chances of rescue remote, these two carefully -nurtured young girls, who had enjoyed loving protection all their -lives, were so little influenced by fear that they actually exchanged -pleasantries as they spread their blankets and rolled themselves in the -coverings for the night. - -"The lack of a pillow bothers me most," remarked Sybil. "I think I -shall rest my head on one of those cans of baked beans." - -"I advise you not to; you might eat them in your sleep," was Orissa's -comment. - -"May I rest my head upon you, chummie dear?" - -"You may not. Try the engine." - -"That's hard. And there are enough wheels in my head already, without -pounding my ear with them. Suggest something else." - -"Your own elbow, then." - -"Thanks, dear. Where's that slab of aluminum that used to be a seat?" - -It was a happy thought and furnished them both with a headrest. The -seat was not an ideal pillow, but it answered the purpose because there -was nothing better. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - CASTAWAYS - - -"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up. - -After a moment Sybil said, sleepily: - -"Go ahead and declare it, Ris. Only, if we're drowned, please break the -news to me gently!" - -"How strange!" muttered Orissa, still staring. - -Sybil stirred, threw off the blanket and also rose to a sitting -position. - -"If it's a secret," she began, "then--Oh, goodness me!" - -During the night the boat with its great overhead planes had gently -floated into a little bay, where the water was peaceful as a millpond. -Two points of black rock projected on either side of them, outlining -the bay. Between these points appeared an island--a mass of tumbled -rocks guiltless of greenery. There was a broad strip of clean, smooth -sand on the shore, barely covering the slaty ledge, but back of that -the jumble of rocks began, forming irregular hillocks, and beyond these -hillocks, which extended for some distance inland, there seemed to be -a great dip in the landscape--or rockscape--far back of which arose a -low mountain formed of the same unlovely material as all else. - -"It's an island!" gasped Sybil, rubbing her eyes to make sure they were -working properly. "Now, see here, Cap'n Ris, I want it understood right -now which one of us is to be Robinson Crusoe and which the Man Friday. -Seems to me, I being the passenger and you the charioteer, the prestige -is on my side; so I claim the Crusoe part. I can't grow whiskers, and -I'm not likely to find a parrot to perch on my shoulder, but I'll -promise to enact the part as well as circumstances will permit." - -"I can't see a sign of life," announced Orissa, regretfully. "There -isn't even a bird hovering over the place." - -"Lizards and snakes among the rocks, though, I'll bet," responded -Sybil, with a grimace. "All these rocky Pacific islands are snaky, they -say. I wonder if I can learn to charm 'em. You don't object to my being -Crusoe, do you?" - -Orissa sighed; then she turned to her cheery comrade with a smile. - -"Not at all," said she. "But I'll be Columbus, the Discoverer, for I've -discovered a desert island while you were peacefully dreaming." - -"There's no desert about your island," stated Sybil. "A desert would -be a relief. What you've discovered, Miss Ris Columbus--or what's -discovered us, rather--is a rock heap." - -"Desert or not, it's deserted, all right," maintained Orissa. - -"And you may not have discovered it, after all," said Sybil, musingly -examining the place. "These seas have been pretty well explored, I -guess, and although no nation would particularly care to pin a flag to -this bunch of rocks, the maps may indicate it clearly." - -"Ah, if we only had a map!" cried Orissa eagerly. - -"What good would it do us?" asked Sybil. "It couldn't help us to find -ourselves, for we don't know what especial dot on the map we've arrived -at. With Muggins' Complete Atlas in hand, and a geography teacher -thrown in, we wouldn't be able to pick out this island from the ones -that litter these seas." - -"That is, unfortunately, quite true," sighed Orissa; "and anyhow it's -not worth an argument because we have no map. But we must be up and -doing, Sybil. If we are to keep ourselves alive, we must take advantage -of every favorable circumstance." - -"What time is it?" yawned Sybil. - -Orissa looked at her watch. - -"A little after six." - -"Call me at eight. I can't get up at six o'clock; it's too early, -entirely." - -"But you went to bed at about seven." - -"Did I? Well, how about breakfast?" - -"We must inspect our stores and take inventory. Then we must plan to -make the provisions last as long as possible." - -"How dreadful! Why, this is a real adventure, Ris--threatened famine, -and all that. We're regular castaways, like we read about in the -fifteen-cent story magazines, and I wouldn't be surprised if we had to -endure many inconveniences; would you?" - -"Sybil," said Orissa earnestly, "we are face to face with privation, -danger, and perhaps death. I'm glad you can be cheerful, but we must -understand our terrible position and endeavor to survive as long as -possible. We know very well that our friends will have a hard time -finding us, for they cannot guess what part of the ocean we descended -in. It may take days--perhaps weeks--for them to discover us in this -dreary place, and meantime we must guard our safety to the best of our -ability." - -"Naturally," agreed Sybil, duly impressed by this speech. "Your head is -clearer and better than mine, Orissa; so you shall take command, and -I'll gladly follow your instructions. You mean to land, don't you? I'm -tired of this cramped little boat and even a rocky island is better -than no refuge at all." - -"Of course we must land," replied Orissa; "and that, I think, must be -our first task. The shore is only a stone's throw from here, but we're -fast on a sand bar, and how to get off is a problem." - -Sybil began to take off her leggings, then her shoes and stockings. - -"We'll wade," she said. - -Orissa peered over the side. - -"It's very shallow. I think we can wade to shore, Syb, and pull the Hy -in after us. We must get the whole thing high and dry on the beach, if -possible." - -Sybil plumbed the water by tying a can of sardines to a cord from -around one of the parcels. - -"I guess we can make it all right, Cap'n," she said. "It's not very -deep." - -"It may be a lot deeper closer in. But I guess we'll have to take a -chance on it. And if the worst comes to the worst we _can_ dry our -clothes on the beach." - -The sun was showing brilliantly above the horizon as the two girls -stepped into the water. Both could swim fairly well, but where the boat -was grounded on the sand bar the water was scarcely knee-deep. They -dragged Steve's invention over the bar with little difficulty, the -wheels materially assisting their efforts. Beyond the bar the water -deepened in spots, and once, as they drew the wrecked Hy after them, -the waves reached perilously high. Then they struck the shelving beach -and found hard sand under their feet. - -By pushing and hauling energetically they managed to run the boat, with -its attached planes, to the shore, where the wheels on either side -enabled them to roll it up the slope until, as Orissa said, it was -"high and dry." - -"Seems to me," remarked Sybil, panting, "we ought to have breakfasted -first, for all this exercise has made me ravenous. That'll diminish our -precious store of eatables considerably, I fear." - -With the machine safely landed they proceeded to dress themselves, -after which Orissa arranged upon the sand the entire contents of the -aluminum chest. A kit of tools, adapted for use on the Aircraft, -together with some extra bolts, a strut or two and a coil of steel wire -were first placed carefully on one side. - -"With these," said the girl, "I can easily repair the damage to our -machine." - -"But what's the use, without gasoline?" asked Sybil. - -Orissa had no reply to this. She proceeded to inspect the provisions. -Mr. Cumberford had a way of always providing enough for a regiment -when he intended to feed a few, so in ordering lunch for two girls on -an aėrial voyage his usual prodigality had been in evidence. Perhaps -with an intuition that a delay or even an accident might occur to Sybil -and Orissa, the old gentleman had even exceeded his record, in this -instance. A big box of dainty sandwiches had been supplemented by three -cartons of biscuits, a whole Edam cheese, a bottle of pickles, two huge -packages of cakes and eighteen tins of provisions, provided with keys -for opening them. These consisted of sardines, potted ham and chicken, -baked beans, chipped beef and the like. In another parcel was a whole -roasted duck, in still another an apple pie, while two jars of jam -completed the list of edibles. For the voyagers to drink Mr. Cumberford -had added two half-gallon jars of distilled water, a bottle of grape -juice, two of ginger ale and one of lemonade. - -The girls examined this stock with profound gravity. - -"I wish," said Orissa, "there had been more bread and biscuits, for we -are going to need the substantials rather more than the delicacies." - -"Thank goodness we have anything!" exclaimed Sybil. "I suppose we must -breakfast on the cakes and jam, and save the other truck until later." - -"That's the idea," approved Orissa. "The cakes won't keep for long; -even the sandwiches will outlast them, I think." - -"True, if I eat all the cake I want," added Sybil. "Cakes and jam make -a queer breakfast, Orissa. In New England the pie would be appropriate." - -"Let's save the pie--for lunch." - -"Agreed. Breakfast isn't usually my strong point, you know." - -As they ate, seated together upon the sands, they cast many curious -glances at the interior of the island--a prospect forbidding enough. - -"Do you know," said Orissa, "the scarcity of food doesn't worry me so -much as the scarcity of water. Grape juice and ginger ale are well -enough in their way, but they don't take the place of water." - -"We may possibly find water on this island," replied Sybil, after a -little thought. - -"I don't believe it. I've an idea that, hunt as we may, we shall find -nothing more than rocks, and rocks, and rocks--anywhere and everywhere." - -"That's merely a hunch, and I distrust hunches. It will be better to -explore," suggested Sybil. - -"Yes; I think we ought to do that. But--the snakes." - -"Ah, the exclusive rock theory is already exploded," said Sybil, with a -laugh. "Yet even snakes can't exist without water, can they? Just the -thought of the wrigglers makes me shudder, but if they are really our -co-inhabitants here we won't be safe from them even on this shore. Have -we anything in the way of clubs?" - -Orissa considered the question. Then she went to the machine and with a -wrench unfastened the foot-bar, which was long enough to extend across -both seats and was made of solid steel. She also took the bolts out -of one of the levers, which when released became an effective weapon -of defense. Thus armed, and feeling somewhat more secure, the girls -prepared to move inland to explore their new habitation. - -They found the climb over the loose rocks adjoining the shore to be -quite arduous, and aside from the difficulties of the way they had to -exercise constant caution for fear of snakes. They saw none of these -dreaded reptiles, however, and when they came to the hillocks they -selected a path between the two most promising and began the ascent, -keeping close together. So jagged were the tumbled masses of rock and -so irregular in their formation that it was not a question of walking -so much as crawling, but with their leggings, stout shoes and thick -cloth skirts they were fairly protected from injury. - -The silence throughout the island was intense. The girls spoke in -hushed tones, awed by their uncanny surroundings. From a clear sky the -sun beat down upon their heads and was refracted from the rocks until -the heat was oppressive. Added to this a pungent, unrecognized odor -saluted their nostrils as they progressed inland. "Reminds me of the -smell of a drug store," asserted Sybil; but Orissa replied: "It's more -like the smell of a garage, I think." - -After a long and weary climb they reached the brow of the rock hills -and were able to look down into the "dip" or valley which lay between -them and the mountain. The center of the depression, which was three -or four miles across, appeared to be quite free from rocks except in -a few places where one cropped up in the form of a hummock. Elsewhere -the surface seemed smooth and moist, for it was covered with an oozy, -stagnant slime which was decidedly repulsive in appearance. - -Looking beyond this forbidding valley they discovered the first -interesting thing they had yet observed. At the right base of the -far-away mountain, lying between it and the sea, was a patch of vivid -green, crowning an elevation that distinctly separated it from the -central depression of the island. It might be grass or underbrush, this -alluring greenery, but in any event it proved a grateful sight to eyes -wearied by the dull waste of rocks. From the point where the girls -stood they could also see the top of a palm tree which grew around the -edge of the mountain. - -"Well!" said Orissa, drawing a long breath, "there is the first sign of -life--animal or vegetable--we have found in this wilderness. That tree -must indicate water, Sybil." - -"Whatever it indicates," was the reply, "yonder bluff is a better place -for our camp than the bay where we floated ashore. How shall we get to -it, though? It will be a heart-breaking climb cross-lots over these -interminable rocks." - -"An impossible climb," Orissa agreed. "I think our best plan will be to -go around the island, following the sandy beach. It seems from here as -if that bluff drops sheer down to the sea, but it will be much easier -for us to climb a bluff than to navigate these rocks. Let's go back and -try it." - -Cautiously and laboriously they made their way back to the beach, -feeling considerably cheered by what they had seen and reassured by -the total absence of the dreaded "wigglers." After resting a little -from their exertions they prepared for the more important journey of -discovery. Sybil carried some food and the bottle of lemonade, while -Orissa secured two straps from the aėroplane and the coil of wire. -Then, still armed with their steel bars, they set out along the beach. - -Their first task was to climb the rocks of the point which formed the -bay, where it jutted out from the shore. This being accomplished they -encountered another stretch of smooth beach, which gradually circled -around the north end of the island. Here it was easy walking and they -made good progress, but the coast line was so irregular that it wound -in and out continually, and in places huge boulders interrupted their -passage and obliged them either to climb or wade, whichever seemed the -most desirable. - -"Already," sighed Sybil, "we have tramped a thousand miles. Did you -mark that place, Orissa, so we will know when we come to it?" - -"Yes; I can tell it by the position of the sun. That side of the island -faces the northwest." - -"And we haven't passed it?" - -"No; but we must be drawing near to it. I've been looking for the bluff -the last half hour. The green place was quite elevated, you remember, -and must be well above the sea level. Look ahead; you'll notice the -rocks are gradually rising, from here on." - -Sybil nodded and again they trudged on. As the rocks grew higher at -their left, the girls kept to the narrow strip of beach, which was -beginning to be washed by an occasional wave. - -"The tide is rising," announced Orissa; "but we shall be at the bluff -very soon, and can then climb above this moisture. Feet wet, Syb?" - -"Pickled in brine. Wet feet signify a cold; cold signifies la grippe; -la grippe signifies a doctor; the doctor signifies a depleted bank -account. Science of deduction, Ris. It's only a step from wet feet to -poverty." - -"I prefer a doctor to an undertaker," said Orissa, "but as neither -profession is represented here I advise you to forego the pleasure of -taking cold." - -"Right you are, Cap'n Columbus. No doctor, no cold. Banish the thought! -We can't afford the luxury of illness, can we? Oh, here's the bluff." - -There it was, indeed; but absolutely unclimbable. It was sixty feet -high, at least, and overhanging the sea like a shelf, the waves having -cut it away at the base. - -"Now, then," said Orissa, after a careful inspection, "we must either -go back or go on, in order to find a way up. As we haven't passed any -steps or easy inclines, I propose we advance farther and see what the -west end looks like." - -"I'll follow the leader; but the waves are already covering the beach," -asserted Sybil, with a grimace. - -"Then let us wade; and don't lose any precious time, for the tide will -come in faster every minute. Shoes off, Crusoe!" - -"Aye, aye, Columbus." - -With shoes, leggings and stockings in hand they began the advance, -hugging the wall of rock and proceeding as swiftly as they could. At -times one or the other would cry out as she stepped on a sharp bit of -rock, but this was no time to shrink from petty trials and they bore up -with admirable fortitude. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - TWO GIRLS AND ONE ISLAND - - -Plodding along the narrow ledge of beach and constantly soused by the -waves, the girls began to fear, as afterward proved to be fact--that -the bluff covered the entire west end of the island. The water beneath -their feet grew deeper and the undertow stronger with every step they -advanced, but fortunately for their safety they finally came to a -crevasse that split the bluff in twain, and down this rift trickled a -rill of pure water. - -They both exclaimed with delight as they crept into the shelter of the -crevasse. The fissure was not level, but extended upward at an acute -angle, yet there was room enough at its mouth for the girls to creep -above the wash of the waves. Examining the place carefully, Orissa -thought they might be able to follow the rift up to the top of the -bluff, and so at once they began the ascent. The two walls were so -close together that they could touch both by extending their arms, and -there was room, by stepping occasionally into the shallow brook, for -them to climb from shelf to shelf without much difficulty. At the very -top, however, they were brought to an abrupt halt. A waterfall leaped -from the edge of the bluff, dropping a good ten feet to the point they -had now reached, from whence there seemed no way of gaining the top. - -Orissa and Sybil looked at each other and laughed, the spray from the -waterfall wetting their cheeks, which were now rosy from exercise. - -"Trapped, Cap'n!" cried Sybil, merrily. "What next?" - -"We can't go back, you know." - -"Not unless we prefer Davy Jones' locker to this stronghold--which I, -for one, don't. Therefore, let's eat." - -"That seems your resource in every emergency, Sybil." - -"Naturally. Feasting stimulates thought; thought develops wit; wit -finds a way." - -Orissa raised herself to a seat upon a projecting crag and then, -swinging her feet, proceeded to think while Sybil brought out the food. - -"Could you climb a wire, Syb?" - -"Not without years of practice. Have you positively decided to -establish a circus in these wilds, Ris?" - -Orissa stood upon the crag, examined the face of the rock and then -drove the end of the bar she carried into a small fissure that was -nearly on a level with her head. Sybil observed the horizontal bar and -laughed gleefully. - -"Have a sandwich, chummie, and curb your imagination," said she. "I -catch your idea, but respectfully decline to accept the hazard." - -Orissa ate her sandwich and drank from the bottle of lemonade. Then she -rinsed her fingers in the brook, dried them on her handkerchief and -again mounted the crag. - -"Listen, Crusoe: I'm going to make an attempt to break out of jail," -she said impressively. "If I can reach to the top I'll find some way to -get you up. As soon as I get my feet on that bar, you are to come up on -this crag and hand me your lever. If I can find a pocket to stick that -into, the deed is done." - -"Bravo, Ris! What a pity you haven't any spangles on your skirt. If you -fall, fall gradually, for I'll be afraid to catch you." - -Orissa's fingers clutched at the rough projections of rock and with -some difficulty she gained a footing on the bar. Then, still clinging -to the face of the rift, she made a further examination. There seemed -a small hole at the right, about breast high, and she called for the -lever. This Sybil promptly passed up. Orissa thrust in the lever and -the next instant nearly lost her footing, for with a bewildering hoot a -white owl of monstrous size fluttered out and tumbled almost at Sybil's -feet, who uttered a shriek like an Indian war whoop. The creature was -blinded by the glare of day and went whirling down the incline of the -crevasse until it was lost to sight. - -"First sign of life," called Sybil. "Don't look so scared, Ris; there's -nothing more harmless than an owl." - -"Did you yell because _I_ was scared?" inquired Orissa. - -"No, I was reproving the owl, who has a voice like a steam calliope. It -would take more than a blind bird to scare either of us; wouldn't it, -Cap'n?" - -"I--I wish it hadn't been so--so unexpected," muttered Orissa, feeling -her way up to the second projection. With her feet on the lever she -found her head well above the edge of the precipice and the first -glance showed her a good hold for her hands. - -Orissa Kane was no skilled athlete, but her experience in Steve's -workshop, together with her aėrial exercises and constant outdoor life, -had given her well developed muscles which now stood her in good stead. -She drew herself up, got her knee on the edge of the rock, and a moment -later was on level ground at the top of the bluff. Then she leaned -over and called to Sybil: - -"Can you manage it?" - -"What a question!" retorted Sybil, indignantly. "I stood below to catch -you in case you slipped; but who is there to catch _me_, I beg to -inquire?" - -"The owl," said Orissa. "Will you try it?" - -"Is it worth while? Tell me what you've found up there." - -Orissa turned and examined the scene now spread before her. - -"Better come up, Syb," she said. "But wait a moment and I'll help you." - -She attached one of the straps to the coil of steel wire and passed the -end down to her chum. - -"Buckle the strap around you--just under your arms," she called. "I'll -hold fast the wire at this end. You can't fall, then; but be careful, -just the same." - -With this support Sybil gained confidence. Exercising extreme caution -she followed Orissa's example in scaling the cliff and as fast as she -mounted her companion took up the slack in the wire and kept it taut. -As soon as Sybil stood on the upper bar Orissa grasped her arms and -drew her up beside her in safety. - -"There!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "Where there's a will, there's a -way. It wasn't such a difficult feat, after all." - -"There isn't enough money in the world to hire me to do it again," -panted Sybil, trembling a little from the giddy experience. - -"That may be true, but if our safety requires it we may repeat the -performance more than once," declared Orissa. "Unfortunately, we have -lost our weapons of defense." - -"Can't we recover the bars?" - -"Not without going down for them. If you think you could lower me over -the edge----" - -"I just couldn't, Ris. Don't mention it." - -"Very well; then we will proceed unarmed. Look, Sybil! Isn't it a -glorious prospect?" - -"In point of comparison, yes," admitted Sybil, speaking slowly as she -gazed around her. - -They were standing on a level table-land which lay between the base of -the mountain and the sea. The "mountain" was really a great hill of -rock, rising only a hundred and fifty feet or so from the table-land. -The level space before them was clothed with a queer sort of verdure. -It was not grass, but plants with broad and rather crinkly leaves, -so tender that wherever the girls stepped the leaves were broken and -crushed. Nor was the color an emerald green; it was rather a pale -pea-green and the plants grew not in soil but sprang from tiny cracks -and fissures in a sort of shale, or crushed slate, which was constantly -kept moist by the seepage of the little stream. - -The island here made an abrupt curve to the west and a little farther -along the girls saw patches of bushes and several small groups of tall, -tropical trees, resembling plantains, or palms. There were vines, too, -which grew in rank profusion among the rocks and helped relieve the -dismal landscape by their greenery. But nowhere appeared any earth, or -natural soil; whatever grew, grew among the crushed rock, or shale, -which seemed to possess a certain fertility where moisture reached it. - -"This part of the island seems by far the best," asserted Sybil. "Let -us explore it thoroughly." - -They set out to skirt the edge of the bluff and on reaching the first -group of trees found they were bananas. Several bunches of plump fruit -hung far up among the branches, quite out of reach. - -"We'll find a way to get at them if we are detained here long enough to -need them," said Orissa. - -A half mile beyond the place where they had so laboriously climbed the -bluff they came upon a broad ravine which led directly down to the -water's edge. It appeared as if a huge mass of rock had at some time -become detached from the mountain and, sliding downward, had cut away -the bluff and hurled itself into the sea, where it now lay a few rods -from the water's edge and formed a sort of breakwater. The swirl of -the waves around this mass of rock had made a small indentation in the -shore, creating a tiny bay with a sandy beach. - -"Ah," said Orissa, examining this place, "here is where we must -establish our camp; there is room enough to float our boat into the -bay, where the water is calm, and on that smooth beach I can repair the -Hy at my leisure." - -"Also, from this elevation," added Sybil, "we can fly a flag of -distress, which would be seen by any ship approaching the island." - -Orissa nodded approval. - -"Here is also water and food," said she. "If we can manage to -navigate the Hy to this place we have little to fear from a temporary -imprisonment." - -"We must wait for low tide before we start back," observed Sybil. -"Meantime, let's run down to the beach and see how it looks." - -The descent to the water's edge was easy, and they found the little bay -ideal for their purpose. But they could hear the waves breaking with -some force against the face of the cliff, just outside their retreat, -and it would be hours before they might venture to return to the other -side of the island. - -So again they ascended the bluff and selected a place for their -camp, beneath the spreading foliage of the tall bananas. Afterward -they sought the source of the little brook, which was high up on the -mountain and required a difficult climb to reach it. A spring seemed -to well up, clear and refreshing, from a cleft in the rock, but even -at its source there was no more water than would run from an ordinary -house faucet. - -"Isn't it astonishing," said Orissa, "how much moisture is dispersed -from this tiny stream? I think it never rains here and this spring of -water supplies all the island." - -"This part of it, anyhow. It's mighty lucky for us the babbling brook -is here," declared Sybil, drinking deeply of the cool water and then -bathing her heated brow with it. "But what stumps me, Ris, is the lack -of any life on the island. With water and green stuff both animals -and birds might thrive here--to say nothing of bugs and lizards and -serpents galore--yet aside from that great white owl we've not seen a -living thing." - -"It really _is_ curious," admitted Orissa. Then, turning her gaze -seaward, she exclaimed: "See there, Sybil! Isn't that another island?" - -"It surely is," was the reply; "and only a few miles away. It's a -big island, too, Ris--far bigger than this. Did you bring along your -glasses?" - -"No; they are in the boat." - -"When we get them we can inspect that island better. Perhaps we could -manage to get to it, Ris." - -"We'll see," was the doubting answer. "I imagine, if that island is -so much larger, and proves to be more fertile than this, that we have -discovered the reason why the live things, such as birds and animals, -prefer it as a place of residence." - -They made their way back to the bluff and waited patiently for the tide -to ebb. According to Orissa's watch it was quite four o'clock before -they deemed it safe to venture on the sands, and even then they went -barefooted, as an occasional wave still crossed their narrow path. - -By the time they reached the bay and their boat the two girls were very -tired with their long tramp and as it was nearly sundown they decided -to spend the night in this location and make the attempt to shift camp -next day. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - AN OWL CONCERT - - -While daylight lasted Orissa was busy examining the injury to the -Aircraft and attempting a few preliminary repairs. Her long mechanical -experience in the workshop with her brother enabled her to determine -accurately what was required to put the machine into proper working -order, and she thought she could accomplish the task. - -"I can't see that it matters, anyhow," said Sybil, watching her chum -from a seat upon the sands. "We can't fly, and the boat is our only -refuge. Even that we must manage to row or sail in some way." - -"All very true," returned Orissa, "but I can see no object in -neglecting these repairs when I am able to make them. I can take off -the bent elevator rods and straighten them, after which the elevator -and rudder may assist us in sailing, as we can oppose them to the wind. -The engine control is a more serious matter, for the wheel connection -was broken off short. But I shall take a rod from a support and fit it -in place and then replace the support with our steel wire. That is a -sort of makeshift and will require time and nice adjustment, but I can -do it, all right. The tools Steve supplied were quite complete; there's -even a box marked 'soldering outfit.'" - -"Is there?" asked Sybil, eagerly. "See if any matches are in it, Ris." - -"Matches?" - -"Yes. The lack of matches has disturbed me considerably." - -"Why, Syb?" - -"We can't cook without them." - -"Cook! why, I never thought of such a thing," said Orissa, truly -astonished. "What is there to cook, in this place?" - -"Fish," answered Sybil. - -"And what would you use for fuel?" - -"Fuel?" - -"Yes; what is there to make a fire with?" - -"Never mind that. Just see about the matches." - -Orissa opened the soldering case and found an alcohol torch, a flask of -alcohol, solder, acid and a box of matches. - -"Good!" cried Sybil, joyfully. "Don't you dare do any wasteful -soldering, Orissa Kane. Save every drop of that alcohol to cook with." - -Orissa laughed. - -"I have nothing to solder, just yet," said she. "And you've nothing to -fry." - -"I soon shall have, though," was the confident reply. "We've assured -ourselves of one thing, Miss Columbus, and that is that we can sustain -life, in case of necessity, on bananas and spring water. So I propose -we have one good, luxuriant square meal this evening by way of variety. -We've done nothing but lunch for two whole days and I want something -hot." - -"I'm willing, Sybil. Can you catch a fish?" - -"If there's one in our neighborhood. I'll try it while you are -tinkering." - -Among the tools was a ball of stout cord, and for hook Sybil cut a -short length of wire and bent it into shape with a pair of nippers, -filing a sharp point to it. Then she opened a can of chipped beef and -secured a couple of slices for bait. Going to the point of rock she -found a place on the ocean side where a projecting shelf afforded her a -seat above fairly deep water, and here she dropped her line. - -Mr. Cumberford was an enthusiastic fisherman and while Sybil had never -cared particularly for the sport she had accompanied her father on many -a piscatorial expedition. - -A tug. The girl hauled in, hand over hand, and found she had captured -a large crab, which dropped from the hook to the rocks and with -prodigious speed made for the water and disappeared. - -"Good riddance, old ugly!" laughed Sybil. - -Scarcely had she thrown her line when another tug came. A second crab -floundered upon the rocks, but fell upon his back and lay struggling to -turn himself. - -Sybil ruefully contemplated the empty hook. - -"I can't feed all our good beef to horrid crabs," she exclaimed; "but -the beef seems a good bait and I'll try again." - -Another crab. Orissa came clambering over the rocks to her friend's -side. The sun was sinking. - -"What luck, Syb?" - -"Only three crabs. I'm afraid it's too shallow here for fish." - -Orissa leaned over the still struggling crab--the only one that had not -escaped. - -"Why, we pay big money in Los Angeles for these things," said she. -"They're delicious eating; but they have to be boiled, I think, and -then cracked and newburged or creamed." - -"Keep an eye on the rascal, then," said Sybil. "Can't he be eaten just -boiled?" - -"Yes; with mayonnaise." - -"There's none handy. Let the high-brow go, and we'll fish for -something that doesn't require royal condiments." - -But Orissa weighted the crab with a heavy stone, to hold him down. Then -she sat beside Sybil and watched her. - -"I'm afraid our fish dinner must be postponed," began Miss Cumberford, -sorrowfully; but at that moment the line jerked so fiercely that she -would have been pulled from her seat had not Orissa made a grab and -rescued her. Then they both clung to the line, managing to draw it in -by degrees until there leaped from the water a great silvery fish which -promptly dove again, exhibiting a strength that nearly won for him his -freedom. - -"Hold fast!" gasped Sybil, exerting all her strength. "We mustn't let -him escape." - -The fish, a twelve-pound rockcod, made a desperate fight; but -unfortunately for him he had swallowed the entire hook and so his -conquest was certain if the girls could hold on to the line. At last -he lay flopping upon the rocks, and seeing he was unable to disgorge -the hook, they dragged him to the beach, where Orissa shut her eyes and -beheaded him with a hatchet from the tool chest. - -In the outfit of the chest, which had evidently been intended by -Steve and Mr. Cumberford for regular use in connection with the -Hydro-Aircraft, they had found two aluminum plates, as well as knives -and forks and spoons. Sybil cut two generous slices from the big fish -and laid them upon one of the metal plates. Then they opened a can -of pork and beans and secured a lump of fat to use in frying. Orissa -lighted the alcohol torch and Sybil arranged some loose rocks so that -they would support the plate suspended above the flame of the torch. -The intense heat melted the fat and the fish was soon fried to a lovely -brown. They ate it with biscuits and washed it down with ginger ale, -confiding the while to one another that never had they eaten a meal so -delicious. - -They let the torch flicker during the repast, for night had fallen, but -when from motives of economy Orissa had extinguished the flame they -found a dim light suffused from a myriad of stars. Later a slender -crescent moon arose, so they were able to distinguish near-by objects, -even with the shadow of the bleak mountain behind them. - -They had arranged their blankets in the boat and were sitting upon -them, talking together in the starlight, when suddenly an unearthly -cry smote their ears, followed by an answering shriek--then another, -and another--until the whole island seemed echoing with a thousand -terrifying whoops. - -"Ku-whoo-woo-oo-oo! Ku-whoo! Ku-whoo-oo!" - -The two girls clung together tremblingly as the great chorus burst upon -them; but after a moment Sybil pushed her companion away with a nervous -little laugh. - -"Owls!" she exclaimed. - -"Oh!" said Orissa, relieved as the truth dawned upon her. "I--I thought -it was savages." - -"So it is. I challenge any beings to yell more savagely than those -fearful hoot owls. Something must have happened to them, Ris, for -they've never made a mutter all day long." - -"Because they have been asleep," answered Orissa. They had to speak -loudly to be heard above the turmoil of shrieks, although the owls -seemed mainly congregated upon the distant mountain. The rocks -everywhere were full of them, however, and hoots and answering hoots -resounded from every part of the island. It was fairly deafening, as -well as annoying and uncanny. They waited in vain for the noise to -subside. - -"There must be thousands of them," observed Sybil. "What's the row -about, do you suppose!" - -"Perhaps it's their nature to, Syb. I wonder why we didn't hear the -pests last night. When we wakened this morning all was silent as the -grave." - -"I think we floated into the bay about daylight, when all the big-eyes -had ducked into their holes. Do you know, Ris, the owls must be -responsible for the absence of all other life on the island? They dote -on snakes and lizards and beetles and such, and they'd rob the nests of -any other birds, who couldn't protect themselves in the nighttime. So I -suppose they've either eaten up all the other creatures or scared them -to death." - -"That must be so. But, oh, Sybil! if this racket keeps up every night -how are we going to be able to sleep?" - -"Ah. Just inquire, Cap'n, and if you find out, let me know," replied -Sybil, yawning. "I got up so early this morning that I'm dead for sleep -this blessed minute." - -"Lie down; I'll keep watch." - -"Thank you. This lullaby is too entrancing to miss." - -The air grew cool presently, as it often does at night in the -semi-tropics, and the two girls crouched down and covered themselves to -their ears with the blankets. That deadened the pandemonium somewhat -and as the owls showed no tendency to abate their shrieks, an hour or -two of resigned submission to the inevitable resulted in drowsiness, -and finally in sleep. As Sybil said next morning, no one would have -believed that mortal girl could have slumbered under the affliction of -such ear-splitting yells; but sleep they did, and when they wakened at -daybreak profound silence reigned. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - MISS COLUMBUS AND MISS CRUSOE - - -Sybil cooked more fish for their breakfast, although Orissa objected to -the extravagant waste of alcohol. But her chum argued that they must -waste either the alcohol or the fish and as they had a strenuous day -before them a substantial breakfast was eminently desirable. - -They now packed the aluminum chest and made arrangements for the -voyage, for the sea in the bay was smooth as glass and the ocean seemed -nearly as quiet outside. Orissa had straightened and repaired the -elevator rods and firmly bolted the chest in its original position, but -the control must be a matter of future tinkering, the rod needed for -its repair being at present stuck in the side of the bluff. - -It was easy to roll the machine down the beach into the water and -set it afloat, but the difficult matter was to propel their queer, -top-heavy craft through the water. A quiet sea meant no wind, nor could -they feel the slightest breath of air stirring. Oars they had none, nor -any substitute for such things; nor could they find anything to pole -the boat along with. - -"There's just one thing to be done," announced Orissa, gravely, "and -that is for us to take turns wading behind the thing and pushing it -along. By keeping close to the shore we ought to be able to accomplish -our journey in that way." - -"Suppose we strike deep water?" suggested Sybil. - -"We'll stay close to shore. There seems to be a beach all the way." - -"I'm game to try," declared Sybil, in a brisk tone, "but it seems at -first sight like an impossible task. I'm glad, Miss Columbus, that -under these circumstances your island is uninhabited--except by owls -who can't see in the daytime." - -"Were there other inhabitants," returned Orissa, "we would not be -undertaking such a thing. The natives would either eat us or assist us." - -"True for you, Cap'n. I'm going to keep my stockings on. They'll be -some protection against those sharp rocks which we're liable to tread -on." - -"I shall do the same," said Orissa. "Take your seat in the boat, Syb, -and I'll do the first stunt shoving. After we get around the point I -will give you a chance to wade." - -"Unanimously carried," said Sybil. - -This undertaking did not appear nearly so preposterous to the two -castaways as it may to the reader sitting quietly at home. Except -that circumstances had made Orissa and Sybil aėronauts at a time when -few girls have undertaken to fly through the air--as many will do in -the future--they were quite like ordinary girls in all respects. A -capricious fate had driven them into a far-away, unknown sea and cast -them upon an uninviting island, but in such unusual circumstances -they did what any girls would do, if they're the right sort; kept -their courage and exercised every resource to make the most of their -discouraging surroundings and keep alive until succor arrived. - -So far, these two castaways had shown admirable stamina. Had either one -been placed in such a position alone, the chances are she might have -despaired and succumbed to girlish terrors, but being together their -native pride forbade their admitting or even showing a trace of fear. -In this manner they encouraged and supported one another, outwardly -calm, whatever their inward tremors might be. - -Orissa Kane was habitually dainty and feminine in both appearance and -deportment, yet possessed a temperament cool and self-reliant. Her -natural cleverness and quickness of comprehension had been fostered -by constant association with her mechanical, inventive brother, and -it seemed to her quite proper to help herself when no one was by to -render her aid. To wade in the warm, limpid water of the Pacific, at -a place far removed from the haunts of humanity, in order to propel -the precious craft on which her life and that of her companion might -depend, to a better location, seemed to this girl quite the natural -thing to do. Sybil's acute sense of humor led her to recognize the -laughable side of this queer undertaking; yet even Sybil, much more -frail and dependent than her beloved chum, had no thought of refusing -her assistance. - -The aluminum boat rode lightly upon the surface of the sea, the broad, -overhanging planes scarcely interfering with its balance. Indeed, the -planes probably assisted in keeping the boat upright. Orissa, knee-deep -in the water, was not called upon to exert herself more than to wade; -but this was a slow and tedious process and required frequent rests. -At such times she would sit in the back of the boat and let her feet -dangle in the warm water. - -Gradually the Hy was propelled around the point of rock into the open -sea, and by keeping close to shore the girl seldom found herself out -of her depth, and then only temporarily. - -Sybil kept up a constant chatter, inducing Orissa frequently to laugh -with her, and that made the task seem more an amusement than hard -labor. They took turns at the wading, as had been agreed upon, but -because Orissa was much the stronger her periods of playing mermaid -were longer than those of her chum. - -In this manner they made good progress, and though Sybil made a great -deal of fun of what she called her "patent propeller," she took her -turn at wading very seriously and pushed the strange craft through the -water at a good rate of speed. By midday they reached the point where -the bluff began to rise and here they sat together in the boat, shaded -by the planes, and ate their luncheon with hearty appetites. They found -it high tide, yet the water was more quiet than on the preceding day, -and when they resumed their journey their progress was much more rapid -than before. - -By two o'clock they had cautiously propelled the boat around the huge -boulder that marked the ravine they had found and soon after had rolled -it upon the sandy beach and anchored it securely beyond the reach of -the tide. - -"If it would fly," said Orissa, "I think we could push it to the top -of the bluff; but if we use it at all, before our friends arrive, it -must be as a boat, and not an aėroplane." - -"Then," returned Sybil, "let's remove the canvas from the lower plane -and make a tent of it." - -"I've been thinking of that," said Orissa, "and I'm sure it is a wise -thing to do. I know how to take the clips off, and it won't injure the -cloth in the least." - -"Then get busy, and I'll help you." - -So, after a good rest on the beach in the sun they resumed their -clothing. The wet stockings were thoroughly dried by the sun by the -time they were ready for them, and presently they set to work removing -the cloth from the lower plane. The task was almost completed when -Sybil suddenly exclaimed: - -"How about a frame for our tent?" - -Orissa looked puzzled. - -"Come up on the bluff," she proposed. - -The incline was not at all difficult and they soon stood on top the -bluff. A thorough examination of the place disclosed no means of -erecting the tent. A few dead branches that had fallen from the banana -trees lay scattered about and there was a quantity of anęmic shrubbery -growing here and there, but there was nothing to furnish poles for the -tent or to support it in any way. - -"Stumped, Columbus!" laughed Sybil, as they squatted together in the -shade of the trees. "We shall have to drag up the aėroplane, after all, -and use the plane-frame for our ridge-pole." - -Orissa demurred at this. - -"There is always a way to do a thing, if one can think how," she said. - -"In this case, chummie dear, magic or legerdemain seems the only modus -operandi," maintained Sybil. But Orissa was thinking, and as she -thought she glanced at the trees. - -"Why, of course!" she exclaimed. - -Sybil's eyes questioned her gravely. - -"Come on!" cried Orissa, jumping up. - -"Not a step, Miss Columbus, until I'm enlightened." - -"Oh, Crusoe, can't you see? It is so extremely simple that I'm ashamed -of our stupidity. We've but to stretch our coil of wire between these -two trees, throw the canvas over it and weight the bottom with rocks to -hold it in place." - -Sybil sighed. - -"It was _too_ easy," she admitted. "I never _could_ guess an easy -conundrum; but give me a hard nut to crack and I'm a regular squirrel." - -They returned to the beach for the canvas and wire and Orissa took -several of the clips, with which to fasten together the ends of their -tent. Ascending once more, this time heavily loaded, to the group of -bananas on the bluff, they proceeded to attach the wire to two of the -trees. The plane-cover was large enough to afford a broad spread to -their "A" tent and when the lower edges were secured by means of heavy -stones, and the scattered rocks cleared away from the interior, their -new domicile seemed roomy and inviting. - -Their next task was to fetch the aluminum chest from the beach, and -after they had lightened its weight by leaving in the boat all the -tools except the hatchet and a small hack saw, they were able to carry -the chest between them, although forced to make frequent stops to rest. - -"The lack of a bedstead worries me most," remarked Sybil. "I don't like -the idea of sleeping on the bare ground. How would it do, Ris, to build -a stone bed--something like an altar, you know, with a hollow center -which we could fill with sand?" - -"That is a capital idea, Crusoe, and will help clear our front yard of -some of those flat stones. They are mostly slate, I think, instead of -rock formation. Heave-ho, my hearty, and we'll do the job in a jiffy." - -The girls lugged into the tent a number of stones of such size as they -could comfortably move, and then Orissa, who could put her hand to -almost any sort of work, planned and built the extraordinary bedstead. -It was laid solid, at first, but when about a foot from the ground she -began to extend the sides of the pile and leave a hollow in the middle. -This hollow they afterward filled with sand, carrying it in their -dress-skirts from the beach. When finally the "Altar to Morpheus"--as -Sybil persisted in calling it--was completed, they spread their -blankets upon it and it made a very comfortable place to sleep. - -They also erected a small rock stove, for there was enough firewood to -be gathered, in the way of fallen branches, dead leaves and "peelings" -from the tree-trunks, to last them for several days. The hatchet and -hack saw helped prepare these scraps to fit the stove and by sundown -the girls felt quite settled in their new residence. - -"We ought to fly a flag of distress from some place high up on those -trees," observed Orissa; "but we've no flag and no way to shin up the -tree." - -"Couldn't any ship see our white tent from the ocean?" asked Sybil. - -"Yes; I think so." - -"As for climbing the tree," continued Sybil, "I wish your creative -brain would evolve some way to do it. Those fat, yellow bananas look -mighty tempting and they would serve to eke out our larder. Supplies -are beginning to diminish with alarming rapidity, Ris. Only a box and a -half of those biscuits left." - -"I know," said Orissa, soberly. "To-morrow we will see what may be done -to capture the bananas." - -After a time Sybil said, softly: "By to-morrow we may begin to look -for Daddy and Steve. Of course it will take them some time to find us, -but----Don't you think, Orissa, they're quite certain to find us, in -the end?" - -Orissa looked at her companion with a gleam of pity in her deep blue -eyes; but she had no desire to disturb Sybil's confidence in their -rescue, whatever misgivings oppressed her own heart. - -"I believe they will find us," she affirmed. "It may not be to-morrow, -you know, nor in a week, nor--perhaps--in a month----" - -"Oh, Orissa!" - -"But they'll cover the entire Pacific in their search, I am positive, -and sooner or later they'll come to this island and--take us away." - -"Alive or dead," added Sybil, gloomily. - -"Oh, as for that, we are perfectly safe, and healthy--so far--and I -imagine we could live for a long time on this island, if obliged to." - -Again they sat silently thinking, while twilight gave way to darkness -and darkness was relieved by the pale moonlight. - -Suddenly a shriek sounded in their ears. A great white bird swooped -down from the mountain and passed directly between their two heads, -disappearing into the night with another appalling cry. This shriek was -answered by another and another, until the whole island resounded with -the distracting "Ku-whoo-oo!" - -"The owls are awake," said Orissa, rising resignedly. "Come into the -tent, Sybil. I'm not sure they wouldn't attack us if we remained in the -open." - - - - - CHAPTER X - - MADELINE DENTRY'S PROPOSITION - - -At the aviation field the crowd had watched the departure of the two -girls, flying the famous Kane Hydro-Aircraft, with eager interest but -assured confidence in their making a successful trip. The Flying Girl -never indulged in accidents, and her skill was universally admitted. -To be sure, there was an added risk in flying over the water, but -with a motor boat to sustain them when they alighted, the danger was -reduced to a minimum and, in the minds of nearly all the spectators, a -triumphant return was unquestioned. Hundreds of glasses followed the -flight and although the management sent several bird-men into the air -to amuse the throng the real interest remained centered on the dim -speck that marked the course of the Flying Girl. - -No sooner had Orissa and Sybil started on their voyage than Stephen -Kane and Mr. Cumberford ran to the bluff overlooking the sea, where -with powerful binoculars they could obtain an unobstructed view of the -entire trip to the island and back again. Presently Madeline Dentry -joined them, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Tupper, all standing silently -with leveled glasses. - -"She's working beautifully," muttered Steve, referring to his invention -with boyish delight. "I'm sorry Ris didn't make a straight line of -it, but she always likes to give the dear public the worth of their -money.... Ah-h!" - -"By Jove! that was an awkward turn," cried Mr. Cumberford, as they saw -the Aircraft keel at a dangerous angle and then slowly right itself. -"I'm surprised at Orissa. She usually makes her turns so neatly." - -"I've an idea that blamed steering gear stuck," said Steve, ruefully. -"I've been a little afraid of it, all along. But the girls are all -right now. They're headed dead for the island and if Orissa makes a -neat drop to the water the rest is easy." - -No one spoke again for a time, all being intent upon the -flying-machine. When it had seemed to reach the island, and even to -pass over it, without a halt, there was an excited hum of amazement -from the grand stand. - -Madeline glanced at Stephen Kane's face and found it as white as a -sheet. He was staring with dilated eyes toward the Aircraft. - -"What in the mischief is Orissa up to now?" questioned Mr. Cumberford, -uneasily. "Wasn't she to alight this side of the island?" - -"Yes," answered Steve hoarsely. - -"Then----She can't be joking, or playing pranks. It isn't like her. -Why, they haven't swerved a hair's breadth from the course, or even -slackened speed. They--they----" - -"They're in trouble, I'm afraid," said Steve in trembling tones. "The -control has failed them and they can't stop." - -"Can't stop!" The little line of observers on the bluff echoed the -thrilling words. From the grand stand came a roar of voices filled -with tense excitement. Some thought the Flying Girl was attempting a -reckless performance, with the idea of shocking the crowd; but Stephen -Kane knew better, and so did Mr. Cumberford. As the two men held their -glasses to their eyes with shaking hands, straining to discover a -sign that Orissa had altered her course and was coming back, Madeline -Dentry turned to look earnestly at the brother and father of the girls, -knowing she could read the facts more truly from their faces than by -focusing her own glasses on that tiny speck in the sky. - -The moments dragged slowly, yet laden with tragic import. The powerful -lenses lost the speck, now found it again--lost it for good--yet the -men most affected by this strange occurrence still glared at the -sky, hoping against hope that their fears were unfounded and that the -Aircraft would come back. - -Some one plucked Steve's sleeve. It was Chesty Todd, his big body -shaken like an aspen. - -"It--it has run away with 'em, Steve. It's gone wrong, man; there's -danger ahead!" - -"Eh?" said Steve, dully. - -"Wake up and do something!" - -Steve lowered his glasses and looked helplessly at Mr. Cumberford. -Cumberford returned the stare, glowering upon the inventor. - -"That's right; it's up to you, Kane. What are you going to do?" he -asked coldly. - -"There's no other hydro-aėroplane on the grounds," said the boy -brokenly. - -"Then get an aėroplane," commanded Cumberford, sharply. - -"It would mean death to anyone who ventured to follow our girls in an -aėroplane--not rescue for them." - -Cumberford moaned, as if in pain; then stamped his foot impatiently, as -if ashamed of his weakness. - -"Well--well! What then, Stephen Kane?" he demanded. - -[Illustration: "It--it has run away with 'em Steve. It's gone wrong, -man; there's danger ahead!"] - -Steve wrung his hands, realizing his helplessness. - -"Gentlemen," said Madeline Dentry, laying a gentle hand on Mr. -Cumberford's arm, "let me help you. There is no reason for despair just -yet; the condition of those girls is far from desperate, it seems to -me. Did I understand you to say, Mr. Kane, that your sister is unable -to stop the engine, or to turn the machine?" - -Steve nodded. - -"That's it," he said. "Something has broken. I can't imagine what it -is, but there's no other way to explain the thing." - -"Very well," rejoined Madeline, coolly, "let us, then, try to consider -intelligently what will happen to them. Will they presently descend and -alight upon the surface of the water?" - -"I'm--I'm afraid not," Steve answered. "If that were possible, Orissa -would have done it long ago. I think something has happened to affect -the control, and therefore my sister is helpless." - -"In that case, how long will they continue flying?" persisted Madeline. - -"As long as the gasoline lasts--three or four hours." - -"And how fast are they traveling, Mr. Kane?" - -"I think at the rate of about forty-five miles an hour." - -Miss Dentry made a mental calculation. - -"Then they will descend about a hundred and fifty miles from here, in a -straight line over that island," said she. "Having a boat under them, I -suppose they will float indefinitely?" - -Again Steve nodded, looking at the girl curiously and wondering at her -logic. - -"If--if they manage to alight upon the water in good shape," he replied -more hopefully, "they'll be safe enough--for a time. And they have food -and water with them. The only danger I fear for them, at present, is -that when the gasoline is exhausted the machine will be wrecked." - -"Don't you aviators often shut off your engine and volplane to the -ground?" asked Madeline. - -"Yes, with the elevator and rudder in full control. But that isn't the -case with Orissa. I'm certain her elevator control has bound in some -way. Were it broken, and free, the Aircraft would have wobbled, and -perhaps tumbled while we were looking at it. The elevator is wedged, -you see, and my sister can't move it at all. So, when the gasoline -gives out, I--I'm not sure how the machine will act." - -"Anyway," exclaimed Madeline, with sudden determination, "we are -wasting valuable time in useless talk. Follow me at once." - -"Where to?" asked Steve, in surprise. - -"To my yacht. I'm going after the girls. Please come with us, Mr. -Cumberford--and you, too, Mr. Todd. Aunty," turning to Mrs. Tupper, "if -you require anything from the hotel for the journey I will send you -there in the car; but you must hurry, for every moment is precious." - -Mr. Cumberford straightened up, animated and alert, while his face -brightened with a ray of hope. - -"We will take my car to the bay," said he, eagerly, "and Mr. and Mrs. -Tupper can use your own car to visit the hotel. Will you accompany us, -or ride with your aunt?" - -"With you," decided Madeline. "I must have the captain get up steam and -prepare to sail. It won't take long; I've ordered them to keep a little -steam all the time, in case I wish to take a party out for a ride." - -Even as they were speaking all walked rapidly toward the long line of -motor cars. Mrs. Tupper, who had not ventured a remark or made any -protest--quite contrary to her usual custom--now astonished her niece -by saying: - -"Never mind the hotel; let us all go directly to the yacht. With -those two poor girls in danger I couldn't bear to think I had caused -a moment's delay. It is very comfortable on the yacht and--we'll get -along all right for a day." - -"To be sure; to be sure," agreed Mr. Tupper, nervously. "I shall be -seasick; I'm bound to be seasick; I always am; but in this emergency my -place is by Madeline's side." - -Of course no protest would have affected Madeline's determination, -and the worthy couple recognized that fact perfectly; hence they -diplomatically abetted her plan. - -Captain Krell had attended the exhibitions at the aviation field, but -while there he kept one eye on Miss Dentry. During the panic caused by -the runaway aėroplane he saw Miss Dentry in earnest conversation with -Cumberford and Kane and marked their hurried departure from the field. -So the gallant captain scuttled back to the yacht at his best speed, to -find Miss Dentry already aboard and the engineer shoveling in coal. - -Both Mr. Cumberford and Steve knew that the _Salvador_ was by odds -the fastest ship in the bay, and Madeline's prompt offer to go to the -rescue of their imperilled daughter and sister awakened hope in their -breasts and aroused their lively gratitude. - -After all it did not take the yacht long to get under way. It was so -perfectly manned and in such complete readiness that steam was the only -requisite to begin a trip instantly. Madeline could scarcely wait while -with aggravating deliberation they hoisted anchor, but she became more -composed as the yacht slowly headed out of the bay, the crew alert and -the big captain as eager as any of them to rescue the daring bird-maids. - -By the time the _Salvador_ reached the open sea the shore was lined -with thousands of spectators, and the sight of the graceful yacht -headed in chase of the two girls raised a cheer so lusty and heartfelt -that it reached Madeline's ears and caused her to flush with pleasure -and renewed determination. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - A GAME OF CHECKERS - - -"Nine o'clock!" cried Orissa, giving Sybil a nudge. "Are you going to -sleep all day, Crusoe, like those dreadful owls?" - -"I'd like to," muttered Miss Cumberford, regretfully opening her eyes. -"My, what a blessed relief from that night of torture! Don't you think, -Ris, that those feathered fiends only stopped the concert because -they'd howled until their throats were sore?" - -"I fear we made a mistake in changing our camp," returned Orissa, busy -with her toilet. "The shrieks sounded much louder than they did the -night before." - -"Question is," said Sybil, rolling off the improvised bed, "how long we -are to endure this imprisonment. If it's to be a mere day or so, don't -let's move again. However, if you think we're here for life, I propose -we murder every owl and have done with them." - -"We can't read the future, of course," remarked Orissa thoughtfully, -as she stroked her beautiful hair with her back-comb--the only toilet -article she possessed. "Steve may get to us any day, or he may have -a hard time finding us. He will never give up, though, nor will your -father, until our retreat is located and--and--our fate determined." - -"Poor Daddy!" sighed Sybil; "he'll be worried to death. I've led him a -dog's life, I know; but he's just as fond and faithful as if I'd been a -dutiful daughter." - -"I hope they won't tell mother," said Orissa. "The anxiety would be so -hard for her to bear. _We_ know we're fairly comfortable, Syb; but they -can't know that, nor have any clear idea what's become of us." - -They fell quiet, after this, and exchanged few words until they were -outside the tent and had made a fire of twigs and leaves in the rock -stove. Sybil warmed the last of the baked beans, adding a little water -to moisten them. With these they each ate a biscuit and finished their -breakfast with a draught of cool water from the spring. - -After the meal they wandered among the queer greenery they had before -observed and Sybil called attention to the fact that many of the broad, -tender leaves had been nibbled at the edges. - -"The owls did that, of course," said Orissa, "and if it is good food -for owls I'm sure it wouldn't hurt us." - -"Doesn't it look something like lettuce?" asked Sybil. - -"Yes; perhaps that is what it is--wild lettuce." - -She plucked a leaf and tasted it. The flavor was agreeable and not -unlike that of lettuce. - -"Well," said Sybil, after tasting the green, "here's an item to add -to our bill-of-fare. If only we had dressing for it a salad would be -mighty appetizing." - -"There's the vinegar in the bottle of pickles," proposed Orissa. "It -won't go very far, but it will help. Let us try the new dish for -luncheon." - -"And how about the bananas?" asked Miss Cumberford. - -"I'll proceed to get them right now," promised Orissa, walking back to -the group of trees. - -The bare, smooth trunks extended twenty feet in the air before a branch -appeared. The branches were broad, stout leaves, among which hung the -bunches of fruit. - -"I hate to ruin a perfectly good tree," declared Orissa, picking up the -hatchet, "but self-preservation is the first law of nature." - -"Goodness me! You're not thinking of chopping it down, I hope," -exclaimed Sybil. - -"No; that would be too great a task to undertake. I've a better way, I -think." - -She selected a tree that had three large bunches of bananas on it. One -bunch was quite ripe, the next just showing color and the third yet an -emerald green. Each bunch consisted of from sixty to eighty bananas. - -First Orissa chopped notches on either side of the trunk, at such -distances as would afford support for her feet. When these notches -rose as high as she could reach, she brought two broad straps from the -Aircraft, buckled them together around the tree-trunk, and then passed -the slack around her body and beneath her arms. Thus supported she -began the ascent, placing her feet in the notches she had already cut -and chopping more notches as she advanced. - -In this manner the girl reached the lower branches and after climbing -into them removed the strap and crept along until she reached the first -bunch of bananas. - -"Stand from under!" she cried to Sybil and began chopping at the stem. -Presently the huge bunch fell with a thud and Sybil gleefully applauded -by clapping her hands. - -"The lower ones are a bit mushy, I fear," she called to her chum, "but -that can't be helped." - -"We will eat those first," said Orissa, creeping to the second bunch. - -She managed to cut it loose, and the third, after which she replaced -the strap around her body and cautiously descended to the ground. -The two girls then rolled over the ripest bunch and found the damage -confined to a couple of dozen bananas, the skins of which had burst -from the force of the heavy fall. A moment later they were feasting on -the fruit, which they found delicious. - -"I've read somewhere," said Sybil, "that bananas alone will sustain -life for an indefinite period. They are filling and satisfying, and -they're wholesome. We needn't worry any longer for fear of starvation, -Ris." - -"I imagine we'd get deadly tired of the things, in time," replied -Orissa; "but, as you say, they'll sustain life, and just at present -they taste mighty good." - -They drew the ripest bunch into the tent, but left the others lying in -the bright sunshine. - -"Now," announced Orissa, "we must make an expedition to that crevasse -and rescue the bar and the lever, which we left sticking in the rocks. -The tide is low, so we may go around by way of the shore." - -A leisurely walk of fifteen minutes brought them to the crevasse, down -which tumbled the tiny brook. Orissa, as the most venturesome, climbed -to the bar, from whence she managed to pull the lever out of the owl's -nest into which she had formerly thrust it. If the owl was hidden there -now it failed to disclose its presence and on descending to the rocks -Orissa easily released the bar. So now, armed once more with their -primitive weapons, the girls returned to their camp. - -"I can attach these to our machine at any time," said the air-maid, -"so I think it may be best to keep them beside us, to use in case of -emergency. I haven't felt entirely safe since we lost them." - -"Nor I," returned Sybil. "We haven't encountered anything dangerous, so -far, but I like to feel I've something to pound with, should occasion -arise." - -That afternoon Orissa worked on the Aircraft, repairing the damage -caused by the sliding chest. She also took apart the steering gear, -filed the bearings carefully, and afterward replaced the parts, fitting -them nicely together and greasing them thoroughly. As a result of this -labor the gear now worked easily and its parts were not likely again to -bind. - -"Steve made it altogether too light for its purpose," said the girl. -"On the next machine I must see that he remedies that fault." - -Sybil had been lying half asleep on the sands, shaded by the spreading -plane of the Aircraft. She now aroused herself and looked at her -companion with a whimsical expression while the other girl carefully -gathered up the tools and put them away. - -"All ready to run, Ris?" she asked. - -"All ready." - -"I suppose with the gasoline tanks filled we could go home?" - -"Yes; I think so. With the wind in our favor, as it was when we came, -we ought to cover the same distance easily." - -"Very good. I hope you are now satisfied, having worked like a nailer -for half a day, getting a machine in order that can't be utilized. -Gasoline doesn't grow on this island, I imagine--unless it could be -made from bananas." - -"No; it doesn't grow here." - -"And none of the department stores keep it." - -"True." - -"But we've got a flying-machine, in apple-pie order, except that we're -using one of the plane coverings for a tent and a lever for a weapon of -defense." - -"Absolutely correct, Crusoe." - -"Hooray. Let's go to sleep again, dear. Those screechers will keep us -awake all night, you know." - -She closed her eyes drowsily and Orissa sat beside her and looked -thoughtfully over the expanse of blue ocean. There was nothing in -sight; nothing save the big island at the west, which seemed from this -distance to be much more desirable than the bleak rocks on which the -adventurers had stranded. - -Orissa got her binoculars and made a careful inspection of the place. -Through the powerful glasses she could discover forests, green -meadowland and the gleam of a small river. It was a flat island, yet -somewhat elevated above the surface of the sea. She judged it to be at -least four times bigger than the island they were now on. The distance -rendered it impossible to discover whether the place was inhabited or -not. No houses showed themselves, but of course she could see only one -side of the island from where she sat. - -Orissa did not feel sleepy, in spite of her wakeful night, so she took -Sybil's fishline and baited the hook with a scrap of beef. Going to the -top of the bluff she began to fish, and as she fished she reviewed in -mind all the conditions of their misfortune and strove to find a way of -relief. Being unsuccessful in both occupations she finally came back to -the little bay and waded out to the big rock that guarded the mouth -of the inlet. On the ocean side there was good depth of water and in -the course of the next half hour she landed a huge crawfish, two crabs -and a two-pound flat fish resembling a sole. This last is known as -"chicken-halibut" and is delicious eating. - -She aroused Sybil, and the two girls built a fire, using dry twigs from -the brushwood, a supply of which they had gathered and placed near -their tent. In the fat taken from the crawfish they fried the halibut -for supper. Then among the coals and hot stones they buried the crabs, -keeping a little fire above them until they were sure the creatures -were thoroughly roasted. Next day they cracked the shells and picked -out the meat, deciding they might live luxuriously even on an island -of rocks, provided they exercised their wits and took advantage of all -conditions Nature afforded them. - -At dark thousands of great owls came from their retreats among the -rocks and flew ceaselessly about the island, uttering their distracting -cries. Nor was there a moment's peace again until daybreak. The birds -were evidently in search of food, and found it; but what it consisted -of the girls could not imagine. Singularly enough, the castaways were -growing accustomed to the deafening clamor and as they felt quite -safe within their enclosed tent they were able to sleep--in a fitful, -restless way--a good part of the night. - -The following day they began to find the hours dragging tediously, for -the first time since their captivity. Arm in arm the two girls wandered -around the elevated end of their island, exploring it thoroughly but -making no new discoveries of importance. The barren, slimy hollow -that lay inland had no temptations to lure them near it and so there -remained little else to do but watch the ocean and prepare their meals. - -"This is our fourth day of isolation," announced Sybil, in a tone more -irritable than she was wont to use. "I wonder how long this thing will -last." - -"We must be patient," said Orissa, gently. "Our dear ones are making -every effort to find us, I'm sure, and of course they will succeed in -time. We are at some distance from the usual route of ships; that is -evident; and for this reason it will be more difficult for our friends -to locate us. I suppose that a few days more may easily pass by before -we catch sight of a boat coming to get us. But they'll come, Syb," she -repeated, confidently, "and meantime we--we must be--patient." - -Sybil stared across the water. - -"Do you play checkers?" she asked abruptly. - -"Steve and I used to play, long ago. I suppose I could remember the -game, and it might amuse us; but we have no checkerboard, nor men for -it." - -"Pah! and you the sister of an inventor!" cried Sybil scornfully. "I'm -astonished at you, Miss Kane. Haven't you enough reflected ingenuity to -manufacture a checkerboard?" - -"Why, I think so," said Orissa. "The idea hadn't occurred to me. I'll -see what I can do." - -"You make the board, and I'll find the men," proposed Sybil, and -springing to her feet she ran down to the beach, glad to have anything -to occupy her and relieve the dreary dragging of the hours. - -Orissa looked around her, pondering the problem. Material for a -checkerboard seemed hopelessly lacking, yet after a little thought she -solved the problem fairly well. First she ripped the flounce from her -black silk petticoat and with the jackknife from the tool kit she cut -out thirty-two black squares, each two inches in diameter. Then she -took a tube of prepared glue that was in the outfit and walked up the -incline to their tent, in the center of which stood the aluminum chest. -This chest, being of a dull silvery color, and quite smooth on all its -sides, was to be the groundwork of the checkerboard squares, as well -as the board itself and the elevated table to play on. Orissa glued -the squares of black silk to the cover of the chest, leaving a similar -square space on the aluminum surface between each one. When this was -accomplished she pasted a narrow edge of black around the entire -sixty-four squares, thus marking their boundary. - -She was very proud of this work and was regarding it admiringly when -Sybil entered. - -"How clever!" cried her chum, genuinely enthusiastic. "Really, Miss -Columbus, you have done better than I. But here are the checker-men, -and they'll do very nicely." - -As she spoke she dumped from her handkerchief upon the board -twenty-four shells which she had carefully selected from those that -littered the beach. Twelve were dark in color and twelve pearly white -and being of uniform size they made very practical checkers. - -"Now, then," said she, squatting beside the chest and arranging her -shells in order, "I'll play you a series of games for a box of bonbons, -to be purchased when we return to civilization." - -"How many games?" asked Orissa, seating herself opposite. - -"Let us say--the best three in five. If that's too rapid we will make -the next bet the best six in ten, or twelve in twenty. Agreeable, -Columbus?" - -"Entirely so, Crusoe." - -It was really a capital diversion. Sybil played very well and it -required all Orissa's cleverness to oppose her. At times they tired of -the play and went for a stroll on the bluff; and always, no matter how -intent they were upon the game, they kept watchful eyes on the ocean. - -And in this manner the days dragged on their weary lengths and the -nights resounded to the shrill cries of the owls. One morning Sybil -asked: - -"Isn't to-day Tuesday, Orissa?" - -"Yes," was the quiet reply. "We've inhabited this wilderness just a -week." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - THE QUEST OF THE SALVADOR - - -On the roomy forward deck of the _Salvador_ an earnest conference was -held. - -"How fast are we going?" asked Steve. - -"The captain says about fifteen miles an hour. That's our best clip, it -seems," replied Madeline. - -"And very good speed," added Captain Krell, proudly. - -"So it is, for an English yacht," agreed Mr. Cumberford. - -"In that case," said Steve, "we are moving one-third as fast as the -Aircraft did, and we were about two hours later in starting. Provided -the girls exhaust their gasoline in flying, they will make a hundred -and fifty to two hundred miles, requiring five or six hours' time. -Then they will alight, bobbing upon the water and helpless to move in -any direction except where the current carries them. It will take us -eighteen hours to reach that same spot, and we will therefore be twelve -hours behind them. Do you all follow me?" - -They nodded, listening intently. - -"Now, the girls left at about one thirty this afternoon. If my -calculations are correct, they'll take to the water anywhere from six -thirty to seven thirty this evening. We shall overtake them at about -the same hour to-morrow morning. Unless they drift considerably out -of their course we shall see the white planes at daybreak and have -no trouble in running alongside. But there's always the chance that -through some cause they may manage to drop to water sooner, and perhaps -run the boat toward home. Orissa is a very clever girl, as you all -know; calm and resourceful; quick-witted and brave. She will do all -that anyone could do to bring the Aircraft under control. So the one -danger, it appears to me, is that we may pass them during the night." - -"That danger, sir," said Captain Krell, "may be reduced to a minimum. -We carry a very powerful searchlight, which shall be worked by my men -all night, illuminating not only the course ahead, but the sea for -miles on every side. As you say, Mr. Kane, the white planes may be -easily seen against the blue water, and we positively cannot miss them -during the night." - -"You--er--interest me," said Mr. Cumberford, looking more cheerful. -"We seem to have everything in our favor, thanks to Miss Dentry's -generosity." - -"I'm _so_ glad I bought this yacht!" exclaimed Madeline, fervently, -"for it enabled me to go to the assistance of those poor girls. I'm -sure it was all providential." - -"Let us hope," said Mr. Tupper pompously, "the young women will survive -until we reach them. However, we shall learn their fate, in any event, -which will afford us a certain degree of satisfaction." - -That speech was like a douche of cold water, but although the gentleman -received various indignant and reproachful looks he had "sized up the -situation" with fair accuracy. - -Mr. Cumberford, however, since those first despairing moments on the -aviation field, had recovered command of his feelings and seemed -hopeful, if not confident, of his daughter's ultimate escape from -serious mishap. He was exceedingly fond of Orissa, too, and even had -not Sybil been with her it is certain that he would have been much -worried and eager to go to her assistance. - -Stephen Kane, on the contrary, grew more nervous as time passed. Better -than the others he knew the dangers that threatened the girls if, as -he suspected, the steering gear had broken and the elevator and engine -control been rendered useless. He racked his brain to think what could -have caused the trouble, but never a hint of the truth dawned upon him. - -The third member of the Kane-Cumberford party, Mr. H. Chesterton -Radley-Todd, had maintained a discreet silence ever since Miss Dentry -had invited him to join the rescue party. This she had been led to -do by the look of abject misery on the boy's face, and he had merely -pressed her hand to indicate his thanks. Chesty Todd was never much -of a conversationalist and his appreciation of his own awkwardness -rendered him diffident unless occasion demanded prompt and aggressive -action, when he usually came to the front in an efficient if unexpected -manner. - -Madeline Dentry, seeing Chesty Todd merely as he appeared, wondered in -a casual way why such a blundering, incompetent booby had been employed -by the Kane-Cumberford firm, but as the big boy was a part of the -"camp" and was so evidently disturbed by the accident, she was glad to -relieve him to the extent of adding him to the party. - -Very soon after the _Salvador_ started, however, nearly every one on -board began to feel the presence of the youthful press agent. It was -Chesty Todd who discovered the searchlight aboard and long before the -conference on the deck he had primed the captain to use it during the -coming night. It was Chesty Todd who sat on a coal-bunker in the hold, -swinging his long legs and inspiring the engineer, by dark insinuations -concerning the _Salvador's_ ability to speed, to give her engines every -pound of steam she could carry. It was Chesty who pumped the steward -to learn how well the boat was provisioned and supplied the deck hands -with choice cigars until they were ready to swear he was a trump and -imagined him quite the most important personage aboard, after Miss -Dentry. - -The chef served an excellent dinner in the cabin, to which no one did -full justice except Mr. Tupper. All were loth to leave the deck long -enough to eat, although they knew a watch was stationed in the "crow's -nest" with powerful glasses. When night fell the searchlight came into -play and the entire party sat huddled forward, eagerly following the -sweep of light across the waters. It was ten o'clock when Mr. and Mrs. -Tupper retired, and midnight when Madeline went to her room, leaving -orders to call her if the Aircraft was sighted. - -Stephen Kane, Mr. Cumberford and Chesty Todd sat by the rail all night, -wide-eyed and alert. Once the searchlight caught the sails of a ship -and they all leaped up, thinking it was the Aircraft. Again, something -dark--a tangled mass of wreckage--swept by them and set their hearts -throbbing until they held the light steadily upon it and discovered -it to be a jumble of kelp and driftwood. Daylight came and found them -wan but still wakeful, for now they were getting close to the limit of -flight possible to the Aircraft. - -Captain Krell was a skillful navigator and, having taken his course in -a direct line from Sealskin Island, following the flight of Orissa's -Hydro-Aircraft, had not swerved a hair's breadth from it the entire -voyage. - -"You see," said Steve, peering ahead in the strengthening daylight, -"the _Salvador_ hasn't dodged a bit, and the Aircraft couldn't. So -we're bound to strike our quarry soon." - -"Wind," suggested Chesty. - -"Yes; the wind might carry them a little out of their course, to be -sure," admitted Steve; "but I think--I hope--not far enough to escape -our range of vision." - -At about seven o'clock, at Chesty Todd's suggestion, the engines -were slowed down somewhat, that the lookout aloft might have better -opportunity to examine the sea on all sides of the ship. The yacht -still maintained fair speed, however, and the call to breakfast finding -no one willing to respond, Madeline ordered coffee and rolls served on -deck, where they could all watch while refreshing themselves. - -"What's your run, Captain?" asked Steve, nervously. - -"Hundred and forty miles, sir." - -"Indeed! Go a little slower, please." - -The captain rang the bell to slow down. Presently the _Salvador_ was -creeping along at the rate of ten miles an hour. - -"The gasoline," said Steve, "may have carried them farther than I -figured on. It's a new machine and I haven't had a chance to test the -exact capacity of the tanks." - -The moments dragged tediously. Every person aboard was laboring under -tense excitement. - -"What's the run, Captain?" - -"One fifty-two, sir." - -"Ah." - -Nothing was in sight; only an uninterrupted stretch of blue sea. Hour -after hour passed. At noon the run was two hundred and twenty miles -and the aėroplane had not been sighted. Steve turned and faced those -assembled. - -"It's no use going farther in this direction," he said, the words -trembling on his lips. "I'm very sure they couldn't have made this -distance." - -"Evidently their course has been altered by the wind," added Mr. -Cumberford. - -"Gusty, at times, last night," asserted Chesty. - -Steve nodded. - -"A strong wind might do what the girls couldn't," said he. "That is, it -might alter the direction of their flight. How did it blow?" - -"At four o'clock, from the north; at five fifteen, from the west; at -six, due south," said Chesty. - -There was silence for a few minutes. The engines had been shut down and -the boat lay drifting upon the water. - -"I think it will be well to examine the charts," suggested Mr. Todd, -"and find out where we are." - -"I know where we are," said Captain Krell. "Wait a moment; I'll get the -chart, so you may all study it." - -He brought it from his cabin and spread it upon a folding table on the -deck. A penciled line ran directly from the port of San Diego to a -point south by southwest. - -"A few more hours on the same course and we'd sight the little island -of Guadaloup, off the Mexican coast," explained Captain Krell. "But the -aėroplane couldn't go so far; therefore we must search on either side -the course we've come." - -They all bent their heads over the map. - -"What are those unmarked dots which are scattered around?" inquired Mr. -Cumberford. - -"Islands, sir. Mostly bits of rock jutting out of the sea. They're not -important enough to name, nor do they appear on an ordinary map; but -a seaman's chart indicates them, for unless we had knowledge of their -whereabouts we might bump into them." - -"They're mostly to the south of us, I see," remarked Mr. Tupper. - -"Yes, sir." - -"And it's south we must go, I think," said Steve, looking at Chesty -Todd for the youth to confirm his judgment. "There was no wind to take -them to the west of this course, I believe." - -"That's my idea," declared the press agent. "I would suggest our -doubling back and forth, on the return trip, covering forty or fifty -miles at each leg. Seems like we couldn't miss 'em, that way." - -After much consultation this plan was finally agreed upon. The captain -outlined his course and followed it, so that during the next four days -not a square yard of ocean escaped their search. But it was all in vain -and at the end of the fourth day, with the California coast again in -sight, there was scarcely a person aboard who entertained the slightest -hope of finding the missing girls. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - CAPRICIOUS FATE - - -A wireless was sent to the shore, reporting the failure of the -_Salvador_ to locate the runaway aėroplane and asking if any tidings -had been received of Orissa Kane and Sybil Cumberford. - -There was no news. - -Madeline called her passengers together again for a further -consultation. - -"What shall we do?" she asked. - -Neither Steve nor Mr. Cumberford could well reply. Miss Dentry had -generously placed her splendid yacht at their disposal and in person -had conducted the search, neglecting no detail that might contribute to -their success. But failure had resulted and they could not ask her to -continue what appeared to be a hopeless undertaking. Steve, who had had -ample time to consider this finale, tried to answer her question. - -"We are very grateful to you, Miss Dentry," he said, "and both Mr. -Cumberford and I fully appreciate the sacrifice you have made in so -promptly trying to rescue our girls. That we face failure is no fault -of yours, nor of your crew, and I realize that you have already done -all that humanity or friendship might require. Of course you understand -that we cannot give up until my sister's fate, and that of Miss -Cumberford, is positively determined. Therefore, as soon as we reach -shore we shall organize another expedition to continue the quest." - -"You are doing me an injustice, sir," returned the girl gravely. -"Whatever my former plans may have been I am now determined not to -abandon this voyage until we have found your sister and her companion. -I was greatly attracted by Orissa Kane, and grieve over her sad fate -sincerely. Moreover, I do not like to put my hand to the plow without -completing the furrow. Unless you believe you can charter a better boat -for your purpose than the _Salvador_, or can find a crew more devoted -to your interests, I shall order Captain Krell to turn about and renew -the search." - -That, of course, settled the matter. The _Salvador_ put about and -returned to a point where the see-sawing must be renewed and extended -to cover more expanse of ocean. - -Chesty Todd, coming to where Madeline stood beside the rail, looked -into her piquant face with frank admiration. - -"Excuse me, Miss Dentry," said he, "but you're what I'd call a -brick. I knew, of course, you'd stick it out, but there's no harm in -congratulating a girl on being true blue. I'm awfully glad you--you had -the grit to tackle it again. I'll never be myself again until those -girls are found." - -She looked up at him reflectively. - -"Which of the young ladies are you engaged to?" she asked. - -"Me?" blushing like a schoolboy; "neither one, if you please. -They--they're only kids, you know." - -"Then which one do you love?" - -"Both!" said Chesty Todd, earnestly. "They're splendid girls, Miss -Dentry; _your_ sort, you know." - -She smiled. - -"Then it's the 'sort' you love?" she asked. - -"Yes, if you'll allow me. Not the individual--as yet. When I love the -individual I hope it'll be the right sort, but I'm so humbly unlucky -I'll probably make a mistake." - -For the first time since their acquaintance Madeline found the big -boy interesting. She knew very little of the history of the Kanes -and Cumberfords, but found Chesty eager to speak of them and of his -past relations with them, being loud in his praise for the entire -"combination." Cumberford was an eccentric fellow, according to -Mr. Radley-Todd, but "straight as a die." Steve was chock full of -ability and talent, but not very practical in business ways. Mrs. -Kane, Orissa's blind mother, was the sweetest and gentlest lady in the -world, Sybil Cumberford a delightful mystery that defied fathoming but -constantly allured one to the attempt, while Orissa---- - -"Orissa Kane is a girl you'll have to read yourself, Miss Dentry, -and the more you study her the better you'll love her. She's girl -all over, and the kind of girl one always hopes to meet but seldom -does. Old-fashioned in her gentleness, simplicity, truth and candor; -up-to-the-minute in the world's latest discovery--the art of flying. -Modest as Tennyson's dairymaid; brave as a trooper; a maid with a true -maid's heart and a thorough sport when you give her an aėroplane to -manage. Excuse me. I don't often talk this way; usually I can only -express myself in writing. But a fellow who wouldn't enthuse over -Orissa Kane could only have one excuse--total dumbness." - -"I see," said Madeline, slyly. "Miss Kane is the type of the 'sort' of -girl you love." - -"Exactly. But tell me, since you've started on such an indefinite -cruise, is the _Salvador_ well provisioned?" - -"From the sublime to the ridiculous! We have stores to last our party -six weeks, without scrimping." - -"Good. And coal?" - -"Enough for a month's continuous run. I had intended a trip to -Honolulu--perhaps as far as Japan--and had prepared for it even before -I was privileged to lay eyes on my yacht." - -"How fortunate that was, for all of us! Somehow, I've a feeling we -shall find those girls, this time. Before, I had a sort of hunch we -were destined to fail. Can you explain that?" - -"I shall not try." - -"We didn't allow enough for the wind. A sudden gust might have whirled -the Aircraft in any direction, and it would jog along on that route -until the next blow." - -"Do you believe they are still alive?" she asked softly. - -"Yes; I've never been able to think of them as--as--otherwise. They are -wonderfully clever girls, and Orissa knows aėroplanes backwards and -forwards. She's as much at home in the air as a bird; and why shouldn't -the machine fall gently to the water, when the gasoline gave out? If it -did, they can float any length of time, and the Pacific has been like -a mill pond ever since they started. According to Mr. Cumberford, they -have enough food with them to last for several days. I've an idea we -shall run across them bobbing up and down on the water, as happy and -contented as two babes in the wood." The big fellow sighed as he said -this, and Madeline understood he was trying to encourage himself, as -well as her. - -In spite of Chesty Todd's prediction, day followed day in weary search -and the lost aėroplane was not sighted. Captain and crew had now -abandoned hope and performed their duties in a perfunctory way. Stephen -Kane had grown thin and pale and deep lines of grief marked his boyish -face. Mr. Cumberford was silent and stern. He paced the deck constantly -but avoided conversation with Steve. Madeline, however, kept up -bravely, and so did Chesty Todd. They were much together, these trying -days, and did much to cheer one another's spirits. Had a vote been -taken, on that tenth dreary day, none but these two would have declared -in favor of prolonging what now appeared to be a hopeless quest. - -"You see," said Chesty to Madeline, yet loud enough to be heard by both -Cumberford and Steve, "there's every chance of the girls having drifted -to some island, where of course they'd find food in plenty; or they -may have been picked up by some ship on a long voyage, and we'll hear -of 'em from some foreign port. There are lots of ways, even on this -trackless waste, of their being rescued." - -This suggestion was made to counteract the grim certainty that the -castaways had by now succumbed to starvation, if they still remained -afloat. Several small islands had already been encountered and closely -scanned, with the idea that the girls might have sought refuge on one -of them. The main thing that kept alive the spark of hope was the -fact that no vestige of the Aircraft had been seen. It would float -indefinitely, whether wrecked or not, for the boat had enough air-tight -compartments to sustain it even in a high sea. - -On the evening of this tenth day the _Salvador_ experienced the first -rough weather of the trip. The day had been sultry and oppressive and -toward sundown the sky suddenly darkened and a stiff breeze caught -them. By midnight it was blowing a hurricane and even the sturdy -captain began to have fears for the safety of the yacht. - -There was little danger to the stout craft from wind or waves, but the -sea in this neighborhood was treacherous and full of those rocky islets -so much dreaded by mariners. Captain Krell studied his chart constantly -and kept a sharp lookout ahead; but in such a night, on a practically -unknown sea, there was bound to be a certain degree of peril. - -There was as little sleep for the passengers as for the crew on this -eventful night. The women had been warned not to venture on deck, -where it was dangerous even for the men; but Madeline Dentry would -not stay below. She seemed to delight in defying the rage of the -elements. Clinging to the arm of Chesty Todd, the huge bulk of whose -six-feet-three stood solid as a monument, she peered through the night -and followed the glare of the searchlight, now doubly useful, for it -showed the pilot a clear sea ahead. - -Mr. Tupper bumped into them, embraced Chesty for support and then -bounded to the rail, to which he clung desperately. - -"Why are you on deck?" asked Madeline, sternly. "Go below at once!" - -Just then a roll of the yacht slid him across the deck, tumbled him -against the poop and then carried him sprawling into the scuppers. -When he recovered his breath Mr. Tupper crawled cautiously to the -companionway and disappeared into the cabin. - -Steve and Mr. Cumberford had lashed themselves to the rail and in spite -of the drenching spray continued to peer into the wild night with -fearful intensity. Both were sick at heart, for they knew if the girls -had managed to survive till now, their tiny boat would be unable to -weather the storm. Every shriek of the wind, which often resembled a -human cry, set them shivering with terror. - -It was toward morning when the glare of the searchlight suddenly -revealed a dark peak just ahead. Stephen Kane and Mr. Cumberford saw -it, even as the warning scream of the lookout rang in their ears. -Captain Krell saw it, and marveling at its nearness, sprang to the -wheel. Madeline and Chesty saw it, too, and instinctively the big -fellow put his arms around her as if to shield her. - -Wild cries resounded from the deck; the bells rang frantically; the -engines stopped short and then reversed just as a huge wave came from -behind, caught the _Salvador_ on its crest and swept her forward in its -onward rush. Two men threw their weight upon the wheel without effect: -the propeller was raised by the wave above the water line and whirred -and raced madly in the air, while beneath the gleam of the searchlight -a monstrous mass of rock seemed swiftly advancing to meet the fated -ship. - -Past the port side, where Madeline and her escort clung, swept a jagged -point of rock; the yacht bumped with a force that sent everyone -aboard reeling forward in a struggling heap; then it trembled, moaned -despairingly and lay still, while the wave that had carried it to its -doom flooded the decks with tons of water and receded to gloat over the -mischief it had caused. - -The searchlight was out; blackness surrounded the bruised and -bewildered men and women who struggled to regain their feet, while in -their ears echoed a chorus of terrifying shrieks not of the wind, but -so evidently emanating from living creatures that they added materially -to the panic of the moment. - -Chesty Todd released Madeline, gasping and half drowned, from the -tangle of humanity in the bow, and succeeded in getting her to the -rail. The bow of the yacht was high and it lay over on one side, so -that the deck was at a difficult angle. - -"Are--are we sinking?" asked the girl, confused and unnerved by the -calamity. - -"No, indeed," replied Chesty, his mouth to her ear. "We can't sink, -now, for we're on solid ground and lying as still as a stuffed giraffe." - -"Oh, what shall we do?" she cried, wringing her hands. "If we are -wrecked we can't save Orissa--perhaps we can't save ourselves! Oh, what -shall we do?--what shall we do?" - -The boy saw that the shock had destroyed her usual poise and he could -feel her trembling as she clung to him. - -"My advice," he said quietly, "is that we all get to bed and have a -wink of sleep. It has been a long and exciting day for us, hasn't it?" - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - ON THE BLUFF - - -Sybil clapped her hands gleefully and looked at Orissa in triumph. - -"The rubber is mine!" she cried. "You now owe me sixteen boxes of -chocolates, nine of caramels and twelve of mixed bonbons--enough to -stock a candy store. Tell you what I'll do, Commodore Columbus; I'll -pit my desert island and my man Friday against your fleet of galleys -and the favor of Queen Isabella, and it shall be the best three out of -five games. Are _you_ game, my dear Discoverer?" - -Orissa laughed. - -"You ought to give me odds, Crusoe, for you are the more skillful -checker player," she replied. "But I won't play any more to-day. This -heat is dreadfully oppressive and from the looks of the sky I'm afraid -a storm is brewing." - -"What? A rain storm?" asked Sybil, jumping up to go outside the tent -and examine the sky. - -"Rain, hail, thunder, lightning and tornadoes; anything is likely to -follow a storm in this latitude," declared Orissa, following her. "I -think, Sybil, we ought to make all as safe and secure as possible, in -case of emergency, while we have the time." - -"What can we do?" asked Sybil. "I won't mind the storm very much, if it -doesn't have lightning. That's the only thing I'm afraid of." - -Orissa examined the sky critically. - -"I predict high winds," she presently said, "and high winds might -endanger our property. Let us get to the beach, first, and see what may -be done to protect the Aircraft." - -They found the flying-machine fairly well protected by the walls of the -ravine in which it lay, but as the big upper plane offered a tempting -surface to the wind Orissa set to work and removed it, a task that -consumed two full hours. Then she wired the framework to a big rock, -for additional security, and carrying the canvas from the plane between -them, the girls returned to their tent. - -"Will our house stand much of a wind?" asked Sybil. - -"It is rather exposed, on this bluff," replied Orissa, doubtfully. "I -think it will be wise for us to pile more rocks upon the edges. The -wire will hold, I'm sure, for it is nickel-steel, and if we close the -ends of the tents securely we may escape damage." - -"All right; I'm glad to have something to do," cried Sybil, picking up -a rock. "We'll build a regular parapet, if you say so." - -This was exactly what they did. In spite of the oppressive heat the two -girls worked faithfully piling the rocks around the tent, until they -had raised a parapet nearly half its height. They were inspired to take -this precaution by the glowering aspect of the sky, which grew more -threatening as the afternoon waned. - -Finally Orissa wiped the perspiration from her brow and exclaimed: -"That'll do, I'm sure, Syb. And now I'm ready for dinner. What's to -eat?" - -Sybil made a grimace. - -"Bananas and jelly," she replied. "Could you conceive a more horrible -combination?" - -"Meat all gone?" - -"We've part of a baked crab; that's all." - -"And the lettuce. I shall have crab salad, with bananas for dessert." - -"A salad without lemon or vinegar is the limit," declared Sybil. "I -shall stick to bananas and jelly." - -Their appetites were still good and Orissa really enjoyed her salad, -which she seasoned with salt which they had obtained by evaporating -seawater. The bananas were getting to be a trifle irksome to the -palate, but as food they were nourishing and satisfying. Neither of the -castaways grumbled much at the lack of ordinary food, being grateful at -heart that they were able to escape starvation. - -The storm burst upon them just after dark and its violence increased -hour by hour. There was little rain, and no lightning at all, but the -wind held high revel and fluttered the canvas of the tent so powerfully -that the girls, huddled anxiously in bed, feared the frail shelter -would be torn to shreds. - -But the plane-cloth used by Stephen Kane was wonderfully strong and had -been sized with a composition that prevented the wind from penetrating -it. Therefore it resisted the gale nobly, and after a time the fears -of the two girls subsided to such a degree that they dozed at times -and toward morning, when the wind subsided, sank into deep sleep. The -hooting of the owls no longer had power to keep them awake, and on this -night the owls were less in evidence than usual, perhaps deterred from -leaving their nests by the storm. - -Weather changes are abrupt in the semi-tropics. The morning dawned -cool and delightful and the sun shone brilliantly. There was a slight -breeze remaining, but not more than enough to flutter Orissa's locks -as she unfastened the flap of the tent and walked out upon the bluff to -discover if the Aircraft was still safe. - -It lay at the bottom of the ravine, in plain sight from where she -stood, and seemed quite undisturbed. Orissa turned her eyes toward the -distant island, let them sweep the tumbling waves of the ocean and -finally allowed them to rest upon the bay at the east, where they had -first landed. Then she uttered an involuntary cry that echoed shrilly -among the crags. - -A ship lay stranded upon the shelving beach--fully half its length upon -dry land! - -The cry aroused Sybil, who came running from the tent rubbing her eyes -and with an anxious face. - -"What's up, Ris?" she demanded. - -Orissa pointed a trembling finger across the rock-strewn plain to the -bay, and Sybil looked and gave a gasp of delight. - -"Oh, Orissa, we're saved--we're saved!" she murmured. Then, sinking -upon the sand, she covered her face with her hands and began to cry. - -But the air-maid was too interested to weep; she was looking hard at -the boat. - -"Isn't it Madeline Dentry's yacht?" she asked. "Yes; I'm sure it is. -Then they've been searching for us and the storm has wrecked them. -Sybil, your father and Steve may be on that ship, alive or--or----" - -Sybil sprang up. - -"Do you see anyone?" she asked eagerly. - -"No; it's too far away, and the sun interferes. I'll get the glasses." - -She was quite composed now and her quiet demeanor did much to restore -Sybil's self-possession. Orissa brought the binoculars, looked through -them for a time and then handed the glasses to her chum. - -"Not a soul in sight, that I can see," she remarked. "Try it yourself." - -Sybil had no better luck. - -"Can they all be drowned?" she inquired in horrified tones. - -"I think not. They may have abandoned the wreck, during the storm, or -they may be hidden from us by the side of the boat, which lies keeled -over in the opposite direction from us." - -"Can't we go there, Orissa, and find out?" - -"Yes, dear; at once. The tide is out, and although there is quite a sea -left from last night's hurricane I think we can manage the trip, by way -of the sands, with perfect safety." - -Each tore a couple of bananas from the bunch and then they ran down -the incline to the beach. Knowing every turn in the coast and every -difficult place, they were able to scorn the waves that occasionally -swept over their feet, as if longing to draw them into their moist -embraces. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - BOAT AHOY! - - -The first indication of dawn found anxious faces peering over the side -of the _Salvador_. Passengers and crew gathered at the lower angle and -inspected the position of the boat with absolute amazement. - -"Never, in all my experience," said Captain Krell, "have I heard of so -remarkable a wreck. We struck the only channel that would have floated -us; a few yards to either side and we would have been crushed to -kindling wood. As it is, we lie high and dry on this shelf--a natural -dry dock--and not a timber is cracked." - -"Are you sure of that?" asked Madeline. - -"Quite sure, Miss Dentry. We have made a thorough investigation. But -I do not wish to create any false hopes. Our condition is nearly as -desperate as if we were a total wreck." - -"You mean we can't get the yacht off again?" - -"I fear not. Even a duplicate of that gigantic wave which hurled us -here would be unable to float us off, for our tremendous headway -carried us beyond the reach of any tide. This island is of rock -formation. I know at a glance that a solid bed of rock is under us. -Therefore we cannot dig a channel to relaunch the _Salvador_." - -"Couldn't we blast a channel?" asked Mr. Tupper. - -The captain merely gave him a reproachful glance. - -"To be sure," replied Chesty Todd, seriously. "We'll have Kane invent -a sort of dynamite that will blast the rocks and won't hurt the ship. -Good idea, Mr. Tupper. Clever, sir; very clever." - -Mr. Tupper glared at the boy resentfully, but his wife said in a mild -tone of rebuke: "Really, Martin, my dear, the suggestion was idiotic." - -The steward came crawling toward them with a coffeepot, followed by a -man juggling a tray of cups. It was quite an acrobatic feat to navigate -the incline, but they succeeded and everyone accepted the coffee -gratefully. - -"This place is nothing but a rock; an extinct volcano, probably," -remarked Madeline, gazing thoughtfully over the island. - -Chesty, having finished his coffee, climbed to the elevated side -opposite. - -"Here's a far better view of the place," he called. "It's quite a----" -He stopped short, staring fixedly at a white speck far up on the bluff -beside the low mountain. - -They waited breathlessly for him to continue. Then Steve, reading the -expression on Chesty's face, quickly clambered to a place beside him. -As he looked he began to tremble and his face grew red and then pallid. - -"Mr. Cumberford," called the press agent, "bring your glasses, please." - -"What is it?" pleaded Madeline. - -"Why, something--just--curious, Miss Dentry. We can't say what it is, -as yet, but----" - -They were all scrambling up the incline by this time and soon all eyes -were directed upon the white speck. Mr. Cumberford focused his glasses -upon the spot. - -"Ah," said he presently; "this interests me; it does, indeed!" - -"Is it a--a--tent?" inquired Steve, a catch in his voice. - -"Looks like it," was the reply; "but not a regulation tent. Seems more -like--like----Here, see for yourself, Steve." - -Steve seized the binoculars. - -"I think--it's--the--plane-cloth!" he gasped. - -Mr. Tupper lost his balance and slid down the deck, landing with a thud -against the opposite rail. That relieved the tension and a laugh--the -first heard on the _Salvador_ since she left port--greeted the -gentleman's mishap. - -"Why--if it's the plane-cloth, the girls are alive!" cried Madeline. - -"To be sure," added Chesty, with joyful intonation, "and doubtless -enjoying their outing." - -The discovery changed the current of all thoughts and led them to -forget their own calamity. The _Salvador_ carried a small gasoline -launch and two life-boats, all of which were in good condition. - -"May we take the launch, Miss Dentry?" pleaded Steve. - -"I was about to order it lowered," she said. "Can you run it, Mr. Kane?" - -"Certainly," he replied. - -"Then I shall go with you. It will carry six comfortably, and more -uncomfortably; but as we may have passengers on our return trip only -four had better go." - -Steve ran to assist in lowering the launch. It had to be unlashed from -its rack, first of all, and the tank filled with gasoline, the engine -oiled and the boat prepared for action. The men worked with a will, -however, and within half an hour the launch was lowered to the rocks -and slid safely into the water. The landing-steps being impracticable, -a rope ladder was lowered and by this means Madeline easily descended -to the launch. Mr. Cumberford followed, as a matter of course, but -Chesty Todd modestly waited to be invited to make the fourth voyager. - -"Come along, sir," said Miss Dentry, and he eagerly obeyed. - -"How about food?" he suggested. - -The chef, a fat little Frenchman who was much interested in the fate of -the Flying Girl and her chum, had foreseen this demand and now lowered -a hamper. - -"Any water in it?" asked Chesty. - -"Certainmente, monsieur." - -"All right. Let 'er go." - -Steve started the engine and the little craft quickly shot out of the -bay into the open sea and took the long swells beautifully. Bounding -the point, Kane kept as close to the shore as he dared, making for the -place where the bluff began to rise. - -"Boat ahoy!" cried a clear voice, so suddenly that they nearly capsized -the launch in their first surprise. And there were the two lost damsels -prancing and dancing up and down the beach, waving their handkerchiefs -and laughing and crying with joy at beholding their friends. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - AN ISLAND KINGDOM - - -It was a merry reunion, in spite of the dangers that were past and -the tribulations that threatened. Because the yacht's deck afforded -precarious footing they all landed on the flat rocky shore, where the -breakfast, hastily prepared by the chef, was served to the united -company. - -"My greatest suffering," said Sybil, nestling close to her father, "was -for want of coffee. I've dreamed of coffee night after night, and hoped -I would be privileged to taste it again before I was called to the -happy hunting grounds." - -"Ah; that interests me; it does, really," said Mr. Cumberford, filling -her cup anew. "But--who knows, dear?--you might have reached the happy -coffee-grounds." - -They laughed at any absurd remark just now, and when Orissa related how -they had subsisted of late on bananas and jelly you may be sure the -castaways were plied with all the delicacies the ship's larder afforded. - -Most of the day was spent in exchanging stories of the adventures both -parties had encountered since the Hydro-Aircraft ran away. Everyone -wanted to add an incident or tell some personal experience, and it was -all so interesting that no one was denied the privilege of talking. - -But afterward, when an elaborate dinner was served in the cabin--the -table having been propped level to hold the plates--they began to -canvass the future and to speculate upon the possibility of getting to -civilization again. - -"Our situation is far from hopeless," remarked Steve, who was now -bright and cheery as of old. "We have the launch and the life-boats, -and Orissa says the Aircraft is in fine condition again. All the -trouble was caused by that unlucky aluminum chest--and the fact that my -steering gear was too frail." - -"I wouldn't call the aluminum chest unlucky," said Sybil. "Without it -we should have suffered many privations, for it carried our blankets -and provisions as well as our tools." - -"But it was unfortunate that you didn't bolt it securely," added Orissa. - -"Could we venture some two hundred and eighty miles in open boats?" -inquired Madeline. - -"We could if obliged to," asserted young Kane. "Of course, after we got -into the track of coastwise ships, we might be picked up. But I do not -like to abandon this beautiful yacht, which must be worth a fortune -and is not damaged to any extent. I believe the best plan will be for -me to fly home in my machine and secure a boat to come here and pull -the yacht off the beach. There is a whole barrel of gasoline aboard, -intended to supply the launch, so there is no longer any lack of fuel -for our Aircraft." - -They canvassed this plan very seriously and to all it seemed an -excellent idea. But the engineer, an Irishman named O'Reilly, -respectfully suggested the possibility of getting the yacht launched by -means of a tackle, using her own engines for power. - -Steve caught at this idea and said they would try it the following -morning. - -Everyone retired early, for one and all were exhausted by the trying -experiences they had passed through. The girls, however, warned them -that the owls would interfere seriously with their sleep. It was not -an easy matter to rest, even in the comfortable berths, on account -of the slanting position of the ship. Those berths on the right side -tipped downward and the mattresses had to be bolstered up on the edges -to prevent the occupants from rolling out. On the opposite side the -sleeper was pushed to the wall and the mattress had to be padded in -the corner where the wall and bunk met. But they managed it, after a -fashion, and Sybil and Orissa, at least, slept soundly and peacefully, -the luxury of a bed being so great a relief from their former -inconvenient rock "altar." - -The hoots of the owls proved very distracting to the newcomers, and -Mrs. Tupper declared she would go mad, or die painfully, if obliged to -endure such a screeching for many nights. Even the crew grumbled and -there were many tired eyes next morning. - -As soon as breakfast was over they set to work to right the yacht, -Steve overseeing the work because of his mechanical experience. A -pulley was attached, by means of a chain, to a peak of rock on the -point opposite the high side of the yacht, and then a strong cable was -run through the pulley, one end being fastened to the mainmast and the -other to the anchor-windlass, which was operated by the engine. The -stoker got up steam and then O'Reilly started the engines very slowly. -Lying as it did on a shelf of solid rock, which had been washed smooth -by centuries of waves, there was only the resistance of the yacht's -weight to overcome; and, although it required all the power the cable -would stand, the boat gradually came upright until it stood upon a -level keel. Then the men braced it securely with rocks, on either side -the bow, to hold it in position, after which Steve declared that part -of the task had been accomplished to his entire satisfaction. - -It was indeed a relief to all on board to be able to tread a level deck -again, for, although there still remained a decided slant from bow to -stern it did not materially interfere with walking, as had the sharp -side slant. - -The next task was to arrange the tackle so that the engines would pull -the yacht off the beach into deep water. But in spite of every effort -this plan failed entirely. The boat would not budge an inch and after -breaking the wire cable again and again, until it was practically -useless, the undertaking had to be abandoned. - -"It's up to the airship to rescue the party, I guess," sighed Steve, as -they sat at dinner after the energetic and discouraging day's work was -over. - -"Do you know, there's a big island just west of here," said Orissa, -thoughtfully. "Through our glasses we could see that it is green and -fertile, and I've an idea it is inhabited. Wouldn't it be a good idea -to run the launch over there before Steve undertakes his journey, and -see if we can't secure help to get the yacht off the beach?" - -They all became interested in the proposition at once. - -"How far is the island?" asked Mr. Cumberford. - -"Only a few miles; perhaps an hour's run in the launch." - -"Then let us try it, by all means," proposed the captain. - -"We will run over there the first thing in the morning, with Miss -Dentry's consent," decided Steve. - -Madeline heartily agreed and as the sea was enticingly calm the next -morning a party was made up to visit the larger island in the launch. - -At first Captain Krell suggested he should go with part of his crew, -saying that no one could tell what sort of people might inhabit the -island, if indeed any inhabitants were to be found there; but Steve -scorned the notion of danger. - -"We are too near the American coast to run against cannibals or hostile -tribes," he argued; "and, in any event, our mission is a decidedly -peaceful one. I'll take my revolver, of course, but it won't be needed. -What do you say, Mr. Cumberford?" - -"I quite agree with you," replied that gentleman. "I'm going along, if -only for the ride." - -"So am I," said Madeline. - -"Really, my dear!" began Mr. Tupper; but she silenced him with a single -look. - -"That means I must go as chaperon," sighed Mrs. Tupper. - -"I'll be chaperon," laughed Sybil; "but as we shall go and return in a -couple of hours I don't believe Madeline will really need one." - -"You shall stay comfortably on the yacht, Aunt Anna," said Madeline. -"Who else wants to go? We can carry six, you know." - -It was soon arranged to add Mr. Radley-Todd and Orissa to the four, -thus completing the complement of the launch. - -Just before they set off Monsieur Rissette, the alert chef, appeared -with his hamper of lunch, for he had an established idea that no one -should depart, even on an hour's journey, without a proper supply of -food. Then, merrily waving adieus to those on board, the explorers -glided out of the bay into the open sea. - -Rounding the north end of their islet they saw clearly the large island -ahead, and Steve headed the launch directly toward it. - -The trip consumed rather more than the hour Orissa had figured on, but -it was a light-hearted, joyous party, and they beguiled the way with -conversation and laughter. - -"I am quite sure," said Madeline, "that I am enjoying this experience -far more than I would a trip to Hawaii. Think of it! A chase, a rescue -and a wreck, all included in one adventure. I'm rather sorry it's about -over and we are to return to civilization." - -"Sybil and I have had a glorious time," added Orissa. "Barring the fact -that we were a bit worried over our fate, those days when we played -Crusoe and Columbus on a forsaken island were full of interest and -excitement. I know now that I enjoyed it thoroughly." - -"I quite envy you that delightful experience," asserted Madeline. - -"Don't," said Sybil. "The adventure wasn't all pleasant, by any means. -The hoots of those dreadful birds will ring in my ears for years to -come; the food was far from satisfying and I piled rocks and tramped -and sweated until I was worn to a frazzle. If we had not invented our -checker set I believe we would have become raving maniacs by the time -you found us." - -As they drew near to the island they found it even more green and -beautiful than they had suspected. - -"It's queer," said Steve, eyeing the place thoughtfully, "how very -imperfect those seamen's charts are. The one Captain Krell has -indicates nothing but barren rocks in these seas. Not one is deemed -important enough to name; yet here is a good-sized island that is -really inviting enough to attract inhabitants." - -"And, by Jove, it has 'em!" cried Chesty Todd, pointing eagerly to a -thin streak leading skyward. "See that smoke? That means human beings, -or I'm a lobster." - -"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Cumberford. "That interests me; it does, really. -Head around to the right, Steve; that's where we'll find the natives." - -Steve obeyed. Skirting the shore of the island he rounded the northern -point and found before him a peculiar inlet. The shore was rocky and -rather high, but in one place two great pillars of rock rose some fifty -feet in the air, while between them lay a pretty bay which extended far -inland. They afterward found this was the mouth of a small river, which -broadened into a bay at its outlet. - -As the launch turned into this stretch of water, moving at reduced -speed, their eyes were gladdened by one of the loveliest natural vistas -they had ever beheld. The slope from the table-land above to the inlet -was covered upon both sides with palms, flowering shrubs and fruit -trees, all of which showed evidence of care. A quarter of a mile up the -little bay was a little dock to which were moored several boats. The -largest of these was a sixty-foot launch, which made Madeline's little -craft look like a baby. Two sailboats and a trio of rowboats, all -rather crude in design, completed the flotilla. On the end of the dock -two men stood, motionless, as if awaiting them. - -"Why, they're not natives at all," exclaimed Sybil, in a low voice. -"They--they're clothed!" - -So they were, but in quite a remarkable fashion. Their feet were bare, -their trousers ragged and soiled; but they wore blue vests highly -embroidered in yellow silk, with velvet jackets and red sashes tied -around their waists. Add to this outfit, peaked Panama hats with broad, -curling brims, and a revolver and knife stuck in each sash, and you -will not wonder that our friends viewed this odd couple with unfeigned -amazement. - -One was a tall, thin man with but one good eye, which, however, was -black and of piercing character. His face was sullen and reserved. The -second man was short and fat, with profuse whiskers of fiery red and a -perfectly bald head--a combination that gave him the appearance of a -stage comedian. The skin of both was of that peculiar dingy brown color -peculiar to Mexicans and some Spaniards. - -The little one, with hat in hand, was bowing with exaggerated courtesy; -the taller one stood frowning and immovable. - -When Steve steered the launch alongside the dock a broad roadway came -into sight, leading through the trees to the higher elevation beyond, -where stood a white house of fair size which had a veranda in front. -The architecture was of Spanish order and in its setting of vines -and trees it looked very picturesque. There were climbing roses in -profusion and gorgeous beds of flowers could be seen in the foreground. - -Despite the appearance of the two men, who might easily be taken for -brigands, the place was so pretty and peaceful and bore such undoubted -evidences of civilization that the visitors had no hesitation in -landing. - -Chesty leaped to the dock first and assisted the three girls to alight -beside him. Mr. Cumberford followed and Steve tied up to an iron ring -in the dock and also stepped ashore. The tall man had not moved, so -far, except that his one dark eye roved from one member of the party -to another, but the little fat man continued to bow low as each one -stepped ashore, and they accepted it as a sort of welcome. Neither had -uttered a word, however, so Mr. Cumberford stepped forward and said: - -"Do you speak English?" - -They shook their heads. - -"Ah! that is unfortunate. Can you tell me, then, the name of this -island, and who inhabits it?" - -"Of course not, Daddy," cried Sybil. "Try 'em in Spanish, Steve." - -But before Stephen, who could speak a little Spanish, had time to -advance, the men turned abruptly, beckoned the strangers to follow, and -deliberately walked up the broad pathway toward the dwelling. - -"Well?" inquired Steve, doubtfully. - -"Let's follow," said Chesty. "I've an idea these are hired men, and -they're taking us to be welcomed by their master." - -"Interesting, isn't it?" muttered Mr. Cumberford, but with one accord -they moved forward in the wake of their guides. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - DON MIGUEL, DEL BORGITIS - - -Halfway up the road they noticed on the left a large clearing, in which -stood a group of thatched huts. Some women and children--all with dark -skins and poorly dressed--were lounging around the doorways. These -stood silently as the strangers passed by. A little farther along three -men, attired in exactly the same manner as the two who were escorting -them, were cultivating a garden patch. They gave no indication they -were aware of the presence of strangers. - -There was something uncanny--wholly unnatural--about the manner of -their reception and even about the place itself, that caused some -of them to harbor forebodings that all was not right. Yet they had -experienced no opposition, so far--no unfriendliness whatsoever. - -Up to the broad veranda they were led, and this, now viewed closely, -showed signs of considerable neglect. The house, built of rough boards, -needed whitewashing again; the elaborate stained-glass windows were -thick with dust; the furnishings of the wide veranda, which were -somewhat prodigal, seemed weather-stained and unkempt. On a small -wicker table was a dirty siphon bottle and some soiled glasses with -bugs and flies crawling over them. Beside these stood a tray of roughly -made cheroots. - -The fat man at once disappeared through the open doorway of the -dwelling, but the tall man faced the strangers and, spreading out his -arms as if to forbid their entrance, pointed to the chairs and benches -scattered in profusion about the veranda. - -"Invited to sit," interpreted Mr. Cumberford. "Interesting--very." - -Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the newcomers with -a quick, comprehensive glance. The man was nearly as tall as Chesty -Todd, but not so well built. Instead of being athletic, he possessed -a superabundance of avoirdupois, evidently the result of high living. -He was clothed all in white flannel, but wore a blue linen shirt with -a soiled collar and a glaring red necktie in which glittered a big -diamond. Jewels were on his fingers, too, and even on his thumbs, and a -gold chain passed around his neck fell in folds across his breast and -finally ended in his watch-pocket. On his feet were red slippers and on -his head a sombrero such as the others had worn. A man of perhaps -thirty-five years of age, rather handsome with his large eyes and -carefully curled mustache, but so wholly unconventional as to excite -wonder rather than admiration. - -[Illustration: Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the -newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance.] - -He had merely paused in the doorway for that one rapid glance. -Immediately he advanced with a brisk step, exclaiming: - -"Welcome, seńors and seńoritas--Americańos all--most joyous welcome. -You the Spanish speak? No! It cannot matter, for I speak the English. -I am so pleasured that my humble home is now honored by your presence. -You make me glad--happy--in rapture. You do not know to where--to -whom--you have come? Imagine! I am Don Miguel del Borgitis, and -this"--extending his arms with a proud gesture--"my own Island of -Borgitis--a kingdom--of individual property, however small, for it owes -allegiance to no other nation on earth!" - -This was spoken very impressively, while the shrewd eyes read their -faces to determine the degree of awe created. - -"Yes," he went on, giving them no chance to reply, "I am really -King--King of Borgitis--but with modesty I call myself Don Miguel del -Borgitis. As such I welcome you. As such I take you to my arms in -friendship. Observe, then, all my kingdom is yours; you shall reign in -my place; you shall command me; for does not Don Miguel ever place his -friends above himself?" - -This seemed cordial enough, certainly, but it was rather embarrassing -to find an answer to such effusiveness. Don Miguel, however, did not -seem to expect an answer. With merely an impressive pause, as if to -drive the words home, he continued: "May I, then, be honored by a -recital of your names and station?" - -"To be sure," said Mr. Cumberford. "You--er--interest me, Don Miguel; -you do, really. Quite a relief, you see, to find a gentleman, a -civilized gentleman, in these wilds, and----" - -"My island kingdom is very grand--very important--Seńor Americańo," -interrupted Don Miguel, evidently piqued at the use of the term -"wilds." "In effect have I reign over three islands--the one from -which you now come, the one to the west of here, and--the Grand Island -Borgitis! Three Islands and one owner--One King--with privilege to -decree life and death to his devoted subjects. But you have more to -say." - -They were a bit startled to hear that he knew they came from the island -of the owls. But they reflected that some of his people might have -watched the progress of their launch. - -Mr. Cumberford introduced his party to Don Miguel, one by one, -afterward briefly relating the aėrial trip of the two girls, the search -for them by the yacht and the unfortunate beaching of the _Salvador_ on -the island during the recent storm, ending with the surprising reunion -of the party and their desire to secure help to get the launch into -deep water again, that they might return home. - -To all this Don Miguel listened intently, his head a little to one -side, his eyes turning critically to each person mentioned during the -recital. Then said he, more soberly than before: - -"How unfortunate that your ship is wreck!" - -"Oh, it is not wrecked," returned Madeline. "It is merely stuck on -those rocks--'beached' is, I think, the proper word." - -"Then, alas! it is wreck." - -"It is not injured in the least, sir," declared Steve. - -Don Miguel's face brightened at this statement, but he controlled his -elation and responded sadly: - -"But it is no longer a ship, for you cannot get it off the land." - -"Not without your kind assistance, I fear," said Miss Dentry. - -"Make me obliged by resuming your seats," requested Don Miguel. Then he -clapped his hands, and the red-bearded man appeared. "Refreshments, -Pietro!" He offered the cheroots to the men, and when they refused -selected one for himself and lighted it. Then, leaning back in his -arm-chair, he regarded his guests musingly and said: - -"It is laughable. Really, it amuses one! But under the Spanish Grant -by which I hold my islands--my kingdom--I am exclusively owner of all -wrecks on my shores. In fact, were you not my dear friends, I could -take your yacht, which I now own because it lies wreck on my coast." - -"But it is _not_ wrecked!" asserted Steve, frowning, for he was -beginning to suspect Don Miguel. - -"Perhaps not, since you tell me so; but I will see. I will see for -myself. Ah, the poor refreshments--the offering of hospitality to a -king's friends. Partake, is my earnest implore, and so honor your -humble host--Don Miguel del Borgitis." - -The tall man and the short man brought wines, liquors and glasses, with -a fresh siphon of clear water. Following them came a sour-faced woman -of middle age and a pretty young girl of perhaps sixteen years--pretty -in the Spanish fashion, with plump cheeks, languid dark eyes and raven -hair. These last carried trays of fruits and cake, which they passed -to the company. The woman's face was expressionless; that of the girl -evinced eager curiosity and interest; but neither spoke nor seemed to -receive the notice of the royal Don Miguel. - -When they had all positively refused to accept any of the strong drink, -the Don helped himself liberally to a milky liquor diluted with water, -which he called pulque. As he sipped this he said to them: - -"The life here on Borgitis is grand--magnificent--entrancing--as you -will easily conceive. But it is also lonely. I have here no equals -with whom I may freely associate. So it delights me to receive you as -guests. May you long enjoy my hospitality--it is a toast which I drink -with fervency." - -"We return to the yacht at once," said Steve, stiffly. - -"My mansion is roomy and comforting," continued the other, as if he had -not heard, "and here are no owls to annoy one. Some day I will take -you to visit the third island of my kingdom. It is called Chica--after -my daughter, here." He glanced at the young girl, as he spoke, and she -cast down her eyes, seeming frightened. - -Mr. Cumberford arose. - -"Sir," said he, "we thank you for your hospitality, which we regret we -are unable to further accept. Let us come to the point of our errand. -We need your assistance and are willing to pay for it--liberally, if -need be. You have plenty of men here, I observe, and a large launch. -Send a crew with us to our island----" - -"My island, seńor, if you please." - -"Very well. Send a crew of men to help us, and come along yourself, if -you like. But whatever you do, kindly do it at once, as we have no time -to waste." - -He spoke positively, in a way that required an answer; but Don Miguel -merely took a cake from the tray, and as he munched it said casually in -Spanish, as if addressing the air: "Prepare my launch; have the men in -readiness; lock the little boat securely." - -Without a glance at his master, the one-eyed man deliberately left -the veranda and walked down the path. Steve pricked up his ears. He -understood the carefully veiled command, and it nettled him. - -"What little boat do you refer to, sir?" he pointedly asked. - -Don Miguel gave a start, but tossed off the contents of his glass, and -rose. - -"I shall prepare to go at once to visit your yacht, with my own men -and in my own launch," said he. "You will be good enough to amuse -yourselves here until I send you the word that I am ready to depart." - -With this he lazily stretched his big body, yawned, and turned his back -on his "beloved guests," to leave the veranda and proceed leisurely -down the path to the inlet. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - THE MASK OFF - - -"Come!" cried Steve, impatiently. "The Don is either a fool or a -rascal, and in either event I propose to keep an eye on him." - -"Quite right," said Chesty Todd, nodding approval. - -As with one accord they rose and started to leave the veranda the fat -little man with the red whiskers barred their way, removing his hat to -indulge in his absurd bow. - -"My noble master has desire that you remain his guests," said he in bad -English. "Some time will he send word he is ready for you to depart." - -"Out of the way, fellow," said Chesty, pushing him aside. - -"My noble master has desire that you remain his guests," repeated the -man, moodily, and there was a defiant twinkle in his pig-like eyes that -indicated he had received positive orders to detain the strangers. - -But Mr. Radley-Todd's ire was aroused. - -"Stand back!" he cried threateningly. "Your master is not our master." - -"Very true, Chesty," said Mr. Cumberford; and then they all hurried -down the path toward the inlet. They were not three minutes behind Don -Miguel, yet as they reached the dock the big launch left it, filled -with dark-skinned men. In the stern stood Don Miguel, smoking his -cheroot, and he made them an elaborate bow. - -"Have patience, dear guests," said he. "I will satisfy myself if your -boat is wreck or is not wreck, and soon will I return to consult with -you. Kindly excuse until I have investigation made. Oblige me to use my -island as if it were your own." - -"The rascal!" cried Mr. Cumberford, as the boat of Don Miguel swept -down the inlet. "Tumble into the launch, girls, quick! I believe we can -get to the yacht before he does." - -But the girls hesitated to obey, for Steve and Chesty Todd were bending -over the bow of the launch, where the rope hawser had been replaced by -a heavy chain, which was fastened by a huge padlock. - -Steve picked up an iron bar, twisted it in the chain and endeavored to -wrench the iron ring from its socket; but it was firmly embedded in the -dock, being held by a powerful cement. Then he tried breaking away the -launch, but the fastenings held firmly. - -"No use, Steve," said Chesty, squatting down on the dock. "We must have -the key. Question is, who's got it? That pirate, or--or----" - -"He's a pirate, all right," said Sybil, angrily. - -"What do you think he intends to do?" Madeline quietly asked. - -"Take the folks on the yacht by surprise, capture the ship and then -claim it is his, because it is beached upon his island," replied Steve. - -"How absurd!" exclaimed Orissa. - -"Yes; but the scoundrel knows no law," declared Mr. Cumberford. "In -this lost and forgotten island he has played the tyrant with a high -hand; I can see that by the humble subjection of his people; and so he -thinks he can rob us with impunity." - -"He is mistaken, though," asserted Madeline greatly annoyed. "If this -is really an independent island, I shall send an armed ship here to -demand reparation--and force it. If the Don lies, and he is under the -domain of any recognized nation, then our government shall take the -matter up." - -"To be sure," said Mr. Cumberford. "Interesting; very. Provided, of -course, we--we----" - -"Go on, sir." - -"Er--er--it is really a pretty island, and--interesting," he mumbled. - -"Daddy means," said Sybil, "that Don Miguel has no intention of letting -us get back to civilization again, provided the yacht proves to be -worth taking--and keeping." - -"That's it, exactly," said Chesty; "only Mr. Cumberford did not like to -disturb your equanimity. But he sized up the situation, as we all did. -Eh, Steve?" - -Steve nodded, looking gloomily at the three girls. - -"How many men did he take with him?" asked Madeline. - -"About fifteen. I tried to count 'em," said Mr. Todd. "But they did not -seem to be armed." - -"There are seven on the yacht, besides Mr. Tupper, who doesn't count; -and they have no arms, either, that I know of." - -"They won't be expecting to defend themselves, anyhow," observed -Chesty. "Therefore the yacht is as good as captured." - -"And with the noble Don in possession," added Sybil, "our plans for a -homeward voyage are knocked sky-high." - -"The yacht will be a great find for him," remarked Mr. Cumberford; "so -I imagine he will condemn it as 'wreck' on his shores and keep it for -himself." - -"With certainty, seńor," said a soft voice beside him. - -They all turned to find that the Spanish girl had quietly joined their -group. Behind her came limping the Red-beard, sullen and muttering -at his rebuff. The girl faced Pietro and uttered a sharp command in -Spanish. He hesitated, mumbled a reply and retreated up the path. - -"So you think Don Miguel will keep my yacht?" asked Madeline, -approaching the pretty child and speaking in a kindly tone. - -"I do, seńorita. But his name is not Don Miguel del Borgitis, as he -said. He is Ramon Ganza, a fugitive from Mexico, where he robbed a bank -of much money and escaped. He came here in his launch with ten men, and -has been hiding for many years in this island, where no people lived -before he came." - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Madeline; "a criminal and a refugee! And you are -his daughter?" - -"No, seńorita. He said so, but he lied. He lies always, when he speaks. -He coaxed me away from my people in Mazatlan, when he came there to -buy provisions, saying I would become a princess. But I am merely a -housemaid, in truth." - -"How many years has he lived on this island?" inquired Mr. Cumberford. - -"I do not know, seńor. But it is many. He has built the house, yonder, -or rather he has forced his poor men to build it. Ramon loves to pose -as a royal Don, but I do not think he is of noble birth. Once every -year he goes to Mexico or the United States for supplies, and sometimes -he coaxes others to come back with him, and be his slaves." - -"And do the people love their master?" asked Madeline. - -"No. They hate him, but they fear him. Not one who has ever come here -has gone away again, for he dares not let them return to tell where he -is hiding. Now there are seventeen men and nine women here. With you, -and those he will fetch from your yacht, there will be many more; but -none of you will ever leave here with Ramon's consent," declared the -girl. - -"Then we will leave without it," remarked Mr. Todd, easily. - -She gave him a quick, eager look. - -"Will you dare to oppose Ramon, then?" she asked. - -"On occasion we are rather daring," said Chesty, smiling at her -simplicity. "The fellow ought to be arrested and given up to justice." - -"Oh, if you would do that, we could all go away!" said the child, -clasping her hands ecstatically. "Please arrest him, sir; I beg you to." - -"We'll see about it, little one. Meantime, how can we get the key to -unlock this chain?" - -"Would you follow Ramon?" she asked. - -"That is our greatest ambition, just now." - -"Then I'll get you the key. Pietro has it." - -"The Red-beard?" - -"Yes. Pietro is my friend. He is not so bad as some of the other men." - -"They must be a sorry lot," decided Chesty. "Come on, then, Chica; I'll -help you to interview Pietro." - -The man was sitting on a rock nursing his grievances. - -"The key, Pietro," said Chica. - -"No," he answered surlily. - -"I want it, Pietro." - -"He'll whip me. But then, he'll whip me anyhow, for not to stop his -'guests.' Take the key, Chica. Pah! a few lashes. Who care?" - -He tossed the key upon the ground at her feet and Chesty promptly -picked it up. The girl looked hard at Red-beard. - -"You will not be whipped," she said softly. "It is all right, Pietro. -The Americańos will arrest Ramon Ganza and deliver him up to justice; -they have promised it; so you will be safe. Come with me. Our new -friends need guns." - -"What!" The man fairly gasped in his amazement at her temerity. - -"Our new friends shall take all they need of Ramon's store of guns. -They are not like the others who come here; the Americańos are not -cowards. You will see them conquer Ramon very nicely, and with no -trouble at all. Come, Pietro--the guns!" - -The man slowly rose and led the way to the house, while Chesty called -for Steve and then followed. - -In ten minutes Chesty and Steve returned to the dock where the -others awaited them, and both were loaded with rifles, revolvers and -ammunition, ruthlessly abstracted from the private stores of the island -magnate. - -When these were distributed, the launch unlocked and they were ready to -start, Madeline turned to Chica. - -"Get in, dear," said she. "I think it will be best for you to come with -us. Provided we ourselves manage to escape, I promise to take you to -Mazatlan and restore you to your own people." - -The child hesitated, looking at the little fat Red-beard. - -"I--I'm afraid Pietro will suffer for helping us," she said. - -"Ah; 'tis true," agreed Red-beard. "Unless you please will arrest -Ramon, Ramon will whip me until I faint. I know; it is his habit when -he is opposed." - -"Get aboard, then," said Steve, impatiently. "There's room enough, and -your service may come handy to us." - -Somewhat to their surprise the man came aboard without an instant's -hesitation, and at once Steve started the engine. - -"Are any other men left upon this island?" asked Mr. Cumberford, as the -launch gathered way and darted down the inlet. - -"Two," said Chica. "But they have no orders to interfere with you, so -they will be blind. Fourteen have gone with Ramon." - -"Are they armed?" asked Orissa. - -"I do not know, seńorita. Francisco may be, and perhaps Tomas; but -Ramon is afraid to trust many of his men with guns." - -Heading out of the inlet they rounded the pillar of rock and skirted -the shore until the open sea lay between them and Owl Island. Now they -were able to see plainly the big launch of Ramon Ganza plodding along -in advance. It had fully half an hour's start of them, yet from the -distance it had gone Steve awoke to the fact that it was not nearly -so speedy as Madeline's little boat. Although the big launch had -gasoline engines of comparatively modern pattern, the lines of the boat -were broad and "tubby," in strong contrast with the slender, graceful -waist of the _Salvador's_ launch. Moreover, Ramon had neglected his -machinery, as he had everything else on the island, and the engines did -not work as well as they should. - -"I've an idea that I can beat the pirate to the _Salvador_," said Steve. - -"By Jove!" cried Chesty; "if you could do that, old man, you'd save the -day." - -"What difference would it make?" inquired Madeline. - -"Their plan is to take our crew by surprise, board the yacht and make -prisoners of every man jack--also of Mrs. Tupper," explained Chesty. -"Then, when we arrive, our capture could be easily accomplished. But -if we manage to get there first, warning our men and taking them these -weapons, we stand a good chance of beating off the rascally potentate -and holding possession." - -"They are not really pirates, I suppose," remarked Sybil. - -"According to this child's story," declared Mr. Cumberford, "the man -is a fugitive from justice and so has no respect for the rights or -property of anyone. Mexico, his own country, has outlawed him and -doubtless if the authorities could put their hands on the fellow they'd -clap him in jail and keep him there." - -They considered this statement gravely. - -"For which reason," remarked Chesty Todd, "Ramon Ganza is desperate. He -can't afford to let us get away and carry the news of where his island -retreat may be located. Therefore, good people, this is going to be a -lively little scrap, so let's grit our teeth and do our level best." - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - AN EXCITING RACE - - -Steve was giving the engine all his attention and coaxing it to -develop all the speed of which it was capable. Even with eight people -aboard--two more than its regular complement--it was beginning to gain -on the big boat ahead. Orissa, at the steering wheel, was also intent -upon her task. - -Mr. Cumberford turned to Chica. - -"How did Ramon manage to build that house, and make such a big -settlement on the island, all in secret?" he asked. - -"Pietro knows," said she. - -"In Mexico," stated Red-beard, halting at times in his English, "Ramon -rob bank of much money. Then he escape in boat an' find islan'. -He think it fine place for hide. So he go to Unite' State--to San -Pedro--an' buy much thing with his money--much lumber--much food in tin -can--many thing he will need. He hire ship to take all to his islan'. -It big sail-ship, but it old an' not ver' good. In San Pedro Ramon -find some Mexicans who do bad things an' so are afraid to go back to -Mexico. He say he make them rich, so they go with him on ship. I go, -too. - -"Storm come an' make ship leak, but we get to islan' an' unload -ever'thing. Captain start to go back, but ship leak so bad he run on -rocks at West Islan'. Ship go wreck an' men drown. By'mby Ramon go out -to wreck, take all thing he want an' let wreck go. It now on rocks at -West Islan'. No good, now." - -This terse recital was listened to with astonishment. - -"Interesting--very," was Mr. Cumberford's comment, and they all -supported his verdict. - -"Then Ramon make us build house an' make garden," continued Red-beard. -"When we get mad an' not mind Ramon, he whip some of us with his own -hand, an' then others scare an' work hard. Two, three time, Ramon go in -launch to Mexico. He land secret, in night time, and get more men to -come back with him to islan'. Nobody know him in the places he goes. -One time he coax Chica from her nice home, that way, an' bring her to -islan', to make her help the women work in his house." - -Chica nodded. - -"But now I go home," she said, confidently. "When kind Americańos -arrest Ramon, I go free." - -But arresting Ramon was not so much in the thoughts of the Americańos -just then as the result of the race to reach the _Salvador_. Madeline's -launch was gaining steadily, but both boats were gradually drawing -nearer to their destination and the problem was which could arrive -first? Already the little boat had been seen and its purpose understood -by the wily Mexican. He could not know how it was that the Americans -had managed to secure their boat and were able to follow him so soon, -but the fact that they were in his wake and quickly closing the gap -between the two launches was sufficient information for the time being, -and it did not particularly disturb him. - -Ramon Ganza reasoned that in order to beat him to the yacht the little -launch must pass near him, but in doing so he would intercept it and by -grappling it with boat-hooks take it and its occupants along with him. -If the Americans kept out of range and gave his boat a wide berth, he -would be able, in spite of their superior speed, to beat them to the -yacht by maintaining his course in a straight line. - -This danger was soon appreciated by the pursuers; for, whenever they -altered their course, Ganza altered his, to head them off by getting -directly in their way. - -"Ah," said Mr. Cumberford, grimly, "this interests me." - -"It interests us all," observed Steve, dryly. "The big boat is like a -rock in our path." - -Orissa looked at her brother inquiringly. - -"How shall I steer?" she asked. - -"We shall have to circle around them, to keep out of their way. They -think that they will beat us, and they may; but I'm not sure of it--as -yet." - -"Is it best to argue the point, Steve?" asked Chesty. - -"I really think our salvation depends on our getting to the yacht -first," was the reply. - -For some time after this no one spoke. The engine, under Steve's -skillful handling, was doing its utmost, with never a skip or protest -of any sort. The man who was running the larger boat was also crowding -his engines, urged thereto by his domineering master. The sea was ideal -for the race and favored both boats alike. - -They continued the dodging tactics some time longer, the smaller boat -being forced to the outside and unable to cut in ahead. - -"Confound it!" cried Steve, much chagrined, "here's the island, and -they've got the inside track." - -"Yes; but something's wrong with them," remarked Mr. Cumberford. -"They're slowing down." - -"By Jove, that's a fact!" cried Chesty, elated. - -Steve stood up and shaded his eyes with his hand. - -"Their engines have stopped," he said. "That's a streak of luck I -hadn't banked on. Head in, Orissa. We're all right now, if they don't -start again promptly." - -There was evident excitement on board the larger motor boat. Ramon -kicked the new engineer away and himself took his place. The engine -revolved, made a brief spurt--and stopped dead. Ramon made another -attempt, while his boat bobbed placidly up and down on the waves. - -Meantime the launch, still keeping to its wide circle, rounded the -point of rock and headed into the bay, where the _Salvador_ lay with -her trim white sides glistening in the sunshine. - -"Quick!" cried Steve, as soon as he could be heard by those at the -rail, "let down the ladder. They're after us!" - -"Who is it?" demanded Mr. Tupper, curiously; but Captain Krell marked -the panic on the faces of those on board the launch and issued prompt -orders. The aft davits were run down in a jiffy and Steve and Chesty -hooked them to the launch, which was quickly raised with all on board -and swung over the rail to the deck. - -There were a few tumbles and some scrambling to get out of the boat, -but at that moment Ramon Ganza's big launch swept into the bay, and the -Mexican, assured by one sharp glance that his clever plan to surprise -the yacht was thwarted, shut down the engines and halted his craft -while he examined the situation at his leisure. - -Madeline Dentry's superb yacht was indeed a prize worth winning. It -was even worth running some risks to acquire. Ramon reflected that the -_Salvador_ and her helpless crew were really at his mercy, for they -were unable to float the ship and were at present securely imprisoned. -He laughed rather maliciously at their vain opposition, and said to his -lieutenant, the one-eyed man: - -"Very good, Francisco. Everything comes my way, you see. A little -patience and the beautiful ship is ours, for it surely is wreck, and I -justly claim all wrecks on my islands. There will be rum aboard, or at -least plenty of liquors and wines. Champagne, perhaps. You shall have -all the spirits for your drink if you back me up firmly in my demands." - -"What will you do, seńor?" - -"Insist on taking possession of the ship, which, according to my law, -is mine," he answered, with grim humor. "Perhaps they may object, -in which case you will stand by your chief. But understand: you must -use no knives or pistols; I can't afford to have murder added to the -charges against me. If diplomacy fails, we will fight with our bare -fists, in American fashion, and our numbers will suffice to conquer -those insolent strangers who come here uninvited and then refuse to -abide by my laws." - -He took from his pocket a note-book and with a fountain pen wrote upon -one of the leaves as follows: - - - "To my beloved Friends, the Americańos: - - Alas, your ship is hopeless wreck. I, the lord and ruler of these - islands, behold the sad condition and with grief, for I must condemn - the ship as wreck, which I do by right of Spanish Grant to me, from - which is no appeal. With pain for your loss, I am obligated to - confiscate the ship that before was yours, with all it contains, and to - declare it is now mine. I demand that you deliver my property into my - hands at once, in the name of law and justice, and I believe you will - do so, because otherwise you will become the enemies of the kingdom of - - DON MIGUEL DEL BORGITIS, Rex." - - -He tore out this leaf, folded it neatly and then boldly ran his launch -to the side of the yacht. Francisco stuck the paper on the point of a -boat-hook and standing on a seat thrust the epistle so far up the side -that Captain Krell was able to lean over and grasp it. Then the launch -returned to its former position, while the captain carried the note to -Madeline. - -She read it aloud and their anxiety did not prevent the Americans from -laughing heartily at the preposterous claim of this audacious Mexican -refugee. - -"At the same time," said Miss Dentry, resuming her gravity, "our -case appears to be somewhat serious. The man has unmasked and shown -us clearly his intentions. He believes we can expect no succor from -outside, and in that he is quite correct. Only by our own efforts and -the exercise of our wits may we hope to circumvent his intentions and -retain our freedom and our property." - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - BESIEGED - - -Disregarding the lordly disposal of the yacht and its contents so -coolly outlined by Seńor Ramon Ganza, those aboard the _Salvador_ began -to face the probability of a siege. They all gathered aft, where, -shielded by the bulwarks from the view of the Mexicans, they could -converse at leisure and with safety. At Madeline's suggestion, every -member of the crew, seven in number, was present while the details -of their visit to the larger island were related by his principals. -The character of the lordly islander, and his history as gleaned from -Pietro and Chica, were likewise canvassed, and his evident intention to -add the strangers to his band of cowed subjects was impressed upon the -entire company in a most forcible manner. - -"It would have been serious, indeed," continued Madeline, "had Ganza -arrived here before us and found you unwarned and unarmed, for you -could not have resisted his invasion. But his clever scheme was -frustrated by an accident to the engines of his launch, and now we -must bend our every energy to driving him away and making our escape -from this dreadful island." - -"We don't know yet, of course, how that can be done," added Mr. -Radley-Todd, reflectively; "but there's no hurry about deciding it. We -are pretty well provisioned for a siege, and Steve and I captured from -the enemy and brought with us nine rifles, half a dozen revolvers, and -some ammunition." - -"We have also a small supply of arms and ammunition in the storeroom of -the yacht," said Captain Krell. "The former owner was something of a -sportsman, and I think you will find the guns to be shotguns." - -"All the better," said Chesty. "These fellows may decide to board us, -in which case the shotguns, at short range, will scatter their loads -and do fearful execution. Get 'em up, Captain. Let's have on deck, -where it's handy, every offensive and defensive weapon aboard." - -"I don't want any shooting," protested Madeline; "I'd rather give them -the yacht." - -"We won't need to shoot," returned Steve. "A big bluff is all that is -necessary." - -The entire company now understood the importance of a successful -resistance, and aside from the fact that Mrs. Tupper had violent -hysterics, which lasted several hours and nearly caused her devoted -husband to jump overboard, the situation was accepted by all with -philosophical composure. A definite plan to guard the deck and prevent -the foe from scaling the sides was adopted and each man given his -position and instructed what to do. - -As they were dealing with a desperate and unscrupulous man, a -self-constituted autocrat in this practically unknown group of islands, -they realized the wisdom of being constantly alert; so all the men, -passengers and crew alike, were divided into watches during every hour -of day and night, and those not on duty slept in their clothing that -they might respond instantly to any call to action. - -The Mexican, however, proceeded very deliberately with the siege, -believing his victims were trapped and unable to escape him. He -withdrew for a time around the rocky point, where he disembarked ten of -his fourteen men. With the other four he ran the launch to the mouth -of the bay again and dropped anchor, evidently intending to block any -egress by the boats of the yacht. - -That night, under cover of the darkness, for the moon was often -obscured by shifting clouds, Ramon's men deployed among the rocks on -both sides of the narrow channel, where they erected two miniature -forts, or lookouts, by piling up the loose rocks. Behind each rock -barrier some of the men were stationed, with instructions to watch -every movement on the deck of the _Salvador_ and report to their -master. The Mexicans were well protected by the rocks from the firearms -of those on board, if the defenders resorted to their use, and because -of the slant of the deck from fore to aft Ramon could himself command -almost the entire deck as he sat in his launch. - -Realizing this disadvantage, Radley-Todd and O'Reilly, the engineer, -crept down to the stern and by pushing the ends of their rifles through -the hawser-holes were able to bring the launch under such direct fire -that the outlaw decided that discretion was the better part of valor -and withdrew his boat to a safer anchorage around the point, where he -might still intercept the passage of any boat that ventured to come out. - -The next morning Francisco of the one eye and a comrade took the launch -back to the other island for a store of provisions. When they returned, -at noon, they brought the two men who had been left behind when the -first expedition set out, and also one of the rowboats, which was -allowed to trail behind the launch. - -With the Americans surrounded and on the defensive Ramon felt that he -could safely remove his entire force from his home island and leave -the place to the keeping of the women. If it came to a fight he would -need every man he had. - -On that first day those on the yacht were alert and excited, but the -marked composure on the part of their besiegers gradually quieted their -fears of immediate violence. The decks were not really dangerous, -although constantly under the observation of the men in the rock -fortresses, so they ventured to use them freely. At one time, when -Chesty Todd made a feint of landing on the shore, a group of Mexicans -quickly gathered to prevent his leaving the ship, thus demonstrating -their open enmity. - -"This won't do!" declared Steve, savagely, as he faced the company -assembled around the cabin table that evening. "Those infernal bandits -mean to keep us here till doomsday--or until we go crazy and surrender. -They'll make our lives miserable unless we dislodge them from those -rocks." - -"I prefer them there to having them attempt to scale the sides of -our ship," returned Chesty. "A hand-to-hand fight would be far more -serious." - -"Interesting, isn't it?" said Mr. Cumberford. - -"I don't think they care for a hand-to-hand fight," observed the -captain. "Such fellows as this Ramon Ganza are always cowards." - -"I don't know about that," said Madeline. "He has faced all the men he -brought here and in spite of their numbers and their hatred of him has -cowed them, every one, single-handed." - -"Ramon is not a coward," the child Chica declared very positively. "He -is bad; yes. But not a coward." - -"He has sixteen men--with himself, seventeen--and we have but eleven," -said Steve. "However, the advantage is with us, because the yacht is a -fort." - -"You spoke a moment ago of dislodging them," remarked Radley-Todd. -"Can't we manage to do that, Steve?" - -"How?" - -"If we could make some bombs," suggested the press-agent, slowly, "and -hurl them among those rocks, I've an idea we could drive them away." - -Steve was thoughtful a moment. - -"We'd need nitro-glycerine for that," said he. "I suppose there's none -aboard, Captain Krell?" - -The captain shook his head. - -"Plenty nitro-glycerine at big islan'," announced Pietro. "Ramon use it -to blast rock." - -"Ah, but that's a good way off," declared Steve. - -Chesty drummed on the table, musingly. - -"If Pietro will go with me," he said presently, "I'll get you the -nitro-glycerine." - -"You're crazy, man!" - -"Not quite," said Chesty, with a smile. "Every man belonging to -Ramon's band is now here. I'm not afraid of the women he has left back -there." - -"But how will you get there--swim?" - -"We'll take the launch, Pietro and I, and run the blockade at dead of -night." - -"No," said Madeline, with decision, "I can't allow that. It would be -too dangerous an undertaking. You might be captured." - -"I don't think so. If we are discovered, your launch can outrun theirs -and I'll lead them a merry chase and come back again. What do you say, -Pietro?" - -"Who? Me, Seńor? Why, Ramon my enemy now. So I go with you." - -"You needn't fear Ramon, Pietro," said Madeline, gently. "We shall -manage in some way to get you safely back to Mexico." - -The man's expression was stolid and unbelieving. - -"Perhaps he doesn't dare go back to Mexico," said Sybil. - -"Oh, yes;" replied Pietro. "I not 'fraid of Mexico. I smuggle, -sometimes, before Ramon get me; but they forget all that by now. It is -Ramon I fear. He is very bad man, as little Chica say. Always he wins, -never he loses, in what he tries to do. For me, I have disobey an' defy -him, so Ramon he whip me sure, when he catch me, an' when Ramon whip -it is as bad as to die." - -It was impossible to overcome this stubborn belief in Ramon's -omnipotence and they did not argue with the man further. But Orissa, -who had been thoughtfully listening to the conversation, now said: - -"I do not like the plan of bringing nitro-glycerine here, even if -Chesty could succeed in getting it. The stuff would be dangerous to us -and to our enemies, for a slight accident would explode it or careless -handling might blow us all to eternity. But, admitting you made the -bombs, without accident to any of our party, what would be the result -of exploding them among those little rock forts yonder? Wouldn't the -rocks scatter in every direction and bombard us and the ship, perhaps -causing damage that would be fatal to our hopes of escape?" - -"Orissa is quite right," said Mr. Cumberford, decisively. "We must -abandon the idea at once." - -"I know it appears a desperate measure," admitted Radley-Todd, "but -something must be done, both to drive away our enemies and get the -_Salvador_ afloat again. Cut the explosives, and what remains for us to -do?" - -"Make a sortie and drive them away from here," replied Cumberford. -"I'm a little old for a pitched battle or guerrilla warfare, but this -extraordinary Mexican--er--er--interests me. I'm willing to have it out -with him here and now." - -"One white man is worth six Mexicans," declared Captain Krell, -belligerently. - -"Won't do at all," asserted Steve. "We can't afford to take the chances -of defeat, gentlemen, while we have these girls in our care. The ship -is a fort that is almost impregnable, and we mustn't leave it for an -instant--under any circumstances." - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - CAPTURING AN AĖROPLANE - - -As they sat with downcast countenances, reflecting upon their -uncomfortable position, Orissa said quietly: - -"I've thought of something to relieve us. The idea came to me when -Chesty insisted our launch could run the blockade." - -"Speak out, Ris," exclaimed Steve. "Your ideas are pretty good ones, as -a rule. What's the proposition?" - -"Why, we all seem to have forgotten the Hy." - -"The Hydro-Aircraft?" - -"Yes. It is lying quite safe, and in apple-pie order, in the little -ravine at the foot of the bluff where we camped." - -"But it is minus its plane-cloths," added Sybil. "Our tent is still -standing, for I saw it from deck only an hour ago." - -"It won't take long to attach the plane-cloths," said Steve, "provided -those brigands will let us do it. It's rather odd they haven't taken -the trouble to capture the Aircraft already. It would be easy for -Ramon to declare it 'wreck.'" - -"What would be the use?" asked Madeline. "They could not fly it, even -if they knew how to put it in order; and, as they imagine we cannot get -to it, they are not worrying about the thing. Of course they are able -to see that tent on the bluff as easily as we can, and by and by they -will go there and capture whatever the girls left." - -"True. That is why we must lose no unnecessary time," observed Orissa. - -"I do not yet see what the proposition is," asserted Chesty, in a -puzzled tone. - -"I know what Orissa means," returned Steve quickly. "There's plenty of -gasoline on board--I think nearly a barrel--intended for the use of the -launch. If I could get to the Aircraft and fill its tanks with gasoline -no one could prevent my flying home, where I could get a ship and men -to come to our rescue." - -"That interests me; it does, really!" said Mr. Cumberford. "It's so -easy and practical I wonder none of us thought of it before." - -"I've had the possibilities in mind for some time," declared Orissa, -"but I had no idea we could get to the Aircraft until Chesty proposed -running the blockade in our launch." - -"It's a fine idea," said Chesty, with enthusiasm. "I mean both our -ideas--the combination, Orissa." - -"I believe it will solve all our difficulties," added Madeline, -confidently. "But will not this journey be a hazardous one for Mr. Kane -to undertake?" - -"I think not," replied Orissa. "The same amount of gasoline that -brought Sybil and me to this place will carry the machine back again, -and Steve can go more directly than we came, for he knows exactly how -to head." - -"Then!" said Chesty Todd, "the plan is this: We'll put enough gasoline -in cans to fill the tanks of the aėroplane, load 'em into the launch, -and to-night Steve and I will sneak out of this inlet, slip past the -Mexican's launch and hie us to that ravine of yours. Is there room -enough for our boat to enter the bay you described, or is that big rock -too close to shore to let us pass?" - -"There will be just about room for you to pass in, I think," answered -Orissa. - -"But the big launch couldn't do it?" - -"Ramon's? No, indeed." - -"Very good." - -"Who will fly with me to San Diego?" asked Steve. "The Aircraft carries -two, you know. One of the women ought to go. I wish we could carry them -all away from this dangerous place." - -"Let them draw cuts for it," suggested Chesty. - -"You can let me out," said Sybil; "I won't leave Daddy." - -"Nonsense!" cried her father. - -"Then I'm nonsensical," laughed Sybil, "for I won't budge an inch -without you. That wicked Mexican might capture you in a jiffy if I -wasn't here to look after you. Not a word, sir; the thing is settled, -as far as I am concerned." - -"I cannot go, of course," said Madeline. "This is my yacht and I must -stand by it, and by my men, to the last. Nor could I with courtesy -escape and leave my guests in danger." - -"Then it shall be Mrs. Tupper," proposed Orissa. - -"Me? Me? Goodness sakes, child," cried Mrs. Tupper, in great alarm, "do -you think I'd risk my life in that dreadful airship?" - -"You'll risk it by staying," suggested her husband. - -"But there's a chance of salvation here," asserted the lady, with -nervous haste. "I'd get light-headed and tumble out of that aėroplane -in two minutes. And they'd hear me yell from Japan to San Francisco, -I'd be so scared. I can stand death, Mr. Tupper, with Christian -fortitude; but not torture!" - -"Orissa?" said Steve, inquiringly. - -"Yes; I'll go. I may be of more assistance to you all by going than -by staying. And I will run the machine, Steve, and take you as a -passenger. I've tinkered that steering-gear until I know just how to -manage it." - -Steve nodded. - -"As I understand it, Miss Dentry," said he, "my mission will be to -charter a fast steamship, for which Mr. Cumberford and I will pay, and -bring it here to drag the _Salvador_ off this beach. The crew, which I -will see is well armed, will work in conjunction with yours and when we -outnumber Ramon Ganza's band of rascals he will probably run away to -his den without attempting to fight." - -"Ramon never run," protested Pietro, shaking his head. "You cannot -scare Ramon. The more men you bring, the more he has to fight; that is -all." - -This gloomy prophecy made them look grave for a time. - -"Our Pietro is a pessimist," said Chesty, with assumed cheerfulness. -"But some day the Mexican government will find this invincible hero and -send a warship to blow his island out of the water." - -"Why--yes!" exclaimed Madeline, with sudden inspiration; "the Mexican -government is interested in this affair. Why not fly to the nearest -point on the Mexican coast, Mr. Kane, and from there telegraph -President Madero? I believe he would send a warship at once, both to -capture Ramon Ganza and to rescue us from his clutches." - -"Um-m. Madero has his hands full, just now, putting down revolutions at -home," Mr. Cumberford reminded her. "And maybe he isn't interested in -Ganza, who was convicted of a felony under the régime of Diaz." - -"I can try him, anyhow," said Steve. "The Mexican coast is about fifty -miles nearer than San Diego." - -"Madero has offer one thousan' dollar--Mexican--for capture of Ramon," -said Pietro, proudly. "So much money shows Ramon is great man." - -"In that case you'd better give Madero a chance at him, Steve," decided -Mr. Cumberford. "A man-o'-war would be more effective here than a -trading ship, and in the interests of humanity we should put an end to -this fellow's cruel tyranny for good and all. He's far better off in -jail." - -After some further discussion this plan was finally decided on and -preparations were begun for the adventure. During the afternoon the -cans of gasoline were placed in the launch and Steve went over the -machinery of the little boat with great care, to assure himself it was -in perfect order. - -The nights were never really dark until toward morning, when the stars -seemed to dim and the moon dipped below the horizon. Sometimes there -were a few drifting clouds, but they never obscured the sky long enough -to be utilized as a mask. So Steve decided to make his attempt at the -dark hour preceding dawn and made Orissa go to bed and get what sleep -she could. She said her good-byes to the others then, so it would not -be necessary to disturb them at the time of departure. - -At three o'clock her brother called her and told her to get ready. -Chesty and Steve were seated in the launch when the girl arrived on -deck, and she quickly took her place. While it was much darker than -it had been earlier in the night, Orissa found she could see near-by -objects quite distinctly. Four of the crew, headed by Captain Krell, -were standing by to lower the launch over the side, and as the owls -were hooting their most dismal chorus their screams drowned any noise -made by the windlass. - -No sooner had the launch touched the surface than Chesty dipped his -scull in the water and with a dexterous motion sent the little craft -forward toward the mouth of the inlet. They might have been seen from -the shore had the Mexicans been alert, but at this hour many who were -supposed to be watching had fallen asleep, and if any remained awake -their eyes were not turned upon the waters of the tiny bay. Quite -noiselessly the launch moved on and presently turned the point of rock -at the right. - -Orissa stifled a cry and Steve's heart gave a bound as the bow of the -launch pointed straight at the big boat of Ramon, scarcely ten feet -distant; but Chesty saw the danger, too, and a sharp swing of the scull -sent the light craft spinning around so that it just grazed the side of -the Mexican's boat, in which all the occupants were fast asleep. - -Next moment they had passed it, and still Chesty continued sculling, as -it was not safe as yet to start the engines. But when they had skirted -the shore for such a distance that the screeching of the owls would be -likely to drown the noise of their motor, Steve started the machinery -and the launch darted away at full speed. - -Half an hour later they crept between the big rock and the bluff -and were safe in the deep hollow at the foot of the ravine, having -accomplished the adventure so easily that they marvelled at their own -success. - -"Strikes me as a good omen," remarked Orissa, cheerfully, as they -disembarked and drew the launch upon the sands. "I hope the luck will -follow you on your return, Chesty." - -"Me?" replied the big boy. "Why, nothing ever happens to me. Let us -hope the good luck will follow you and Steve, on whom the safety of the -entire party now depends. What first, Steve? - -"The tent. We must get that down before daybreak, so they won't see us -working on it from the bay, and interfere with our proposed flight." - -Orissa led the way to the bluff and at once Steve and Chesty began -tumbling the rocks from the edges of the canvas. This was no light -task, for the girls had erected a solid parapet in order to defy the -wind; but just as the first streaks of dawn appeared the tent came down -and they hastily seized the canvas, added it to the covering of the -upper plane, which had been inside the tent, and lugged it all down the -incline to where the frame of the Aircraft lay. - -"Very good," said Steve. "We'll need the daylight now, in order to -attach the cloth." - -They had not long to wait, and while Steve, assisted by Radley-Todd, -fastened the cloth in place with the clips provided for that purpose, -which Orissa had carefully saved, the girl herself inspected the -machinery and all the framework, even to the last brace, to be sure it -was in condition for the long trip. She also oiled the steering gear -and thoroughly tested it to see that it worked freely. - -By nine o'clock the planes were tautly spread and the tanks had been -filled with gasoline. - -"I think we are all ready for the start," said Steve. "But how about -you, Chesty? As soon as we roll the Aircraft to the top of the bluff -the Mexicans will see us and start for this place to try to intercept -us. Orissa and I will be gone, when they arrive; but they may find you, -unless you make tracks." - -"How do you expect to regain the ship?" asked Orissa, who had not -considered this matter before. - -"Don't worry about me, I beg of you," retorted the boy, hastily. "I -shall be all right. All ready, Steve?" - -Steve looked at him thoughtfully. - -"I think that when they see us fly away they may give up the idea of -coming here," said he; "and, in that case, you'd better lie here in the -ravine until night, when you can try to steal back in the same way we -came." - -"All right, old man; never mind me." - -"But we _do_ mind you, Chesty," said Orissa, earnestly. "You've been -a faithful friend ever since we got into this difficulty--and before, -too--so we can't have anything happen to you." - -He blushed like a girl, but declared he would be perfectly safe. - -"Don't take any foolish chances," urged Orissa. - -"I won't." - -They rolled the Aircraft up to the top of the bluff and set it with -the head facing the sea. Then Steve and Orissa took their places and -Chesty, giving them each a hearty handclasp, spun the propeller blade -as Steve started the engine. - -At once the aėroplane darted forward, rose as it passed the bluff, and -sailed gracefully into the air. Chesty hid his six-feet-three behind -a boulder, to shield himself from observation, while he watched the -splendid machine turn upon its course and speed away over the Pacific -on its errand of rescue. - -Then, with a sigh of relief and elation, the boy crept into the ravine -and descended to where his boat lay. Seated in the launch, calmly -awaiting him, were three of the Mexicans, headed by the one-eyed -Francisco. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - RAMON GANZA - - -When Madeline came on deck, soon after daybreak, Captain Krell reported -the successful departure of the launch. - -"Are you sure they were not seen?" she asked. - -"Quite sure, Miss Dentry, for we heard not a sound, either from our -party or from the besiegers, although we listened intently." - -Long before Steve could have prepared the aėroplane for the journey -those on board the yacht were gazing expectantly at the bluff. The tent -had disappeared, which was proof that the undertaking had so far been -successful. - -At this time there seemed to be a little stir among the Mexicans and -Mr. Cumberford suggested, rather nervously, that they also had noticed -the absence of the tent, without understanding what could have become -of it. - -At half-past eight they heard the sound of the engines of Ramon's big -launch, and that made them worry more than ever until Sybil suddenly -cried: "There they are!" - -Upon the distant bluff appeared the Aircraft. A little cheer, which -none could restrain, went up from the deck of the yacht. There was no -delay. Scarcely was the machine in position when it mounted into the -air and headed directly toward the east. Every eye watched it eagerly -until it had become a dim speck against the blue sky and finally -disappeared from view altogether, flying steadily and with a speed that -raised their hopes to the highest pitch. Then, with one accord, they -returned to the cabin to discuss the chances of Radley-Todd's getting -back to them safely with the launch. - -"I don't worry much about that young man," said Cumberford. "He's as -full of resources as a pincushion is of sawdust, and I'll bet my hat we -shall soon see him again, safe and sound." - -The captain now entered with an anxious face. - -"That confounded Mexican king is signaling us with a flag of truce," he -reported. - -"What, Ramon?" exclaimed Madeline. - -"Yes. What shall we do?" - -"Stay here, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, rising. "I'll go and see -what the fellow wants." - -"I will go with you," returned Madeline, quietly. - -"I wish you would not." - -"Why?" she asked. "If he bears a flag of truce there is no danger." - -"I do not believe he would respect a flag of truce--nor anything else," -asserted Mr. Cumberford. "Do you, Captain?" - -"No, sir. He's tricky and unreliable. Don't trust him for a moment." - -But Madeline would not be denied. She accompanied the captain and Mr. -Cumberford to the deck. - -Just beside the yacht floated the little rowboat which had been brought -from Ramon's island, and in it sat Ramon himself, all alone, holding -aloft a handkerchief attached as a flag to a boat-hook. - -As they peered over the side at him he bowed profoundly and removed his -hat to Miss Dentry. He was still clothed in his white flannels and his -fingers glittered with jewels. - -"What do you want?" demanded Mr. Cumberford sharply. - -"The pleasure of conversing with you, seńor," was the confident reply. -"If you will kindly let down your ladder I will come on board. You -see, myself I place in your power. We have, I much regret, some slight -misunderstanding between us, which a few words will assuredly correct." - -"Don't let him up, sir," advised Captain Krell, in a low voice. - -"But he is unarmed," said Madeline. "I think it will be best to confer -with him." - -"Then do it from a distance," grumbled the captain. - -"Sir," called Mr. Cumberford, "if you have any apologies to make, you -may speak from where you are." - -"Then, alas, my overtures of peace are refused?" said Ramon, not -defiantly, but in a tone of deep regret. - -"No; we don't refuse any sincere overtures of peace; but you have -treated us in a scoundrelly manner, and we don't trust you." - -"Such a terrible mistake, seńor; so sad! But I cannot explain it from -here. With utmost trust in your honor I offer to come to you alone, -and--see!--unarmed. Will not you, for the sake of the ladies who are -with you, encourage my friendliness?" - -"Let him come up," said Madeline again. There seemed a veiled threat in -Ramon's appeal. - -"Very well. But tell your men to watch his every movement, Captain, and -if he makes a treacherous move shoot him down without hesitation." - -The rope ladder was cast over the side and Ramon promptly seized it -and climbed to the deck. - -"Follow us below," commanded Mr. Cumberford, turning toward the cabin. -The man hesitated, casting a shrewd, quick glance around. Then he bowed -again and said: - -"I thank the seńor for his courtesy." - -In the cabin were assembled Mr. and Mrs. Tupper and Sybil Cumberford. -Chica and Pietro discreetly kept out of view. Mr. Cumberford entered -first, followed by Madeline. Then came Ramon Ganza and behind him the -captain and little O'Reilly, the Irish engineer. This last personage -was virtually "armed to the teeth," for he carried one of Ramon's own -rifles and a brace of revolvers. - -"Be seated," said Mr. Cumberford, pointing to a chair. "And now, sir, -state your errand." - -Ganza's comprehensive glance had taken in every member of the party, -as well as the luxurious furnishings of the _Salvador's_ cabin, which -seemed to please his aesthetic taste. - -"I ask to be inform, being in ignorance, if three people may ride in -one flying-machine," he blandly announced, looking from one face to -another as if uncertain whom to address. - -"Three?" asked Cumberford, as if puzzled. - -"Yes. I see that one young lady and two men are missing from your -party." - -"I suppose three can ride, if need be," muttered Cumberford. "Is your -mission here to gain information concerning aėroplanes?" - -"Only in part, seńor." - -The Mexican's features had hitherto been composed and smiling, despite -the stern and mistrustful looks he encountered on all sides. But now, -perhaps understanding that these Americans were not easily to be -cajoled, his own face grew somber and lowering and he said in a sharp, -incisive manner: "You prefer to discuss business only?" - -"We do, sir," was the reply, Mr. Cumberford continuing to act as -spokesman. - -"Very nice. I have a wish to invite you all to my island, where you -shall be my respected guests. My mansion shall be at your service; -my servants shall obey your commands; you shall delight in the grand -scenery and enjoy yourselves as you will." - -"Thank you; we decline your hospitality." - -"But I fear in that you make bad mistake, seńor," continued Ramon -Ganza, unabashed by the rebuff. "My island is a pleasant place, and -where else can you find so much happiness when my ship, which you now -inhabit, is destroyed?" - -"Oh; that's the idea, is it?" exclaimed Mr. Cumberford. "You interest -me, sir; you do, really. Perhaps you will state how you intend to -destroy our ship, which is not, permit me to say, your ship as yet." - -"Is it necessary to say more?" asked the Mexican, spreading out his -jewelled hands with a deprecating gesture. - -"I think it will enable us to understand you better." - -As if in deep thought, Ganza drummed upon the cabin table with his -fingers. - -"I am very sad at your refusal to be my guests," he said after a -time. "This, my ship, is in a most dangerous position. It is half -out of water, on an island that is a bleak rock. I come here from -the island where I reside to befriend you--to offer you my humble -hospitality--when I have taken possession of the wreck--and in your -blindness--do you call it fatuity?--you receive me as an enemy. Some of -your people chase my boat, as if I have no right to sail the seas of -my own islands! Yet I am not resentful; not at all. I enjoy some humor -and I am good man, with much respectability. When your ship catches -on fire, as it will probably do very soon, you must escape to these -bare rocks, where you can find no assistance, no food to keep you -alive. Then perhaps you will feel more kindly toward poor Don Miguel -del Borgitis--your humble servant--and find willingness to accept his -beautiful home as your own. But why wait for fire to drive you to death -most terrible or to my great hospitality? Is it not the best to accept -my offer, and so save yourselves from--inconvenience?" - -Beneath the smooth words the ugly threat was so visible that even -brave Madeline paled, and Mr. Tupper shuddered vigorously. But Mr. -Cumberford, gazing critically into the man's face, replied: - -"I see. Interesting; very. You want to save this yacht. You would like -to drag it afloat and carry it away to your own island, where we, -accepting your hospitality, would become your prisoners. But if we -refuse to surrender the ship, you say you will set fire to it, in which -case you would burn us up or force us to land. If we land, you will -capture us and force us to become your unwilling subjects. Is that a -clear understanding of your statement, Ramon Ganza?" - -The outlaw gave a start as he heard his true name mentioned, but -quickly recovered his assurance. - -"The seńor is very intelligent," he said. - -"At any rate, the seńor is not demented," retorted Cumberford, grimly. -"Why did you venture to place yourself in our power, Ramon Ganza, and -then threaten us as you have done?" - -"I came under flag of truce." - -"And you think, on that account, we will let you go again, to carry out -your cowardly designs?" - -"I am certain of that. Before I came I took care to protect myself." - -"In what way?" - -He looked at his watch, a huge jewelled affair. - -"Underneath your ship," said he quietly, "is anchored a mine of very -much power. It lies under that part which is in the water--I think -just below the place where we now sit. If I do not depart from here in -safety within fifty minutes from now, my men will kindly explode this -mine and blow us all to--well, where we go. The poor ship, alas, will -be destroyed with us." - -"Would your men execute such an absurd order?" asked Cumberford -sneeringly. - -"With much satisfaction. You see, it would make them free. They do not -love me very much. If I die, they will have my beloved island and all -my possessions--so they think." - -"And you would be willing to forfeit your life as the alternative of -not getting control of this yacht? Do you expect us to believe that?" - -The outlaw's glittering fingers drummed upon the table again. - -"The seńor is not so wholly intelligent as I believed," said he. "I -do not contradict his statement that he is not--eh--what you call -it?--demented, or a fool; but the statement seems open to suspicion." - -"Ah; that interests me." - -"It ought to. You seem to know my name, seńor; therefore you doubtless -know my history. Pietro will have told you, or Chica, for both are now -with you. My safety has depended on my keeping hidden upon my island. -I must not let any who has seen me there, and recognized Ramon Ganza, -depart to carry the tale to the mainland. In Mexico a price is set upon -my head and they have condemned me to years in prison. But--there! I -assure you all that I am good man, and honest; but my enemies have -conspired to destroy me. - -"As Don Miguel del Borgitis I have lived very respectable until, -unfortunately for us all, you came here. I knew two girls had been -wreck on this island in a flying-machine--a very strange and exciting -invention, is it not?--but I did not disturb them nor allow them to -become aware of my existence. Why? All I wish is safety. When some of -you people, after this yacht is driven ashore in storm, intrude on -me by coming to my hiding-place, I was obliged to protect myself. I -started to come here to get every one on board and invite them to my -island--where I meant to keep you all indefinitely, for I did not dare -allow you to return to America and say where you had found Ramon Ganza. -This yacht I could use to advantage, I admit; but I would be better -pleased had I never seen it--nor you. - -"Almost at once you are my enemies, and defy my laws. That did not -change my plans except to make them harder. In this unknown island I -am really king. I must conquer you, which I thought with good reason I -could easily accomplish in time. So I make siege to your boat, laughing -to think you cannot escape me. But one man cannot comprehend all -things, seńor, and I failed to consider that devilish contrivance, your -flying-machine. I thought it was wreck, and no good any more. Some time -last night three of your party get away and go to flying-machine, and -this morning some of them--one, two, three; it does not matter--have -fly away in it. Of course they will go to the mainland. That means -they send assistance to you. They float your ship, take you back to -America and you all have knowledge where Ramon Ganza may be found by -those that seek his capture. Now you understand me, do you not? You -have make it very unpleasant for me. If I escape from my island in -little boat, where can I got? If I stay I will be arrest and carried -to Mexico to be put in prison. Very well; I must escape. But not in my -launch, which is old and not very good. I must have this yacht, which -will carry me to any far part of the world, where Mexico is not known. -Perhaps in it I could be privateer, if that seemed best way to protect -my liberty--which is dearer to me than life. With this yacht I could -defy all enemies; without it--I face death, or at least ruin. You have -driven me to this desperation, so I come to make you my proposition. -Now that I have explained all with much frankness, you will understand -I mean what I say, for I am talking for my liberty--the liberty of a -man who would soon die in confinement, for I am used to the open and -could not exist as a convicted felon, in chains and abused by dogs -of jailers. For your party I have no especial enmity; neither do I -care for you the snap of my fingers. But believe this: Either I will -save myself in this yacht, as I have proposed, or I will die in your -company." - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - A DESPERATE ALTERNATIVE - - -Ramon Ganza had spoken slowly and with deliberation, choosing his words -with care. His story seemed plausible, except where it referred to -the planting of the mine, which he claimed to be the last resort of a -man so desperately situated. Some of his hearers were quite convinced -of his sincerity in making this statement, but Mr. Cumberford was not -among them. He remembered Chica's artless statement: "Ramon lies; he -always lies," and it confirmed his skepticism. - -"As I understand you," he made answer, after a little thought, "you -consider your retreat no longer safe because we have discovered it. -Therefore, on obtaining possession of this yacht, you propose to sail -to parts unknown, leaving us stranded on this rocky island." - -"From whence you will soon be rescued," added the outlaw, with a bow. - -"The siege which you had planned, in order to force us to surrender -through starvation, is no longer practical; for time presses and if you -delay you will be surprised by the ship sent to rescue us--perhaps a -Mexican man-o'-war." - -The man nodded, watching the speaker's face with an eagerness he could -not dissemble. - -"For which reason," continued Mr. Cumberford, "you decided to force a -climax by coming on board and threatening us--as you have done. Well, -we intend to force your alternative, Ramon Ganza. You are our prisoner, -and if your men blow up this yacht you shall go to eternity with us!" - -The Mexican's face grew rigid a moment. Then he smiled in a sardonic -way and shrugged his shoulders. But Mr. Tupper, white and trembling as -with an ague, leaped to his feet and cried: - -"In heaven's name, Cumberford, what do you mean? Would you destroy us -all in this heartless fashion?" - -"No. There is no mine; or, if there is, it will not explode." - -"I--I differ with you. This--er--person--is desperate. He--he knows -what he's talking about. I refuse to ta-ta-take the chances, sir! I -must consider the safety of my wife and myself, and of our niece, Miss -Dentry. This is our yacht, Cumberford, not yours, I beg to remind you, -and we shall decide this important question ourselves." - -Even before he ceased speaking Mrs. Tupper, whose eyes had been wild -and staring, uttered a piercing shriek and tumbled to the floor of the -cabin in violent hysterics. Sybil and Madeline rushed to her assistance -and this confusion further unnerved Mr. Tupper. With sudden energy he -pounded his fist upon the table and cried: - -"I won't allow it! I won't allow this sacrifice. Madeline is rich; what -does she care for this miserable yacht? Take it, you Mexican thief, if -you want it! Our lives are far too precious to be put in peril." - -Ramon Ganza's face showed his satisfaction but his eyes expressed -nothing but contempt for the terrified Mr. Tupper. Mr. Cumberford -sat calmly regarding the contortions of the afflicted lady, as if -wondering how much was involuntary and how much pure perversity. The -captain twirled his thumbs and seemed absolutely unconcerned, while -little O'Reilly's attention was fixed, in keen amusement, on the scene -before him, as if it were a vaudeville act performed for his especial -edification. - -As Mrs. Tupper continued to pound the floor with her heels Madeline -first emptied the water pitcher over her aunt and then slyly pinched -her, which torture may have been responsible for some of the frantic -screams. Mr. Tupper bowed his head despairingly on the cabin table, -in an attitude so pitiable that it should have aroused the sympathy -of all beholders, as he intended it to do. But meanwhile his good -wife gradually recovered; her screams subsided to heart-rending wails -and then to moans, after which she became quiet except for a series -of nervous sobs. Madeline and Sybil now raised the poor woman and -supported her to her stateroom, where she fell exhausted upon the berth. - -It was not until the girls returned to the cabin that the discussion of -Ramon Ganza's proposition was renewed. Miss Dentry gave him a searching -look as she entered and noted the outlaw's smirk of satisfaction and -the triumphant glitter of the dark eyes beneath their half closed lids. -Then her own expression hardened and she turned to Mr. Cumberford, as -if inviting him to proceed. - -"Madeline," implored Mr. Tupper, "be good enough to assure this -man--Mr.--Mr.--eh--Ganza--that the yacht, which is your property, is at -his disposal in return for our--safety." - -"The yacht is really Miss Dentry's property," added Mr. Cumberford -coolly. "She will dispose of it as she thinks fit." - -[Illustration: Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before -her curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. "We cannot -accept our enemy's proposition," she announced.] - -Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, -while an amused smile played around her lips. She knew she was -enjoying the scene, and also knew the moment was critical, but no fear -of consequences caused her courageous heart to falter an instant. - -"We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced. "Ramon Ganza -is not the man to abide by any promises he makes, and if once we left -the protection of this yacht we would probably be treated with little -mercy. It would not save a single life, Uncle Martin, to agree to -Ganza's proposal. Threatening and browbeating those weaker than himself -seems to be the man's pet recreation and before he left the island he -would leave us to our fate, virtual prisoners. It might be years before -any ship chanced to sail this way." - -"I give you my pledge of honor to send word to your friends where you -are," protested Ganza, eagerly. - -"As you have no honor, sir, your word has no value. But I have a -counter-proposition to suggest which will, I think, satisfy all -concerned. Order your men, Ramon Ganza, to lay down their arms and -surrender themselves to our keeping and to obey us unreservedly. Then, -under command of Captain Krell, all hands must attempt to get the yacht -afloat in deep water. When that is accomplished we will take you with -us back to the United States and secretly land you in any port you -select. Afterward we will not betray you nor attempt to hunt you down. -If you need money, I will even supply you with a small sum that will -enable you to flee to Europe or South America. That is fair. It is more -fair than you deserve. But, if you accept our terms, we will abide by -them faithfully." - -The Mexican was intensely annoyed. - -"No!" he exclaimed, abruptly. "If you cannot trust me, why should I -trust you?" - -"Because my plan is by far the better way," she rejoined. "If you -seek liberty, if you desire to avoid arrest, this plan will surely -accomplish your purpose. You cannot prefer prison to assured freedom, -and the alternative, if you reject my plan, is simply to explode your -mine." - -He drummed on the table again, rather nervously. - -"Pardon me, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, "but you are proposing -to aid and abet the escape of a condemned criminal. You will render -yourself, and us, liable to punishment." - -"I know," she answered. "I despise myself for treating with this -scoundrel, but do it to relieve the fears of the Tuppers and perhaps -others aboard who have not yet protested. If I dared follow my own -counsel I would defy him, as you have done." - -"My dear sir," said Mr. Tupper, looking at the Mexican beseechingly, -"accept Miss Dentry's terms, I implore you. She will do exactly as she -agrees; she always does!" - -"Puh!" muttered Ganza, uneasily shifting in his chair; "perhaps we -can arrange. But the trust shall not be all on one side. If I trust -you, you must trust me--to an extent--a few more details. Instead of -giving you my men, you must give me yours, and place all weapons in my -control. Also I will take command of this yacht, for I am good sailor. -In an hour's time I will float the ship; then, with my men, I will sail -it back to United States, to land your party on the coast near to some -city which you can reach easily by walking. After that I will sail away -in this yacht, which you will present to me in return for my services -to you. You see, in this way you assure absolute safety to yourselves. -As this wise and agreeable gentleman," indicating Mr. Tupper, "has with -cleverness stated, the young lady is rich enough to afford the loss of -her boat, so you can have no objection to my generous proposition." - -"None whatever!" exclaimed Mr. Tupper. "Agree, Madeline, agree!" - -"No," she said, shaking her head, "I will not. The man is not sincere, -or he would not require us to place ourselves in his power." - -"But I insist, my dear. He--he seems quite honest. I--I----" - -"Be quiet, confound you!" roared Cumberford, losing patience. "You're a -doddering old idiot, Tupper, and if you don't shut up I'll gag you." He -turned to Ganza. "Miss Dentry's proposition still stands, and it's the -final word. You'll either accept it--right now, on the spot--or take -the consequences." - -"Already I have refuse," said the outlaw calmly. - -"Very well. O'Reilly, march this fellow to the cage, for'ard, and lock -him in. Then stand guard before the door and shoot him if he bothers -you." - -"Thank 'e, sor; it's proud I am to do that same," answered the -engineer, gleefully. - -"One moment, please," said Ganza. "You make doubt of my saying that you -all face a most horrible death. You are stupid Americans, and must be -convinced. Come with me on deck and I will prove to you your danger." - -"No harm in that," replied Cumberford. "It's on your way to the cage." - -With one accord they all accompanied O'Reilly and his prisoner to the -deck. - -"Now," said Ramon, standing by the rail, "I have some men hid in -those rocks yonder. Their names are Paschal, Mateo, Gabrielle, Gomez, -Francisco, Pedro, Gonzales, Juan and Tomas. Tell me which one I shall -call--I care not which, myself--and the man will assure you my orders -are positive to them, and that they will carry out the explosion of the -mine as I have arranged, provided I do not return in safety." - -Cumberford was curious to learn the extent of the rogue's bravado. - -"Call Mateo," he suggested. - -The Mexican did so, raising his voice to utter the summons. - -From behind a pile of rocks nearly opposite them sprang a thin, gaunt -man. He ran down to the water's edge, saluted his chief and stood at -attention. - -"Come here, Mateo," commanded Ganza. - -Without hesitation the man waded into the inlet and swam to the rope -ladder which dangled over the side. This he seized and climbed on deck, -where, dripping with water, he again faced his master and saluted him. - -"Tell me, Mateo," said Ramon Ganza, "where is it, beneath this boat, -that the mine has been planted?" - -"Fourteen feet from the stern, Capitan." - -"And is it powerful enough to destroy the ship?" - -"To make it in small pieces, Capitan--an' ten ship like it, if ten ship -were here." - -"Very nice. You know what time the mine is to explode?" - -"At eleven o'clock, Capitan, unless you come ashore to countermand the -order." - -"Ah yes; so it is. You may go back to your post, Mateo." - -The man, looking neither to right nor left, descended the ladder, swam -to shore and retreated behind the rocks again. - -Ramon turned to Mr. Cumberford, showing the open face of his watch. - -"In five minutes it will be eleven o'clock," he quietly announced. - -"Take him to the cage, O'Reilly!" - -Two other armed men had joined the engineer on deck and the three now -surrounded Ganza and started forward with him. - -"Mercy, Cumberford! Save us--save us!" howled Mr. Tupper, frantic -with fear. "I can't die now--we ought none of us to die! Give him the -launch. Give him the----" - -A cry interrupted him. Mason, the man nearest the rail, dropped his gun -and staggered back with his hands clasped to his side, from which a -stream of blood gushed forth. At the same moment the huge form of Ramon -Ganza leaped the rail and dove headforemost into the water. - -But everyone else was more interested in the wounded man, who seemed -to be badly hurt. Ramon Ganza was forgotten as the girls bent over the -poor fellow with anxious looks. - -"Have Mason brought to my own cabin, at once," said Madeline to Captain -Krell. - -They carried the wounded man below, to be placed in Madeline's roomy -cabin. Mr. Cumberford was not a surgeon, but there was no one aboard -who knew more of surgery than he and so he went to Mason's side at once. - -Ganza had struck the man with a knife of the stiletto type, the narrow -blade of which had penetrated his side just above the hip joint. Mr. -Cumberford's "first aid" outfit, which the captain was able to supply, -enabled him to stop the bleeding, but he was unable to tell how serious -the injury might prove. The man was in considerable pain, which -Cumberford partially relieved with a hypodermic injection of morphine. - -During this interesting period no one gave a thought to the escaped -Mexican, but when nothing more could be done for his patient Cumberford -left the girls to watch over him and walked into the cabin, where he -found Mrs. Tupper sobbing as if in great grief while her husband sat in -his favorite despairing attitude, his head bowed on his arms. - -"What's wrong?" demanded Cumberford, in surprise. - -"Wrong!" cried Tupper, lifting his head; "why, at any moment may come -the crash of the explosion that will send us all to eternity. We--we -can't escape it. It's inevitable!" - -Cumberford looked at his watch. - -"It's a quarter to twelve," he said. "The explosion was due at eleven." - -"But the Mexican brigand--the pirate chief--the----" - -"He has escaped, so there'll be no explosion at all. I believe he -threatened to fire the ship; but he won't do that. Ganza's sole -ambition is to capture this boat, so he can sail away from his -countrymen, escape imprisonment, and perhaps become a really-truly -pirate. Interesting, isn't it? Forget the explosion, Tupper; if you -must worry, worry about our real danger." - -"What is that, sir? What is our real danger?" cried Madeline's uncle, -springing to his feet in a new access of terror. - -"There'll be fighting, presently," predicted Mr. Cumberford. "Having -failed in all else, the Mexican will find a way to board us--in the -night, probably--and will try to slice us to goulash or pepper us with -bullets, as opportunity decides." - -"Great heavens!" - -"To be sure. To avoid getting to those great heavens, where you don't -belong, I advise you to arm yourself properly and be ready to repel the -attack." - -Then Cumberford went on deck and found the captain. - -"How about Ramon Ganza?" he asked. - -"I think Ganza kept swimming and reached the shore, where his men -dragged him to cover. The fellow seems to bear a charmed life." - -"That's bad," observed Cumberford, shaking his head regretfully. "I've -an idea, Captain Krell, that unless we manage to capture Ramon Ganza -during the next twenty-four hours, he will manage to capture us." - -"So soon?" asked the captain. - -"He won't dare to wait longer. There's help coming." - -"Well, sir, in that case----" The captain hesitated. - -"In that case it will be pleasanter and more satisfactory for us to -capture Ganza," said Mr. Cumberford. "Interesting; isn't it?" - -"How can we do it?" asked Captain Krell. - -"I don't know," replied Cumberford. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - THE DIPLOMACY OF CHESTY TODD - - -When Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd discovered the one-eyed Francisco -and his two comrades calmly seated in the _Salvador's_ launch, engaged -in nonchalantly smoking their brown-paper cigarettes, he merely raised -his eyebrows and continued down the slope. They had seen him as soon -as he saw them and, confident in their superior numbers, awaited his -advance with serenity. - -Chesty knew there was little chance of escape, and he knew the men -knew he knew it. The launch was his sole resource, and the enemy had -captured it. He might, perhaps, dodge behind the rocks on the mountain -for an indefinite period, but they'd get him in the end, so such an -undertaking was scarcely worth the exertion it required. - -Therefore, on he came, walking leisurely and picking his way -deliberately down the incline until he stood beside the launch, which -was still beached upon the shore of the little pocket-like bay. Then he -drew out a silver case and, choosing a cigarette with solicitous care, -turned to Francisco and said: - -"Will the seńor favor me with a light?" - -The men grinned. They enjoyed the humor of the situation. Francisco, -with a bow of mock deference, furnished the required light from his own -cigarette. - -Chesty climbed into the launch, took a seat facing Francisco and -remarked: "Fine day, seńors." - -"Good to fly in air," nodded one of the men, with a laugh and a glance -skyward. - -"Oh; did you see the machine fly? Pretty sight, wasn't it? And you -boys saw it for nothing. In the United States we charge fifty cents to -tickle the vision like that." - -Francisco looked at him, meditating. - -"Where they go?" he asked. - -"To Mexico, to ask President Madero for a battleship." - -The men exchanged significant glances. - -"For why, seńor?" inquired one of them. - -"To come and get Ramon Ganza and clap him in prison. Perhaps hang him -to one of those banana trees, on the bluff up there." - -The Mexicans looked their consternation. - -"If that is true," said Francisco, slowly, "then I may be capture an' -put in prison, too." - -"I suppose so; because you belong to Ganza's gang and have probably -broken the laws more than once." - -"I not murder," protested the man. "Ramon do that, I know; but not -me. I very hones' an' good. But come," he added, throwing away his -cigarette and rising. "We mus' go back. You are our prisoner, seńor." - -Chesty did not move. He took the silver case from his pocket and -offered it to the Mexicans. - -"Help yourselves, boys," he said. "There's no hurry. Let us sit here -and have a little talk. When you get back to Ramon he'll be sure to -keep you busy enough. This is a good time to rest." - -They hesitated a little, but took the cigarettes and lighted them. - -"I suppose," remarked Mr. Todd, leaning back with his arms clasped -around his knees, "if I asked the warship to take Ganza, and let my -friends--you are my friends, I suppose?" They all nodded, watching his -face eagerly. "And let my friends escape--with me, in our yacht, the -_Salvador_--they would do so without question. Madero knows me, and he -usually does what I ask." - -"You know Madero?" asked Francisco, his back against the boat and his -elbows resting on the gunwale, in a lounging attitude. - -"We are like twin brothers," asserted Chesty. "That is why he will send -a warship to take Ramon Ganza and all his gang--except those who are my -friends." - -They smoked a while in silence and Chesty noted that they now forbore -meeting one another's eyes. - -"Ramon great man," said one, presently, as if to himself. "Ramon bad -master; his people are dogs; but Ramon have his own way, an' nobody -dare stop him." - -"Wrong, my friend," rejoined Mr. Todd. "Ramon is stopped right now. -His time is up; his days are numbered. He has run the length of his -rope. Presently he'll be confined in a dungeon, on bread-and-water, or -breaking stone on the roads--in chains and very miserable. Poor Ramon. -What a fool he was to break the law--which leads to breaking stones!" - -"Ramon very clever," suggested another man, but in a doubtful tone. - -"Cleverness has failed him this time," said Chesty. "Your leader is -caught like a rat in a trap. If he could get hold of our yacht he'd -skip out and save himself; but he can't do that in a thousand years." - -"An' why not, seńor?" - -"We're too strong for him." - -They pondered this. - -"Ramon have sixteen men," said Francisco, presently. "You had 'leven; -but one fly away, an' one--that is you, seńor--is now capture. That -make you nine. Nine to sixteen--an' Ramon to lead those sixteen!" - -"You didn't remain in school long enough to complete your education, -Francisco," declared the prisoner, calmly. "In other words, you can't -figure. Here's the real situation, and it's worth your while to study -it: The yacht has a crew of seven--all splendid warriors. Then there's -General Cumberford, a terrible fighter, and Major-General Tupper, who -cries every night if he can't kill a man before he goes to bed--it -makes him sleep better, you know--and the invincible Captain Krell, -who once cut down a whole regiment with his own saber--chopped them -into mince-meat by the hundreds, and was given a gold medal with his -monogram engraved on it, to commemorate the event. That's an even ten -defenders. And then there's myself. I won't say much about myself, but -you might look me over carefully. It is possible that if I was aroused -I might crush you three in my arms until your bones cracked like -walnuts." - -They did look at him, and it seemed as if the big fellow might do it, -exactly as he said. But Chesty continued, reassuringly: - -"However, I never injure my friends. I'm noted for that. Let's -see; ten in our party, so far, wasn't it? Then there's that -Red-beard--Pietro--who has been given a charm by one of our witch-women -which will not only preserve his life but enable him to defeat all his -enemies. Pietro desires to return to civilization, a free man, and we -will allow him to do so." - -They were much impressed by this statement. Chesty's idea of the -"witch-woman" was destined to prove his most forceful argument. - -"Pietro makes eleven," he continued, "and you three bring the number up -to fourteen, which leaves Ramon but thirteen followers to be arrested -with him--unlucky number, thirteen. Haven't you noticed it?" - -"You think we join you, then?" asked Francisco, curiously. - -"I'm sure of it. You are no longer afraid of Ramon, for his jig is -up. You don't want to go to prison with him, because it is very -disagreeable to break stone on the roads, I'm told, and in prison they -deprive a man of even his cigarettes. I know you have been bad boys, -all three of you, and until now the law has threatened you. But you -have reformed. Remember, seńors, you have reformed, and are now honest -men. I will tell Madero, my friend the president, what honest men you -are, and how you have helped to defy Ramon, the outlaw, and give him up -to justice. Madero will then reward you, and you will live happy ever -after." - -It was an enticing picture. The men looked grave and undecided. In -their hearts they hated Ramon; but they also feared him. For years -they had lived in daily terror of the tyrant who ruled them with an -iron hand, who whipped a man brutally if he incurred his anger, who -dominated them so utterly that they grovelled at his feet like the -curs they were. If they could be sure of Ramon's downfall; if they -could believe this big American boy, who was fully as powerful of frame -as Ramon himself, then they would gladly desert the tyrant and save -themselves by joining his enemies. It was only their inbred fear of -Ramon and their confidence in his cleverness in defying justice, that -made them hesitate. - -Chesty saw this. He racked his brain to find other arguments. - -"You have witch-women?" asked one of the men, in an awed tone. - -"Three of them, all very bewitching." - -"One has fly away." - -"Yes; to cast a spell over the captain of the Mexican battleship, and -make him hurry. The two most powerful are still here on this island." - -"Then why they not use their witchcraft to push your ship into deep -water!" inquired Francisco, his one eye flashing triumphantly. "Why the -witch-women let Ramon make trouble for you? Eh? Tell me, seńor." - -Chesty looked at the man reproachfully. - -"How stupid you are, Francisco. Must we not keep Ramon busy, to hold -him here until the warship comes? Why do you suppose we came to this -island at all, and ran our ship high on the beach, without hurting it -in any way! Did we lay a trap for Ramon? Did we coax him to come and -try to capture us, that we might prove he is a wicked law-breaker? We -do not seem much afraid of your Ramon, do we? Am I frightened? Do I -grow pale, and tremble? Here--feel my pulse--does my blood beat faster -in my veins because Ramon Ganza, the trapped criminal, is waiting here -to be captured, and thinks he is making us worry?" - -The two men exchanged a few sentences in Spanish. Francisco listened to -them and nodded approvingly. - -"The case is this, seńor," he announced, addressing Mr. Todd. "We would -like to leave Ramon. We would like to join your ship an' go back to -Mexico, an' have pardon. But Ramon is not trap yet. Ramon great man. -Many time he escape. If we leave him, an' he then capture your ship, -Ramon flog us with whip, which make great pain in us." - -"True, that might be the result if Ramon captures the ship; but he -can't do that--not in a century of Sundays, which is a long time. And -if you stay with Ramon you will surely be made prisoners when the -warship comes, which will be in another day or two. You must make up -your minds which is the most powerful--we and our witch-women, with the -Mexican government and its warships to back us, or poor Ramon, who is -caught in a trap. I like you, all three--but not too much. You are fine -men--unless I am lying--and I would grieve to see you imprisoned with -Ramon. But otherwise I do not care what you decide to do. Come with -me and I will save you, just as I intend to save myself, from Ramon's -anger. But if you stick to your old master I cannot say one good word -for you when you face the Mexican authorities. Now I am tired talking. -Make up your minds and let me know." - -He carelessly rose, lighted another cigarette and strolled down to the -water's edge, where he stood with his back to them. The three rascals -took advantage of the opportunity and argued among themselves for half -an hour. - -"Seńor!" called Francisco, who, as a trusted lieutenant of Ramon Ganza, -was the more important of the three. - -Mr. Radley-Todd came back to the launch. - -"It is this way," explained Francisco. "We desire to be save, seńor, -but we have caution. We believe you speak true, but not yet have you -conquer Ramon; not yet has the warship come to take him to prison. So -we think of a way to be safe if Ramon win, an' safe if you win. It is -but just to us, as honest men, that we do that way." - -Chesty smiled, really amused. - -"How childlike and bland you naughty, naughty men are!" he exclaimed. -"But let me hear your clever plan to play both sides and win hands -down." - -"When we find you escape from ship," began Francisco, "then Ramon think -you have come here, for the tent is gone from the top of the bluff. So -Ramon tell us to come here in big launch, to see what you do, an' he -say capture you an' bring you back to him. When we get here we find -this boat; but two fly away in air-machine, an' only one is left to -capture. But Ramon not know if we come before the two fly away or not; -he not know if we three, who come to capture, get capture ourselves. So -that is what we mus' do. We get capture. You tie up our arms an' our -legs an' put gag in our mouth. Then you put us in boat an' take us away -to your ship. If Ramon stop us, we say we have been capture. If Ramon -see you take us on your ship, he think we have fight hard an' been -capture, an' he sorry but not mad. Then, if he take your ship, he set -us free; if warship come an' capture Ramon, we safe on your ship an' be -hones' men, like you say, an' get reward from Madero. Is it not good -way, seńor?" - -Chesty's sentiments wavered between indignation and admiration. Such -a combination of low cunning, cowardice and absence of all shame he -had never encountered in any being of human origin. But his cue was -not to quarrel with the men at this time. It was enough to realize -that instead of becoming a prisoner he was to carry his three captors, -bound, to the ship, and so deprive Ramon of that many assistants. - -In the outlaw's big launch, which was anchored just outside the tiny -bay in the open sea, were plenty of stout ropes. Francisco waded -out and got a supply, and then he proceeded deftly to bind his two -comrades, trussing their arms to their bodies and their legs together, -so that they were helpless. The fellows grinned with delight at this -experience, thinking how cleverly they were fooling Ramon Ganza, -and when they were laid side by side on the beach Chesty stuck a -lighted cigarette in the mouth of each, to afford them comfort and -render them patient. Then Francisco bound his own legs and turned to -Mr. Radley-Todd, who at once completed the operation and fastened -Francisco's arms to his body--not too tightly, but in a very secure -manner. - -When this was done the big boy breathed a sigh of contentment and set -himself down beside his captives. - -"Now," said Francisco, "you mus' put us in big boat an' go back to ship -with us." - -Chesty shook his head. - -"Not yet, old man," said he. - -"Not yet?" - -"No; I shall wait for night. It will be safe in the darkness." - -"Then you are 'fraid of Ramon?" - -"Not much. Just a little." - -The prisoners wriggled uneasily. - -"Listen, then, Seńor American," observed Francisco. "If we not go -before night, then release our bonds--make loose the ropes--so we will -rest more easy. When night come you will again tie us up." - -Mr. Todd was unresponsive. - -"Too much trouble, Francisco," he remarked, with a yawn. "Why do the -work twice?" - -"But--to lie here all day? San Sebastian, it is too horrible!" - -"Fortunes of war, my dear boy. Ramon might appear unexpectedly, you -know. We made a bargain, to ensure your safety, and we're going to keep -it." - -All three turned their heads to regard him with interest. There were -sparks of glowering resentment in their dark eyes. Presently one of -them said in humble tones: - -"With your kind permission, Seńor Americańo, I think I will change my -mind." - -"Certainly," replied Chesty; "do anything you please with your mind. -It's yours, you know." - -"I think, then, seńor, I will not be your prisoner--until night." - -"Don't think any such thing. It's wicked of you. Try to guide your -thoughts into right channels. Make up your mind to be true to your -bargain, because--you have to be." - -Francisco groaned. - -"All masters are cruel," he muttered. "This Americańo is as bad as -Ramon!" - -"But he's going to preserve your liberty and keep you out of jail," -Chesty reminded him. - -"And now, boys, try to sleep, for I'm going to take a little walk and -stretch my legs." - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - SCUTTLED - - -A modicum of truth had been included in Ramon Ganza's recital of -falsehoods during his interview with those on board the yacht. The -outlaw was really in a tight place and only by forcing, in some way, -the capture of the yacht could he hope to escape in a manner at all -agreeable to his requirements. - -By this time he was fully aware of the situation that confronted him. -The flying-machine, if it encountered no accident, would reach the -mainland and secure assistance for the stranded Americans. Perhaps it -was true that President Madero would send a warship to capture him. -Like most fugitive criminals, he had an exaggerated idea of his own -importance. In any event he must abandon his island kingdom and seek -another hiding place. His first intention--to make everyone of these -intruders prisoners and subjects, so they could not betray him--was -frustrated by the escape of the two in the aėroplane. It would be -useless to capture the others when these two had already carried the -news to the authorities who were seeking him. - -Two courses of procedure were, open to Ganza. One was hastily to outfit -his sixty-foot launch and run it to the South Pacific in search of some -other island that was uninhabited, taking with him enough men and women -to start a new colony. The other was to capture the yacht, put his most -cherished possessions on board and then make off in it before any help -could arrive from the mainland. The first was by far the most sensible -course, but the beauties of the _Salvador_ had so enraptured him and he -was so well aware of the value a yacht would prove to him that he could -not bring himself to abandon the idea of securing it until the last -moment of grace had arrived. - -This led him to consider how much time remained to him in which to -carry out his intentions. He figured that at least thirty-six hours -must elapse before any ship could possibly arrive. It was unlikely -that the messengers would find a ship prepared to sail at a moment's -notice, and therefore three or four days might pass before he would be -disturbed by any outside foe. - -Ramon had hoped to frighten the Americans into surrender and therefore -had arranged the little drama so lately enacted; but the finale had -disappointed him. There was no mine planted beneath the yacht, but he -had instructed one of his men to answer to his call, no matter what -name he cried out, and to make the statement to the Americans which -he had so cleverly invented. He made a mistake in thinking the flag -of truce would protect him, for these strangers were not so simple as -he had believed; so he had been forced to attempt a desperate escape, -which succeeded because it was so bold and unexpected. - -Recovering his breath as his white flannels dried upon the rocks, Ramon -Ganza carefully considered his next move in the game. The yacht was a -glorious prize. He must certainly have it for his own. The people on -board seemed unequal to a successful defense. There might be half a -dozen determined men among them, but the rest were women and cowards. -He laughed as he recalled Mr. Tupper's terror at his threats. - -The outlaw decided to carry the ship by assault. A night attack would -be best. As soon as Francisco returned with the launch he would call -his men together and instruct them what to do. Being informed of every -movement on the part of the besieged, Ganza was aware that three people -had escaped in the small launch to the bluff where the flying-machine -lay. As soon as he discovered that the tent was gone he had dispatched -Francisco with two men to capture the three, or as many as he could -find. When the aėroplane ascended Ganza watched it carefully and -decided it contained but two people; therefore Francisco would find the -other and presently return. - -But Francisco failed to put in an appearance, to his master's great -annoyance. That old tub of a launch was precious to him, for if all -else failed he must use it to make good his escape. Also he needed the -three men to assist in boarding the yacht in the night attack. His men -were unarmed, while the yacht's crew seemed well provided with weapons -of defense. - -As the day wore on he considered sending the rowboat to search for -Francisco's party, but decided not to risk it. Of course Francisco -would come, in time; doubtless he was delayed because he experienced -difficulty in capturing his man. - -Evening came, but no Francisco. Ramon Ganza was perplexed; he was even -somewhat troubled. He must defer the attack until the launch arrived, -for he intended to use it to carry his men to the side of the yacht. -His plan was to have the launch run up to one side and make a noisy -attack, to create a diversion and concentrate the attention of those on -board, while he and a party of picked men stole silently to the other -side in the rowboat, climbed to the deck and overcame all who opposed -them. The bow was too high to scale, where it rested on the beach; the -attack must be made near the stern, which sat low in the water. - -Therefore the launch was quite necessary, as were the three men -who were absent with it, so Ramon was angry with Francisco for not -returning more promptly. - -The outlaw paced up and down the rocks in the starlight and cursed his -dilatory lieutenant most heartily. - -But the launch was coming. In fact, two launches were coming to the bay. - -As soon as night had really settled down, Mr. Radley-Todd quit loafing -and suddenly became active. He carried his trussed and helpless -prisoners, one by one, to the small launch and laid them gently along -the bottom. He had already, during the afternoon, waded out to the -larger launch of Ganza, bored a large hole in its bottom and then -stopped the inrushing water with a plug. He chuckled while doing this, -being greatly pleased by what he called his "foxy plan to fool the -pirate." - -With his prisoners aboard, the boy shoved the _Salvador's_ launch into -the water and cautiously paddled it between the rocks and to the side -of the big launch, to which he attached it by means of a rope. - -"I think I shall gag you boys, as you suggested," he said to the -prisoners, who by this time had become sullen and decidedly unfriendly. - -"No!" cried Francisco, partly in anger and partly in fear; "it is not -necessary. We know what to do." - -"Will you promise not to cry out and attract Ramon's attention?" - -"We swear it!" they all cried eagerly. - -"Then I think I shall gag you. Not because I doubt your word but -because I've whittled out three lovely gags and I'm anxious to see how -they work." - -They began to protest vigorously at such unkind treatment, but Chesty -gagged them, by turns, and they were effectually silenced. - -"You boys are splendid actors," he told them, admiringly, "and you -are performing your parts with great credit to us all. No one would -guess this was your plan, would he? Ramon least of all. If we are not -captured, you will make an important addition to our party on the -yacht. If we are, you will lie gloriously to Ramon and say I sneaked up -behind you and sandbagged all three before you saw me. Eh? Never mind -answering, for you can't." - -As he spoke, Chesty climbed into the big launch and started the -engines. They grumbled and refused to act, at first, but finally -overcame their reluctance and the boat chug-chugged on its way to the -south bay, making such a racket that the owls thought it was defying -them and redoubled their frantic screeches. - -"Ramon will be certain to hear me coming," reflected the boy as the -boat swept on. "He's a clever scoundrel, that Mexican; exceptionally -clever; but if he guesses this riddle he's a wizard." - -He kept the launch well out from the shore and as it approached the -points of rock behind which the yacht lay hidden he set the steering -wheel to carry the boat a couple of hundred yards past the entrance to -the bay, lashing it firmly in place. Then, while the engines continued -their monotonous "chug-chug," he pried the plug out of the bottom of -the boat, crept aboard the _Salvador's_ launch and unfastened the rope, -cutting the two craft apart. The big launch quickly forged ahead and -Chesty sat down and let the smaller boat drift peacefully where it lay. - -Ramon Ganza had heard his boat coming, as Chesty had intended he -should. Greatly relieved, but still angry with Francisco, he ran as far -out upon the point as the rocks would permit and peered through the -starlight to catch sight of the approaching launch. - -Presently it appeared, making good time, the old engines working -steadily and doing their full duty. But it did not turn into the bay, -for some extraordinary reason; instead, it kept straight on and headed -for some indefinite point out at sea. - -"Francisco!" shouted Ganza, in a rage; "Francisco--villain--fool! What -are you doing? Wake up, Francisco! The idiot is asleep." - -As the precious launch did not halt, the outlaw ran along the shore, -following its track and shaking his fist at the perverse Francisco -with vengeful energy. Most of his men, attracted by their chief's -excitement, left their posts to join him on the shore; the others gazed -wonderingly in the direction of the disappearing launch. - -Meantime, Chesty Todd cautiously paddled his little boat into the bay, -crept to the side of the yacht and uttered a low whistle--the signal -agreed upon. Those on board, who had been interested in Ramon's shouts -and suspected something was about to happen, lost no time in lowering -the davits and Chesty promptly attached the grappling hooks. A few -moments later the launch and its occupants were safely on deck and the -boy stepped out to be greeted by hearty handshakes and congratulations -on his safe return. - -"You'll find three prisoners in the launch, Captain Krell," he said. -"When you remove their gags they'll protest they are our friends; but -I wouldn't trust 'em. Better lock 'em in the cage until this cruel war -is over." - -"What has become of the Mexican's launch?" asked Mr. Cumberford. "The -pirates seem to be having some trouble over it." - -"It won't bother 'em for long," replied Mr. Todd, complacently. "The -boat is headed out to sea, all by its lonesome; but there's a hole in -the bottom and it's fast filling with salt water. I imagine that within -the next fifteen minutes it will go to Davy Jones's locker, and be out -of commission." - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - ORISSA RETURNS - - -If ever man was thoroughly perplexed it was Ramon Ganza the outlaw. -He heard his launch proceed for a distance out to sea, then listened -while the engines hesitated and stopped, and saw the boat on which his -liberty might depend whirl slowly around and disappear beneath the -waves. What could it mean? Were his men on board, and had they met with -some astonishing accident, or had they deliberately committed suicide? -The curses died on his lips; the affair was too startling and too -serious for mere raving; he must try to think of a logical solution of -the problem. - -The loss of the launch, his last refuge from captivity and -imprisonment, left him caught like a wolf in a trap--in case he failed -to get possession of the yacht. All night long he sat on a rock by -the sea, smoking his black cheroots and thinking--thinking--thinking. -Neither he nor his men knew that Chesty Todd had returned to the -yacht; but if Ramon had known it he would not have attached especial -importance to the fact. It would merely mean one more person to -capture during the assault. - -Morning found Ganza still deep in thought. He glanced rather uneasily -at the ocean and at times swept the horizon with his glasses, which -were slung by a strap to his shoulder. His men brought him food and -a cup of hot coffee, but dared not speak to him in his present mood. -They suspected his case was growing desperate, yet they still retained -confidence in their resourceful, clever master, who had never yet -failed to accomplish whatever he undertook. - -In this crisis of his career the fugitive, usually irritable and quick -to act, proved his strength of mind by taking time to consider his -position from all points and to weigh carefully the merits of the -different plans that suggested themselves. He realized that an error at -this time would prove fatal. - -The hours wore on until, at about the middle of the afternoon, as Ganza -made one of his periodic inspections of the horizon, his glasses caught -a speck in the sky--a speck that moved and grew larger. At first he -thought it a gull or an eagle; later he changed his mind, for the speck -rapidly increased in size and took form, and the form was that of an -aėroplane. - -Those on the yacht saw it now and great was the wonder and excitement -it caused. Here was a messenger from the great world, bringing them -hope of succor or black disappointment. Presently the broad spreading -planes bore down upon the island and circled gracefully over the ship. - -"It's Orissa!" they cried in chorus and Chesty Todd added: "She wants -to land on deck. Clear a space--quick!" - -They did the best they could. It seemed like a tiny place for that -great sweeping thing to land on and even Sybil exclaimed: "She'll never -make it in the world!" But Orissa, hovering above them in her Aircraft, -observed carefully the conditions below and shutting off her engine -began to volplane. - -The huge machine settled quietly down and alighted fairly upon the -deck. One rail caught the lower plane and tipped it, but the girl -leaped lightly from her seat and was caught by Mr. Cumberford, whose -gray eyes sparkled with joy from behind their spectacles. - -You may be sure the brave girl received a glad welcome, but as soon -as her safety was assured she was deluged with questions. The ping of -a rifle ball warned them to scuttle below to the cabin, where Orissa -tried to explain. - -"Why on earth did you venture to come back?" demanded Madeline. "We had -told ourselves that you, at least, were safe from the dangers that -menace us, and it pleased us to know that. But where is your brother?" - -"Did you get to land?" cried half a dozen voices, eagerly. "What did -you do? Tell us!" - -Orissa laughed and held up both hands, imploring silence. - -"I came to bring you good news," she began. "And now that you are -assured of that, please let me tell the story my own way, or I shall -bungle it." - -"Go ahead," they answered and settled themselves to listen. - -"We followed the route Captain Krell had mapped out for us," said -Orissa, "and in four hours after leaving here we sighted the Mexican -coast. Fifteen minutes' run to the north brought us to the village -of San Blas, where there is a telegraph office. We landed and had -some difficulty in satisfying the authorities that we were harmless -Americans, but finally they agreed to escort us to the telegraph office -under guard. We wired our story direct to President Madero, putting -it as briefly as possible and asking him for a warship to rescue our -friends and capture Ramon Ganza. There was no answer until evening, -when we received a message from the Secretary of the Navy saying he -had conferred with the President and Secretary of State and would -be glad to accede to our request. In eight or ten days he thought he -could spare a warship to go to the island for Ganza. Unfortunately, the -entire navy was in use at the present time. - -"That dashed our hopes, you may be sure, for we feared you couldn't -hold Ganza at bay for so long; so Steve and I determined to fly to -San Diego and secure help there. The Secretary of the Navy had wired -the authorities of San Blas to afford us every consideration and -hospitality, so we filled our tanks with gasoline and slept at a little -inn until daybreak. Then we were off for the north, and in two hours -met the United States torpedo fleet, on its way to Magdalena Bay for -target practice. We made out the flagship and dropped to the water -beside it. Commodore Davis at once laid to and sent a boat to us. -Steve went aboard and explained fully to the commodore our story and -the need for immediate help. As a result the _Mermaid_ was signaled -and its captain presently came aboard and received his orders. He was -to take us directly to this island, drive off Ganza or fight him, as -circumstances might require, and then assist in getting the _Salvador_ -afloat again. If he captures Ganza he is to carry him away a prisoner -and turn him and his men over to the Mexican authorities at Magdalena. - -"Captain Swanson undertook the adventure gladly and is now on his way -here with the _Mermaid_, with Steve to guide him. My brother and I -thought it best for me to come on ahead and tell you the good news, for -we have worried about you and knew that with rescue at hand you would -have courage to hold out, no matter how desperate your condition. So -here I am, and the _Mermaid_ will arrive either to-night or early in -the morning." - -They were indeed delighted with this assurance and it put new heart -into the most timorous of those aboard. - -"However," said Chesty Todd, "we seem to be in no danger, just now, and -since our clever enemy has failed to scare us into surrender he has -remained quiet and behaved himself as well as could be expected." - -They told Orissa all that had transpired in her absence and the -conversation continued all during the dinner--on which the chef -exercised his best talents, in honor of Orissa's return--and even until -bedtime, there was so much to say. - -Chesty went on watch at eleven o'clock, and as he leaned silently over -the rail at a point near the bow of the launch he detected a series of -queer sounds coming from below. This part of the yacht was high on the -shelving beach and it was here that they had arranged huge piles of -rock, on either side, to hold the keel level. It sounded to Mr. Todd as -if some one was at work near these rocks, for on account of the swell -of the boat's side it was impossible to see, from the deck, anyone -below, in case he kept close to the keel. - -So Chesty crept aft, held a whispered conversation with Captain -Krell, and quickly divested himself of his clothing. At the stern, -which was settled quite close to the surface of the water, the boy -let himself down by means of a rope, descending hand under hand, and -silently dropped into the dark water. Swimming was one of Radley-Todd's -principal accomplishments and he scarcely made a ripple as he crept -alongside the boat until the bow came into full view. The night was -somewhat darker than usual, but the American had sharp eyes and it -did not take him long to discover that the besiegers were employed in -removing the rocks from the right hand side of the keel. - -Instantly comprehending their purpose in this, Chesty turned and -quickly regained the stern, climbing to the deck. His report to Captain -Krell seemed so serious, because it meant a desperate attack presently, -that it was promptly decided to arouse the entire party and warn them -that a crisis was at hand. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - FACING THE CRISIS - - -Consternation reigned in the cabin when the principals assembled there -with white and startled faces. On deck Captain Krell was instructing -his men how to act in the threatened emergency. Pietro was among them, -accepting his rifle and his instructions willingly, but shaking his -head at what he considered a vain attempt to resist Ramon Ganza. - -"Ramon great man!" he said to Captain Krell. "Ramon always win; nobody -can conquer him. I knew Ramon would win this time, an' when he does he -will capture me an' whip me hard. All right; I know I am to be whipped -at the time Chica tell me to leave Ramon. Never min'. Pietro can stand -it, for others have been whipped by Ramon an' lived--with marks like a -zebra's on their skins." - -In the cabin Chesty was trying to explain the situation. - -"It's this way," he said; "when the rocks are all removed the yacht -will fall over on her side, as she was at first, with the rail quite -near to the water. You remember how she lay before we propped her up. -Well, that means we have no secure footing on deck and that the pirates -can easily climb aboard and have the best of the argument. If we slip, -we fall into their arms; if we stick to the deck--like flies to a -ceiling, they'll rush and get us." - -"We can't fight from the deck," declared Cumberford. "Tell Captain -Krell to come here." - -The captain arrived and after a consultation it was decided to gather -all hands in the cabin and fortify it as strongly as possible. The -roof projected a few feet above the deck and there was a row of small -windows on either side, but these were supplied with heavy shutters -designed for use in case of storms, when the shutters were readily -fixed in place. The stairway might be well guarded by one man, and -above the windows were small ventilators through which several rifles -could be pointed. By standing upon the cabin table the defenders could -command the deck in this way. They were instructed not to shoot, -however, unless absolutely obliged to. All the hatches were battened -down, so that if Ganza gained the deck he could not get below and was -welcome to remain aboard until the rescuers arrived. - -Orissa, who had listened silently, now approached Mr. Cumberford and -said: - -"When the yacht tips, our Aircraft will be ruined, for the chances are -it will slide overboard. Even if it doesn't, those scoundrels will -wreck it completely, for it will be quite at their mercy. So I've -decided, while there is yet time, to fly it across to the bluff, where -I can remain until you are rescued." - -"Can you manage to get away from the deck?" - -"Easily." - -"Then I think it best for you to go." - -"May I take Sybil with me?" - -He hesitated a moment; then replied: "Yes. It will be a good thing to -have you girls away from here when the attack is made. Here you could -be of no service whatever, and your absence will--eh--give us more room -to defend the cabin." - -"You will have to act quickly, Miss Kane," suggested Chesty. - -"I know. Come, Sybil." - -They drew on their jackets as they went on deck, both girls realizing -that no time must be lost if they hoped to get away. Once the yacht -tipped on her side it would be impossible to fly the machine. - -As they took their places Mr. Radley-Todd inquired: "Plenty of -gasoline?" - -"I think so," said Orissa. "I'm not sure how much is left in the tanks, -but it ought to be enough to get us to the bluff. Whirl the propeller, -Chesty." - -He did so, and the engine started with a roar. Cumberford and Chesty -steadied the Aircraft until the motor had acquired full speed and then -Orissa threw in the clutch and the big aėroplane rose as easily as a -bird takes flight and ascended into the starlit sky at a steep angle. -This feat is what is called "cloud climbing" and Orissa understood it -perfectly. - -It seemed a bold thing to undertake such a flight in the nighttime, -but the Flying Girl's friends had so much confidence in her skill that -they never considered the danger of the undertaking. Across the barren -island to the bluff was so unimportant a flight to one of Orissa's -experience that when she was once away they believed her quite safe. - -While the men stood watching the Aircraft mount into the dim sky the -yacht suddenly trembled and keeled over, throwing them all flat upon -the deck. With one accord they scrambled up and dashed into the cabin, -which they reached just as Ramon Ganza and his men swarmed over the -rail. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - THE PRISONER - - -"What's wrong, Ris?" asked Sybil, as the engine skipped and wavered. - -"Gasoline," was the brief answer. - -"Oh. Can you get to the bluff?" - -"I--don't--know. There!" as the propeller ceased to whirl; "now I'll -volplane. It's a long reach, Syb; but we'll land somewhere--right side -up." - -The dim mountain seemed far ahead of them; below was the "dip," or -valley, which lay between the rock ridges and the mountain. As they -had casually glanced toward it in former times, it seemed a forbidding -place, slimy and moist, devoid alike of any green thing or living -creature. Even the owls shunned the "dip." - -To-night, when everything was obscure, they seemed gliding into a black -pit. Orissa had to manipulate her levers cautiously, for she could not -tell just when they would reach the ground. As it was they bumped, -bounded forward, bumped again and brought up suddenly between two -boulders that topped a rugged knoll. - -"Any damage?" asked Sybil, catching her breath. - -"Not much, I'm sure," replied her chum. "But here we are; and here -we'll stay until some one comes with gasoline. Can you see anything, -Syb?" - -"The mountain, over there against the sky. It seems so near I could -almost touch it. It wouldn't have taken but a few drops more to have -landed us on the bluff, drat the luck!" - -"See anything else?" - -"Where?" - -"Around us." - -"No; but I can smell something. Smells like spoiled gasoline. Does -gasoline ever spoil, Ris?" - -"Not to my knowledge. But come; let's crawl into the boat and get the -blankets out. Wherever we are, it's our hotel, and we must make the -best of it." - -Skyward, there could be distinguished the mountain at the west and the -rock hills at the east; but the pocket in which they lay was black as -ink. From the boat Orissa managed to open the aluminum chest and take -out the blankets. They then arranged a temporary bed in the bottom of -the boat and covered themselves up. - -"Anyhow, I managed to save the Aircraft," sighed Orissa, contentedly. -Then she sat bolt upright and cried: "Listen!" - -"The battle's on," answered Sybil, as a succession of wild shouts -reached their ears. It was very aggravating to be so ignorant of what -was happening to their friends. The shouts continued, at intervals, -but there was no sound of firearms. Evidently the Mexicans had gained -the deck but had found it a barren victory. On the mountain the owls -were hooting and flying about as usual, but the shouts that had come -from the bay were of such a different nature that the shrieks of the -night-birds did not drown them. - -Suddenly a broad streak of light shot over them, rested a moment on -the mountain, swayed to right and left and then sank below the ridges -of rock. Above the bay where the _Salvador_ was beached thin shafts of -white light radiated, illuminating the sky like an aurora borealis. - -"A searchlight!" - -"The torpedo boat!" the girls cried in one breath; and then they sat -trembling and straining their ears to listen. - -A dull, angry "boom!" rent the air and echoed from the mountain. It was -a warning gun from the _Mermaid_. The shouts became screams of fear. -Then silence followed, complete and enduring. - -Orissa breathed heavily. "It's all over, Sybil!" she gasped. - -"I--I wonder if--anyone was--hurt." - -"Any of our people?" - -"Of course." - -"I think not. That gun was merely a signal and I imagine the Mexicans -ran like rats. How fortunate it was that Captain Swanson arrived with -the _Mermaid_ so soon!" - -"How unfortunate he didn't come sooner. We wouldn't have been in this -awkward predicament. It will take them hours to get to us over those -sharp rocks." - -Orissa did not reply. She was trying to understand the events -transpiring around the _Salvador_. Had there been a tragedy? Or had the -torpedo boat merely frightened the outlaws, as she had imagined, and -driven them away? - -There was no sleep for the isolated girls during the brief hours -preceding the dawn. As it gradually lightened they peered about them to -see where they were, and by degrees made out their surroundings. There -were fewer rocks in this cup-shaped hollow than in other parts of the -island. On the knoll where the Aircraft rested were the two big rocks -which had arrested its progress, and between these the body of the -aluminum boat was tightly wedged. At intervals throughout the valley -were similar rocky hummocks, but all the space between consisted of an -oozy, damp soil of a greenish-brown color, with glints of red where the -sun caught it prismatically. Looking at this ooze critically, as the -light strengthened, it seemed to the girls to shift somewhat, showing -here and there a thick bubble which slowly formed and disappeared. - -Orissa put her hand over the side of the boat and withdrew it again. - -"Look, Sybil," she exclaimed. "It's oil." - -"Hair or salad oil, Ris?" - -Orissa sniffed at her dipped finger. - -"Petroleum. This is the crude article, and seeps up from some store of -oil far down in the earth. There would be a fortune in this find, Syb, -if it happened to be in America. Out here it is, of course, valueless." - -"Don't they make kerosene and gasoline of it?" - -"Yes; of course." - -"Then make some gasoline and let's fly away." - -Orissa laughed. - -"If you will furnish the distillery, Syb, I'll make the gasoline," she -said; "but I believe it's a long, slow process, and----" - -"Look!" cried Sybil, with a start, as she pointed a slim finger toward -the east. From a far distant ridge a man came bounding over the rocks, -leaping from one to another with little hesitation in picking his way. -He was a big man, but as the light was still dim they could see no more -than his huge form. Presently he paused to look behind him; then on -he dashed again. He had come from the direction of the bay and was at -first headed toward the mountain, but in one of his pauses, whether to -regain his breath or look behind, he caught sight of the aėroplane and -at once turned directly toward it. - -"Do you think," asked Sybil, uneasily, "it is one of our people come to -look for us?" - -"No," returned Orissa, positively. "That man is a fugitive. He has -escaped over the rock hills and is trying to find some hiding place." - -"Then I wonder he dares come in our direction." - -"It is _strange_," agreed Orissa, with a shudder as she remembered how -helpless they were. - -Then, with fascinated gaze, the two girls fell silent and watched the -approaching fugitive. As he neared that part of the valley where the -oil seeped up he proceeded more cautiously, leaping from one point of -rock--or hummock--to another. Once, when forced to step on the level -ground, the oil tripped him. He slipped and fell, but was instantly up -again and bounding on his way. It seemed no easy task to make speed -over such a rough and trackless way, yet here it was easier to proceed -than back in those almost impassable hills. It was wonderful that he -had succeeded in crossing them at all. - -"I think," said Orissa, as she sat cold and staring, "it is Ramon -Ganza." - -"The outlaw? But he wears white flannels." - -"Not now. He probably changed them for the night attack; but I can see -the rings glitter on his fingers, and--none of the other Mexicans is so -big." - -Sybil nestled a little closer to her friend. - -"Have you a revolver, Ris?" - -Orissa shook her head. - -"No arms at all--not even a hatpin?" - -"Nothing whatever to use for defense." - -The man was quite near now. Yes; it was Ramon Ganza. His clothes -were torn by the rocks and hung around him in rags, and where he had -fallen the thick, slimy oil clung to them. His face was smeared with -dust and grime and the whole aspect of the outlaw was ghastly and -repulsive--perhaps rendered more acute by the jewelled rings that -loaded his fingers. - -He was obliged to step with more care as he neared the aėroplane, -in which crouched the two girls, and finally he came to a halt on a -hummock a few paces away. The oil lay more thickly around the Aircraft -than elsewhere, and Ramon Ganza eyed it suspiciously. Then he spoke, -resting his hands on his hips and leering insolently at Sybil and -Orissa. - -"So, I have caught you, then," he cried. "Why did you try to escape?" - -"For the same reason you are trying to escape, perhaps," retorted -Orissa, summoning what courage she could command. "But I warn you that -our friends will presently come for us, and--you may not care to meet -them." - -He uttered an angry snarl and cast a quick glance around the valley. In -all its broad stretch not a person other than themselves was visible. - -Ramon sat down on his knoll, breathing heavily from his long run. - -"Yes, I have run away," he admitted, bitterness and hate in his tone. -"I can fight ten--or twenty, perhaps--with my single hand; but not -fifty. They have come to put me in prison, those fiends over there," -jerking his thumb toward the bay, "and seeing they were too strong for -me to oppose, I came away. It is what you call discreet--eh?--which is -more safe, if less noble, than valor. But they have the island and they -will hunt me down. And once more I shall laugh at them--once more Ramon -Ganza will defy them all!" - -"How?" asked Orissa, curiously. - -"Have you not the flying-machine--the airship?" he asked, simply. "And -are you not here alone, and in my power? It carries but two, I see, -so one of you shall stay here. The other must fly with me to my own -island, where I will take a sailboat and--vanish from the dogs who are -hounding me." - -"That," said Orissa, with forced calmness, for her heart was beating -wildly, "is impossible." - -He uttered a fierce growl. - -"It is _not_ impossible," he cried. "I have seen your machine fly, -and know it can fly when you want it to. It must fly now, or by San -Filippe I will tumble you both out and fly it myself. It is best that -you not arouse my anger, for Ramon Ganza is desperate and will not be -denied. Get ready, girl! We will fly to my island, or----" He laughed -harshly. "Or you will both ruin your beautiful toilets, and--the mire -is dangerous," he added. - -"We have no gasoline," pleaded Orissa. - -"Pah! a trick to deceive me." - -"No; it is true," cried Sybil, who grew more quiet as fear possessed -her. - -He hesitated, a look of despair flashing across his features. Then he -said with grim determination: "I will see for myself," and stepped -recklessly into the pool of oil that lay between him and the hummock -where the aėroplane perched. - -The slime reached to his ankle, but he kept doggedly on. The second -step sent him knee-deep into the ooze and he had to struggle to wade -farther in. But now he sank nearly to his waist and the sticky soil -held him fast. Then suddenly the man seemed to realize his peril and -uttered a shrill cry of terror. - -"Help, young ladies! For the love of humanity--help! Will you see me -die like this?" he screamed. - -Orissa and Sybil, both horrified, had risen to their feet. The sinking -outlaw was fully five yards distant and there seemed no possible way -to aid him. But it was terrible to allow a human being to perish in -such a way, even when it was a confessed enemy who stood in peril. -Orissa caught up a blanket and hurled it toward him, and he seized it -eagerly and spread it around him for support. Next moment Sybil had -hastily folded the second blanket and cast it with all her strength -toward Ganza. One corner he caught and in a moment had added it to the -first, now becoming saturated with oil. Yet the blankets would not have -availed much had not Ramon's feet now rested upon a rock far beneath -the surface, effectually preventing him from sinking any lower. Almost -waist-deep in the putty-like mire he stood a fast prisoner, for no -effort of his own could enable him to free himself. - -He realized, presently, that he was not fated to be entombed in the -mire, so part of his old assurance returned to him. As he stared at the -girls and they returned his gaze with horrified looks, he remarked: - -"Well, I am caught, as you see; but it was no officer of the law that -did it. Ramon Ganza can defy mankind, as he has often proved, but he -bows to Nature. Also, young ladies, I beg to point out that--if you -have spoken truly--you are likewise caught, and alas! we cannot assist -one another. What, then, shall we do for amusement?" - -"I think," said Sybil gravely, "you ought to pray." - -"I? I have forgotten how. What then? Shall we sing songs? If you will -accompany the chorus I will delight your ears with my excellent tenor -voice." - -This bravado, coming from a man stuck fast in the mire, was so gruesome -that it made the girls shudder with aversion. But Sybil, happening to -glance up, cried with sudden animation: "Look, Orissa!" and pointed -with a trembling finger. - -In the distance a group of men had appeared over the edge of the -rock hills. They saw the stalled aėroplane and waved their arms -encouragingly. - -Ganza screwed his head around with some difficulty and also observed -the rescue party. - -"It cannot matter," he said coolly. "As well one prison as another, and -no Mexican dungeon could hug me tighter than this." - -He fell silent, however, and no further remarks were exchanged as the -distant party drew nearer. They were forced by the treacherous nature -of the valley to move cautiously and when they entered the area of oil -seepage more than one slipped in the slimy pools. But gradually they -approached the spot where the aėroplane rested and now Orissa and Sybil -could make out Stephen Kane, Mr. Cumberford, Captain Krell, Chesty Todd -and an unknown man in uniform, who were accompanied by several seamen. - -The girls stood up and waved their handkerchiefs and then cried out -warnings to beware the mire. Not until the rescuers were quite near to -the place did they perceive the upper half of Ramon Ganza protruding -from the imprisoning slime. - -"Dear me," cried Mr. Cumberford; "this is interesting; very! How are -you, girls? All right?" - -Through the bombardment of eager questions they assured their friends -that they had suffered no serious discomfort because of the accident -to the Aircraft. "But," added Sybil, "we had a good fright when Ramon -Ganza threatened us, unless we assisted him to escape in our aėroplane. -Fortunately the mire came to our assistance, for he stepped into a soft -place and it held him fast--as you see." - -All eyes turned upon the helpless outlaw, who nodded his head with -astonishing nonchalance. - -"I bid you good morning, seńors," said he. "When you are sufficiently -rested from your walk, be kind enough to pull me out of this loving -embrace; but gently, or you may dislocate my bones." - -"Who is this?" asked the officer in uniform, a fine featured young man. - -"The rascal who has so boldly annoyed us, regardless of consequences," -replied Cumberford, frowning upon the Mexican. "He escaped us last -night, but we have him now, sure enough, and I intend to see he is -handed over to the authorities of his country, whose laws he has -defied." - -"What did he do?" the officer inquired, gazing at Ganza curiously. - -"Permit me to explain that I robbed a bank--a bank engaged in robbing -others under government sanction," said Ganza. "To rob is a small -thing, seńors; but it is a crime to be discovered robbing. That was my -fault. Others in my native land, who are more successful embezzlers -than I, are to-day respected, rich and happy." - -"Was that your only crime?" - -"So far as is known, seńor. Otherwise I am very good man and quite -respectable." - -"He is a tyrant and a bully, and whips his men if they disobey him," -declared Steve. - -"Pah! they are curs. The whip is less than they deserve," retorted -Ganza. "But permit me to remind you of my present discomfort, seńors. I -will gladly exchange this bog for a Mexican prison." - -They managed to drag him out, none too gently, and the seamen scraped -the oily slime from his legs and body so that he could stand erect. - -Then they turned to examine the condition of the aėroplane. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - ORISSA DECIDES - - -Only by taking the Aircraft entirely apart, decided Steve, might he -hope to remove it to the bay, for it could not be flown from the -hummock where it was wedged between the rocks. But they could not wait -to do that now. The girls were very near one of those feminine crises -so familiar to Mrs. Tupper, and their friends realized the nervous -strain they had endured and made haste to lead them back to the yacht. -The seamen looked after Ramon Ganza, who was so physically exhausted by -his late experience that he made no endeavor to escape. - -It was a tedious climb, by no means devoid of danger, but so anxious -were Orissa and Sybil to escape from the dread valley that they -energetically persevered until the last rock hill was passed and they -descended the slope to the inlet. - -There lay the _Salvador_; keeled over, indeed, but safe and sound. Just -without the bay floated the _Mermaid_, and one of her boats was run -upon the beach and another clung to the _Salvador's_ side. - -A hearty cheer greeted the return of the rescue party when Orissa and -Sybil were observed approaching with them, and Captain Swanson himself -came forward to offer his congratulations. - -On their way, Steve had briefly related the events of the night attack -and told how the defenders, fortified within the cabin and below -decks, had been quite safe from Ganza until the arrival of the torpedo -boat relieved the situation. Then the Mexicans fled and made frantic -attempts to escape, hiding themselves in the wilderness of rocks that -littered the island. - -When Captain Swanson learned of the capture of Ramon Ganza and the -rescue of the young ladies he decided to attempt no pursuit of the -scattered Mexicans but to apply himself promptly to the task of -floating the yacht, which he succeeded in doing before night. The -_Salvador_ was in no way injured and as soon as she had anchored -outside the bay was again in commission and fully able to care for -herself. - -Madeline invited the officers of the _Mermaid_ to dine aboard her -yacht and Monsieur Risette prepared a repast that surprised even his -employer, so elaborate and delicious it proved. - -As they conversed together afterward, commenting upon the exciting -experiences of the yacht and her company and the daring flights of the -Kane Hydro-Aircraft, Madeline said to Captain Swanson: - -"What shall we do with Ramon Ganza?" - -"Where is he, Miss Dentry?" - -"Locked up in our cage. But I don't want him aboard. Won't you take him -to Magdalena and turn him over to the Mexican police?" - -"I am not sure I have authority to arrest the man," replied the captain -gravely. "I will send a wireless to the fleet to-night and endeavor to -get the admiral and receive his instructions concerning Ganza." - -He wrote out a message at once and dispatched it to his ship by one of -his men, that the wireless operator aboard might repeat it a number of -times in the attempt to reach the ship for which it was intended. A -wireless message travels farther by night and is more distinct. - -Madeline now urged Captain Swanson to carry Chica and Pietro to -Magdalena, which would enable them to reach their homes quickly and he -agreed to do this. Miss Dentry supplied the two with sufficient money -for their needs and the Red-beard and the child said their good-byes -and were rowed to the _Mermaid_. - -The yacht party, now reunited and safe from further molestation, -thoroughly enjoyed the evening and expressed their gratitude again -and again for the prompt assistance rendered them by their fellow -countrymen. Madeline had already written a nice letter to the admiral, -which she entrusted to Captain Swanson. - -As Orissa and Sybil, as well as many others of the party, had passed a -trying and sleepless night, the officers thoughtfully retired early, -returning to their quarters on the _Mermaid_. - -Breakfast was in progress on the _Salvador_ next morning when a note -was brought from the captain of the torpedo boat. - -"I was fortunate in reaching the admiral," it said, "and I beg to -enclose you a copy of the message I have received from him in reply. I -further regret to state that I am ordered to rejoin the fleet without -delay and must therefore bid you all adieu." - -The wireless read: "President Madero proclaimed a general amnesty to -Mexican refugees some three months ago. On the list of pardons appears -the name of Ramon Ganza." - -Madeline drew a long breath. - -"I'm sorry for that," she said. "Ramon Ganza has escaped the penalty -of breaking his country's laws and we are powerless to punish him -ourselves--even though he struck poor Mason with a knife." - -"How is Mason getting along?" asked Orissa. - -"Very nicely," stated Mr. Cumberford. "It was a deep cut, but reached -no vital organs and the man will soon be as good as new." - -"That does not alter the fact that Ganza is a wicked desperado," said -Sybil. - -"It's a shame to allow him to escape," exclaimed Mr. Tupper, -indignantly. "Can't we arrest him for disturbing the peace, and trying -to capture our yacht, and attempting to murder one of the crew?" - -"No," replied Mr. Cumberford. "This island doesn't belong to the United -States. I believe it is Mexican territory. But if we can prove damages -we might be able to recover from the Mexican government--and then, -again, we might not." - -"I'll never put in a claim, for my part," said Madeline, laughing. "But -what are we to do with Ramon Ganza--and those three rascals imprisoned -with him, whom Chesty captured and brought to us?" - -"Let Chesty get rid of them; they're his prisoners," suggested Sybil. - -"The chief bandit is your own prisoner--and Orissa's," declared Chesty. -"What do you intend to do with him, Miss Cumberford?" - -Sybil laughed. - -"It's a problem," she confessed. "Can you solve it, Miss Dentry?" - -"I fear not," answered Madeline, indeed puzzled. "Our prisoners are -likely to prove white elephants on our hands. To carry them to America -would involve us in endless difficulties, and--I have other plans, -wherein their presence is better dispensed with." - -"Then," said Chesty, after due reflection, "let us leave them all -behind us, on the island. Not this island, where they would be -prisoners and perhaps starve, because I have sunk their gasoline launch -and they cannot get away, but on Ramon Ganza's own island. Then the -fellow may decide his future as he deems best and we may wash our hands -of the whole disagreeable affair." - -"I hope you won't inform him that he is pardoned," said Mr. Tupper, -earnestly. - -"Why not?" asked Madeline. "Let us return good for evil. Perhaps, when -Ramon Ganza is no longer a refugee and can face the world a free man, -he will redeem his past and become honest." - -"I doubt it," declared Mr. Cumberford; "but I think you are right to -give him the chance." - -It was so decided. There remained on Owl Island but one of Ganza's -rowboats which would be available for use by the men hidden among the -rocks, but at the larger island was a small sailboat in which, during -calm weather, the chief might go for his men and transport them to -their former quarters. - -Next morning a party accompanied Steve into the valley once more, where -the Aircraft was taken apart and brought with considerable labor to the -bay, from whence it was conveyed to the yacht and compactly stored away -below decks. - -"There's no use putting it together until we get back home," said the -inventor; and his partner, Mr. Cumberford, agreed with him. - -This task had consumed the entire day, during which Orissa and Sybil -had kept to their state-rooms, trying to quiet their nerves and get -some much-needed sleep. Madeline, in the meantime, had ordered a store -of provisions placed on the beach for the use of the band of Mexicans -until they were rescued by their leader, as she did not wish them to -suffer for lack of food, however mischievous and lawless they might be. - -The following day Captain Krell hoisted anchor and headed for the -larger island, and it was good to all to feel the water slipping along -underneath the _Salvador's_ thin keel again. - -Ramon Ganza accepted his liberty with the same stoical indifference -that characterized all his actions. He strutted a bit when Chesty told -him of his pardon, but declared he would continue to inhabit the -island where he was virtually a king. - -"With no fear of a prison to haunt me," he said, "I can make the island -a paradise. Many Mexicans will settle there and become my subjects." - -"You'll have to cut out the flogging, then," suggested Chesty. - -"It will gratify me to do so. Before, I have the obligation to flog the -disobedient ones because I dared not send them away; but now, if they -prove obstinate, I may send them back to Mexico." - -He took off his hat with an elaborate bow as the _Salvador's_ boat left -him standing with his three men on the little dock below his residence; -but Francisco and the other two scowled fiercely at Mr. Todd, whom they -reproached for deceiving them about Madero's reward, although they had -elected to remain with their old master rather than be taken to America. - -"It's a good thing for civilization that those villains are -sequestrated on a far-away, unknown island," remarked Chesty, when he -had regained the yacht's deck. "I suppose anyone can reform, if he -tries hard, but I'll bet a hat that Francisco and his comrades never -make the attempt." - -"We are well rid of them, in any event," asserted Mr. Cumberford. - -Orissa and Sybil appeared at dinner, both considerably improved in -spirits after their long rest. - -"When do we sail for San Diego?" Sybil asked Madeline. - -"Captain Krell is ready. I am waiting for Orissa and you to decide," -was the reply. - -Orissa looked up in surprise. - -"What have we to decide?" she inquired. - -"Merely which way we shall proceed. My yacht hasn't had a fair trial -yet and I had in mind a trip to Honolulu before we went in chase of -two runaway girls. We still have on board enough coal and supplies for -such a trip and I have resolved to invite you all to make it in my -company--in which case we will head directly for Hawaii from here." - -Orissa was thoughtful for a time and looked inquiringly at Steve, who -smiled in return. - -"I think such a trip would do us all good," he suggested. - -"The Flying Girl has no important engagements, at present," added Mr. -Todd, the press agent. - -"If she had, I think she deserves a little recreation after her late -trying experiences," said Mr. Cumberford. - -"Why, Orissa, it has all been decided in advance," exclaimed Sybil. -"They're merely asking our consent out of politeness." - -Orissa turned to Madeline and pressed her hand gratefully. - -"You've really been our guardian angel, Miss Dentry," she said. "We can -never repay your great kindness and generosity, nor properly thank you -for what you have done for us." - -"Why should you?" asked Madeline. "Think what a splendid time I've had -during this adventure, all due to the Flying Girl and her chum--and -to a defect in the famous Kane Aircraft. But if you sincerely wish to -please me, come with me on the trip to Honolulu." - -"Of course I will," Orissa responded. "I've always longed for an ocean -voyage, and in such company, and on the dear old _Salvador_, the trip -will be delightful." - -The others of the Kane-Cumberford party, who were every one eager to -go, rapturously applauded this decision. - - - THE END. - - - - - * * * * * - - - =_Exhilarating Books for Girls of Today_= - - - - - The Flying Girl Series - - _By_ EDITH VAN DYNE - - _Author of "Aunt Jane's Nieces" Series_ - - -Capital up-to-the-minute stories for girls and young people, in which -the author is at her very best. Thrilling and full of adventure, but -of that wholesome type parents are glad to put in the hands of their -daughters. Two titles: - - - The Flying Girl - -Orissa Kane, self-reliant and full of sparkling good nature, -under-study for her brother, prospective inventor and aviator whose -experiments put the Kane family into great difficulties, in the crisis -proves resourceful and plucky, and saves the day in a most thrilling -manner. - -[Illustration] - - - The Flying Girl and Her Chum - -This story takes Orissa and her friend Sybil through further adventures -that test these two clever girls to the limit. A remarkably well told -story. - - _12mo. Bound in extra cloth with design stamping on cover and fancy - jacket. Printed on high grade paper. Illustrated in black and white._ - _Price 60 cents each. Postage 12 cents._ - - - Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago - - - * * * * * - - - =_Books for Older Children by L. Frank Baum_= - - - - - The Daring Twins Series - - _By_ L. FRANK BAUM - - -In writing "The Daring Twins Series" Mr. Baum yielded to the hundreds -of requests that have been made of him by youngsters, both boys and -girls, who in their early childhood read and loved his famous "Oz" -books, to write a story for young folk of the ages between twelve and -eighteen. - -[Illustration] - -=A story of the real life of real boys and girls in a real family under -real conditions= - - - _Two Titles:_ - - =The Daring Twins= - = Phoebe Daring= - -While preparing these books Mr. Baum lived with his characters. They -have every element of the drama of life as it begins within the lives -of children. The two stories are a mixture of the sublime and the -ridiculous; the foibles and fancies of childhood, interspersed with -humor and pathos. - - _Price 75 cents net each_ - - - Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago - - - * * * * * - - - - - ANNABEL - - _By_ SUSANNE METCALF - - -A girls' book with a clever, quick-moving plot is unusual. ANNABEL -is that kind. The heroine is a lovable girl, but one with plenty of -snap--her red hair testifies to that. Her friend, Will Carden, too, is -a boy of unusual qualities, as is apparent in everything he does. He -and Annabel make an excellent team. - -[Illustration] - -The two, the best of chums, retrieve the fortunes of the Carden family -in a way that makes some exciting situations. The secret of the -mysterious Mr. Jordan is surprised by Annabel, while Will, in a trip -to England with an unexpected climax, finds the real fortune of the -Cardens. - -ANNABEL is a book whose make-up is in keeping with the high quality of -the story. - - _Beautiful cover and jacket in colors, 12 mo._ - _Illustrated by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens. Price 60 cents_ - - - Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago - - - * * * * * - - - =Popular Memory Books for Girls= - - - - - =My Golden School Days= - - _By_ JANET MADISON - - -A Very attractive memory book for girls, in which they can keep a -record of happy school days. There are places and departments for every -item of interest--classmates, colors, yell, photographs, autographs, -dances, etc. Appropriate decorations and headings for each department, -with verses and poems. In special box. Two bindings. - - _Half Cloth, 60 cents. Swiss Velvet Ooze, $1.25_ - - - * * * * * - - - - - My Sorority - - _Designed by_ LOUISE PERRETT - - -A complete and cleverly designed memory book for girls who are members -of the well-known "Greek Letter" Societies in high school or college. -A record book with appropriately decorated headings for name, colors, -secret motto, pin, grip, initiation, spreads, banquets, etc. In three -styles. - - _Cloth, $1.50. Swiss Velvet Ooze, $2.50_ - _De Luxe, Flexible Morocco, $3.00_ - - - Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago - - - - - Transcriber's Note: - - Italics are indicated by _underscores_. - Bolds are indicated by =equal signs=. - Small capitals have been rendered in full capitals. - A number of minor spelling errors have been corrected without note. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Flying Girl and Her Chum, by Edith van Dyne - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLYING GIRL AND HER CHUM *** - -***** This file should be named 53692-8.txt or 53692-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/6/9/53692/ - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Chris Curnow, Haragos Pįl -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images -made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Flying Girl and Her Chum - -Author: Edith van Dyne - -Illustrator: Joseph Pierre Nuyttens - -Release Date: December 7, 2016 [EBook #53692] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLYING GIRL AND HER CHUM *** - - - - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Chris Curnow, Haragos P?l -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images -made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 70%" > -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" style="width: 70%" /> -</div> - - - - -<hr class="div" /> - - - - -<p class="center"><b>The Flying Girl Series</b></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center"><big><b>The Flying Girl and -Her Chum</b></big> -</p> - - -<hr class="div" /> - - -<p><a name="front" id="front"></a></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 60%" > -<img src="images/004.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 60%" /> -<div class="caption"> -<p class="center">"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="div" /> - - - - -<h1> -The Flying Girl<br /> -And Her Chum</h1> - - -<p class="center">BY</p> -<p class="center"><big><b>EDITH VAN DYNE</b></big></p> - -<p class="p22"><small>Author of<br /> -The Flying Girl; Aunt Jane's Nieces Series<br /> -Etc.</small></p> - -<p class="p22"><small>Illustrated by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens</small></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 20%" > -<img src="images/005.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 60%" /> -</div> - -<p class="p22">The Reilly & Britton Co.<br /> -Chicago</p> - - - -<hr class="div" /> - - - -<p class="p22">Copyright, 1912<br /> -by<br /> -The Reilly & Britton Co.</p> - -<p class="p22"><i>The Flying Girl and Her Chum</i></p> - - - -<hr class="div" /> - - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</a></h2> - - - - -<table class="toc" summary="Contents"> -<tr> - <th class="tocnum">CHAPTER</th> - <th class="toctit"></th> - <th class="tocpag">PAGE</th> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">I.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">The Girl With the Yacht</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">9</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">II.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">The Girl With the Aëroplane</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">31</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">III.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">A Prodigy in Aeronautics</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">46</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">IV.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">The Aluminum Chest</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">54</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">V.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">The Last Drop of Gasoline</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">63</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">VI.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">Castaways</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">73</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">VII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">Two Girls and One Island</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">87</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">VIII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">An Owl Concert</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">97</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">IX.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">Miss Columbus and Miss Crusoe</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">106</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">X.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">Madeline Dentry's Proposition</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">117</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XI.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">A Game of Checkers</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">126</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">The Quest of the "Salvador"</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">139</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XIII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">Capricious Fate</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">148</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XIV.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><span class="smcap">On the Bluff</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">159</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XV.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><span class="smcap">Boat Ahoy!</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">166</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XVI.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><span class="smcap">An Island Kingdom</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">171</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XVII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><span class="smcap">Don Miguel Del Borgitis</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">183</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XVIII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><span class="smcap">The Mask Off</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">192</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XIX.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><span class="smcap">An Exciting Race</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">203</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XX.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><span class="smcap">Besieged</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">211</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXI.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><span class="smcap">Capturing an Aëroplane</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">220</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><span class="smcap">Ramon Ganza</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">231</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXIII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><span class="smcap">A Desperate Alternative</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">243</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXIV.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><span class="smcap">The Diplomacy of Chesty Todd</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">256</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXV.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><span class="smcap">Scuttled</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">270</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXVI.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><span class="smcap">Orissa Returns</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">279</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXVII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><span class="smcap">Facing the Crisis</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">286</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXVIII.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><span class="smcap">The Prisoner</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">290</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="tocnum">XXIX.</td> - <td class="toctit"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><span class="smcap">Orissa Decides</span></a></span></td> - <td class="tocpag">304</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - -<hr class="div" /> - - - -<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</a></h2> - - - -<table class="toc" summary="Illustrations"> -<tr> - <td class="toctit"><a href="#front">"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up.</a> </td> - <td class="tocpag"><i>Frontispiece</i></td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="toctit"><a href="#i123">"It—it has run away with 'em, Steve. It's gone wrong, man; there's danger ahead!"</a></td> - <td class="tocpag">120</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="toctit"><a href="#i189">Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance.</a></td> - <td class="tocpag">184</td> -</tr><tr> - <td class="toctit"><a href="#i253">Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, while an amused smile played -around her lips. "We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced.</a></td> - <td class="tocpag">246</td> -</tr> -</table> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - - - -<p class="p22"><big><b>The Flying Girl and Her Chum</b></big></p> - - - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a><br /> - -<small>THE GIRL WITH THE YACHT</small></h2> - - -<p>Perhaps they call them "parlor" cars because -they bear so little resemblance to the traditional -parlor—a word and a room now sadly out of -style. In reality they are ordinary cars with two -rows of swivel seats down the center; seats supposed -to pivot in every direction unless their -action is impeded by the passenger's hand baggage, -which the porter promptly piles around the -chairs, leaving one barely room to place his feet -and no chance at all to swing the seat. Thus imprisoned, -you ride thoughtfully on your way, wondering -if the exclusive "parlor car" is really -worth the extra fee.</p> - -<p>However, those going to San Diego, in the -Southland of California, are obliged to choose -between plebeian coaches and the so-called "parlor" -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>outfit, and on a mild, sunny morning in February -the San Diego train rolled out of the Los -Angeles depot with every swivel seat in the car -de luxe occupied by a passenger.</p> - -<p>They were a mixed assemblage, mostly tourists -bound for Colorado, yet quite unknown to one -another; or, at least, not on speaking terms. -There was a Spanish-looking gentleman in white; -two prim, elderly damsels in black; a mamma with -three subdued children and a maid, and a fat -man who read a book and scowled at every neighbor -who ventured a remark louder than a whisper. -Forward in the car the first three seats were -taken by a party from New York, and this little -group of travelers attracted more than one curious -glance.</p> - -<p>"That," murmured one of the prim ladies to -the other, "is Madeline Dentry, the famous heiress. -No one knows how many millions she has -just inherited, but she is said to be one of the richest -girls in America. The stout lady is her chaperon; -I believe—she's a distant relative—an aunt, -or something—and the thin, nervous man, the -stout lady's husband, is Madeline Dentry's financial -manager."</p> - -<p>"I know," replied the other, nodding; "he used -to be her guardian before she came of legal age, -a month or so ago. His name is Tupper—Martin -J. Tupper—and I'm told he is well connected."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<p>"He is, indeed, to have the handling of Madeline's -millions."</p> - -<p>"I mean in a family way. The Dentrys were -nobodies, you know, until Madeline's father cornered -the mica mines of the world and made his -millions; but the Tuppers were a grand old Baltimore -family in the days of Washington, always -poor as poverty and eminently aristocratic."</p> - -<p>"Do you know the Tuppers?"</p> - -<p>"I have never met them. I strongly disapprove -of their close association with Miss Dentry—a -fly-away miss who kept Bryn Mawr in a turmoil -while she was a student there, and is now -making an absurd use of her money."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"Haven't you heard? She has purchased Lord -Tweedmonk's magnificent yacht, and has had it -taken to San Diego harbor. I was told by the -bell boy at the Los Angeles Hotel—bell boys are -singularly well-informed, I have observed—that -Madeline Dentry is to take her new yacht on a -cruise to Hawaii and Japan. She is probably -now on her way to see her extravagant and foolish -plaything."</p> - -<p>"Dreadful!" said the other, with a shudder. -"I wonder how anyone can squander a fortune -on a yacht when all those poor heathens are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -starving in China. What a pity the girl has no -mother to guide her!"</p> - -<p>"Tell me about the beautiful girl seated next -to Madeline."</p> - -<p>"I do not know who she is. Some stranger to -the rich young lady, I imagine. They're not -speaking. Yes, she is really beautiful, that girl. -Her eyes are wonderful, and her coloring perfect."</p> - -<p>"And she seems so modest and diffident."</p> - -<p>"Evidence of good breeding, whoever she may -be; quite the opposite of Madeline Dentry, whose -people have always been rapid and rude."</p> - -<p>The fat gentleman was now glaring at the old -ladies so ferociously that they became awed and -relapsed into silence. The others in the car seemed -moodily reserved. Mr. Martin J. Tupper read a -newspaper. His stolid wife, seated beside him, -closed her eyes and napped. Madeline Dentry, -abandoning a book that was not interesting, -turned a casual glance upon her neighbor in the -next chair—the beautiful girl who had won the -approval of the two old maids. Madeline herself -had a piquant, attractive countenance, but her -neighbor was gazing dreamily out of the window -and seemed not to have noticed her. In this listless -attitude she might be inspected at leisure, -and Madeline was astonished at the perfect profile, -the sheen of her magnificent hair, the rich<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -warm tintings of a skin innocent of powders or -cosmetics. Critically the rich young lady glanced -at the girl's attire. It was exceedingly simple -but of costly material. She wore no jewels or -ornaments, nor did she need them to enhance her -attractiveness.</p> - -<p>Perhaps feeling herself under observation, the -girl slowly turned her head until her eyes met -those of Madeline. They were gloriously blue -eyes, calm and intelligent, wide open and fearless. -Yet with a faint smile she quickly withdrew them -before Madeline's earnest gaze.</p> - -<p>"Will you have a chocolate?"</p> - -<p>"Thank you."</p> - -<p>The strong hand with its well-shaped fingers -did not fumble in Madeline's box of bonbons. She -took a chocolate, smiled again, and with a half -shy glance into her neighbor's face proceeded to -nibble the confection.</p> - -<p>Madeline was charmed.</p> - -<p>"Are you traveling alone?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I am to meet my brother and—some -friends—in San Diego."</p> - -<p>"I am Miss Dentry—Madeline Dentry. My -home is in New York."</p> - -<p>"And mine is in Los Angeles. I am not straying -very far away, you see."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> - -<p>Madeline was piqued that her hint was disregarded.</p> - -<p>"And your name!" she asked sweetly.</p> - -<p>The girl hesitated an instant. Then she said: -"I am Miss Kane."</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper looked up from his newspaper.</p> - -<p>"Kane?" he repeated. "Bless me! That's the -name of the Flying Girl."</p> - -<p>"So it is," admitted Miss Kane, with a little -laugh.</p> - -<p>"But flying is not in your line, I imagine," said -Madeline, admiring anew the dainty personality -of her chance acquaintance.</p> - -<p>"At present our train is dragging, rather than -flying," was the merry response.</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper was interested. He carefully folded -his paper and joined in the conversation.</p> - -<p>"The idea of any girl attempting to do stunts -in the air!" he remarked disdainfully. "Your -namesake, Miss Kane, deserves to break her venturesome, -unmaidenly neck—as she probably will, -in the near future."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, Uncle!" cried Madeline; "Orissa -Kane, so far as I've read of her—and I've read -everything I could find—is not at all unmaidenly. -She's venturesome, if you like, and manages an -aëroplane better than many of the bird-men can; -but I see nothing more unwomanly in flying than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -in running an automobile, and you know <i>I</i> do that -to perfection. This Flying Girl, as she is called, -is famous all over America for her daring, her -coolness in emergencies and her exceptional skill. -I want to see her fly, while I'm out here, for I -understand there's to be an aviation meet of some -sort in San Diego next week, and that Orissa -Kane is engaged to take part in it."</p> - -<p>"Flying is good sport, I admit," said Mr. Tupper, -"but it would give me the shivers to see a -girl attempt it. And, once a machine is in the air, -you can't tell whether a man or woman is flying it; -they all look alike to the watcher below. Don't -go to this aviation meet, Madeline; you've seen -girls fly. There was Miss Moissant, at Garden -City——"</p> - -<p>"She barely got off the ground," said Miss -Dentry.</p> - -<p>"And there was Blanche Scott——"</p> - -<p>"They're all imitators of Orissa Kane!" declared -Madeline impatiently. "There's only one -real Flying Girl, Uncle, and if she's on the program -at the San Diego meet I'm going to see her."</p> - -<p>"You'll be disappointed," averred the gentleman. -"She's a native of these parts, they say; -I presume some big-boned, masculine, orange-picking -female——"</p> - -<p>"Wrong again, sir! The reporters all rave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -about her. They say she has a charming personality, -is lovely and sweet and modest and—and——" -She paused, her eyes dilating a little -as she marked the red flush creeping over Miss -Kane's neck and face. Then Madeline drew in -her breath sharply and cast a warning glance at -her uncle.</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper, however, was obtuse. He knew -nothing of Madeline's suspicions.</p> - -<p>"Have you ever seen this dare-devil namesake -of yours, Miss Kane?" he asked indifferently.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," she answered in a quiet tone.</p> - -<p>"And what did you think of her?"</p> - -<p>Madeline was powerless to stop him. Miss -Kane, however, looked at her questioner with candid -eyes, a frank smile upon her beautiful face.</p> - -<p>"She has a fine aëroplane," was her reply. -"Her brother invented it, you know. It's the -Kane Aircraft, the safest and speediest yet made, -and Stephen Kane has taught his sister how to -handle it. That she flies his Aircraft successfully -is due, I am sure, to her brother's genius; not to -any especial merit of her own."</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper was staring now, and beginning to -think. He remembered reading a similar assertion -attributed to Orissa Kane, the Flying Girl, -who always insisted on crediting her brother with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -whatever success she achieved. Perhaps this girl -had read it, too; or, perhaps——</p> - -<p>He began to "put two and two together." -Southern California was the favorite haunt of the -Flying Girl; there was to be an aviation meet presently -at San Diego; and on this train, bound for -San Diego, was riding a certain Miss Kane who -answered to Madeline's description of the aërial -heroine—a description he now remembered to -have often read himself. Uncertain what to say, -he asked haltingly:</p> - -<p>"Do you call it 'aviatrix' or 'aviatrice'? The -feminine of 'aviator,' you know."</p> - -<p>"I should say 'aviatress,' now that you appeal -to me," was the laughing reply. "Some of the -newspaper men, who love to coin new words, have -tried to saddle 'aviatrice' on the girl aviator, and -the French have dubbed her 'aviatrix' without -rhyme or reason. It seems to me that if 'seamstress,' -'governess' or 'hostess' is proper, 'aviatress' -is also correct and, moreover, it is thoroughly -American. But in—in the profession—on -the aviation field—they call themselves 'aviators,' -whether men or women, just as an author is always -an 'author,' regardless of sex."</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper had made up his mind, by this time. -He reasoned that a girl who talked so professionally -of aviation terms must be something more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -than a novice, and straggled to remember if he -had inadvertently said anything to annoy or -humiliate Miss Kane. For, if the little maid so -demurely seated before him was indeed the famous -Flying Girl, the gentleman admitted he had good -reason to admire her. Madeline was watching -his embarrassment with an expression of amusement, -but would not help him out of his dilemma. -So Mr. Tupper went straight to the heart of the -misunderstanding, as perhaps was best under the -circumstances.</p> - -<p>"Your first name is Orissa?" he inquired, -gently.</p> - -<p>"It is, sir."</p> - -<p>"Won't you have another chocolate!" asked -Madeline.</p> - -<p>Orissa took another chocolate, reflecting how -impossible it seemed to hide her identity, even -from utter strangers. Not that she regretted, in -any way, the celebrity she had gained by flying -her brother Stephen's Aircraft, but it would have -been so nice to have ridden to-day with these -pleasant people without listening to the perfunctory -words of praise and adulation so persistently -lavished upon her since she had acquired fame.</p> - -<p>"I knew Cumberford some years ago," continued -Mr. Tupper, rather aimlessly. "Cumberford's -your manager, I believe!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; and my brother's partner."</p> - -<p>"Good chap, Cumberford. Had a queer daughter, -I remember; an impossible child, with the -airs of a princess and the eyes of a sorceress. -She's grown up, by this time, I suppose."</p> - -<p>Miss Kane smiled.</p> - -<p>"Sybil Cumberford is my best chum," she -replied. "The description still applies, so far as -the airs and eyes are concerned; but the child is -a young lady now, and a very lovable young lady, -her friends think."</p> - -<p>"Doubtless, doubtless," Mr. Tupper said -hastily. "If Cumberford is in San Diego I shall -be glad to renew our acquaintance."</p> - -<p>"You are bound for Coronado, I suppose," -remarked Orissa, to change the subject.</p> - -<p>"Only for a few days' stay," Madeline -answered. "Then we expect to make a sea -voyage to Honolulu."</p> - -<p>"That will be delightful," said the girl. "I've -lived many years on the shores of the Pacific, but -have never made a voyage farther to sea than -Catalina. I'm told Honolulu is a fascinating -place; but it needs be to draw one away from -Coronado."</p> - -<p>"You like Coronado, then?"</p> - -<p>"All this South Country is a real paradise," -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>declared Orissa. "I have had opportunity to compare -it with other parts of America, and love it -better after each comparison. But I am ignorant -of foreign countries, and can only say that if they -excel Southern California they are too good for -humans to live in and ought to be sacred to the -fairies."</p> - -<p>Madeline laughed gayly.</p> - -<p>"I know you now!" she exclaimed; "you are -what is called out here a 'booster.' But from my -limited experience in your earthly paradise I cannot -blame you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we are all 'boosters,'" asserted the -younger girl, "and I'm positive you will join our -ranks presently. I love this country especially -because one can fly here winter and summer."</p> - -<p>"You are fond of flying?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. At first I didn't care very much for it, -but it grows on one until its fascinations are irresistible. -I have the most glorious sense of freedom -when I'm in the air—way up, where I love -best to be—but during my recent exhibitions in -the East I nearly froze making the high flights. It -is a little cold even here when you are half a mile -up, but it is by no means unbearable."</p> - -<p>"They call you a 'dare-devil,' in the newspapers," -remarked Mr. Tupper, eyeing her -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>reflectively; "but I can scarcely believe one so—so -young and—and—girlish has ventured to do -all the foolish aërial tricks you are credited with."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Tupper had by this time opened her eyes -and was now listening in amazement.</p> - -<p>"Yes," she added, reprovingly, "all those spiral -dips and volplaning and—and—figure-eights are -more suited to a circus performer than to a young -girl, it seems to me."</p> - -<p>This lady's face persistently wore a bland and -unmeaning smile, which had been so carefully cultivated -in her youth that it had become habitual -and wreathed her chubby features even when she -was asleep, giving one the impression that she -wore a mask. Now her stern eyes belied the -smirk of her face, but Orissa merely smiled.</p> - -<p>"I am not a 'dare-devil,' I assure you," she -said, addressing Mr. Tupper rather than his wife. -"I know the newspapers call me that, and compare -me with the witch on a broomstick; but in -truth I am as calculating and cold as any aviator -in America. Everything I do is figured out with -mathematical precision and I never take a single -chance that I can foresee. I know the air currents, -and all their whims and peculiarities, and -how to counteract them. What may seem to the -spectators to be daring, and even desperate, is -often the safest mode of flying, provided you -understand your machine and the conditions of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -the air. To volplane from a height of five or ten -thousand feet, for example, is safer than from a -slight elevation, for the further you drop the better -air-cushion is formed under your planes, and -you ride as gently as when suspended from a -parachute."</p> - -<p>Madeline was listening eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Are you afraid?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Afraid? Why should I be, with my brother's -wonderful engine at my back and perfect control -of every part of my machine?"</p> - -<p>"Suppose the engine should some time fail -you?"</p> - -<p>"Then I would volplane to the ground."</p> - -<p>"And if the planes, or braces, or fastenings -break?"</p> - -<p>"No fear of that. The Kane Aircraft is strong -enough for any aërial purpose and I examine -every brace and strut before I start my fight—merely -to satisfy myself they have not been -maliciously tampered with."</p> - -<p>Then Madeline sprung her important question:</p> - -<p>"Do you ever take a passenger?"</p> - -<p>Orissa regarded Miss Dentry with a whimsical -smile.</p> - -<p>"Sometimes," she said. "Do you imagine you -would like to fly?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No—no, indeed!" cried Mr. Tupper in a horrified -voice, and Mrs. Tupper echoed; "How -absurd!" But Madeline answered quietly:</p> - -<p>"If you could manage to take me I am sure I -would enjoy the experience."</p> - -<p>"I will consider it and let you know later," said -the Flying Girl, thoughtfully. "My chum, Sybil -Cumberford, has made several short flights with -me; but Sybil's head is perfectly balanced and no -altitude affects it. Often those who believe they -would enjoy flying become terrified once they are -in the air."</p> - -<p>"Nothing could terrify Madeline, I am sure," -asserted Mrs. Tupper, in a rasping voice; "but -she is too important a personage to risk her life -foolishly. I shall insist that she at once abandon -the preposterous idea. Abandon it, Madeline! I -thought your new yacht a venturesome thing to -indulge in, but flying is far, far worse."</p> - -<p>"Oh; have you a yacht?" inquired Orissa, turning -eagerly to the other girl.</p> - -<p>"Yes; the <i>Salvador</i>. It is now lying in San -Diego harbor. I've not seen my new craft as -yet, but intend it shall take us to Honolulu and -perhaps to Japan."</p> - -<p>"How delightful," cried Orissa, with enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>"Would you like to join our party?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, thank you; I couldn't," quite regretfully;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -"I am too busy just now advancing the fortunes -of my brother Stephen, who is really the most -clever inventor of aëroplanes in the world. Don't -smile, please; he is, indeed! The world may not -admit it as yet, but it soon will. Have you heard -of his latest contrivance? It is a Hydro-Aircraft, -and its engines propel it equally as well on water -as on land."</p> - -<p>"Then it beats my yacht," said Madeline, -smiling.</p> - -<p>"It is more adaptable—more versatile—to be -sure," said Orissa. "Stephen has just completed -his first Hydro-Aircraft, and while I am in San -Diego I shall test it and make a long trip over the -Pacific Ocean to exploit its powers. Such a -machine would not take the place of a yacht, you -know, and the motor boat attachment is merely -a safety device to allow one to fly over water as -well as over land. Then, if you are obliged to -descend, your aircraft becomes a motor boat -and the engines propel it to the shore."</p> - -<p>"Does your brother use the Gnome engines?" -inquired Mr. Tupper.</p> - -<p>"No; Stephen makes his own engines, which I -think are better than any others," answered Miss -Kane.</p> - -<p>By the time the train drew into the station at -San Diego, Madeline Dentry and her companions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -the Tuppers, knew considerably more of aëroplanes -than the average layman, for Orissa Kane -enjoyed explaining the various machines and, -young and unassuming as she appeared, understood -every minute detail of their manufacture. -She had been her brother's assistant and companion -from the time of his first experiments and -intelligently followed the creation and development -of the now famous Kane Aircraft.</p> - -<p>At the depot a large crowd was in waiting, not -gathered to meet the great heiress, Madeline -Dentry, but the quiet slip of a girl whose name -was on every tongue and whose marvelous skill -as a bird-maid had aroused the admiration of -every person interested in aërial sports. On the -billboards were glaring posters of "The Flying -Girl," the chief attraction of the coming aviation -meet, and the news of her expected arrival had -drawn many curious inhabitants of the Sunshine -City to the depot, as well as the friends -congregated to greet her.</p> - -<p>First of all a tall, fine looking fellow, who limped -slightly, sprang forward to meet Orissa at the -car steps and gave her a kiss and a hug. This was -Stephen Kane, the airship inventor, and close -behind him stood a grizzled gentleman in a long -gray coat and jaunty Scotch cap. It was Mr. -Cumberford, the "angel" and manager of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -youthful Kanes, the man whose vast wealth had -financed the Kane Aircraft and enabled the boy -and girl to carry out their ambitious plans. This -strange man had neither ambition to acquire more -money nor to secure fame by undertaking to pilot -the Aircraft to success; as he stood here, his bored -expression, in sharp contrast to the shrewd gray -eyes that twinkled behind his spectacles, clearly -indicated this fact; but a little kindness had won -him to befriend the young people and he had -rendered them staunch support.</p> - -<p>On Mr. Cumberford's arm was a slender girl -dressed all in black, the nodding sable plumes of -whose broad hat nearly hid Orissa from view as -the two girls exchanged a kiss. Sybil Cumberford -had no claim to beauty except for her dark -eyes—so fathomless and mysterious that they -awed all but her most intimate friends, and -puzzled even them.</p> - -<p>And now an awkward young fellow—six feet -three and built like an athlete—slouched bashfully -forward and gripped Orissa Kane's outstretched -hand. Here was the press agent of the Kane-Cumberford -alliance, Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd; -a most astonishing youth who impressed -strangers as being a dummy and his friends as the -possessor of a rarely keen intellect. Orissa smiled -at him; there was something humorous about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -Radley-Todd's loose-jointed, unwieldy personality. -Then she took her brother's arm and -passed through the eager, admiring throng to the -automobile in waiting.</p> - -<p>Beside Mr. Cumberford's car stood a handsome -equipage that had been sent for Miss Dentry's -party, and as Orissa nodded to her recent -acquaintances Sybil Cumberford inquired:</p> - -<p>"Who is that girl?"</p> - -<p>"A Miss Dentry, of New York, with whom I -exchanged some remarks on the train. She has -a yacht in the bay here."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes; I've heard all about her," returned -Sybil, indifferently. "She's dreadfully rich; rather -snubbed New York society, which was eager to -idolize her—says she's too young for the weary, -heart-breaking grind—and indulges in such -remarkable fancies that she's getting herself -talked about. I hope you didn't encourage her -advances, Orissa?"</p> - -<p>"I fear I did," was the laughing reply; "but -she seemed very nice and agreeable—for a rich -girl. Tell me, Steve," she added, turning to her -brother, "what news of the Hydro-Aircraft?"</p> - -<p>"It's great, Orissa! I put the finishing touches -on it night before last, and yesterday Mr. Cumberford -and I took a trial spin in it. It carries<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -two beautifully," he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling -with enthusiasm.</p> - -<p>"Did you go over the water?" asked Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Nearly half a mile. Then we dropped and let -the engine paddle us home. Of all the hydro-aëroplanes -yet invented, Ris, mine will do the most -stunts and do them with greater ease."</p> - -<p>They were rolling swiftly toward the ferry now, -bound for the Hotel del Coronado, a rambling pile -of Spanish architecture that dominates the farther -side of San Diego Bay. Presently the car -took its place in the line of vehicles on the ferry -and Mr. Cumberford, who was driving, shut off -the power and turned to Orissa.</p> - -<p>"You are advertised to exhibit the new Hydro-Aircraft -the first day of the meet—that's Monday," -he announced. "Do you think you can master -the mechanism by that time?"</p> - -<p>"Is it the same old engine, Steve?" she -inquired.</p> - -<p>"Exactly the same, except that I've altered the -controlling levers, to make them handy both -in the air and on water, and balanced the -weight a little differently, to allow for the boat -attachment."</p> - -<p>"How did you do that?"</p> - -<p>"Placed the gasoline tanks in the rear. That<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -makes the engine feed from the back, instead of -from directly overhead, you see."</p> - -<p>Orissa nodded.</p> - -<p>"I think I can manage it, Mr. Cumberford," she -decided. "Will Steve go with me on Monday?"</p> - -<p>"Why—no," returned the manager, a trifle -embarrassed. "Our fool press agent had an idea -the event would be more interesting if two girls -made the flight out to sea, and the trip back by -boat. Sybil has been crazy to go, and so I let -Chesty Todd have his own way."</p> - -<p>"You see, Miss Kane," added Mr. H. Chesterton -Radley-Todd, who was seated beside Mr. Cumberford, -while Stephen and the two girls rode -behind, "the management of the meet couldn't -get another aviatress to take part, because you -had been engaged to fly. The other air-maids are -all jealous of your reputation and popularity, I -guess, so the management was in despair. The -dear public is daffy, just now, to watch a female -risk her precious life; it's more thrilling than -when a male ventures it. So, as they're paying -us pretty big money, and Miss Cumberford was -anxious to go, I—er—er—I——"</p> - -<p>"It is quite satisfactory to me," announced -Orissa quietly. "I shall enjoy having Sybil with -me."</p> - -<p>"I knew you wouldn't object," said Sybil.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>"The only thing I don't like about it," observed -Stephen, reflectively, "is the fact that you have -never yet seen my Hydro-Aircraft. It's safe -enough, either on land or water; but if the thing -balks—as new inventions sometimes do—there -will be no one aboard to help you remedy the -fault, and the invention is likely to get a black -eye."</p> - -<p>"Give me a tool bag and I'll do as well as -any mechanician," responded Orissa, confidently. -"And your Hy is not going to balk, Steve, for -I shall know as much about it as you do by -Monday."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a><br /> - -<small>THE GIRL WITH THE AËROPLANE</small></h2> - - -<p>The morning following Orissa Kane's arrival, -which was the Saturday preceding the meet, she -went with her brother Stephen to his hangar, -which was located near the Glenn Curtiss aviation -camp on a low bluff overlooking the Pacific. There -the two spent the entire forenoon in a careful -inspection of the new Hydro-Aircraft.</p> - -<p>As she had told Madeline Dentry, the Flying -Girl never wittingly took chances in the dangerous -profession she followed. The remarkable success -of her aërial performances was due to an exact -knowledge of every part of her aëroplane. She -knew what each bolt and brace was for and how -much strain it would stand; she knew to a -feather's weight the opposition of the planes to -the air, the number of revolutions to drive the -engine under all conditions and the freaks of the -unreliable atmospheric currents. And aside from -this knowledge she had that prime quality known -as "the aviator's instinct"—the intuition what to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -do in emergencies, and the coolness to do it -promptly.</p> - -<p>Stephen Kane, who adored his pretty little sister, -had not the slightest fear for her. As she had -stood at his side during the construction of -his first successful aëroplane and learned such -mechanical principles of flying as he himself -knew, he had no doubt she could readily comprehend -the adaptation he had made to convert his -Aircraft into the amphibious thing that could -navigate air and water alike.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me quite perfect, Steve," was -Orissa's final verdict. "There is no question but -the Hydro-Aircraft will prove more useful to the -world than any simple aëroplane. If we could -carry gasoline enough, I would venture across the -Pacific in this contrivance. By the way, what -am I to do on Monday? Must I carry Sybil in -any certain direction, or for any given distance?"</p> - -<p>"I'll let Chesty explain that," said Steve, turning -to the youthful press agent, who had just -then entered the hangar in company with Mr. -Cumberford and Sybil.</p> - -<p>"Why, er—er—a certain program has been -announced, you know," explained Chesty Todd; -"but that doesn't count, of course. We'll say that -owing to high winds, contrary air currents, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -some other excuse, you had to alter your plans. -That'll satisfy the dear public, all right."</p> - -<p>Orissa frowned slightly.</p> - -<p>"You mustn't compromise me in such ways, -Mr. Todd," she exclaimed. "The Kane-Cumberford -Camp has the reputation of fulfilling its -engagements to the letter; but if you promise -impossible things of course we cannot do them."</p> - -<p>The young man flushed. In the presence of -Orissa Kane this big fellow was as diffident as a -schoolboy.</p> - -<p>"I—I didn't think I promised too much," he -stammered. "There are two or three islands off -this coast, known as the Coronado Islands. The -big one—you can see it plainly from here—is -named Sealskin. No one knows why. There are -seals there, and they have skins. Perhaps that's -the reason. Or they may all be related, and the -seals' kin play together on the rocks."</p> - -<p>"Be sensible, Chesty!" This from Mr. Cumberford, -rather impatiently.</p> - -<p>"I'm quite sensible of Miss Kane's annoyance," -resumed Mr. Radley-Todd, "but I hope she will -find her task easy. She has merely to fly to Sealskin -Island, a dozen or fifteen miles—perhaps -twenty—and alight on the bosom of the blue -Pacific. Mighty poetical in the advertisements, -eh? Then she'll ride back in motor boat fashion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -When she approaches the shore she is to mount -into the air again, circle around the hotel and land -on the aviation field before the grand stand. If -any part of this program seems difficult, we can -cut it out and tell the reporters——"</p> - -<p>"Steve," interrupted Orissa, "can I rise from -the water into the air?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. That's my pet invention. While -skimming along the water you lift this lever, free -the propeller, then point your elevator and—up -you go!"</p> - -<p>"Run out the machine. We will make a trial -and you shall show me how it is done. The rest -of Chesty's program seems easy enough, and if -I master this little trick of rising from the water -we will carry out our contract to the letter."</p> - -<p>"All right. Your costume is in that little dressing -room in the corner, Ris."</p> - -<p>While his sister donned her short skirt, leggings -and helmet, Stephen Kane called his mechanicians -and had the Hydro-Aircraft rolled out -of the hangar and headed toward the ocean. For -himself, he merely put on a sweater and his cap -and visor, being ready long before Orissa -appeared.</p> - -<p>The inventor seldom flew his own craft, for an -accidental fall had lamed him so that he was not -as expert an aviator as his sister had proved to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -be. He was recovering from his hurt, however, -and hoped the injured leg would soon be good as -new. Meantime Orissa was doing more to render -the Kane Aircraft famous than any man might -have done.</p> - -<p>A wire fence encircled the Kane-Cumberford -Camp for some distance, except on the ocean side, -where the bluff protected it from invasion. There -was an entrance gate adjoining the beach road, -and while the assembled party awaited Orissa's -appearance Steve noticed that a motor car stopped -at the gateway and a man and woman alighted -and entered the enclosure, leisurely approaching -the spot where the Hydro-Aircraft stood.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Sybil, whose dark eyes were -far-seeing; "it's that girl who owns the yacht, -Madeline what's-her-name."</p> - -<p>"Dentry," said Steve. "I wonder if Orissa -invited her here. Go and meet them, Chesty, and -find out."</p> - -<p>Mr. Radley-Todd promptly unlimbered his long -legs and advanced to meet Madeline and Mr. -Tupper. The press agent had an unlimited command -of language when driving his pen over -paper, but was notably awkward in expressing -himself conversationally. He now stopped short -before the visitors, removed his hat and said:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I—er—pardon me, but—er—was your appointment -for this hour?"</p> - -<p>"Is Miss Kane here, sir?" asked Madeline, -unabashed.</p> - -<p>"She is, Miss—er—er——"</p> - -<p>"Dentry."</p> - -<p>"Oh; thank you."</p> - -<p>"Then I will see her," and she took a step forward. -But Chesty Todd did not move his huge -bulk out of the way. So many curious and bold -people were prone to intrude on all aviators, and -especially on Miss Kane, that it was really necessary -to deny them in a positive manner in order to -secure any privacy at all. The press agent, in -his halting way, tried to explain.</p> - -<p>"We—er—Miss Kane—is about to—er—test -the powers of our new Hydro-Aircraft, and I -regret to say that—er—er—the test is private, -you know."</p> - -<p>"How fortunate that we came just now!" cried -Madeline, eagerly, as she flashed her most winning -smile on the young man. "Please lead us -directly to Miss Kane, sir."</p> - -<p>"Yes; of course; please lead us to Miss Kane," -echoed Mr. Tupper pompously.</p> - -<p>Chesty succumbed and led them to the group -surrounding the machine, just as Orissa emerged -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>from the hangar. Recognizing her recent traveling -companion, the Flying Girl ran up and greeted -her cordially, introducing her and Mr. Tupper -to the others present.</p> - -<p>"I'm going to try out our new Hy," she said, -with a laugh. "'Hy,' you must know, is my -abbreviation of the Hydro-Aircraft—too long a -word altogether. If you will promise not to criticize -us, in case we foozle, you are welcome to -watch our performance."</p> - -<p>"That will be glorious," returned Madeline. -"We have been to the bay to inspect the <i>Salvador</i>, -my new yacht, but being anxious to see your new -Aircraft and hoping to find you here, we ventured -to stop for a few minutes. Forgive us if we -intruded."</p> - -<p>She spoke so frankly and was so evidently -unconscious of being unwelcome that the entire -group accepted her presence and that of her -uncle without murmur.</p> - -<p>Steve took his place in the "Hy" and Orissa -sat beside him.</p> - -<p>The motor boat attachment, which took the place -of the ordinary running gear, was of sheet aluminum, -as light and yet as strongly built as was possible -for a thing intended to be practical. Adjustable -wheels, which could be folded back when the -boat was in the water, were placed on either side, -to give the craft a land start. The huge engine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -was beautiful in appearance, while the planes—a -crossed arrangement peculiar to the Kane Aircraft—were -immaculately white in their graceful -spread.</p> - -<p>"This upper plane," said Steve, proud to -explain the marvels of his latest mechanical pet, -"is so arranged that its position may be altered -by means of a lever. If you're on the water and -want to save gasoline you adjust the plane as a -sail and let the wind drive you."</p> - -<p>"Clever! Very clever, indeed," observed Mr. -Tupper. "I had no idea these flying machines -had been improved so much since I last saw an -aviation meet, some six months ago."</p> - -<p>"The art of flying is still in its infancy, sir," -replied Mr. Cumberford. "It is progressing with -wonderful strides, however, and young Kane is -one of those remarkable geniuses who keep a pace -ahead of the procession."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke Steve started the engine, and -as the first low rumble of the propeller increased -to a roar the machine darted forward, passed the -edge of the bluff and, rising slightly, sped over the -placid waters of the Pacific, straight out from -shore.</p> - -<p>He did not rise very high, but half a mile or so -out the aviator described a half-circle and then, as -gracefully as a swan, sank to the surface of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -ocean. Instantly a white wake of foam appeared -at the rear of the boat, showing that the propeller -was now churning the water. And now, with -speed that to the observers appeared almost -incredible, the Hydro-Aircraft approached the -shore. A few yards from the bluff it abruptly -rose from the water, sailed above the heads of the -spectators, and after a circle of the field, came to -a halt at almost the exact spot from which it had -started.</p> - -<p>This remarkable performance had taken place -in so brief a space of time that those on the bluff -had scarcely moved during the entire period. -They now hastened forward to congratulate the -inventor. Mr. Cumberford's grim features were -for once wreathed in smiles; Chesty Todd capered -like a schoolboy and flung his hat into the air as -he yelled "Hooray!" while Sybil impulsively -grasped Steve's hand in both of her own. As for -Madeline Dentry, she eyed the young man wonderingly, -asking herself if the marvel she seemed -to have witnessed had actually occurred.</p> - -<p>"Do you know," said Mr. Tupper, his voice -trembling with excitement, "I wouldn't much -mind a ride like that myself!"</p> - -<p>Orissa was much pleased with this successful -test of the new machine's powers. As the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -wheeled the Hydro-Aircraft back to its hangar -she turned to Chesty and said:</p> - -<p>"I forgive you, sir. Really, you were too modest -in your promises. Sybil and I will carry out -your program to the entire satisfaction of the -management and the public, I am positive."</p> - -<p>"I can hardly wait for Monday, Ris," exclaimed -Sybil. "If father wasn't so afraid, I -would learn to navigate the Hy myself."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you interest me, my dear," returned her -father, blandly; "you do, really. But as your -talents will never enable you to rival Orissa it -will be well for you to curb your ambitions. I've -conceded a lot, to allow you to go with her on that -long jaunt Monday."</p> - -<p>"You have, indeed," laughed Orissa. "But -Sybil and I will have a real joy ride, and be perfectly -safe in the bargain. How long a time will -the trip take us, Steve?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, a couple of hours, or so; it will depend on -whether the current is favorable to your paddling -back. In the air you can do forty miles an hour, -easily."</p> - -<p>"We will take some lunch with us," said Sybil. -"Don't forget to order it, Daddy."</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford nodded. Unimpressionable as -this strange man seemed, his daughter was verily -the "apple of his eye" and he was not likely to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -forget anything that might add to her comfort. -Sybil's desire to aviate had been a constant -source of disturbance to her father. He had -worried a good deal over Orissa, during her first -attempts to fly, but was now convinced of the -girl's capability and, although he exhibited nervousness -every time she gave one of her exhibitions, -he had by degrees acquired supreme -confidence in her skill. Still, being thoroughly -experienced in all aviation matters, through his -connection with the Kane Aircraft, Mr. Cumberford -realized that flying is always accompanied -by danger, and whenever an aviator met with an -accident on the field he was wont to inform Sybil -that on no account could she ever accompany -Orissa again in a flight. He would even urge -Orissa to abandon the dangerous work; but she -answered him gravely: "This accident, as well -as all others I ever heard of, was the result of -carelessness and inexperience. The more flights -I make the less liable am I to encounter accident. -Perhaps I realize better than you do, Mr. Cumberford, -the elements of danger, and that is the -reason I am so careful to avoid every hazard."</p> - -<p>Flying was an intoxication to Sybil. She never -had enough of it and always complained to Orissa -that their flights were of too short duration. -Each time she was obliged to plead and argue with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -her father for days, before obtaining his consent -to let her go, and even now, when he had given his -reluctant permission to Chesty Todd to advertise -Sybil as the companion of the Flying Girl, -he was frequently impelled to forbid the adventure. -His only consolation was that the new -invention seemed very safe and practical, and -with Orissa's guiding hands at the levers his -beloved daughter would be as well guarded as -possible under such conditions.</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact, protests from Mr. Cumberford -had little value, as Sybil possessed a -knack of getting her own way under any and all -circumstances. She had really no great desire to -operate an aëroplane herself, being quite content -to remain a passenger and enjoy the freedom of -riding, untrammeled by the necessity of being -alert every instant to control the machine.</p> - -<p>Orissa, excusing herself, retired to the hangar -to change her costume, and the young inventor -was left to listen to the enthusiastic comments of -his friends.</p> - -<p>"When will your Hydro-Aircraft be on the market, -Mr. Kane?" asked Madeline.</p> - -<p>"In the course of the next three months we -expect to complete two other machines," he replied.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I want one of them," she said quickly. "Will -you teach me how to operate it?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," he answered. "That is part of -the bargain. But you have not asked the price, -and for all business transactions I must refer you -to Mr. Cumberford."</p> - -<p>"Madeline, my dear! My dear Madeline!" protested -Mr. Tupper; "what in the world are you -thinking of?"</p> - -<p>"That I would give Mr. Cumberford a check at -once," she calmly answered.</p> - -<p>"But I—we—that is, I can't permit it; I—I -really can't allow it, my dear!" asserted the gentleman, -evidently alarmed by her positive attitude.</p> - -<p>Madeline's slight form stiffened and her eyes -flashed defiantly.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Tupper," said she to her uncle, "do I -employ you to advise me, or to manage my business -affairs?"</p> - -<p>That he was greatly humiliated by this attack -was evident. His face grew red and he half turned -away, hesitating to make reply. Then Mr. Cumberford -came to Mr. Tupper's assistance.</p> - -<p>"Your—eh—friend—is quite right, Miss Dentry; -quite right to oppose your—eh—reckless impulse, -if I may put it that way. Your enthusiasm -interests me; it—eh—interests me greatly; but -for your own welfare and the comfort of mind of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -your friends, I should advise you to—eh—curb -your adventurous spirit, for the present. You -have what is known as the 'Flying Fever,' which -attacks the most conservative people when on the -aviation field. Let it alone and it will dissipate, -in time; but if you nurse it you—eh—buy a flying -machine and become a slave. We have machines -to sell, you know; we are anxious to dispose of all -we can; but kindly keep your check for three -months, and if at the end of that time you are -still disposed to purchase, I will deliver the machine -to you promptly."</p> - -<p>"How can you do that? The demand will be -greater than your ability to build the Hydro-Aircraft, -after the exhibition of next Monday," -she affirmed.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford regarded her thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"I believe you are right," said he. "Anyhow, -I hope you are right. But I'll promise to reserve -a machine, pending your decision. Young ladies -who are seriously determined to become aviators -and who—eh—have the means to indulge the fad -to any extent, are rare; very rare. Therefore, my -dear Miss Dentry, you—eh—interest me, and I'll -keep my promise."</p> - -<p>Madeline could not refuse to admit the fairness -of Mr. Cumberford's proposition, and Mr. Tupper -was grateful to him for his efficient support, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -harmony was once more restored. Sybil, indeed, -smiled derisively as she exchanged a meaning -glance with Madeline—a glance that said as intelligently -as words: "How clever these men think -themselves, and how helpless they really are to -oppose us!"</p> - -<p>Then Miss Dentry invited them all, including -Chesty Todd, to dine on board her yacht the next -day, which was Sunday, and the invitation being -promptly accepted they all motored back to the -hotel.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a><br /> - -<small>A PRODIGY IN AERONAUTICS</small></h2> - - -<p>San Diego Bay is always interesting, with its -shipping from all ports of the world, but on this -gorgeous Sunday afternoon there was no prettier -sight among the scattered craft than the trim -yacht <i>Salvador</i>, lying at anchor just north of the -ferry path. The Kane-Cumberford party found a -small launch awaiting them at the pier, which -quickly took them aboard the big white yacht, -where Madeline, attired in appropriate sailor costume, -cordially welcomed them.</p> - -<p>"This affair is fully as great a novelty to me -as it must be to you," she explained, as they cast -admiring glances over the decks. "I bought the -boat of an Englishman several months ago, with -the understanding it should be delivered to me -here; but I only arrived to claim it the day before -yesterday. It has a crew of seven, besides the -chef, who, I must admit, is my own selection, as -I feared to trust the English taste in cookery. -The English crew, however, seems capable and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> -every man jack wants to stay with the boat; so -I've agreed to keep them. I'll introduce you to -the skipper presently. He rejoices in the title of -'Captain' and has quite awed me with his -superior manner and splendid uniform. But I'll -introduce you to the creations of my chef, first, -for dinner is waiting. Forgive Monsieur Champetre, -if he falls down occasionally; he is as unused -to the kitchen—or is it scullery? Oh, I know; the -'galley'—as I am to the cabin."</p> - -<p>Really the chef needed no excuses, and after the -meal they made a thorough inspection of the beautiful -craft, peeping into the state-rooms, the men's -quarters and even into the sacred galley. Everyone -aboard, including the big, bluff skipper, was -so proud of the boat that he delighted to have it -exhibited, and when it was understood that the -slim, beautiful young lady guest was the famous -Flying Girl the deference shown Orissa was -amusing.</p> - -<p>"I had intended to test the <i>Salvador</i> to-morrow -and make a short run to sea in it," said Madeline; -"but I am so eager to witness the aërial exhibitions -that I shall postpone the voyage until later. -My yacht is permanent, but this Aviation Meet is -temporary."</p> - -<p>The visitors returned to their hotel early in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -afternoon, for Orissa and Sybil had still a few -preparations to make for the morrow's trip, while -Steve and Mr. Cumberford decided to pay a visit -to the aviation field, to which both the Kane Aircraft -and the Kane Hydro-Aircraft had been -removed by the mechanicians in charge of them. -Chesty Todd's labors that Sunday evening were -perhaps more onerous than those of the others of -his party, for he had to meet an aggressive band -of newspaper reporters and load each one to the -brim with material for a double-header next -morning. Having served as a journalist—and an -able one—himself, Mr. Radley-Todd understood -exactly the sort of priming these publicity guns -required.</p> - -<p>The home of the Kanes was a delightful orange -ranch near Los Angeles, where the blind mother -of Stephen and Orissa—their only parent—lived -surrounded by every comfort and devoted attendants, -while her boy and girl were engaged in the -novel and somewhat hazardous exhibitions of the -new Kane Aircraft. Orissa had remained at -home with her mother while Stephen was perfecting -his latest machine at San Diego, and had not -left there until it was necessary to prepare for -the Meet, in which she had engaged to take part. -Mrs. Kane, perhaps because of her blindness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -seemed to have little anxiety on account of her -daughter's ventures, although at the time of -Orissa's first flights her nervousness had been -poignant. Assured of her girl's skill and coolness, -the mother had come to accept these occasions -philosophically, as far as the danger was concerned, -and she was naturally interested in Steve's -inventions and overjoyed at the financial success -which Mr. Cumberford's business ability had -already insured the firm.</p> - -<p>This Sunday evening Orissa wrote a long letter -to her mother, telling how perfectly her brother's -new machine worked, and assuring Mrs. Kane of -her confidence in winning new laurels for Stephen -on the morrow. "The latest engine, made for the -Hy, is more powerful than were the others," she -added, "but its operation is practically the same -and while the combination of boat and aircraft -necessitated a more complicated arrangement of -the control, I have easily mastered all the details -and could take the whole thing apart and put it -together again, if obliged to do so."</p> - -<p>The girl slept peacefully that night and neither -she nor Sybil were in the least nervous when they -went to the aviation field, overlooking the sea, -after an early luncheon on Monday.</p> - -<p>They found the Kane Hydro-Aircraft reposing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -majestically in its hangar, in perfect order and -constantly surrounded by a group of admiring -and interested spectators. The little band of professional -aviators present at the Meet welcomed -Orissa very cordially, for every one of them knew -and admired the brave girl who had so often -proved her ability to manage her brother's -machines.</p> - -<p>The grand stand was packed with spectators, -and long rows of automobiles lined the edge of -the enclosure reserved for the exhibitors.</p> - -<p>The "Kane Event," as it was called, was early -on the program of the day, for it was understood -that the flight over the ocean and the voyage back -would consume much of the afternoon. Many had -brought binoculars and other powerful glasses to -watch the Flying Girl and her chum during their -progress.</p> - -<p>Sealskin Island lay a little to the south of the -aviation field and was one of a group of barren -rocks jutting out of the sea and plainly visible -from the mainland. The Coronado Islands, which -have little or no value, belong to Mexico, as the -Mexican boundary is only twelve miles south of -San Diego, and this group, although not appearing -to be so far south, is below the line claimed by -the United States. Therefore Orissa's flight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -would be in a southwesterly direction and most of -her journey made in plain view of every spectator.</p> - -<p>As the "Hy" was run out to the center of the -field Steve said to Orissa:</p> - -<p>"I've anchored an aluminum chest just back of -your seats, at the suggestion of Mr. Cumberford. -In it are all the tools you could possibly need in -case of emergency, a couple of warm blankets to -use if your return trip proves chilly, and enough -'lunch'—which I think Sybil pleaded for—to last -you both a week. The chest enables you to carry -all this safely and comfortably, and it won't be at -all in your way. Personally, I think such a precaution -wholly unnecessary, but Mr. Cumberford -is a good deal of an old woman where Sybil is -concerned and it is easier to give up to him than -to try to argue him out of an idea. Take the trip -easy, Ris; we don't need to make time. What we -want to demonstrate is the practicability of the -machine, and we ourselves already know that it -is thoroughly practical, and we therefore ought to -be able to convince the world of the fact."</p> - -<p>Orissa nodded.</p> - -<p>"How about gasoline?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Both tanks are filled. There's enough to run -you a hundred miles in air and fifty miles in -water, which is far more than you will require.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -Be gentle with the steering gear; it is such a long -connection that it doesn't respond as readily as -the old one, and I guess I've made the rods a trifle -too light. I mean to rig up a more substantial -device as soon as I get time, but this will do you -all right if you don't jerk it. Put a little more -strength to the wheel and turn it gradually, -that's all."</p> - -<p>"I understand," she replied. "Are you ready, -Sybil?"</p> - -<p>"Waiting on you, Ris."</p> - -<p>"And I think the crowd is waiting on us."</p> - -<p>The band was at this moment playing its loudest -and most stirring tune and as the two venturesome -girls, dressed in appropriate aërial -costume, appeared on the field, wildly enthusiastic -shouts rose from ten thousand spectators. -Chesty Todd had decorated the braces of the -machine with bunches of fresh violets and the -aluminum and nickeled parts shone gloriously in -the sun.</p> - -<p>"Be good, Sybil," said Mr. Cumberford. "Take -care of her, Orissa."</p> - -<p>The girls laughed, for this was the old gentleman's -customary parting warning.</p> - -<p>"All right, Ris," said Steve.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> - -<p>She applied the power and one of the mechanicians -gave the propeller a preliminary whirl. -Then Orissa threw in the automatic clutch that -started the machine and it ran forward a few -feet and promptly rose into the air. A moment -later it was speeding straight out to sea, at an -altitude of a hundred feet, and the wonderful voyage -of Stephen Kane's new Hydro-Aircraft was -begun—a voyage destined to vary considerably -from the program mapped out for it.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a><br /> - -<small>THE ALUMINUM CHEST</small></h2> - - -<p>Orissa realized quite perfectly that Sealskin -Island was much farther away from the mainland -than it appeared, so on leaving the shore she pursued -a direction straight west for several miles, -intending to make a turn and proceed south to -the island which was the terminus of her flight. -That prolonged the trip somewhat, but she figured -it would prove more interesting to the spectators, -since for a part of the journey she would -be flying parallel with the coast. On the return -she planned to run straight back from the island.</p> - -<p>When she decided they had reached a point -about as far out as was the island, she attempted -to make the turn—a mere segment of a circle—but -in spite of Steve's warning Orissa was surprised -at the stiffness of the steering gear. The -engines were working beautifully and developing -excellent speed, but the girl found she must apply -all her strength to the wheel to make the turn.</p> - -<p>She succeeded, and brought the head to bear -directly upon the island, but the gear grated and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -stuck so persistently that Orissa's effort sent the -entire craft careening at a steep angle. Sybil -gave a gasp and clung to the supporting rods and -both girls heard a loud "chug" that indicated -something was wrong; but the Kane balancing -device was so perfect that almost immediately the -machine righted itself and regained its equilibrium, -darting swiftly and in a straight line in the -direction of the island.</p> - -<p>"What was it?" asked Sybil, putting her head -close to Orissa's to be heard above the whir of -the motors behind them.</p> - -<p>"The steering gear binds; that's all," was the -quiet response. "I think it will work better when -we are in the water."</p> - -<p>"But what made that noise? Didn't something -give way?" persisted Sybil.</p> - -<p>"Glance behind us, dear, and see."</p> - -<p>Sybil carefully turned so as to examine the -parts of the aëroplane.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Well?" said Orissa.</p> - -<p>"That chest that Steve loaded us with. It has -broken away from its fastenings and is jammed -edge downward against your gear."</p> - -<p>Orissa thought about it.</p> - -<p>"That's unfortunate," said she. "I suppose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -the bolts broke when we tipped so badly. But it -hasn't interfered with our engines any."</p> - -<p>"No," answered Sybil, still examining the conditions; -"but it has interfered seriously with your -control, I fear. Both your levers are thrown out -of position and even the front elevator bars are -badly bent."</p> - -<p>For the first time a worried expression appeared -on Orissa's face.</p> - -<p>"If that is true," she said, "our best plan is to -return at once."</p> - -<p>"Do," urged Sybil, her dark eyes very serious.</p> - -<p>Orissa tried to turn the wheel. It resisted. -She applied more strength. Something snapped -and the released wheel whirled so freely that the -girl nearly lost her seat. Recovering instantly -she turned a pale face to her companion and said:</p> - -<p>"We're wrecked, Sybil. But don't worry. -With the boat under us and in this quiet sea we -shall be quite safe."</p> - -<p>"I'm not worrying—especially—Ris," was the -reply; "but it occurs to me to wonder how you're -going to get down to the ocean."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"You can't stop the engines, unless one of us -crawls back over the planes."</p> - -<p>"I can cut off the spark." She tried it, but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -engines chugged as merrily as before. "Guess -there must be a short circuit," gasped Orissa.</p> - -<p>"And you can't depress your elevator, I'm -sure."</p> - -<p>"I'll try it," announced Orissa, grimly.</p> - -<p>But the fatal chest balked her attempt. The -elevator was steadfastly wedged into its present -position; the engines were entirely beyond control -and the two helpless girls faced one of the -most curious conditions ever known in the history -of aviation.</p> - -<p>At an altitude of perhaps a hundred and fifty -feet from the water the aëroplane sped swiftly on -its way, headed a trifle to the west of south. It -passed Sealskin Island even while the girls were -discussing their dilemma, and stubbornly maintained -its unfaltering course. The air conditions -were perfect for flying; scarcely a breath of wind -was felt; the sky above was blue as azure.</p> - -<p>Suddenly Sybil laughed.</p> - -<p>"What now?" demanded Orissa.</p> - -<p>"I was thinking of the consternation on shore -at about this moment," explained Miss Cumberford. -"Won't they be amazed to see us continue -this course, beyond the island? Not understanding -our trouble, Daddy will think we're running -away."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<p>"So we are," replied Orissa. "I wish I knew -where we are running to."</p> - -<p>"I suppose we can't stop till the gasoline gives -out," said Sybil.</p> - -<p>Orissa shook her head.</p> - -<p>"That's what scares me," she admitted. "Even -now the Mexican shore is a mere line at the left. -We're gradually diverging to a point farther out -at sea, and when at last we alight, drained of the -last drop of gasoline, how are we to run the boat -back?"</p> - -<p>"We can't. Steve's wonderful Hy will become -a mere floating buoy on the bosom of the rolling -blue," responded Sybil lightly. "Oh, I'm so glad -I came, Ris! I'd no idea we were going to have -such fun."</p> - -<p>Orissa did not return her chum's smile.</p> - -<p>"Sit still and balance her, Sybil," she said. -"I'm going to make an investigation."</p> - -<p>Exercising the necessary caution she turned -and knelt upon the foot bar, clinging to the seat -rail and in this position facing the Aircraft so she -could examine its mechanism. Sybil had described -the condition of things quite accurately. The -engine control was cut off and as the gasoline -tanks fed from the rear Orissa had no way of -stopping the flow. The steering gear was broken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -and the front elevator firmly wedged in position -by the chest.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if we could manage to move this -thing," she said, and getting a hand on one corner -of the aluminum chest she gave a tug and tried -to raise it. It proved solid and unyielding. Not -heavy in itself, or perhaps in its contents, the -thing was caught between the rods in such a manner -that no strength of the girls, limited in movement -as they were, could budge it a particle.</p> - -<p>Realizing this, and the folly of leaving the seats -to get at the gasoline feed, Orissa resumed her -place and faced the inevitable as bravely as she -could.</p> - -<p>"Steve told me," she said to Sybil, "that the -gasoline would last a hundred miles in air and -fifty in water; that's at least two hundred miles -in an air line. Have you any idea where we shall -be by that time?"</p> - -<p>"Not the slightest," responded her companion, -cheerfully. "Ocean, of course; but latitude and -longitude a mystery—and not important, anyhow."</p> - -<p>Sybil Cumberford was a reserved and silent girl -on most occasions. Few were attracted toward -her, on this account. Her dark eyes seemed to -regard the world with critical toleration and she -gave one the impression of considering herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -quite independent of her fellows. Moreover, Sybil -was eccentric in character and prone to do and -say things that invoked the grave displeasure of -her associates, seeming to delight in confusing -and annoying them. But there was a brighter -side to this queer girl's nature, which developed -only in the society of her trusted friends. On -any occasion that demanded courage and resourcefulness -she came to the front nobly, and at such -times Sybil Cumberford became vivacious, helpful -and inspiriting.</p> - -<p>Here was such an occasion. Danger was the -joy of Sybil's heart and the "breath of her nostrils." -Indifferent to the ordinary details of life, -any adventure that promised tribulation or disaster -was fervently welcomed. Then the girl's -spirits rose, her intellect fairly bristled and she -developed an animation and joyous exhilaration -entirely at variance with her usual demeanor.</p> - -<p>So now, as Orissa Kane, a girl of proved courage -and undaunted spirit, grew solemn and -anxious at the perilous condition that confronted -them, Sybil Cumberford became gay and animated.</p> - -<p>"It's such an unusual thing, and so wholly -unexpected!" she said blithely. "I'm sure, Ris, -that no two girls who ever lived—in this world -or any other—ever found themselves in a like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -dilemma. We're as helpless as babes, chummie -dear; only no babes were ever forced to fly, willy-nilly, -for hundreds of miles through the air to -some forlorn spot in the dank, moist ocean."</p> - -<p>Orissa let her chatter. She was trying to realize -what it might mean to them and how and -when, if ever, they might be rescued from their -difficulties.</p> - -<p>"Our great mistake," continued Sybil, as they -swept along, "was in not rigging the machine -with a wireless outfit. To be sure, neither of us -could operate it; but a wireless, in such a case—if -we understood its mysteries—would solve our -problem."</p> - -<p>"How?" asked Orissa.</p> - -<p>"We could call up the shore at San Diego and -tell them what's happened, and give them the -direction in which we are flying; then they could -send a fast steamer for us, or perhaps Madeline -Dentry would loan her yacht."</p> - -<p>"They may follow us with a steamer, anyhow," -said Orissa, thoughtfully. "If we manage to land -safely, Sybil—which means if we drop to the -water right-side-up—we could float for some days, -until we were found and rescued."</p> - -<p>"Thirst is a terrible thing, at sea; and hunger -is almost as bad."</p> - -<p>"But in that dreadful chest, which has caused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -all our trouble, Steve told me he had packed provisions. -Probably there is water there, too," -asserted Orissa, hopefully.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dad said there was lunch for two. Well, -that's one good feed we shall have, anyhow, provided -the chest doesn't get away from us entirely, -and we can manage to open it. In its present -position, neither event is at all probable."</p> - -<p>She seemed to love to discover and point out the -gloomy side of their adventure, that she might -exult in the dangers that menaced them.</p> - -<p>Meantime, swift and straight as an arrow the -Aircraft continued on its course. Not a skip to -the engines, not an indication of any sort that the -flight would be interrupted as long as a drop of -gasoline remained in the tanks. They could only -be patient and await the finale as bravely as -possible.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a><br /> - -<small>THE LAST DROP OF GASOLINE</small></h2> - - -<p>Hour after hour they flew, while each hour -seemed, to Orissa, at least, a month in duration. -Sybil chatted and laughed, refusing to take their -misfortune seriously.</p> - -<p>"But," said she, "I'm getting famished. An -air-trip always stimulates the appetite and that -lunch of Steve's is so very near to us—and yet -so far! I How did he expect us to get at the repast, -anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"Why, in water," replied Orissa, "the chest -and its contents would be handy enough. I do -not think it would be safe for us to creep into the -boat underneath us now, for we must maintain -the aërial balance; but, even if we could get below, -we couldn't open the chest while it is wedged -crosswise among the braces and levers."</p> - -<p>"All true, milady," commented Sybil, her -usually pale cheeks now flushed with excitement. -"Our present stunt is to 'sit still and take our -medicine,' as the saying goes."</p> - -<p>By this time the Mexican coast had vanished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -entirely and only the placid blue waters of the -Pacific remained visible, even from the altitude of -the Aircraft. Once or twice they sighted a small -island, bleak and bare, for this part of the ocean -is filled with tiny islets, most of which are unfertile -and uninhabited. Farther along, in the South -Pacific, such islands have verdure and inhabitants.</p> - -<p>At about four o'clock a change occurred in the -atmospheric conditions. A brisk wind arose, blowing -steadily for a time from the southwest and -then suddenly developing puffs and eddies that -caused the Aircraft to wobble dangerously. One -powerful gust seized the helpless flying-machine -and whirled it around like a toy balloon, but failed -to destroy its equilibrium because the girls balanced -it with their bodies as well as they might. -When their craft was released, however, it pointed -in a new direction—this time straight west. An -hour later a similar gust swept its head to the -southward, and in this direction it was still flying -when the red sun dipped into the water and -twilight fell.</p> - -<p>"I don't like this, Syb," said Orissa, anxiously. -"If the gasoline holds out much longer it will be -dark, and when we drop our danger will be -doubled."</p> - -<p>"What will be the fashion of our dropping, -anyhow?" asked Sybil. "We can't volplane, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -no control of the rudder. Chances are, dear, the -thing will just tip over and spill us in the damp."</p> - -<p>"Hold fast, if it does that," cautioned Orissa. -"If we become separated from the boat we will -drown like rats. The engine may swamp the boat, -in any event, but it has air compartments which -will keep it afloat under any favorable conditions, -and we must trust to luck, Sybil—and to our own -coolness."</p> - -<p>"All right, Ris. A watery grave doesn't appeal -to me just now," was the reply. "I'm too hungry -to drown comfortably, and that's a fact. On a -full stomach I imagine one could face perpetual -soaking with more complacency."</p> - -<p>"Huh!" cried Orissa. "Listen!"</p> - -<p>Sybil was already listening, fully as alert as -her chum. The speed of the engine was diminishing. -Gradually the huge propeller slackened its -rapid revolutions, while its former roar subsided -to a mere moan.</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness," said Sybil, fervently, "the -gasoline is gone at last!"</p> - -<p>"Look out, then," warned Orissa.</p> - -<p>With a final, reluctant "chug-chug!" the engine -stopped short. Like a huge gull the frail craft -remained poised in the air a moment and then a -sudden light breeze swept it on. It was falling, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>however, impelled by its own weight, and singularly -enough it reversed its position and proceeded -before the wind with the stem foremost.</p> - -<p>Splash! It wasn't so bad, after all. Not a volplane, -to be sure, but a gentle drop, the weight of -the heavy engine sustained by the "air-cushions" -formed beneath the planes.</p> - -<p>Orissa wiped the spray from her eyes.</p> - -<p>"That would have been a regular bump, on -land," Sybil was saying affably, "but the old -ocean has received us with gracious tenderness. -Are we sinking, Ris, or do we float?"</p> - -<p>How suddenly the darkness was falling! Orissa -leaned from her seat and found the water had -turned to a color nearly as black as ink. Beneath -her the bow of the aluminum motor boat was so -depressed that it was almost even with the water -and as it bobbed up and down with the waves it -was shipping the inky fluid by the dipperful.</p> - -<p>She scrambled out of the seat, then, to step -gingerly over the unlucky chest and crouch upon -a narrow seat of the little boat, near the stern.</p> - -<p>"Come, Sybil," she called; "and be very careful."</p> - -<p>Sybil promptly descended to the boat, which -now rode evenly upon the waves. In this position -the propeller was just under water and the engine -rested over the center of the light but strong little -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>craft. But propeller and engine were alike useless -to them now. Overhead the planes spread like -huge awnings, but they carried so little weight -that they did not affect the balance of the boat.</p> - -<p>"Steve planned well," murmured Orissa, with -a sigh. "If only he had never thought of that -dreadful chest, we would not be in this fix."</p> - -<p>As she spoke she kicked the chest a little resentfully -with her foot, and it seemed to move. Sybil -leaned forward to eye it as closely as the gathering -darkness would allow.</p> - -<p>"Why, Ris," she exclaimed, "the thing has -come loose. Help me to tip it up."</p> - -<p>Between them they easily raised the chest to -its former position, where it rested just before -them. Steve had bolted it at either end, but one -of the bolts had broken away and the other had -bent at almost a right angle. Perhaps this last -bolt would have broken, too, had not the chest, in -falling, become wedged against the braces.</p> - -<p>"This horrid box has heretofore been our dire -enemy," remarked Sybil; "but let us be forgiving -and encourage it to make amends—for it holds -eatables. How does the cover open, Ris?"</p> - -<p>Stephen had shown Orissa how to work the -sliding catch and in a moment the girl had the -lid open and held it upright while Sybil searched -within.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Hooray! We've discovered a regular cafeteria," -said the latter, jubilantly, as she drew out -a number of parcels. "I was afraid we'd have to -nibble, Orissa, so as not to gorge ourselves -to-night and starve to-morrow; but I reckon -there's enough to last two delicate girls like us a -week. What shall we tackle first?"</p> - -<p>"Let us plan a little, dear," suggested Orissa, -restraining her own eagerness, for she was hungry, -too. "We cannot possibly tell to-night what -this precious chest contains or how much food -there really is. We must wait for daylight to -take an inventory. But here are some tins, we -know, which will keep, and that package of sandwiches -on your lap is perishable; so I propose we -confine our feast to those for to-night."</p> - -<p>"Perishable it is, Cap'n," answered Sybil, consuming -half a sandwich at a single bite. "If there's -only a pickle to go with these breadspreads I shall -be content. It's not only luncheon that we're -indulging in, you know; it's our regular dinner, -as well, and there ought to be two courses—pickles -and sandwiches—at the least."</p> - -<p>"You must feel for the pickles, then," returned -Orissa, intent upon her own sandwich, "for it's -too dark to use eyes just now."</p> - -<p>Sybil found the pickles—who ever put up a -lunch for two girls without including pickles?—and -declared she was quite content.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> - -<p>"If we hadn't discovered the eats, my dear -Cap'n," she remarked with cheery satisfaction, -"I think I could have dined on my own shoes. -That's a happy thought; we'll keep the shoes in -reserve. I'd no idea one's appetite could get such -an edge, after being tantalized for a few hours."</p> - -<p>"Do you realize, Sybil," asked Orissa in a -grave tone, as she took her second sandwich, -"that we must pass the night in this wiggly, -insecure boat?"</p> - -<p>"What's insecure about it?" demanded Sybil.</p> - -<p>"It won't stand much of a sea, I fear. This -attachment to the Aircraft was intended for pleasant -weather."</p> - -<p>"All right; the weather's delightful. Those -long, gentle rolls will merely rock us to sleep. -And—Oh, Ris!—we'll have rolls for breakfast."</p> - -<p>"Do be serious, Syb! Suppose a storm catches -us before morning?"</p> - -<p>"Then please wake me up. Where do you suppose -we are, anyhow?"</p> - -<p>"I've no idea," answered Orissa, soberly. "We -must have traveled a couple of hundred miles, but -it wasn't in a straight line, by any means. Let's -see. Perhaps a hundred miles on our first course—over -Sealskin Island and nearly south—then forty -or fifty miles north——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no; west."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes; so it was. Then twenty-odd miles south, -ten miles or so east, a couple or three miles west -again, and then—and then——"</p> - -<p>"Dear me! Don't bother your head with it, -Orissa. We zigzagged like a drunken man. The -only fact we can positively nail is that we were -getting farther away from home—or our friends, -rather—every minute. That's a bad thing, come -to think of it. They'll never know where to search -for us."</p> - -<p>"True," responded Orissa. "But I am sure -they will search, and search diligently, so we must -manage to keep afloat until they find us. What -shall we do now, Sybil?"</p> - -<p>"Sleep," was the prompt reply. "If we lift -this seat off—it seems to be removable—I think -there is room enough for us both to cuddle down -in the bottom of the boat."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sybil!" This from Orissa, rather reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"Well, I can't imagine anything more sensible -to do," asserted her chum, with a yawn. "These -air-rides not only encourage hunger, but sleep. -Did you cork that bottle of water? I want another -drink."</p> - -<p>"I—I think we'd better economize on the -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>water," suggested Orissa, "at least until morning, -when we can find out if there's any more in -the chest."</p> - -<p>"All right. Help me bail out this overflow and -then we'll cuddle down."</p> - -<p>"Steve said there were two blankets in the -chest," said Orissa, presently, when the bottom -of the boat was dry. "I'll search for them."</p> - -<p>She found the blankets easily, by feeling -through the contents of the chest. Offering no -further objection to Sybil's plan, she prepared -their bed for the night. Neither of these girls had -ever "roughed it" to any extent, but in spite of -the peril of their situation and the liability of -unforeseen dangers overtaking them, they were -resourceful enough and courageous enough to face -the conditions with a degree of intrepid interest. -Afloat on an unknown part of the broad Pacific, -with merely a tiny aluminum boat for protection, -with final escape from death uncertain and chances -of rescue remote, these two carefully nurtured -young girls, who had enjoyed loving protection all -their lives, were so little influenced by fear that -they actually exchanged pleasantries as they -spread their blankets and rolled themselves in the -coverings for the night.</p> - -<p>"The lack of a pillow bothers me most," -remarked Sybil. "I think I shall rest my head -on one of those cans of baked beans."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I advise you not to; you might eat them in -your sleep," was Orissa's comment.</p> - -<p>"May I rest my head upon you, chummie dear?"</p> - -<p>"You may not. Try the engine."</p> - -<p>"That's hard. And there are enough wheels in -my head already, without pounding my ear with -them. Suggest something else."</p> - -<p>"Your own elbow, then."</p> - -<p>"Thanks, dear. Where's that slab of aluminum -that used to be a seat?"</p> - -<p>It was a happy thought and furnished them -both with a headrest. The seat was not an ideal -pillow, but it answered the purpose because there -was nothing better.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a><br /> - -<small>CASTAWAYS</small></h2> - - -<p>"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Orissa, sitting up.</p> - -<p>After a moment Sybil said, sleepily:</p> - -<p>"Go ahead and declare it, Ris. Only, if we're -drowned, please break the news to me gently!"</p> - -<p>"How strange!" muttered Orissa, still staring.</p> - -<p>Sybil stirred, threw off the blanket and also -rose to a sitting position.</p> - -<p>"If it's a secret," she began, "then—Oh, -goodness me!"</p> - -<p>During the night the boat with its great overhead -planes had gently floated into a little bay, -where the water was peaceful as a millpond. Two -points of black rock projected on either side of -them, outlining the bay. Between these points -appeared an island—a mass of tumbled rocks -guiltless of greenery. There was a broad strip of -clean, smooth sand on the shore, barely covering -the slaty ledge, but back of that the jumble of rocks -began, forming irregular hillocks, and beyond -these hillocks, which extended for some distance -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>inland, there seemed to be a great dip in the landscape—or -rockscape—far back of which arose a -low mountain formed of the same unlovely -material as all else.</p> - -<p>"It's an island!" gasped Sybil, rubbing her eyes -to make sure they were working properly. "Now, -see here, Cap'n Ris, I want it understood right -now which one of us is to be Robinson Crusoe and -which the Man Friday. Seems to me, I being the -passenger and you the charioteer, the prestige is -on my side; so I claim the Crusoe part. I can't -grow whiskers, and I'm not likely to find a parrot -to perch on my shoulder, but I'll promise to enact -the part as well as circumstances will permit."</p> - -<p>"I can't see a sign of life," announced Orissa, -regretfully. "There isn't even a bird hovering -over the place."</p> - -<p>"Lizards and snakes among the rocks, though, -I'll bet," responded Sybil, with a grimace. "All -these rocky Pacific islands are snaky, they say. I -wonder if I can learn to charm 'em. You don't -object to my being Crusoe, do you?"</p> - -<p>Orissa sighed; then she turned to her cheery -comrade with a smile.</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said she. "But I'll be Columbus, -the Discoverer, for I've discovered a desert island -while you were peacefully dreaming."</p> - -<p>"There's no desert about your island," stated -Sybil. "A desert would be a relief. What you've<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> -discovered, Miss Ris Columbus—or what's discovered -us, rather—is a rock heap."</p> - -<p>"Desert or not, it's deserted, all right," maintained -Orissa.</p> - -<p>"And you may not have discovered it, after -all," said Sybil, musingly examining the place. -"These seas have been pretty well explored, I -guess, and although no nation would particularly -care to pin a flag to this bunch of rocks, the maps -may indicate it clearly."</p> - -<p>"Ah, if we only had a map!" cried Orissa -eagerly.</p> - -<p>"What good would it do us?" asked Sybil. "It -couldn't help us to find ourselves, for we don't -know what especial dot on the map we've arrived -at. With Muggins' Complete Atlas in hand, and -a geography teacher thrown in, we wouldn't be -able to pick out this island from the ones that -litter these seas."</p> - -<p>"That is, unfortunately, quite true," sighed -Orissa; "and anyhow it's not worth an argument -because we have no map. But we must be up -and doing, Sybil. If we are to keep ourselves -alive, we must take advantage of every favorable -circumstance."</p> - -<p>"What time is it?" yawned Sybil.</p> - -<p>Orissa looked at her watch.</p> - -<p>"A little after six."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Call me at eight. I can't get up at six o'clock; -it's too early, entirely."</p> - -<p>"But you went to bed at about seven."</p> - -<p>"Did I? Well, how about breakfast?"</p> - -<p>"We must inspect our stores and take inventory. -Then we must plan to make the provisions -last as long as possible."</p> - -<p>"How dreadful! Why, this is a real adventure, -Ris—threatened famine, and all that. We're regular -castaways, like we read about in the fifteen-cent -story magazines, and I wouldn't be surprised -if we had to endure many inconveniences; would -you?"</p> - -<p>"Sybil," said Orissa earnestly, "we are face -to face with privation, danger, and perhaps death. -I'm glad you can be cheerful, but we must understand -our terrible position and endeavor to survive -as long as possible. We know very well that -our friends will have a hard time finding us, for -they cannot guess what part of the ocean we -descended in. It may take days—perhaps weeks—for -them to discover us in this dreary place, -and meantime we must guard our safety to the -best of our ability."</p> - -<p>"Naturally," agreed Sybil, duly impressed by -this speech. "Your head is clearer and better -than mine, Orissa; so you shall take command, and -I'll gladly follow your instructions. You mean<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> -to land, don't you? I'm tired of this cramped -little boat and even a rocky island is better than -no refuge at all."</p> - -<p>"Of course we must land," replied Orissa; "and -that, I think, must be our first task. The shore -is only a stone's throw from here, but we're fast -on a sand bar, and how to get off is a problem."</p> - -<p>Sybil began to take off her leggings, then her -shoes and stockings.</p> - -<p>"We'll wade," she said.</p> - -<p>Orissa peered over the side.</p> - -<p>"It's very shallow. I think we can wade to -shore, Syb, and pull the Hy in after us. We must -get the whole thing high and dry on the beach, if -possible."</p> - -<p>Sybil plumbed the water by tying a can of sardines -to a cord from around one of the parcels.</p> - -<p>"I guess we can make it all right, Cap'n," she -said. "It's not very deep."</p> - -<p>"It may be a lot deeper closer in. But I guess -we'll have to take a chance on it. And if the worst -comes to the worst we <i>can</i> dry our clothes on the -beach."</p> - -<p>The sun was showing brilliantly above the horizon -as the two girls stepped into the water. Both -could swim fairly well, but where the boat was -grounded on the sand bar the water was scarcely -knee-deep. They dragged Steve's invention over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -the bar with little difficulty, the wheels materially -assisting their efforts. Beyond the bar the water -deepened in spots, and once, as they drew the -wrecked Hy after them, the waves reached perilously -high. Then they struck the shelving beach -and found hard sand under their feet.</p> - -<p>By pushing and hauling energetically they -managed to run the boat, with its attached planes, -to the shore, where the wheels on either side -enabled them to roll it up the slope until, as -Orissa said, it was "high and dry."</p> - -<p>"Seems to me," remarked Sybil, panting, "we -ought to have breakfasted first, for all this exercise -has made me ravenous. That'll diminish our -precious store of eatables considerably, I fear."</p> - -<p>With the machine safely landed they proceeded -to dress themselves, after which Orissa arranged -upon the sand the entire contents of the aluminum -chest. A kit of tools, adapted for use on the Aircraft, -together with some extra bolts, a strut or -two and a coil of steel wire were first placed -carefully on one side.</p> - -<p>"With these," said the girl, "I can easily -repair the damage to our machine."</p> - -<p>"But what's the use, without gasoline?" asked -Sybil.</p> - -<p>Orissa had no reply to this. She proceeded to -inspect the provisions. Mr. Cumberford had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -way of always providing enough for a regiment -when he intended to feed a few, so in ordering -lunch for two girls on an aërial voyage his usual -prodigality had been in evidence. Perhaps with -an intuition that a delay or even an accident might -occur to Sybil and Orissa, the old gentleman had -even exceeded his record, in this instance. A big -box of dainty sandwiches had been supplemented -by three cartons of biscuits, a whole Edam cheese, -a bottle of pickles, two huge packages of cakes -and eighteen tins of provisions, provided with -keys for opening them. These consisted of sardines, -potted ham and chicken, baked beans, -chipped beef and the like. In another parcel was -a whole roasted duck, in still another an apple -pie, while two jars of jam completed the list of -edibles. For the voyagers to drink Mr. Cumberford -had added two half-gallon jars of distilled -water, a bottle of grape juice, two of ginger ale -and one of lemonade.</p> - -<p>The girls examined this stock with profound -gravity.</p> - -<p>"I wish," said Orissa, "there had been more -bread and biscuits, for we are going to need the -substantials rather more than the delicacies."</p> - -<p>"Thank goodness we have anything!" exclaimed -Sybil. "I suppose we must breakfast on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -the cakes and jam, and save the other truck until -later."</p> - -<p>"That's the idea," approved Orissa. "The -cakes won't keep for long; even the sandwiches -will outlast them, I think."</p> - -<p>"True, if I eat all the cake I want," added -Sybil. "Cakes and jam make a queer breakfast, -Orissa. In New England the pie would be -appropriate."</p> - -<p>"Let's save the pie—for lunch."</p> - -<p>"Agreed. Breakfast isn't usually my strong -point, you know."</p> - -<p>As they ate, seated together upon the sands, -they cast many curious glances at the interior of -the island—a prospect forbidding enough.</p> - -<p>"Do you know," said Orissa, "the scarcity of -food doesn't worry me so much as the scarcity -of water. Grape juice and ginger ale are well -enough in their way, but they don't take the place -of water."</p> - -<p>"We may possibly find water on this island," -replied Sybil, after a little thought.</p> - -<p>"I don't believe it. I've an idea that, hunt -as we may, we shall find nothing more than -rocks, and rocks, and rocks—anywhere and -everywhere."</p> - -<p>"That's merely a hunch, and I distrust hunches. -It will be better to explore," suggested Sybil.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes; I think we ought to do that. But—the -snakes."</p> - -<p>"Ah, the exclusive rock theory is already -exploded," said Sybil, with a laugh. "Yet even -snakes can't exist without water, can they? Just -the thought of the wrigglers makes me shudder, -but if they are really our co-inhabitants here we -won't be safe from them even on this shore. Have -we anything in the way of clubs?"</p> - -<p>Orissa considered the question. Then she went -to the machine and with a wrench unfastened the -foot-bar, which was long enough to extend across -both seats and was made of solid steel. She also -took the bolts out of one of the levers, which when -released became an effective weapon of defense. -Thus armed, and feeling somewhat more secure, -the girls prepared to move inland to explore their -new habitation.</p> - -<p>They found the climb over the loose rocks -adjoining the shore to be quite arduous, and aside -from the difficulties of the way they had to exercise -constant caution for fear of snakes. They -saw none of these dreaded reptiles, however, and -when they came to the hillocks they selected a path -between the two most promising and began the -ascent, keeping close together. So jagged were -the tumbled masses of rock and so irregular in -their formation that it was not a question of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -walking so much as crawling, but with their leggings, -stout shoes and thick cloth skirts they were -fairly protected from injury.</p> - -<p>The silence throughout the island was intense. -The girls spoke in hushed tones, awed by their -uncanny surroundings. From a clear sky the sun -beat down upon their heads and was refracted -from the rocks until the heat was oppressive. -Added to this a pungent, unrecognized odor -saluted their nostrils as they progressed inland. -"Reminds me of the smell of a drug store," -asserted Sybil; but Orissa replied: "It's more -like the smell of a garage, I think."</p> - -<p>After a long and weary climb they reached the -brow of the rock hills and were able to look down -into the "dip" or valley which lay between them -and the mountain. The center of the depression, -which was three or four miles across, appeared to -be quite free from rocks except in a few places -where one cropped up in the form of a hummock. -Elsewhere the surface seemed smooth and moist, -for it was covered with an oozy, stagnant slime -which was decidedly repulsive in appearance.</p> - -<p>Looking beyond this forbidding valley they discovered -the first interesting thing they had yet -observed. At the right base of the far-away -mountain, lying between it and the sea, was a -patch of vivid green, crowning an elevation that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -distinctly separated it from the central depression -of the island. It might be grass or underbrush, -this alluring greenery, but in any event it proved -a grateful sight to eyes wearied by the dull waste -of rocks. From the point where the girls stood -they could also see the top of a palm tree which -grew around the edge of the mountain.</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Orissa, drawing a long breath, -"there is the first sign of life—animal or vegetable—we -have found in this wilderness. That -tree must indicate water, Sybil."</p> - -<p>"Whatever it indicates," was the reply, "yonder -bluff is a better place for our camp than the -bay where we floated ashore. How shall we get -to it, though? It will be a heart-breaking climb -cross-lots over these interminable rocks."</p> - -<p>"An impossible climb," Orissa agreed. "I -think our best plan will be to go around the -island, following the sandy beach. It seems from -here as if that bluff drops sheer down to the sea, -but it will be much easier for us to climb a bluff -than to navigate these rocks. Let's go back and -try it."</p> - -<p>Cautiously and laboriously they made their way -back to the beach, feeling considerably cheered -by what they had seen and reassured by the total -absence of the dreaded "wigglers." After resting -a little from their exertions they prepared for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -the more important journey of discovery. Sybil -carried some food and the bottle of lemonade, -while Orissa secured two straps from the aëroplane -and the coil of wire. Then, still armed with -their steel bars, they set out along the beach.</p> - -<p>Their first task was to climb the rocks of the -point which formed the bay, where it jutted out -from the shore. This being accomplished they -encountered another stretch of smooth beach, -which gradually circled around the north end of -the island. Here it was easy walking and they -made good progress, but the coast line was so -irregular that it wound in and out continually, -and in places huge boulders interrupted their -passage and obliged them either to climb or wade, -whichever seemed the most desirable.</p> - -<p>"Already," sighed Sybil, "we have tramped a -thousand miles. Did you mark that place, Orissa, -so we will know when we come to it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I can tell it by the position of the sun. -That side of the island faces the northwest."</p> - -<p>"And we haven't passed it?"</p> - -<p>"No; but we must be drawing near to it. I've -been looking for the bluff the last half hour. The -green place was quite elevated, you remember, -and must be well above the sea level. Look ahead; -you'll notice the rocks are gradually rising, from -here on."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sybil nodded and again they trudged on. As -the rocks grew higher at their left, the girls kept -to the narrow strip of beach, which was beginning -to be washed by an occasional wave.</p> - -<p>"The tide is rising," announced Orissa; "but -we shall be at the bluff very soon, and can then -climb above this moisture. Feet wet, Syb?"</p> - -<p>"Pickled in brine. Wet feet signify a cold; -cold signifies la grippe; la grippe signifies a doctor; -the doctor signifies a depleted bank account. -Science of deduction, Ris. It's only a step from -wet feet to poverty."</p> - -<p>"I prefer a doctor to an undertaker," said -Orissa, "but as neither profession is represented -here I advise you to forego the pleasure of taking -cold."</p> - -<p>"Right you are, Cap'n Columbus. No doctor, -no cold. Banish the thought! We can't afford -the luxury of illness, can we? Oh, here's the -bluff."</p> - -<p>There it was, indeed; but absolutely unclimbable. -It was sixty feet high, at least, and overhanging -the sea like a shelf, the waves having cut -it away at the base.</p> - -<p>"Now, then," said Orissa, after a careful -inspection, "we must either go back or go on, in -order to find a way up. As we haven't passed any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -steps or easy inclines, I propose we advance -farther and see what the west end looks like."</p> - -<p>"I'll follow the leader; but the waves are -already covering the beach," asserted Sybil, with -a grimace.</p> - -<p>"Then let us wade; and don't lose any precious -time, for the tide will come in faster every minute. -Shoes off, Crusoe!"</p> - -<p>"Aye, aye, Columbus."</p> - -<p>With shoes, leggings and stockings in hand they -began the advance, hugging the wall of rock and -proceeding as swiftly as they could. At times one -or the other would cry out as she stepped on a -sharp bit of rock, but this was no time to shrink -from petty trials and they bore up with admirable -fortitude.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a><br /> - -<small>TWO GIRLS AND ONE ISLAND</small></h2> - - -<p>Plodding along the narrow ledge of beach and -constantly soused by the waves, the girls began -to fear, as afterward proved to be fact—that the -bluff covered the entire west end of the island. -The water beneath their feet grew deeper and -the undertow stronger with every step they -advanced, but fortunately for their safety they -finally came to a crevasse that split the bluff in -twain, and down this rift trickled a rill of pure -water.</p> - -<p>They both exclaimed with delight as they crept -into the shelter of the crevasse. The fissure was -not level, but extended upward at an acute angle, -yet there was room enough at its mouth for the -girls to creep above the wash of the waves. Examining -the place carefully, Orissa thought they -might be able to follow the rift up to the top of -the bluff, and so at once they began the ascent. -The two walls were so close together that they -could touch both by extending their arms, and -there was room, by stepping occasionally into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -shallow brook, for them to climb from shelf to -shelf without much difficulty. At the very top, however, -they were brought to an abrupt halt. A -waterfall leaped from the edge of the bluff, dropping -a good ten feet to the point they had now -reached, from whence there seemed no way of -gaining the top.</p> - -<p>Orissa and Sybil looked at each other and -laughed, the spray from the waterfall wetting -their cheeks, which were now rosy from exercise.</p> - -<p>"Trapped, Cap'n!" cried Sybil, merrily. -"What next?"</p> - -<p>"We can't go back, you know."</p> - -<p>"Not unless we prefer Davy Jones' locker -to this stronghold—which I, for one, don't. -Therefore, let's eat."</p> - -<p>"That seems your resource in every emergency, -Sybil."</p> - -<p>"Naturally. Feasting stimulates thought; -thought develops wit; wit finds a way."</p> - -<p>Orissa raised herself to a seat upon a projecting -crag and then, swinging her feet, proceeded to -think while Sybil brought out the food.</p> - -<p>"Could you climb a wire, Syb?"</p> - -<p>"Not without years of practice. Have you positively -decided to establish a circus in these wilds, -Ris?"</p> - -<p>Orissa stood upon the crag, examined the face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> -of the rock and then drove the end of the bar she -carried into a small fissure that was nearly -on a level with her head. Sybil observed the -horizontal bar and laughed gleefully.</p> - -<p>"Have a sandwich, chummie, and curb your -imagination," said she. "I catch your idea, but -respectfully decline to accept the hazard."</p> - -<p>Orissa ate her sandwich and drank from the -bottle of lemonade. Then she rinsed her fingers in -the brook, dried them on her handkerchief and -again mounted the crag.</p> - -<p>"Listen, Crusoe: I'm going to make an attempt -to break out of jail," she said impressively. "If -I can reach to the top I'll find some way to get you -up. As soon as I get my feet on that bar, you -are to come up on this crag and hand me your -lever. If I can find a pocket to stick that into, the -deed is done."</p> - -<p>"Bravo, Ris! What a pity you haven't any -spangles on your skirt. If you fall, fall gradually, -for I'll be afraid to catch you."</p> - -<p>Orissa's fingers clutched at the rough projections -of rock and with some difficulty she gained -a footing on the bar. Then, still clinging to the -face of the rift, she made a further examination. -There seemed a small hole at the right, about -breast high, and she called for the lever. This -Sybil promptly passed up. Orissa thrust in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -lever and the next instant nearly lost her footing, -for with a bewildering hoot a white owl of monstrous -size fluttered out and tumbled almost at -Sybil's feet, who uttered a shriek like an Indian -war whoop. The creature was blinded by the -glare of day and went whirling down the incline -of the crevasse until it was lost to sight.</p> - -<p>"First sign of life," called Sybil. "Don't look -so scared, Ris; there's nothing more harmless -than an owl."</p> - -<p>"Did you yell because <i>I</i> was scared?" inquired -Orissa.</p> - -<p>"No, I was reproving the owl, who has a voice -like a steam calliope. It would take more than -a blind bird to scare either of us; wouldn't it, -Cap'n?"</p> - -<p>"I—I wish it hadn't been so—so unexpected," -muttered Orissa, feeling her way up to the second -projection. With her feet on the lever she found -her head well above the edge of the precipice and -the first glance showed her a good hold for her -hands.</p> - -<p>Orissa Kane was no skilled athlete, but her -experience in Steve's workshop, together with her -aërial exercises and constant outdoor life, had -given her well developed muscles which now stood -her in good stead. She drew herself up, got her -knee on the edge of the rock, and a moment later<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -was on level ground at the top of the bluff. Then -she leaned over and called to Sybil:</p> - -<p>"Can you manage it?"</p> - -<p>"What a question!" retorted Sybil, indignantly. -"I stood below to catch you in case you -slipped; but who is there to catch <i>me</i>, I beg to -inquire?"</p> - -<p>"The owl," said Orissa. "Will you try it?"</p> - -<p>"Is it worth while? Tell me what you've found -up there."</p> - -<p>Orissa turned and examined the scene now -spread before her.</p> - -<p>"Better come up, Syb," she said. "But wait a -moment and I'll help you."</p> - -<p>She attached one of the straps to the coil of -steel wire and passed the end down to her chum.</p> - -<p>"Buckle the strap around you—just under your -arms," she called. "I'll hold fast the wire at -this end. You can't fall, then; but be careful, -just the same."</p> - -<p>With this support Sybil gained confidence. -Exercising extreme caution she followed Orissa's -example in scaling the cliff and as fast as she -mounted her companion took up the slack in the -wire and kept it taut. As soon as Sybil stood on -the upper bar Orissa grasped her arms and drew -her up beside her in safety.</p> - -<p>"There!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "Where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -there's a will, there's a way. It wasn't such a -difficult feat, after all."</p> - -<p>"There isn't enough money in the world to hire -me to do it again," panted Sybil, trembling a -little from the giddy experience.</p> - -<p>"That may be true, but if our safety requires -it we may repeat the performance more than -once," declared Orissa. "Unfortunately, we have -lost our weapons of defense."</p> - -<p>"Can't we recover the bars?"</p> - -<p>"Not without going down for them. If you -think you could lower me over the edge——"</p> - -<p>"I just couldn't, Ris. Don't mention it."</p> - -<p>"Very well; then we will proceed unarmed. -Look, Sybil! Isn't it a glorious prospect?"</p> - -<p>"In point of comparison, yes," admitted Sybil, -speaking slowly as she gazed around her.</p> - -<p>They were standing on a level table-land which -lay between the base of the mountain and the sea. -The "mountain" was really a great hill of rock, -rising only a hundred and fifty feet or so from the -table-land. The level space before them was -clothed with a queer sort of verdure. It was -not grass, but plants with broad and rather -crinkly leaves, so tender that wherever the girls -stepped the leaves were broken and crushed. Nor -was the color an emerald green; it was rather a -pale pea-green and the plants grew not in soil but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -sprang from tiny cracks and fissures in a sort of -shale, or crushed slate, which was constantly kept -moist by the seepage of the little stream.</p> - -<p>The island here made an abrupt curve to the -west and a little farther along the girls saw -patches of bushes and several small groups of -tall, tropical trees, resembling plantains, or palms. -There were vines, too, which grew in rank profusion -among the rocks and helped relieve the -dismal landscape by their greenery. But nowhere -appeared any earth, or natural soil; whatever -grew, grew among the crushed rock, or shale, -which seemed to possess a certain fertility where -moisture reached it.</p> - -<p>"This part of the island seems by far the best," -asserted Sybil. "Let us explore it thoroughly."</p> - -<p>They set out to skirt the edge of the bluff and -on reaching the first group of trees found they -were bananas. Several bunches of plump fruit -hung far up among the branches, quite out of -reach.</p> - -<p>"We'll find a way to get at them if we are -detained here long enough to need them," said -Orissa.</p> - -<p>A half mile beyond the place where they had so -laboriously climbed the bluff they came upon a -broad ravine which led directly down to the -water's edge. It appeared as if a huge mass of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -rock had at some time become detached from the -mountain and, sliding downward, had cut away -the bluff and hurled itself into the sea, where it -now lay a few rods from the water's edge and -formed a sort of breakwater. The swirl of the -waves around this mass of rock had made a small -indentation in the shore, creating a tiny bay with -a sandy beach.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Orissa, examining this place, "here -is where we must establish our camp; there is -room enough to float our boat into the bay, where -the water is calm, and on that smooth beach I -can repair the Hy at my leisure."</p> - -<p>"Also, from this elevation," added Sybil, "we -can fly a flag of distress, which would be seen by -any ship approaching the island."</p> - -<p>Orissa nodded approval.</p> - -<p>"Here is also water and food," said she. "If -we can manage to navigate the Hy to this -place we have little to fear from a temporary -imprisonment."</p> - -<p>"We must wait for low tide before we start -back," observed Sybil. "Meantime, let's run -down to the beach and see how it looks."</p> - -<p>The descent to the water's edge was easy, and -they found the little bay ideal for their purpose. -But they could hear the waves breaking with some -force against the face of the cliff, just outside their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -retreat, and it would be hours before they might -venture to return to the other side of the island.</p> - -<p>So again they ascended the bluff and selected -a place for their camp, beneath the spreading -foliage of the tall bananas. Afterward they sought -the source of the little brook, which was high up -on the mountain and required a difficult climb to -reach it. A spring seemed to well up, clear and -refreshing, from a cleft in the rock, but even at its -source there was no more water than would run -from an ordinary house faucet.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it astonishing," said Orissa, "how much -moisture is dispersed from this tiny stream? I -think it never rains here and this spring of water -supplies all the island."</p> - -<p>"This part of it, anyhow. It's mighty lucky for -us the babbling brook is here," declared Sybil, -drinking deeply of the cool water and then bathing -her heated brow with it. "But what stumps -me, Ris, is the lack of any life on the island. With -water and green stuff both animals and birds -might thrive here—to say nothing of bugs and -lizards and serpents galore—yet aside from that -great white owl we've not seen a living thing."</p> - -<p>"It really <i>is</i> curious," admitted Orissa. Then, -turning her gaze seaward, she exclaimed: "See -there, Sybil! Isn't that another island?"</p> - -<p>"It surely is," was the reply; "and only a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -miles away. It's a big island, too, Ris—far bigger -than this. Did you bring along your glasses?"</p> - -<p>"No; they are in the boat."</p> - -<p>"When we get them we can inspect that island -better. Perhaps we could manage to get to it, -Ris."</p> - -<p>"We'll see," was the doubting answer. "I -imagine, if that island is so much larger, and -proves to be more fertile than this, that we have -discovered the reason why the live things, such as -birds and animals, prefer it as a place of -residence."</p> - -<p>They made their way back to the bluff and -waited patiently for the tide to ebb. According to -Orissa's watch it was quite four o'clock before -they deemed it safe to venture on the sands, and -even then they went barefooted, as an occasional -wave still crossed their narrow path.</p> - -<p>By the time they reached the bay and their boat -the two girls were very tired with their long -tramp and as it was nearly sundown they decided -to spend the night in this location and make the -attempt to shift camp next day.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a><br /> - -<small>AN OWL CONCERT</small></h2> - - -<p>While daylight lasted Orissa was busy examining -the injury to the Aircraft and attempting a -few preliminary repairs. Her long mechanical -experience in the workshop with her brother -enabled her to determine accurately what was -required to put the machine into proper working -order, and she thought she could accomplish the -task.</p> - -<p>"I can't see that it matters, anyhow," said -Sybil, watching her chum from a seat upon the -sands. "We can't fly, and the boat is our only -refuge. Even that we must manage to row or -sail in some way."</p> - -<p>"All very true," returned Orissa, "but I can -see no object in neglecting these repairs when I -am able to make them. I can take off the bent -elevator rods and straighten them, after which -the elevator and rudder may assist us in sailing, -as we can oppose them to the wind. The engine -control is a more serious matter, for the wheel -connection was broken off short. But I shall take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -a rod from a support and fit it in place and then -replace the support with our steel wire. That is -a sort of makeshift and will require time and nice -adjustment, but I can do it, all right. The tools -Steve supplied were quite complete; there's even -a box marked 'soldering outfit.'"</p> - -<p>"Is there?" asked Sybil, eagerly. "See if any -matches are in it, Ris."</p> - -<p>"Matches?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. The lack of matches has disturbed me -considerably."</p> - -<p>"Why, Syb?"</p> - -<p>"We can't cook without them."</p> - -<p>"Cook! why, I never thought of such a thing," -said Orissa, truly astonished. "What is there to -cook, in this place?"</p> - -<p>"Fish," answered Sybil.</p> - -<p>"And what would you use for fuel?"</p> - -<p>"Fuel?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; what is there to make a fire with?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind that. Just see about the matches."</p> - -<p>Orissa opened the soldering case and found an -alcohol torch, a flask of alcohol, solder, acid and a -box of matches.</p> - -<p>"Good!" cried Sybil, joyfully. "Don't you -dare do any wasteful soldering, Orissa Kane. Save -every drop of that alcohol to cook with."</p> - -<p>Orissa laughed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I have nothing to solder, just yet," said she. -"And you've nothing to fry."</p> - -<p>"I soon shall have, though," was the confident -reply. "We've assured ourselves of one thing, -Miss Columbus, and that is that we can sustain -life, in case of necessity, on bananas and spring -water. So I propose we have one good, luxuriant -square meal this evening by way of variety. -We've done nothing but lunch for two whole days -and I want something hot."</p> - -<p>"I'm willing, Sybil. Can you catch a fish?"</p> - -<p>"If there's one in our neighborhood. I'll try -it while you are tinkering."</p> - -<p>Among the tools was a ball of stout cord, and -for hook Sybil cut a short length of wire and bent -it into shape with a pair of nippers, filing a sharp -point to it. Then she opened a can of chipped -beef and secured a couple of slices for bait. Going -to the point of rock she found a place on the ocean -side where a projecting shelf afforded her a seat -above fairly deep water, and here she dropped -her line.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford was an enthusiastic fisherman -and while Sybil had never cared particularly for -the sport she had accompanied her father on many -a piscatorial expedition.</p> - -<p>A tug. The girl hauled in, hand over hand, and -found she had captured a large crab, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -dropped from the hook to the rocks and with -prodigious speed made for the water and -disappeared.</p> - -<p>"Good riddance, old ugly!" laughed Sybil.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had she thrown her line when another -tug came. A second crab floundered upon the -rocks, but fell upon his back and lay struggling -to turn himself.</p> - -<p>Sybil ruefully contemplated the empty hook.</p> - -<p>"I can't feed all our good beef to horrid crabs," -she exclaimed; "but the beef seems a good bait -and I'll try again."</p> - -<p>Another crab. Orissa came clambering over the -rocks to her friend's side. The sun was sinking.</p> - -<p>"What luck, Syb?"</p> - -<p>"Only three crabs. I'm afraid it's too shallow -here for fish."</p> - -<p>Orissa leaned over the still struggling crab—the -only one that had not escaped.</p> - -<p>"Why, we pay big money in Los Angeles for -these things," said she. "They're delicious eating; -but they have to be boiled, I think, and then -cracked and newburged or creamed."</p> - -<p>"Keep an eye on the rascal, then," said Sybil. -"Can't he be eaten just boiled?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; with mayonnaise."</p> - -<p>"There's none handy. Let the high-brow go,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -and we'll fish for something that doesn't require -royal condiments."</p> - -<p>But Orissa weighted the crab with a heavy -stone, to hold him down. Then she sat beside -Sybil and watched her.</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid our fish dinner must be postponed," -began Miss Cumberford, sorrowfully; but at that -moment the line jerked so fiercely that she would -have been pulled from her seat had not Orissa -made a grab and rescued her. Then they both -clung to the line, managing to draw it in by -degrees until there leaped from the water a great -silvery fish which promptly dove again, exhibiting -a strength that nearly won for him his -freedom.</p> - -<p>"Hold fast!" gasped Sybil, exerting all her -strength. "We mustn't let him escape."</p> - -<p>The fish, a twelve-pound rockcod, made a desperate -fight; but unfortunately for him he had -swallowed the entire hook and so his conquest -was certain if the girls could hold on to the line. -At last he lay flopping upon the rocks, and seeing -he was unable to disgorge the hook, they dragged -him to the beach, where Orissa shut her eyes and -beheaded him with a hatchet from the tool chest.</p> - -<p>In the outfit of the chest, which had evidently -been intended by Steve and Mr. Cumberford for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>regular use in connection with the Hydro-Aircraft, -they had found two aluminum plates, as -well as knives and forks and spoons. Sybil cut -two generous slices from the big fish and laid them -upon one of the metal plates. Then they opened -a can of pork and beans and secured a lump of fat -to use in frying. Orissa lighted the alcohol torch -and Sybil arranged some loose rocks so that they -would support the plate suspended above the -flame of the torch. The intense heat melted the -fat and the fish was soon fried to a lovely brown. -They ate it with biscuits and washed it down with -ginger ale, confiding the while to one another that -never had they eaten a meal so delicious.</p> - -<p>They let the torch flicker during the repast, for -night had fallen, but when from motives of economy -Orissa had extinguished the flame they found -a dim light suffused from a myriad of stars. -Later a slender crescent moon arose, so they were -able to distinguish near-by objects, even with the -shadow of the bleak mountain behind them.</p> - -<p>They had arranged their blankets in the boat -and were sitting upon them, talking together in -the starlight, when suddenly an unearthly cry -smote their ears, followed by an answering shriek—then -another, and another—until the whole -island seemed echoing with a thousand terrifying -whoops.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Ku-whoo-woo-oo-oo! Ku-whoo! Ku-whoo-oo!"</p> - -<p>The two girls clung together tremblingly as the -great chorus burst upon them; but after a moment -Sybil pushed her companion away with a nervous -little laugh.</p> - -<p>"Owls!" she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Orissa, relieved as the truth dawned -upon her. "I—I thought it was savages."</p> - -<p>"So it is. I challenge any beings to yell more -savagely than those fearful hoot owls. Something -must have happened to them, Ris, for -they've never made a mutter all day long."</p> - -<p>"Because they have been asleep," answered -Orissa. They had to speak loudly to be heard -above the turmoil of shrieks, although the owls -seemed mainly congregated upon the distant -mountain. The rocks everywhere were full of -them, however, and hoots and answering hoots -resounded from every part of the island. It was -fairly deafening, as well as annoying and uncanny. -They waited in vain for the noise to subside.</p> - -<p>"There must be thousands of them," observed -Sybil. "What's the row about, do you suppose!"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's their nature to, Syb. I wonder -why we didn't hear the pests last night. When -we wakened this morning all was silent as the -grave."</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> -<p>"I think we floated into the bay about daylight, -when all the big-eyes had ducked into their holes. -Do you know, Ris, the owls must be responsible -for the absence of all other life on the island? -They dote on snakes and lizards and beetles and -such, and they'd rob the nests of any other birds, -who couldn't protect themselves in the nighttime. -So I suppose they've either eaten up all the other -creatures or scared them to death."</p> - -<p>"That must be so. But, oh, Sybil! if this racket -keeps up every night how are we going to be able -to sleep?"</p> - -<p>"Ah. Just inquire, Cap'n, and if you find out, -let me know," replied Sybil, yawning. "I got up -so early this morning that I'm dead for sleep this -blessed minute."</p> - -<p>"Lie down; I'll keep watch."</p> - -<p>"Thank you. This lullaby is too entrancing to -miss."</p> - -<p>The air grew cool presently, as it often does at -night in the semi-tropics, and the two girls -crouched down and covered themselves to their -ears with the blankets. That deadened the pandemonium -somewhat and as the owls showed no -tendency to abate their shrieks, an hour or two of -resigned submission to the inevitable resulted in -drowsiness, and finally in sleep. As Sybil said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -next morning, no one would have believed that -mortal girl could have slumbered under the affliction -of such ear-splitting yells; but sleep they did, -and when they wakened at daybreak profound -silence reigned.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a><br /> - -<small>MISS COLUMBUS AND MISS CRUSOE</small></h2> - - -<p>Sybil cooked more fish for their breakfast, -although Orissa objected to the extravagant -waste of alcohol. But her chum argued that they -must waste either the alcohol or the fish and -as they had a strenuous day before them a -substantial breakfast was eminently desirable.</p> - -<p>They now packed the aluminum chest and made -arrangements for the voyage, for the sea in the -bay was smooth as glass and the ocean seemed -nearly as quiet outside. Orissa had straightened -and repaired the elevator rods and firmly bolted -the chest in its original position, but the control -must be a matter of future tinkering, the rod -needed for its repair being at present stuck in -the side of the bluff.</p> - -<p>It was easy to roll the machine down the beach -into the water and set it afloat, but the difficult -matter was to propel their queer, top-heavy craft -through the water. A quiet sea meant no wind, -nor could they feel the slightest breath of air stirring. -Oars they had none, nor any substitute for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> -such things; nor could they find anything to pole -the boat along with.</p> - -<p>"There's just one thing to be done," announced -Orissa, gravely, "and that is for us to take turns -wading behind the thing and pushing it along. By -keeping close to the shore we ought to be able to -accomplish our journey in that way."</p> - -<p>"Suppose we strike deep water?" suggested -Sybil.</p> - -<p>"We'll stay close to shore. There seems to be -a beach all the way."</p> - -<p>"I'm game to try," declared Sybil, in a brisk -tone, "but it seems at first sight like an impossible -task. I'm glad, Miss Columbus, that under -these circumstances your island is uninhabited—except -by owls who can't see in the daytime."</p> - -<p>"Were there other inhabitants," returned -Orissa, "we would not be undertaking such a -thing. The natives would either eat us or assist -us."</p> - -<p>"True for you, Cap'n. I'm going to keep my -stockings on. They'll be some protection against -those sharp rocks which we're liable to tread on."</p> - -<p>"I shall do the same," said Orissa. "Take -your seat in the boat, Syb, and I'll do the first -stunt shoving. After we get around the point I -will give you a chance to wade."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Unanimously carried," said Sybil.</p> - -<p>This undertaking did not appear nearly so preposterous -to the two castaways as it may to the -reader sitting quietly at home. Except that circumstances -had made Orissa and Sybil aëronauts -at a time when few girls have undertaken to fly -through the air—as many will do in the future—they -were quite like ordinary girls in all respects. -A capricious fate had driven them into a far-away, -unknown sea and cast them upon an uninviting -island, but in such unusual circumstances they did -what any girls would do, if they're the right sort; -kept their courage and exercised every resource -to make the most of their discouraging surroundings -and keep alive until succor arrived.</p> - -<p>So far, these two castaways had shown admirable -stamina. Had either one been placed in -such a position alone, the chances are she might -have despaired and succumbed to girlish terrors, -but being together their native pride forbade -their admitting or even showing a trace of fear. -In this manner they encouraged and supported -one another, outwardly calm, whatever their -inward tremors might be.</p> - -<p>Orissa Kane was habitually dainty and feminine -in both appearance and deportment, yet possessed -a temperament cool and self-reliant. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -natural cleverness and quickness of comprehension -had been fostered by constant association -with her mechanical, inventive brother, and it -seemed to her quite proper to help herself when -no one was by to render her aid. To wade in the -warm, limpid water of the Pacific, at a place far -removed from the haunts of humanity, in order -to propel the precious craft on which her life and -that of her companion might depend, to a better -location, seemed to this girl quite the natural -thing to do. Sybil's acute sense of humor led -her to recognize the laughable side of this queer -undertaking; yet even Sybil, much more frail and -dependent than her beloved chum, had no thought -of refusing her assistance.</p> - -<p>The aluminum boat rode lightly upon the surface -of the sea, the broad, overhanging planes -scarcely interfering with its balance. Indeed, the -planes probably assisted in keeping the boat -upright. Orissa, knee-deep in the water, was -not called upon to exert herself more than to -wade; but this was a slow and tedious process and -required frequent rests. At such times she would -sit in the back of the boat and let her feet dangle -in the warm water.</p> - -<p>Gradually the Hy was propelled around the -point of rock into the open sea, and by keeping<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -close to shore the girl seldom found herself out -of her depth, and then only temporarily.</p> - -<p>Sybil kept up a constant chatter, inducing -Orissa frequently to laugh with her, and that -made the task seem more an amusement than -hard labor. They took turns at the wading, as -had been agreed upon, but because Orissa was -much the stronger her periods of playing mermaid -were longer than those of her chum.</p> - -<p>In this manner they made good progress, and -though Sybil made a great deal of fun of what -she called her "patent propeller," she took her -turn at wading very seriously and pushed the -strange craft through the water at a good rate of -speed. By midday they reached the point where -the bluff began to rise and here they sat together -in the boat, shaded by the planes, and ate their -luncheon with hearty appetites. They found it -high tide, yet the water was more quiet than on -the preceding day, and when they resumed their -journey their progress was much more rapid than -before.</p> - -<p>By two o'clock they had cautiously propelled -the boat around the huge boulder that marked -the ravine they had found and soon after had -rolled it upon the sandy beach and anchored it -securely beyond the reach of the tide.</p> - -<p>"If it would fly," said Orissa, "I think we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -could push it to the top of the bluff; but if we -use it at all, before our friends arrive, it must be -as a boat, and not an aëroplane."</p> - -<p>"Then," returned Sybil, "let's remove the canvas -from the lower plane and make a tent of it."</p> - -<p>"I've been thinking of that," said Orissa, "and -I'm sure it is a wise thing to do. I know how to -take the clips off, and it won't injure the cloth in -the least."</p> - -<p>"Then get busy, and I'll help you."</p> - -<p>So, after a good rest on the beach in the sun they -resumed their clothing. The wet stockings were -thoroughly dried by the sun by the time they were -ready for them, and presently they set to work -removing the cloth from the lower plane. The -task was almost completed when Sybil suddenly -exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"How about a frame for our tent?"</p> - -<p>Orissa looked puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Come up on the bluff," she proposed.</p> - -<p>The incline was not at all difficult and they -soon stood on top the bluff. A thorough examination -of the place disclosed no means of erecting -the tent. A few dead branches that had fallen -from the banana trees lay scattered about and -there was a quantity of anƦmic shrubbery growing -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>here and there, but there was nothing to furnish -poles for the tent or to support it in any -way.</p> - -<p>"Stumped, Columbus!" laughed Sybil, as they -squatted together in the shade of the trees. "We -shall have to drag up the aëroplane, after all, and -use the plane-frame for our ridge-pole."</p> - -<p>Orissa demurred at this.</p> - -<p>"There is always a way to do a thing, if one -can think how," she said.</p> - -<p>"In this case, chummie dear, magic or legerdemain -seems the only modus operandi," maintained -Sybil. But Orissa was thinking, and as -she thought she glanced at the trees.</p> - -<p>"Why, of course!" she exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Sybil's eyes questioned her gravely.</p> - -<p>"Come on!" cried Orissa, jumping up.</p> - -<p>"Not a step, Miss Columbus, until I'm enlightened."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Crusoe, can't you see? It is so extremely -simple that I'm ashamed of our stupidity. We've -but to stretch our coil of wire between these two -trees, throw the canvas over it and weight the -bottom with rocks to hold it in place."</p> - -<p>Sybil sighed.</p> - -<p>"It was <i>too</i> easy," she admitted. "I never -<i>could</i> guess an easy conundrum; but give me a -hard nut to crack and I'm a regular squirrel."</p> - -<p>They returned to the beach for the canvas and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -wire and Orissa took several of the clips, with -which to fasten together the ends of their tent. -Ascending once more, this time heavily loaded, -to the group of bananas on the bluff, they proceeded -to attach the wire to two of the trees. The -plane-cover was large enough to afford a broad -spread to their "A" tent and when the lower -edges were secured by means of heavy stones, -and the scattered rocks cleared away from the -interior, their new domicile seemed roomy and -inviting.</p> - -<p>Their next task was to fetch the aluminum -chest from the beach, and after they had lightened -its weight by leaving in the boat all the tools -except the hatchet and a small hack saw, they were -able to carry the chest between them, although -forced to make frequent stops to rest.</p> - -<p>"The lack of a bedstead worries me most," -remarked Sybil. "I don't like the idea of sleeping -on the bare ground. How would it do, Ris, -to build a stone bed—something like an altar, -you know, with a hollow center which we could -fill with sand?"</p> - -<p>"That is a capital idea, Crusoe, and will help -clear our front yard of some of those flat stones. -They are mostly slate, I think, instead of rock -formation. Heave-ho, my hearty, and we'll do -the job in a jiffy."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>The girls lugged into the tent a number of -stones of such size as they could comfortably -move, and then Orissa, who could put her hand -to almost any sort of work, planned and built the -extraordinary bedstead. It was laid solid, at first, -but when about a foot from the ground she began -to extend the sides of the pile and leave a hollow -in the middle. This hollow they afterward filled -with sand, carrying it in their dress-skirts from -the beach. When finally the "Altar to Morpheus"—as -Sybil persisted in calling it—was -completed, they spread their blankets upon it -and it made a very comfortable place to sleep.</p> - -<p>They also erected a small rock stove, for there -was enough firewood to be gathered, in the way -of fallen branches, dead leaves and "peelings" -from the tree-trunks, to last them for several -days. The hatchet and hack saw helped prepare -these scraps to fit the stove and by sundown the -girls felt quite settled in their new residence.</p> - -<p>"We ought to fly a flag of distress from some -place high up on those trees," observed Orissa; -"but we've no flag and no way to shin up the -tree."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't any ship see our white tent from the -ocean?" asked Sybil.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I think so."</p> - -<p>"As for climbing the tree," continued Sybil,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -"I wish your creative brain would evolve some -way to do it. Those fat, yellow bananas look -mighty tempting and they would serve to eke out -our larder. Supplies are beginning to diminish -with alarming rapidity, Ris. Only a box and a -half of those biscuits left."</p> - -<p>"I know," said Orissa, soberly. "To-morrow -we will see what may be done to capture the -bananas."</p> - -<p>After a time Sybil said, softly: "By to-morrow -we may begin to look for Daddy and Steve. -Of course it will take them some time to find us, -but——Don't you think, Orissa, they're quite -certain to find us, in the end?"</p> - -<p>Orissa looked at her companion with a gleam -of pity in her deep blue eyes; but she had no -desire to disturb Sybil's confidence in their rescue, -whatever misgivings oppressed her own -heart.</p> - -<p>"I believe they will find us," she affirmed. "It -may not be to-morrow, you know, nor in a week, -nor—perhaps—in a month——"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Orissa!"</p> - -<p>"But they'll cover the entire Pacific in their -search, I am positive, and sooner or later they'll -come to this island and—take us away."</p> - -<p>"Alive or dead," added Sybil, gloomily.</p> - -<p>"Oh, as for that, we are perfectly safe, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -healthy—so far—and I imagine we could live for -a long time on this island, if obliged to."</p> - -<p>Again they sat silently thinking, while twilight -gave way to darkness and darkness was relieved -by the pale moonlight.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a shriek sounded in their ears. A -great white bird swooped down from the mountain -and passed directly between their two -heads, disappearing into the night with another -appalling cry. This shriek was answered by -another and another, until the whole island -resounded with the distracting "Ku-whoo-oo!"</p> - -<p>"The owls are awake," said Orissa, rising -resignedly. "Come into the tent, Sybil. I'm not -sure they wouldn't attack us if we remained in -the open."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a><br /> - -<small>MADELINE DENTRY'S PROPOSITION</small></h2> - - -<p>At the aviation field the crowd had watched the -departure of the two girls, flying the famous -Kane Hydro-Aircraft, with eager interest but -assured confidence in their making a successful -trip. The Flying Girl never indulged in accidents, -and her skill was universally admitted. -To be sure, there was an added risk in flying over -the water, but with a motor boat to sustain them -when they alighted, the danger was reduced to a -minimum and, in the minds of nearly all the spectators, -a triumphant return was unquestioned. -Hundreds of glasses followed the flight and -although the management sent several bird-men -into the air to amuse the throng the real interest -remained centered on the dim speck that marked -the course of the Flying Girl.</p> - -<p>No sooner had Orissa and Sybil started on -their voyage than Stephen Kane and Mr. Cumberford -ran to the bluff overlooking the sea, -where with powerful binoculars they could obtain -an unobstructed view of the entire trip to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -island and back again. Presently Madeline Dentry -joined them, in company with Mr. and Mrs. -Tupper, all standing silently with leveled glasses.</p> - -<p>"She's working beautifully," muttered Steve, -referring to his invention with boyish delight. -"I'm sorry Ris didn't make a straight line of it, -but she always likes to give the dear public the -worth of their money.... Ah-h!"</p> - -<p>"By Jove! that was an awkward turn," cried -Mr. Cumberford, as they saw the Aircraft keel -at a dangerous angle and then slowly right itself. -"I'm surprised at Orissa. She usually makes her -turns so neatly."</p> - -<p>"I've an idea that blamed steering gear stuck," -said Steve, ruefully. "I've been a little afraid -of it, all along. But the girls are all right now. -They're headed dead for the island and if Orissa -makes a neat drop to the water the rest is easy."</p> - -<p>No one spoke again for a time, all being intent -upon the flying-machine. When it had seemed to -reach the island, and even to pass over it, without -a halt, there was an excited hum of amazement -from the grand stand.</p> - -<p>Madeline glanced at Stephen Kane's face and -found it as white as a sheet. He was staring with -dilated eyes toward the Aircraft.</p> - -<p>"What in the mischief is Orissa up to now?" -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>questioned Mr. Cumberford, uneasily. "Wasn't -she to alight this side of the island?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Steve hoarsely.</p> - -<p>"Then——She can't be joking, or playing -pranks. It isn't like her. Why, they haven't -swerved a hair's breadth from the course, or even -slackened speed. They—they——"</p> - -<p>"They're in trouble, I'm afraid," said Steve in -trembling tones. "The control has failed them -and they can't stop."</p> - -<p>"Can't stop!" The little line of observers on -the bluff echoed the thrilling words. From the -grand stand came a roar of voices filled with tense -excitement. Some thought the Flying Girl was -attempting a reckless performance, with the idea -of shocking the crowd; but Stephen Kane knew -better, and so did Mr. Cumberford. As the two -men held their glasses to their eyes with shaking -hands, straining to discover a sign that Orissa -had altered her course and was coming back, -Madeline Dentry turned to look earnestly at the -brother and father of the girls, knowing she could -read the facts more truly from their faces than -by focusing her own glasses on that tiny speck -in the sky.</p> - -<p>The moments dragged slowly, yet laden with -tragic import. The powerful lenses lost the speck, -now found it again—lost it for good—yet the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -most affected by this strange occurrence still -glared at the sky, hoping against hope that their -fears were unfounded and that the Aircraft would -come back.</p> - -<p>Some one plucked Steve's sleeve. It was -Chesty Todd, his big body shaken like an aspen.</p> - -<p>"It—it has run away with 'em, Steve. It's -gone wrong, man; there's danger ahead!"</p> - -<p>"Eh?" said Steve, dully.</p> - -<p>"Wake up and do something!"</p> - -<p>Steve lowered his glasses and looked helplessly -at Mr. Cumberford. Cumberford returned the -stare, glowering upon the inventor.</p> - -<p>"That's right; it's up to you, Kane. What are -you going to do?" he asked coldly.</p> - -<p>"There's no other hydro-aëroplane on the -grounds," said the boy brokenly.</p> - -<p>"Then get an aëroplane," commanded Cumberford, -sharply.</p> - -<p>"It would mean death to anyone who ventured -to follow our girls in an aëroplane—not rescue -for them."</p> - -<p>Cumberford moaned, as if in pain; then -stamped his foot impatiently, as if ashamed of -his weakness.</p> - -<p>"Well—well! What then, Stephen Kane?" he -demanded.</p> - - - - -<p><a name="i123" id="i123"></a></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 60%" > -<img src="images/123.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 60%" /> -<div class="caption"> -<p class="center">"It—it has run away with 'em Steve. It's gone wrong, -man; there's danger ahead!"</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - -<p>Steve wrung his hands, realizing his helplessness.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," said Madeline Dentry, laying a -gentle hand on Mr. Cumberford's arm, "let me -help you. There is no reason for despair just -yet; the condition of those girls is far from desperate, -it seems to me. Did I understand you to -say, Mr. Kane, that your sister is unable to stop -the engine, or to turn the machine?"</p> - -<p>Steve nodded.</p> - -<p>"That's it," he said. "Something has broken. -I can't imagine what it is, but there's no other -way to explain the thing."</p> - -<p>"Very well," rejoined Madeline, coolly, "let -us, then, try to consider intelligently what will -happen to them. Will they presently descend and -alight upon the surface of the water?"</p> - -<p>"I'm—I'm afraid not," Steve answered. "If -that were possible, Orissa would have done it long -ago. I think something has happened to affect -the control, and therefore my sister is helpless."</p> - -<p>"In that case, how long will they continue flying?" -persisted Madeline.</p> - -<p>"As long as the gasoline lasts—three or four -hours."</p> - -<p>"And how fast are they traveling, Mr. Kane?"</p> - -<p>"I think at the rate of about forty-five miles -an hour."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - -<p>Miss Dentry made a mental calculation.</p> - -<p>"Then they will descend about a hundred and -fifty miles from here, in a straight line over that -island," said she. "Having a boat under them, -I suppose they will float indefinitely?"</p> - -<p>Again Steve nodded, looking at the girl curiously -and wondering at her logic.</p> - -<p>"If—if they manage to alight upon the water -in good shape," he replied more hopefully, -"they'll be safe enough—for a time. And they -have food and water with them. The only danger -I fear for them, at present, is that when the gasoline -is exhausted the machine will be wrecked."</p> - -<p>"Don't you aviators often shut off your engine -and volplane to the ground?" asked Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Yes, with the elevator and rudder in full control. -But that isn't the case with Orissa. I'm -certain her elevator control has bound in some -way. Were it broken, and free, the Aircraft would -have wobbled, and perhaps tumbled while we were -looking at it. The elevator is wedged, you see, -and my sister can't move it at all. So, when the -gasoline gives out, I—I'm not sure how the -machine will act."</p> - -<p>"Anyway," exclaimed Madeline, with sudden -determination, "we are wasting valuable time in -useless talk. Follow me at once."</p> - -<p>"Where to?" asked Steve, in surprise.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To my yacht. I'm going after the girls. -Please come with us, Mr. Cumberford—and you, -too, Mr. Todd. Aunty," turning to Mrs. Tupper, -"if you require anything from the hotel for the -journey I will send you there in the car; but you -must hurry, for every moment is precious."</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford straightened up, animated and -alert, while his face brightened with a ray of -hope.</p> - -<p>"We will take my car to the bay," said he, -eagerly, "and Mr. and Mrs. Tupper can use your -own car to visit the hotel. Will you accompany -us, or ride with your aunt?"</p> - -<p>"With you," decided Madeline. "I must have -the captain get up steam and prepare to sail. It -won't take long; I've ordered them to keep a little -steam all the time, in case I wish to take a party -out for a ride."</p> - -<p>Even as they were speaking all walked rapidly -toward the long line of motor cars. Mrs. Tupper, -who had not ventured a remark or made any protest—quite -contrary to her usual custom—now -astonished her niece by saying:</p> - -<p>"Never mind the hotel; let us all go directly to -the yacht. With those two poor girls in danger -I couldn't bear to think I had caused a moment's -delay. It is very comfortable on the yacht and—we'll -get along all right for a day."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<p>"To be sure; to be sure," agreed Mr. Tupper, -nervously. "I shall be seasick; I'm bound to be -seasick; I always am; but in this emergency my -place is by Madeline's side."</p> - -<p>Of course no protest would have affected Madeline's -determination, and the worthy couple recognized -that fact perfectly; hence they diplomatically -abetted her plan.</p> - -<p>Captain Krell had attended the exhibitions at -the aviation field, but while there he kept one eye -on Miss Dentry. During the panic caused by -the runaway aëroplane he saw Miss Dentry in -earnest conversation with Cumberford and Kane -and marked their hurried departure from the -field. So the gallant captain scuttled back to the -yacht at his best speed, to find Miss Dentry -already aboard and the engineer shoveling in coal.</p> - -<p>Both Mr. Cumberford and Steve knew that the -<i>Salvador</i> was by odds the fastest ship in the bay, -and Madeline's prompt offer to go to the rescue -of their imperilled daughter and sister awakened -hope in their breasts and aroused their lively -gratitude.</p> - -<p>After all it did not take the yacht long to get -under way. It was so perfectly manned and in -such complete readiness that steam was the only -requisite to begin a trip instantly. Madeline could -scarcely wait while with aggravating deliberation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -they hoisted anchor, but she became more composed -as the yacht slowly headed out of the bay, -the crew alert and the big captain as eager as -any of them to rescue the daring bird-maids.</p> - -<p>By the time the <i>Salvador</i> reached the open sea -the shore was lined with thousands of spectators, -and the sight of the graceful yacht headed in -chase of the two girls raised a cheer so lusty and -heartfelt that it reached Madeline's ears and -caused her to flush with pleasure and renewed -determination.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a><br /> - -<small>A GAME OF CHECKERS</small></h2> - - -<p>"Nine o'clock!" cried Orissa, giving Sybil a -nudge. "Are you going to sleep all day, Crusoe, -like those dreadful owls?"</p> - -<p>"I'd like to," muttered Miss Cumberford, -regretfully opening her eyes. "My, what a -blessed relief from that night of torture! Don't -you think, Ris, that those feathered fiends only -stopped the concert because they'd howled until -their throats were sore?"</p> - -<p>"I fear we made a mistake in changing our -camp," returned Orissa, busy with her toilet. -"The shrieks sounded much louder than they did -the night before."</p> - -<p>"Question is," said Sybil, rolling off the improvised -bed, "how long we are to endure this -imprisonment. If it's to be a mere day or so, -don't let's move again. However, if you think -we're here for life, I propose we murder every -owl and have done with them."</p> - -<p>"We can't read the future, of course," -remarked Orissa thoughtfully, as she stroked her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -beautiful hair with her back-comb—the only toilet -article she possessed. "Steve may get to us any -day, or he may have a hard time finding us. He -will never give up, though, nor will your father, -until our retreat is located and—and—our fate -determined."</p> - -<p>"Poor Daddy!" sighed Sybil; "he'll be worried -to death. I've led him a dog's life, I know; -but he's just as fond and faithful as if I'd been -a dutiful daughter."</p> - -<p>"I hope they won't tell mother," said Orissa. -"The anxiety would be so hard for her to bear. -<i>We</i> know we're fairly comfortable, Syb; but they -can't know that, nor have any clear idea what's -become of us."</p> - -<p>They fell quiet, after this, and exchanged few -words until they were outside the tent and had -made a fire of twigs and leaves in the rock stove. -Sybil warmed the last of the baked beans, adding -a little water to moisten them. With these they -each ate a biscuit and finished their breakfast -with a draught of cool water from the spring.</p> - -<p>After the meal they wandered among the queer -greenery they had before observed and Sybil -called attention to the fact that many of the broad, -tender leaves had been nibbled at the edges.</p> - -<p>"The owls did that, of course," said Orissa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -"and if it is good food for owls I'm sure it -wouldn't hurt us."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't it look something like lettuce?" asked -Sybil.</p> - -<p>"Yes; perhaps that is what it is—wild lettuce."</p> - -<p>She plucked a leaf and tasted it. The flavor -was agreeable and not unlike that of lettuce.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Sybil, after tasting the green, -"here's an item to add to our bill-of-fare. If -only we had dressing for it a salad would be -mighty appetizing."</p> - -<p>"There's the vinegar in the bottle of pickles," -proposed Orissa. "It won't go very far, but it -will help. Let us try the new dish for luncheon."</p> - -<p>"And how about the bananas?" asked Miss -Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"I'll proceed to get them right now," promised -Orissa, walking back to the group of trees.</p> - -<p>The bare, smooth trunks extended twenty feet -in the air before a branch appeared. The -branches were broad, stout leaves, among which -hung the bunches of fruit.</p> - -<p>"I hate to ruin a perfectly good tree," declared -Orissa, picking up the hatchet, "but self-preservation -is the first law of nature."</p> - -<p>"Goodness me! You're not thinking of chopping -it down, I hope," exclaimed Sybil.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>"No; that would be too great a task to undertake. -I've a better way, I think."</p> - -<p>She selected a tree that had three large bunches -of bananas on it. One bunch was quite ripe, the -next just showing color and the third yet an -emerald green. Each bunch consisted of from -sixty to eighty bananas.</p> - -<p>First Orissa chopped notches on either side of -the trunk, at such distances as would afford support -for her feet. When these notches rose as -high as she could reach, she brought two broad -straps from the Aircraft, buckled them together -around the tree-trunk, and then passed the slack -around her body and beneath her arms. Thus -supported she began the ascent, placing her feet -in the notches she had already cut and chopping -more notches as she advanced.</p> - -<p>In this manner the girl reached the lower -branches and after climbing into them removed -the strap and crept along until she reached the -first bunch of bananas.</p> - -<p>"Stand from under!" she cried to Sybil and -began chopping at the stem. Presently the huge -bunch fell with a thud and Sybil gleefully -applauded by clapping her hands.</p> - -<p>"The lower ones are a bit mushy, I fear," she -called to her chum, "but that can't be helped."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We will eat those first," said Orissa, creeping -to the second bunch.</p> - -<p>She managed to cut it loose, and the third, after -which she replaced the strap around her body and -cautiously descended to the ground. The two -girls then rolled over the ripest bunch and found -the damage confined to a couple of dozen bananas, -the skins of which had burst from the force of -the heavy fall. A moment later they were feasting -on the fruit, which they found delicious.</p> - -<p>"I've read somewhere," said Sybil, "that -bananas alone will sustain life for an indefinite -period. They are filling and satisfying, and -they're wholesome. We needn't worry any longer -for fear of starvation, Ris."</p> - -<p>"I imagine we'd get deadly tired of the things, -in time," replied Orissa; "but, as you say, they'll -sustain life, and just at present they taste mighty -good."</p> - -<p>They drew the ripest bunch into the tent, but -left the others lying in the bright sunshine.</p> - -<p>"Now," announced Orissa, "we must make an -expedition to that crevasse and rescue the bar -and the lever, which we left sticking in the rocks. -The tide is low, so we may go around by way of -the shore."</p> - -<p>A leisurely walk of fifteen minutes brought -them to the crevasse, down which tumbled the tiny<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -brook. Orissa, as the most venturesome, climbed -to the bar, from whence she managed to pull the -lever out of the owl's nest into which she had -formerly thrust it. If the owl was hidden there -now it failed to disclose its presence and on -descending to the rocks Orissa easily released the -bar. So now, armed once more with their primitive -weapons, the girls returned to their camp.</p> - -<p>"I can attach these to our machine at any -time," said the air-maid, "so I think it may be -best to keep them beside us, to use in case of -emergency. I haven't felt entirely safe since we -lost them."</p> - -<p>"Nor I," returned Sybil. "We haven't -encountered anything dangerous, so far, but I -like to feel I've something to pound with, should -occasion arise."</p> - -<p>That afternoon Orissa worked on the Aircraft, -repairing the damage caused by the sliding chest. -She also took apart the steering gear, filed the -bearings carefully, and afterward replaced the -parts, fitting them nicely together and greasing -them thoroughly. As a result of this labor the -gear now worked easily and its parts were not -likely again to bind.</p> - -<p>"Steve made it altogether too light for its purpose," -said the girl. "On the next machine I -must see that he remedies that fault."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sybil had been lying half asleep on the sands, -shaded by the spreading plane of the Aircraft. -She now aroused herself and looked at her companion -with a whimsical expression while the -other girl carefully gathered up the tools and put -them away.</p> - -<p>"All ready to run, Ris?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"All ready."</p> - -<p>"I suppose with the gasoline tanks filled we -could go home?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I think so. With the wind in our favor, -as it was when we came, we ought to cover the -same distance easily."</p> - -<p>"Very good. I hope you are now satisfied, -having worked like a nailer for half a day, getting -a machine in order that can't be utilized. -Gasoline doesn't grow on this island, I imagine—unless -it could be made from bananas."</p> - -<p>"No; it doesn't grow here."</p> - -<p>"And none of the department stores keep it."</p> - -<p>"True."</p> - -<p>"But we've got a flying-machine, in apple-pie -order, except that we're using one of the plane -coverings for a tent and a lever for a weapon of -defense."</p> - -<p>"Absolutely correct, Crusoe."</p> - -<p>"Hooray. Let's go to sleep again, dear. Those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -screechers will keep us awake all night, you -know."</p> - -<p>She closed her eyes drowsily and Orissa sat -beside her and looked thoughtfully over the -expanse of blue ocean. There was nothing in -sight; nothing save the big island at the west, -which seemed from this distance to be much more -desirable than the bleak rocks on which the -adventurers had stranded.</p> - -<p>Orissa got her binoculars and made a careful -inspection of the place. Through the powerful -glasses she could discover forests, green meadowland -and the gleam of a small river. It was a flat -island, yet somewhat elevated above the surface -of the sea. She judged it to be at least four times -bigger than the island they were now on. The -distance rendered it impossible to discover -whether the place was inhabited or not. No -houses showed themselves, but of course she could -see only one side of the island from where she sat.</p> - -<p>Orissa did not feel sleepy, in spite of her wakeful -night, so she took Sybil's fishline and baited -the hook with a scrap of beef. Going to the top -of the bluff she began to fish, and as she fished -she reviewed in mind all the conditions of their -misfortune and strove to find a way of relief. -Being unsuccessful in both occupations she finally -came back to the little bay and waded out to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -big rock that guarded the mouth of the inlet. On -the ocean side there was good depth of water and -in the course of the next half hour she landed a -huge crawfish, two crabs and a two-pound flat fish -resembling a sole. This last is known as "chicken-halibut" -and is delicious eating.</p> - -<p>She aroused Sybil, and the two girls built a fire, -using dry twigs from the brushwood, a supply of -which they had gathered and placed near their -tent. In the fat taken from the crawfish they -fried the halibut for supper. Then among the -coals and hot stones they buried the crabs, keeping -a little fire above them until they were sure -the creatures were thoroughly roasted. Next day -they cracked the shells and picked out the meat, -deciding they might live luxuriously even on an -island of rocks, provided they exercised their -wits and took advantage of all conditions Nature -afforded them.</p> - -<p>At dark thousands of great owls came from -their retreats among the rocks and flew ceaselessly -about the island, uttering their distracting -cries. Nor was there a moment's peace again -until daybreak. The birds were evidently in -search of food, and found it; but what it consisted -of the girls could not imagine. Singularly -enough, the castaways were growing accustomed -to the deafening clamor and as they felt quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -safe within their enclosed tent they were able to -sleep—in a fitful, restless way—a good part of -the night.</p> - -<p>The following day they began to find the hours -dragging tediously, for the first time since their -captivity. Arm in arm the two girls wandered -around the elevated end of their island, exploring -it thoroughly but making no new discoveries of -importance. The barren, slimy hollow that lay -inland had no temptations to lure them near it -and so there remained little else to do but watch -the ocean and prepare their meals.</p> - -<p>"This is our fourth day of isolation," -announced Sybil, in a tone more irritable than she -was wont to use. "I wonder how long this thing -will last."</p> - -<p>"We must be patient," said Orissa, gently. -"Our dear ones are making every effort to find -us, I'm sure, and of course they will succeed in -time. We are at some distance from the usual -route of ships; that is evident; and for this reason -it will be more difficult for our friends to -locate us. I suppose that a few days more may -easily pass by before we catch sight of a boat -coming to get us. But they'll come, Syb," she -repeated, confidently, "and meantime we—we -must be—patient."</p> - -<p>Sybil stared across the water.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Do you play checkers?" she asked abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Steve and I used to play, long ago. I suppose -I could remember the game, and it might -amuse us; but we have no checkerboard, nor men -for it."</p> - -<p>"Pah! and you the sister of an inventor!" -cried Sybil scornfully. "I'm astonished at you, -Miss Kane. Haven't you enough reflected ingenuity -to manufacture a checkerboard?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I think so," said Orissa. "The idea -hadn't occurred to me. I'll see what I can do."</p> - -<p>"You make the board, and I'll find the men," -proposed Sybil, and springing to her feet she ran -down to the beach, glad to have anything to -occupy her and relieve the dreary dragging of -the hours.</p> - -<p>Orissa looked around her, pondering the problem. -Material for a checkerboard seemed hopelessly -lacking, yet after a little thought she solved -the problem fairly well. First she ripped the -flounce from her black silk petticoat and with the -jackknife from the tool kit she cut out thirty-two -black squares, each two inches in diameter. Then -she took a tube of prepared glue that was in the -outfit and walked up the incline to their tent, in -the center of which stood the aluminum chest. -This chest, being of a dull silvery color, and quite -smooth on all its sides, was to be the groundwork<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -of the checkerboard squares, as well as the board -itself and the elevated table to play on. Orissa -glued the squares of black silk to the cover of -the chest, leaving a similar square space on the -aluminum surface between each one. When this -was accomplished she pasted a narrow edge of -black around the entire sixty-four squares, thus -marking their boundary.</p> - -<p>She was very proud of this work and was -regarding it admiringly when Sybil entered.</p> - -<p>"How clever!" cried her chum, genuinely -enthusiastic. "Really, Miss Columbus, you have -done better than I. But here are the checker-men, -and they'll do very nicely."</p> - -<p>As she spoke she dumped from her handkerchief -upon the board twenty-four shells which -she had carefully selected from those that littered -the beach. Twelve were dark in color and twelve -pearly white and being of uniform size they made -very practical checkers.</p> - -<p>"Now, then," said she, squatting beside the -chest and arranging her shells in order, "I'll play -you a series of games for a box of bonbons, to be -purchased when we return to civilization."</p> - -<p>"How many games?" asked Orissa, seating -herself opposite.</p> - -<p>"Let us say—the best three in five. If that's -too rapid we will make the next bet the best six<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -in ten, or twelve in twenty. Agreeable, Columbus?"</p> - -<p>"Entirely so, Crusoe."</p> - -<p>It was really a capital diversion. Sybil played -very well and it required all Orissa's cleverness to -oppose her. At times they tired of the play and -went for a stroll on the bluff; and always, no -matter how intent they were upon the game, they -kept watchful eyes on the ocean.</p> - -<p>And in this manner the days dragged on their -weary lengths and the nights resounded to the -shrill cries of the owls. One morning Sybil asked:</p> - -<p>"Isn't to-day Tuesday, Orissa?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the quiet reply. "We've inhabited -this wilderness just a week."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a><br /> - -<small>THE QUEST OF THE SALVADOR</small></h2> - - -<p>On the roomy forward deck of the <i>Salvador</i> an -earnest conference was held.</p> - -<p>"How fast are we going?" asked Steve.</p> - -<p>"The captain says about fifteen miles an hour. -That's our best clip, it seems," replied Madeline.</p> - -<p>"And very good speed," added Captain Krell, -proudly.</p> - -<p>"So it is, for an English yacht," agreed Mr. -Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"In that case," said Steve, "we are moving -one-third as fast as the Aircraft did, and we were -about two hours later in starting. Provided the -girls exhaust their gasoline in flying, they will -make a hundred and fifty to two hundred miles, -requiring five or six hours' time. Then they will -alight, bobbing upon the water and helpless to -move in any direction except where the current -carries them. It will take us eighteen hours to -reach that same spot, and we will therefore be -twelve hours behind them. Do you all follow -me?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<p>They nodded, listening intently.</p> - -<p>"Now, the girls left at about one thirty this -afternoon. If my calculations are correct, they'll -take to the water anywhere from six thirty to -seven thirty this evening. We shall overtake -them at about the same hour to-morrow morning. -Unless they drift considerably out of their course -we shall see the white planes at daybreak and -have no trouble in running alongside. But there's -always the chance that through some cause they -may manage to drop to water sooner, and perhaps -run the boat toward home. Orissa is a very clever -girl, as you all know; calm and resourceful; -quick-witted and brave. She will do all that anyone -could do to bring the Aircraft under control. -So the one danger, it appears to me, is that we -may pass them during the night."</p> - -<p>"That danger, sir," said Captain Krell, "may -be reduced to a minimum. We carry a very -powerful searchlight, which shall be worked by -my men all night, illuminating not only the course -ahead, but the sea for miles on every side. As -you say, Mr. Kane, the white planes may be -easily seen against the blue water, and we positively -cannot miss them during the night."</p> - -<p>"You—er—interest me," said Mr. Cumberford, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>looking more cheerful. "We seem to have everything -in our favor, thanks to Miss Dentry's -generosity."</p> - -<p>"I'm <i>so</i> glad I bought this yacht!" exclaimed -Madeline, fervently, "for it enabled me to go to -the assistance of those poor girls. I'm sure it -was all providential."</p> - -<p>"Let us hope," said Mr. Tupper pompously, -"the young women will survive until we reach -them. However, we shall learn their fate, in any -event, which will afford us a certain degree of -satisfaction."</p> - -<p>That speech was like a douche of cold water, but -although the gentleman received various indignant -and reproachful looks he had "sized up the -situation" with fair accuracy.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford, however, since those first -despairing moments on the aviation field, had -recovered command of his feelings and seemed -hopeful, if not confident, of his daughter's ultimate -escape from serious mishap. He was exceedingly -fond of Orissa, too, and even had not Sybil -been with her it is certain that he would have been -much worried and eager to go to her assistance.</p> - -<p>Stephen Kane, on the contrary, grew more -nervous as time passed. Better than the others -he knew the dangers that threatened the girls if, -as he suspected, the steering gear had broken and -the elevator and engine control been rendered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -useless. He racked his brain to think what could -have caused the trouble, but never a hint of the -truth dawned upon him.</p> - -<p>The third member of the Kane-Cumberford -party, Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd, had maintained -a discreet silence ever since Miss Dentry -had invited him to join the rescue party. This -she had been led to do by the look of abject misery -on the boy's face, and he had merely pressed her -hand to indicate his thanks. Chesty Todd was -never much of a conversationalist and his appreciation -of his own awkwardness rendered him -diffident unless occasion demanded prompt and -aggressive action, when he usually came to the -front in an efficient if unexpected manner.</p> - -<p>Madeline Dentry, seeing Chesty Todd merely -as he appeared, wondered in a casual way why -such a blundering, incompetent booby had been -employed by the Kane-Cumberford firm, but as -the big boy was a part of the "camp" and was -so evidently disturbed by the accident, she was -glad to relieve him to the extent of adding him -to the party.</p> - -<p>Very soon after the <i>Salvador</i> started, however, -nearly every one on board began to feel the presence -of the youthful press agent. It was Chesty -Todd who discovered the searchlight aboard and -long before the conference on the deck he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -primed the captain to use it during the coming -night. It was Chesty Todd who sat on a coal-bunker -in the hold, swinging his long legs and -inspiring the engineer, by dark insinuations concerning -the <i>Salvador's</i> ability to speed, to give -her engines every pound of steam she could carry. -It was Chesty who pumped the steward to learn -how well the boat was provisioned and supplied -the deck hands with choice cigars until they were -ready to swear he was a trump and imagined him -quite the most important personage aboard, after -Miss Dentry.</p> - -<p>The chef served an excellent dinner in the -cabin, to which no one did full justice except Mr. -Tupper. All were loth to leave the deck long -enough to eat, although they knew a watch was -stationed in the "crow's nest" with powerful -glasses. When night fell the searchlight came -into play and the entire party sat huddled forward, -eagerly following the sweep of light across -the waters. It was ten o'clock when Mr. and Mrs. -Tupper retired, and midnight when Madeline went -to her room, leaving orders to call her if the -Aircraft was sighted.</p> - -<p>Stephen Kane, Mr. Cumberford and Chesty -Todd sat by the rail all night, wide-eyed and alert. -Once the searchlight caught the sails of a ship -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>and they all leaped up, thinking it was the Aircraft. -Again, something dark—a tangled mass of -wreckage—swept by them and set their hearts -throbbing until they held the light steadily upon -it and discovered it to be a jumble of kelp and -driftwood. Daylight came and found them wan -but still wakeful, for now they were getting close -to the limit of flight possible to the Aircraft.</p> - -<p>Captain Krell was a skillful navigator and, -having taken his course in a direct line from Sealskin -Island, following the flight of Orissa's Hydro-Aircraft, -had not swerved a hair's breadth from -it the entire voyage.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Steve, peering ahead in the -strengthening daylight, "the <i>Salvador</i> hasn't -dodged a bit, and the Aircraft couldn't. So we're -bound to strike our quarry soon."</p> - -<p>"Wind," suggested Chesty.</p> - -<p>"Yes; the wind might carry them a little out -of their course, to be sure," admitted Steve; "but -I think—I hope—not far enough to escape our -range of vision."</p> - -<p>At about seven o'clock, at Chesty Todd's suggestion, -the engines were slowed down somewhat, -that the lookout aloft might have better opportunity -to examine the sea on all sides of the ship. -The yacht still maintained fair speed, however, -and the call to breakfast finding no one willing to -respond, Madeline ordered coffee and rolls served<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -on deck, where they could all watch while refreshing -themselves.</p> - -<p>"What's your run, Captain?" asked Steve, -nervously.</p> - -<p>"Hundred and forty miles, sir."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! Go a little slower, please."</p> - -<p>The captain rang the bell to slow down. Presently -the <i>Salvador</i> was creeping along at the rate -of ten miles an hour.</p> - -<p>"The gasoline," said Steve, "may have carried -them farther than I figured on. It's a new -machine and I haven't had a chance to test the -exact capacity of the tanks."</p> - -<p>The moments dragged tediously. Every person -aboard was laboring under tense excitement.</p> - -<p>"What's the run, Captain?"</p> - -<p>"One fifty-two, sir."</p> - -<p>"Ah."</p> - -<p>Nothing was in sight; only an uninterrupted -stretch of blue sea. Hour after hour passed. At -noon the run was two hundred and twenty miles -and the aëroplane had not been sighted. Steve -turned and faced those assembled.</p> - -<p>"It's no use going farther in this direction," -he said, the words trembling on his lips. "I'm -very sure they couldn't have made this distance."</p> - -<p>"Evidently their course has been altered by the -wind," added Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Gusty, at times, last night," asserted Chesty.</p> - -<p>Steve nodded.</p> - -<p>"A strong wind might do what the girls -couldn't," said he. "That is, it might alter the -direction of their flight. How did it blow?"</p> - -<p>"At four o'clock, from the north; at five fifteen, -from the west; at six, due south," said Chesty.</p> - -<p>There was silence for a few minutes. The -engines had been shut down and the boat lay -drifting upon the water.</p> - -<p>"I think it will be well to examine the charts," -suggested Mr. Todd, "and find out where we are."</p> - -<p>"I know where we are," said Captain Krell. -"Wait a moment; I'll get the chart, so you may -all study it."</p> - -<p>He brought it from his cabin and spread it upon -a folding table on the deck. A penciled line ran -directly from the port of San Diego to a point -south by southwest.</p> - -<p>"A few more hours on the same course and we'd -sight the little island of Guadaloup, off the Mexican -coast," explained Captain Krell. "But the -aëroplane couldn't go so far; therefore we must -search on either side the course we've come."</p> - -<p>They all bent their heads over the map.</p> - -<p>"What are those unmarked dots which are -scattered around?" inquired Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"Islands, sir. Mostly bits of rock jutting out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -of the sea. They're not important enough to -name, nor do they appear on an ordinary map; -but a seaman's chart indicates them, for unless -we had knowledge of their whereabouts we might -bump into them."</p> - -<p>"They're mostly to the south of us, I see," -remarked Mr. Tupper.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir."</p> - -<p>"And it's south we must go, I think," said -Steve, looking at Chesty Todd for the youth to -confirm his judgment. "There was no wind to -take them to the west of this course, I believe."</p> - -<p>"That's my idea," declared the press agent. -"I would suggest our doubling back and forth, -on the return trip, covering forty or fifty miles -at each leg. Seems like we couldn't miss 'em, -that way."</p> - -<p>After much consultation this plan was finally -agreed upon. The captain outlined his course and -followed it, so that during the next four days not -a square yard of ocean escaped their search. But -it was all in vain and at the end of the fourth day, -with the California coast again in sight, there -was scarcely a person aboard who entertained the -slightest hope of finding the missing girls.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a><br /> - -<small>CAPRICIOUS FATE</small></h2> - - -<p>A wireless was sent to the shore, reporting the -failure of the <i>Salvador</i> to locate the runaway -aëroplane and asking if any tidings had been -received of Orissa Kane and Sybil Cumberford.</p> - -<p>There was no news.</p> - -<p>Madeline called her passengers together again -for a further consultation.</p> - -<p>"What shall we do?" she asked.</p> - -<p>Neither Steve nor Mr. Cumberford could well -reply. Miss Dentry had generously placed her -splendid yacht at their disposal and in person had -conducted the search, neglecting no detail that -might contribute to their success. But failure had -resulted and they could not ask her to continue -what appeared to be a hopeless undertaking. -Steve, who had had ample time to consider this -finale, tried to answer her question.</p> - -<p>"We are very grateful to you, Miss Dentry," -he said, "and both Mr. Cumberford and I fully -appreciate the sacrifice you have made in so -promptly trying to rescue our girls. That we face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -failure is no fault of yours, nor of your crew, and -I realize that you have already done all that -humanity or friendship might require. Of course -you understand that we cannot give up until my -sister's fate, and that of Miss Cumberford, is -positively determined. Therefore, as soon as we -reach shore we shall organize another expedition -to continue the quest."</p> - -<p>"You are doing me an injustice, sir," returned -the girl gravely. "Whatever my former plans -may have been I am now determined not to abandon -this voyage until we have found your sister -and her companion. I was greatly attracted by -Orissa Kane, and grieve over her sad fate sincerely. -Moreover, I do not like to put my hand -to the plow without completing the furrow. Unless -you believe you can charter a better boat for your -purpose than the <i>Salvador</i>, or can find a crew -more devoted to your interests, I shall order Captain -Krell to turn about and renew the search."</p> - -<p>That, of course, settled the matter. The <i>Salvador</i> -put about and returned to a point where -the see-sawing must be renewed and extended to -cover more expanse of ocean.</p> - -<p>Chesty Todd, coming to where Madeline stood -beside the rail, looked into her piquant face with -frank admiration.</p> - -<p>"Excuse me, Miss Dentry," said he, "but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -you're what I'd call a brick. I knew, of course, -you'd stick it out, but there's no harm in congratulating -a girl on being true blue. I'm awfully -glad you—you had the grit to tackle it again. -I'll never be myself again until those girls are -found."</p> - -<p>She looked up at him reflectively.</p> - -<p>"Which of the young ladies are you engaged -to?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Me?" blushing like a schoolboy; "neither -one, if you please. They—they're only kids, you -know."</p> - -<p>"Then which one do you love?"</p> - -<p>"Both!" said Chesty Todd, earnestly. -"They're splendid girls, Miss Dentry; <i>your</i> sort, -you know."</p> - -<p>She smiled.</p> - -<p>"Then it's the 'sort' you love?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes, if you'll allow me. Not the individual—as -yet. When I love the individual I hope it'll -be the right sort, but I'm so humbly unlucky I'll -probably make a mistake."</p> - -<p>For the first time since their acquaintance -Madeline found the big boy interesting. She -knew very little of the history of the Kanes and -Cumberfords, but found Chesty eager to speak of -them and of his past relations with them, being -loud in his praise for the entire "combination."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> -Cumberford was an eccentric fellow, according to -Mr. Radley-Todd, but "straight as a die." Steve -was chock full of ability and talent, but not very -practical in business ways. Mrs. Kane, Orissa's -blind mother, was the sweetest and gentlest lady -in the world, Sybil Cumberford a delightful mystery -that defied fathoming but constantly allured -one to the attempt, while Orissa——</p> - -<p>"Orissa Kane is a girl you'll have to read yourself, -Miss Dentry, and the more you study her the -better you'll love her. She's girl all over, and the -kind of girl one always hopes to meet but seldom -does. Old-fashioned in her gentleness, simplicity, -truth and candor; up-to-the-minute in the world's -latest discovery—the art of flying. Modest as -Tennyson's dairymaid; brave as a trooper; a maid -with a true maid's heart and a thorough sport -when you give her an aëroplane to manage. -Excuse me. I don't often talk this way; usually -I can only express myself in writing. But a fellow -who wouldn't enthuse over Orissa Kane could -only have one excuse—total dumbness."</p> - -<p>"I see," said Madeline, slyly. "Miss Kane is -the type of the 'sort' of girl you love."</p> - -<p>"Exactly. But tell me, since you've started on -such an indefinite cruise, is the <i>Salvador</i> well -provisioned?"</p> - -<p>"From the sublime to the ridiculous! We have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> -stores to last our party six weeks, without -scrimping."</p> - -<p>"Good. And coal?"</p> - -<p>"Enough for a month's continuous run. I had -intended a trip to Honolulu—perhaps as far as -Japan—and had prepared for it even before I -was privileged to lay eyes on my yacht."</p> - -<p>"How fortunate that was, for all of us! Somehow, -I've a feeling we shall find those girls, this -time. Before, I had a sort of hunch we were -destined to fail. Can you explain that?"</p> - -<p>"I shall not try."</p> - -<p>"We didn't allow enough for the wind. A sudden -gust might have whirled the Aircraft in any -direction, and it would jog along on that route -until the next blow."</p> - -<p>"Do you believe they are still alive?" she asked -softly.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I've never been able to think of them as—as—otherwise. -They are wonderfully clever -girls, and Orissa knows aëroplanes backwards -and forwards. She's as much at home in the air -as a bird; and why shouldn't the machine fall -gently to the water, when the gasoline gave out? -If it did, they can float any length of time, and -the Pacific has been like a mill pond ever since -they started. According to Mr. Cumberford, they -have enough food with them to last for several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -days. I've an idea we shall run across them -bobbing up and down on the water, as happy and -contented as two babes in the wood." The big -fellow sighed as he said this, and Madeline understood -he was trying to encourage himself, as well -as her.</p> - -<p>In spite of Chesty Todd's prediction, day followed -day in weary search and the lost aëroplane -was not sighted. Captain and crew had now abandoned -hope and performed their duties in a perfunctory -way. Stephen Kane had grown thin -and pale and deep lines of grief marked his boyish -face. Mr. Cumberford was silent and stern. -He paced the deck constantly but avoided conversation -with Steve. Madeline, however, kept up -bravely, and so did Chesty Todd. They were -much together, these trying days, and did much -to cheer one another's spirits. Had a vote been -taken, on that tenth dreary day, none but these -two would have declared in favor of prolonging -what now appeared to be a hopeless quest.</p> - -<p>"You see," said Chesty to Madeline, yet loud -enough to be heard by both Cumberford and Steve, -"there's every chance of the girls having drifted -to some island, where of course they'd find food -in plenty; or they may have been picked up by -some ship on a long voyage, and we'll hear of 'em -from some foreign port. There are lots of ways,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -even on this trackless waste, of their being -rescued."</p> - -<p>This suggestion was made to counteract the -grim certainty that the castaways had by now -succumbed to starvation, if they still remained -afloat. Several small islands had already been -encountered and closely scanned, with the idea -that the girls might have sought refuge on one -of them. The main thing that kept alive the -spark of hope was the fact that no vestige of the -Aircraft had been seen. It would float indefinitely, -whether wrecked or not, for the boat had -enough air-tight compartments to sustain it even -in a high sea.</p> - -<p>On the evening of this tenth day the <i>Salvador</i> -experienced the first rough weather of the trip. -The day had been sultry and oppressive and -toward sundown the sky suddenly darkened and -a stiff breeze caught them. By midnight it was -blowing a hurricane and even the sturdy captain -began to have fears for the safety of the yacht.</p> - -<p>There was little danger to the stout craft from -wind or waves, but the sea in this neighborhood -was treacherous and full of those rocky islets so -much dreaded by mariners. Captain Krell studied -his chart constantly and kept a sharp lookout -ahead; but in such a night, on a practically<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -unknown sea, there was bound to be a certain -degree of peril.</p> - -<p>There was as little sleep for the passengers as -for the crew on this eventful night. The women -had been warned not to venture on deck, where -it was dangerous even for the men; but Madeline -Dentry would not stay below. She seemed to -delight in defying the rage of the elements. -Clinging to the arm of Chesty Todd, the huge -bulk of whose six-feet-three stood solid as a monument, -she peered through the night and followed -the glare of the searchlight, now doubly useful, -for it showed the pilot a clear sea ahead.</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper bumped into them, embraced Chesty -for support and then bounded to the rail, to -which he clung desperately.</p> - -<p>"Why are you on deck?" asked Madeline, -sternly. "Go below at once!"</p> - -<p>Just then a roll of the yacht slid him across the -deck, tumbled him against the poop and then carried -him sprawling into the scuppers. When he -recovered his breath Mr. Tupper crawled cautiously -to the companionway and disappeared into -the cabin.</p> - -<p>Steve and Mr. Cumberford had lashed themselves -to the rail and in spite of the drenching -spray continued to peer into the wild night with -fearful intensity. Both were sick at heart, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -they knew if the girls had managed to survive -till now, their tiny boat would be unable to -weather the storm. Every shriek of the wind, -which often resembled a human cry, set them -shivering with terror.</p> - -<p>It was toward morning when the glare of the -searchlight suddenly revealed a dark peak just -ahead. Stephen Kane and Mr. Cumberford saw -it, even as the warning scream of the lookout rang -in their ears. Captain Krell saw it, and marveling -at its nearness, sprang to the wheel. Madeline -and Chesty saw it, too, and instinctively the -big fellow put his arms around her as if to -shield her.</p> - -<p>Wild cries resounded from the deck; the bells -rang frantically; the engines stopped short and -then reversed just as a huge wave came from -behind, caught the <i>Salvador</i> on its crest and -swept her forward in its onward rush. Two men -threw their weight upon the wheel without effect: -the propeller was raised by the wave above the -water line and whirred and raced madly in the -air, while beneath the gleam of the searchlight a -monstrous mass of rock seemed swiftly advancing -to meet the fated ship.</p> - -<p>Past the port side, where Madeline and her -escort clung, swept a jagged point of rock; the -yacht bumped with a force that sent everyone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -aboard reeling forward in a struggling heap; -then it trembled, moaned despairingly and lay -still, while the wave that had carried it to its -doom flooded the decks with tons of water and -receded to gloat over the mischief it had caused.</p> - -<p>The searchlight was out; blackness surrounded -the bruised and bewildered men and women who -struggled to regain their feet, while in their ears -echoed a chorus of terrifying shrieks not of the -wind, but so evidently emanating from living -creatures that they added materially to the panic -of the moment.</p> - -<p>Chesty Todd released Madeline, gasping and -half drowned, from the tangle of humanity in the -bow, and succeeded in getting her to the rail. The -bow of the yacht was high and it lay over on one -side, so that the deck was at a difficult angle.</p> - -<p>"Are—are we sinking?" asked the girl, confused -and unnerved by the calamity.</p> - -<p>"No, indeed," replied Chesty, his mouth to her -ear. "We can't sink, now, for we're on solid -ground and lying as still as a stuffed giraffe."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what shall we do?" she cried, wringing -her hands. "If we are wrecked we can't save -Orissa—perhaps we can't save ourselves! Oh, -what shall we do?—what shall we do?"</p> - -<p>The boy saw that the shock had destroyed her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> -usual poise and he could feel her trembling as she -clung to him.</p> - -<p>"My advice," he said quietly, "is that we all -get to bed and have a wink of sleep. It has been -a long and exciting day for us, hasn't it?"</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a><br /> - -<small>ON THE BLUFF</small></h2> - - -<p>Sybil clapped her hands gleefully and looked -at Orissa in triumph.</p> - -<p>"The rubber is mine!" she cried. "You now -owe me sixteen boxes of chocolates, nine of caramels -and twelve of mixed bonbons—enough to -stock a candy store. Tell you what I'll do, Commodore -Columbus; I'll pit my desert island and -my man Friday against your fleet of galleys and -the favor of Queen Isabella, and it shall be the -best three out of five games. Are <i>you</i> game, my -dear Discoverer?"</p> - -<p>Orissa laughed.</p> - -<p>"You ought to give me odds, Crusoe, for you -are the more skillful checker player," she replied. -"But I won't play any more to-day. This heat -is dreadfully oppressive and from the looks of the -sky I'm afraid a storm is brewing."</p> - -<p>"What? A rain storm?" asked Sybil, jumping -up to go outside the tent and examine the sky.</p> - -<p>"Rain, hail, thunder, lightning and tornadoes; -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>anything is likely to follow a storm in this latitude," -declared Orissa, following her. "I think, -Sybil, we ought to make all as safe and secure as -possible, in case of emergency, while we have the -time."</p> - -<p>"What can we do?" asked Sybil. "I won't -mind the storm very much, if it doesn't have lightning. -That's the only thing I'm afraid of."</p> - -<p>Orissa examined the sky critically.</p> - -<p>"I predict high winds," she presently said, -"and high winds might endanger our property. -Let us get to the beach, first, and see what may -be done to protect the Aircraft."</p> - -<p>They found the flying-machine fairly well protected -by the walls of the ravine in which it lay, -but as the big upper plane offered a tempting -surface to the wind Orissa set to work and -removed it, a task that consumed two full hours. -Then she wired the framework to a big rock, for -additional security, and carrying the canvas from -the plane between them, the girls returned to their -tent.</p> - -<p>"Will our house stand much of a wind?" asked -Sybil.</p> - -<p>"It is rather exposed, on this bluff," replied -Orissa, doubtfully. "I think it will be wise for -us to pile more rocks upon the edges. The wire -will hold, I'm sure, for it is nickel-steel, and if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -we close the ends of the tents securely we may -escape damage."</p> - -<p>"All right; I'm glad to have something to do," -cried Sybil, picking up a rock. "We'll build a -regular parapet, if you say so."</p> - -<p>This was exactly what they did. In spite of -the oppressive heat the two girls worked faithfully -piling the rocks around the tent, until they -had raised a parapet nearly half its height. -They were inspired to take this precaution by the -glowering aspect of the sky, which grew more -threatening as the afternoon waned.</p> - -<p>Finally Orissa wiped the perspiration from her -brow and exclaimed: "That'll do, I'm sure, Syb. -And now I'm ready for dinner. What's to eat?"</p> - -<p>Sybil made a grimace.</p> - -<p>"Bananas and jelly," she replied. "Could you -conceive a more horrible combination?"</p> - -<p>"Meat all gone?"</p> - -<p>"We've part of a baked crab; that's all."</p> - -<p>"And the lettuce. I shall have crab salad, with -bananas for dessert."</p> - -<p>"A salad without lemon or vinegar is the limit," -declared Sybil. "I shall stick to bananas and -jelly."</p> - -<p>Their appetites were still good and Orissa -really enjoyed her salad, which she seasoned with -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>salt which they had obtained by evaporating seawater. -The bananas were getting to be a trifle -irksome to the palate, but as food they were -nourishing and satisfying. Neither of the castaways -grumbled much at the lack of ordinary -food, being grateful at heart that they were able -to escape starvation.</p> - -<p>The storm burst upon them just after dark and -its violence increased hour by hour. There was -little rain, and no lightning at all, but the wind -held high revel and fluttered the canvas of the -tent so powerfully that the girls, huddled -anxiously in bed, feared the frail shelter would -be torn to shreds.</p> - -<p>But the plane-cloth used by Stephen Kane was -wonderfully strong and had been sized with a -composition that prevented the wind from penetrating -it. Therefore it resisted the gale nobly, -and after a time the fears of the two girls subsided -to such a degree that they dozed at times -and toward morning, when the wind subsided, -sank into deep sleep. The hooting of the owls -no longer had power to keep them awake, and on -this night the owls were less in evidence than -usual, perhaps deterred from leaving their nests -by the storm.</p> - -<p>Weather changes are abrupt in the semi-tropics. -The morning dawned cool and delightful and the -sun shone brilliantly. There was a slight breeze<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -remaining, but not more than enough to flutter -Orissa's locks as she unfastened the flap of the -tent and walked out upon the bluff to discover if -the Aircraft was still safe.</p> - -<p>It lay at the bottom of the ravine, in plain -sight from where she stood, and seemed quite -undisturbed. Orissa turned her eyes toward the -distant island, let them sweep the tumbling waves -of the ocean and finally allowed them to rest upon -the bay at the east, where they had first landed. -Then she uttered an involuntary cry that echoed -shrilly among the crags.</p> - -<p>A ship lay stranded upon the shelving beach—fully -half its length upon dry land!</p> - -<p>The cry aroused Sybil, who came running from -the tent rubbing her eyes and with an anxious -face.</p> - -<p>"What's up, Ris?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>Orissa pointed a trembling finger across the -rock-strewn plain to the bay, and Sybil looked -and gave a gasp of delight.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Orissa, we're saved—we're saved!" she -murmured. Then, sinking upon the sand, she -covered her face with her hands and began to cry.</p> - -<p>But the air-maid was too interested to weep; -she was looking hard at the boat.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it Madeline Dentry's yacht?" she asked. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>"Yes; I'm sure it is. Then they've been searching -for us and the storm has wrecked them. Sybil, -your father and Steve may be on that ship, alive -or—or——"</p> - -<p>Sybil sprang up.</p> - -<p>"Do you see anyone?" she asked eagerly.</p> - -<p>"No; it's too far away, and the sun interferes. -I'll get the glasses."</p> - -<p>She was quite composed now and her quiet -demeanor did much to restore Sybil's self-possession. -Orissa brought the binoculars, looked -through them for a time and then handed the -glasses to her chum.</p> - -<p>"Not a soul in sight, that I can see," she -remarked. "Try it yourself."</p> - -<p>Sybil had no better luck.</p> - -<p>"Can they all be drowned?" she inquired in -horrified tones.</p> - -<p>"I think not. They may have abandoned the -wreck, during the storm, or they may be hidden -from us by the side of the boat, which lies keeled -over in the opposite direction from us."</p> - -<p>"Can't we go there, Orissa, and find out?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, dear; at once. The tide is out, and -although there is quite a sea left from last night's -hurricane I think we can manage the trip, by way -of the sands, with perfect safety."</p> - -<p>Each tore a couple of bananas from the bunch -and then they ran down the incline to the beach.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -Knowing every turn in the coast and every difficult -place, they were able to scorn the waves that -occasionally swept over their feet, as if longing -to draw them into their moist embraces.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a><br /> - -<small>BOAT AHOY!</small></h2> - - -<p>The first indication of dawn found anxious faces -peering over the side of the <i>Salvador</i>. Passengers -and crew gathered at the lower angle and -inspected the position of the boat with absolute -amazement.</p> - -<p>"Never, in all my experience," said Captain -Krell, "have I heard of so remarkable a wreck. -We struck the only channel that would have -floated us; a few yards to either side and we -would have been crushed to kindling wood. As -it is, we lie high and dry on this shelf—a natural -dry dock—and not a timber is cracked."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure of that?" asked Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Quite sure, Miss Dentry. We have made a -thorough investigation. But I do not wish to -create any false hopes. Our condition is nearly -as desperate as if we were a total wreck."</p> - -<p>"You mean we can't get the yacht off again?"</p> - -<p>"I fear not. Even a duplicate of that gigantic -wave which hurled us here would be unable to -float us off, for our tremendous headway carried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -us beyond the reach of any tide. This island is -of rock formation. I know at a glance that a -solid bed of rock is under us. Therefore we -cannot dig a channel to relaunch the <i>Salvador</i>."</p> - -<p>"Couldn't we blast a channel?" asked Mr. -Tupper.</p> - -<p>The captain merely gave him a reproachful -glance.</p> - -<p>"To be sure," replied Chesty Todd, seriously. -"We'll have Kane invent a sort of dynamite that -will blast the rocks and won't hurt the ship. Good -idea, Mr. Tupper. Clever, sir; very clever."</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper glared at the boy resentfully, but -his wife said in a mild tone of rebuke: "Really, -Martin, my dear, the suggestion was idiotic."</p> - -<p>The steward came crawling toward them with -a coffeepot, followed by a man juggling a tray of -cups. It was quite an acrobatic feat to navigate -the incline, but they succeeded and everyone -accepted the coffee gratefully.</p> - -<p>"This place is nothing but a rock; an extinct -volcano, probably," remarked Madeline, gazing -thoughtfully over the island.</p> - -<p>Chesty, having finished his coffee, climbed to -the elevated side opposite.</p> - -<p>"Here's a far better view of the place," he -called. "It's quite a——" He stopped short,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> -staring fixedly at a white speck far up on the bluff -beside the low mountain.</p> - -<p>They waited breathlessly for him to continue. -Then Steve, reading the expression on Chesty's -face, quickly clambered to a place beside him. As -he looked he began to tremble and his face grew -red and then pallid.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Cumberford," called the press agent, -"bring your glasses, please."</p> - -<p>"What is it?" pleaded Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Why, something—just—curious, Miss Dentry. -We can't say what it is, as yet, but——"</p> - -<p>They were all scrambling up the incline by this -time and soon all eyes were directed upon the -white speck. Mr. Cumberford focused his glasses -upon the spot.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said he presently; "this interests me; -it does, indeed!"</p> - -<p>"Is it a—a—tent?" inquired Steve, a catch in -his voice.</p> - -<p>"Looks like it," was the reply; "but not a regulation -tent. Seems more like—like——Here, see -for yourself, Steve."</p> - -<p>Steve seized the binoculars.</p> - -<p>"I think—it's—the—plane-cloth!" he gasped.</p> - -<p>Mr. Tupper lost his balance and slid down the -deck, landing with a thud against the opposite -rail. That relieved the tension and a laugh—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -first heard on the <i>Salvador</i> since she left port—greeted -the gentleman's mishap.</p> - -<p>"Why—if it's the plane-cloth, the girls are -alive!" cried Madeline.</p> - -<p>"To be sure," added Chesty, with joyful intonation, -"and doubtless enjoying their outing."</p> - -<p>The discovery changed the current of all -thoughts and led them to forget their own calamity. -The <i>Salvador</i> carried a small gasoline launch -and two life-boats, all of which were in good condition.</p> - -<p>"May we take the launch, Miss Dentry?" -pleaded Steve.</p> - -<p>"I was about to order it lowered," she said. -"Can you run it, Mr. Kane?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," he replied.</p> - -<p>"Then I shall go with you. It will carry six -comfortably, and more uncomfortably; but as we -may have passengers on our return trip only four -had better go."</p> - -<p>Steve ran to assist in lowering the launch. It -had to be unlashed from its rack, first of all, and -the tank filled with gasoline, the engine oiled and -the boat prepared for action. The men worked -with a will, however, and within half an hour the -launch was lowered to the rocks and slid safely -into the water. The landing-steps being impracticable, -a rope ladder was lowered and by this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -means Madeline easily descended to the launch. -Mr. Cumberford followed, as a matter of course, -but Chesty Todd modestly waited to be invited to -make the fourth voyager.</p> - -<p>"Come along, sir," said Miss Dentry, and he -eagerly obeyed.</p> - -<p>"How about food?" he suggested.</p> - -<p>The chef, a fat little Frenchman who was much -interested in the fate of the Flying Girl and her -chum, had foreseen this demand and now lowered -a hamper.</p> - -<p>"Any water in it?" asked Chesty.</p> - -<p>"Certainmente, monsieur."</p> - -<p>"All right. Let 'er go."</p> - -<p>Steve started the engine and the little craft -quickly shot out of the bay into the open sea and -took the long swells beautifully. Bounding the -point, Kane kept as close to the shore as he dared, -making for the place where the bluff began to rise.</p> - -<p>"Boat ahoy!" cried a clear voice, so suddenly -that they nearly capsized the launch in their first -surprise. And there were the two lost damsels -prancing and dancing up and down the beach, -waving their handkerchiefs and laughing and -crying with joy at beholding their friends.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a><br /> - -<small>AN ISLAND KINGDOM</small></h2> - - -<p>It was a merry reunion, in spite of the dangers -that were past and the tribulations that threatened. -Because the yacht's deck afforded precarious -footing they all landed on the flat rocky -shore, where the breakfast, hastily prepared by -the chef, was served to the united company.</p> - -<p>"My greatest suffering," said Sybil, nestling -close to her father, "was for want of coffee. I've -dreamed of coffee night after night, and hoped -I would be privileged to taste it again before I -was called to the happy hunting grounds."</p> - -<p>"Ah; that interests me; it does, really," said -Mr. Cumberford, filling her cup anew. "But—who -knows, dear?—you might have reached the -happy coffee-grounds."</p> - -<p>They laughed at any absurd remark just now, -and when Orissa related how they had subsisted -of late on bananas and jelly you may be sure the -castaways were plied with all the delicacies the -ship's larder afforded.</p> - -<p>Most of the day was spent in exchanging<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -stories of the adventures both parties had -encountered since the Hydro-Aircraft ran away. -Everyone wanted to add an incident or tell some -personal experience, and it was all so interesting -that no one was denied the privilege of talking.</p> - -<p>But afterward, when an elaborate dinner was -served in the cabin—the table having been -propped level to hold the plates—they began to -canvass the future and to speculate upon the -possibility of getting to civilization again.</p> - -<p>"Our situation is far from hopeless," remarked -Steve, who was now bright and cheery as of old. -"We have the launch and the life-boats, and Orissa -says the Aircraft is in fine condition again. All -the trouble was caused by that unlucky aluminum -chest—and the fact that my steering gear was too -frail."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't call the aluminum chest unlucky," -said Sybil. "Without it we should have suffered -many privations, for it carried our blankets and -provisions as well as our tools."</p> - -<p>"But it was unfortunate that you didn't bolt -it securely," added Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Could we venture some two hundred and -eighty miles in open boats?" inquired Madeline.</p> - -<p>"We could if obliged to," asserted young Kane. -"Of course, after we got into the track of coastwise -ships, we might be picked up. But I do not -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>like to abandon this beautiful yacht, which must -be worth a fortune and is not damaged to any -extent. I believe the best plan will be for me to -fly home in my machine and secure a boat to come -here and pull the yacht off the beach. There is -a whole barrel of gasoline aboard, intended to -supply the launch, so there is no longer any lack -of fuel for our Aircraft."</p> - -<p>They canvassed this plan very seriously and to -all it seemed an excellent idea. But the engineer, -an Irishman named O'Reilly, respectfully suggested -the possibility of getting the yacht launched -by means of a tackle, using her own engines for -power.</p> - -<p>Steve caught at this idea and said they would -try it the following morning.</p> - -<p>Everyone retired early, for one and all were -exhausted by the trying experiences they had -passed through. The girls, however, warned -them that the owls would interfere seriously with -their sleep. It was not an easy matter to rest, -even in the comfortable berths, on account of the -slanting position of the ship. Those berths on -the right side tipped downward and the mattresses -had to be bolstered up on the edges to -prevent the occupants from rolling out. On the -opposite side the sleeper was pushed to the wall -and the mattress had to be padded in the corner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -where the wall and bunk met. But they managed -it, after a fashion, and Sybil and Orissa, at least, -slept soundly and peacefully, the luxury of a -bed being so great a relief from their former -inconvenient rock "altar."</p> - -<p>The hoots of the owls proved very distracting -to the newcomers, and Mrs. Tupper declared she -would go mad, or die painfully, if obliged to -endure such a screeching for many nights. Even -the crew grumbled and there were many tired eyes -next morning.</p> - -<p>As soon as breakfast was over they set to work -to right the yacht, Steve overseeing the work -because of his mechanical experience. A pulley -was attached, by means of a chain, to a peak of -rock on the point opposite the high side of the -yacht, and then a strong cable was run through -the pulley, one end being fastened to the mainmast -and the other to the anchor-windlass, which -was operated by the engine. The stoker got up -steam and then O'Reilly started the engines very -slowly. Lying as it did on a shelf of solid rock, -which had been washed smooth by centuries of -waves, there was only the resistance of the yacht's -weight to overcome; and, although it required all -the power the cable would stand, the boat gradually -came upright until it stood upon a level keel. -Then the men braced it securely with rocks, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -either side the bow, to hold it in position, after -which Steve declared that part of the task had -been accomplished to his entire satisfaction.</p> - -<p>It was indeed a relief to all on board to be able -to tread a level deck again, for, although there -still remained a decided slant from bow to stern -it did not materially interfere with walking, as -had the sharp side slant.</p> - -<p>The next task was to arrange the tackle so that -the engines would pull the yacht off the beach into -deep water. But in spite of every effort this plan -failed entirely. The boat would not budge an -inch and after breaking the wire cable again -and again, until it was practically useless, the -undertaking had to be abandoned.</p> - -<p>"It's up to the airship to rescue the party, I -guess," sighed Steve, as they sat at dinner after -the energetic and discouraging day's work was -over.</p> - -<p>"Do you know, there's a big island just west of -here," said Orissa, thoughtfully. "Through our -glasses we could see that it is green and fertile, -and I've an idea it is inhabited. Wouldn't it be -a good idea to run the launch over there before -Steve undertakes his journey, and see if we can't -secure help to get the yacht off the beach?"</p> - -<p>They all became interested in the proposition -at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How far is the island?" asked Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"Only a few miles; perhaps an hour's run in -the launch."</p> - -<p>"Then let us try it, by all means," proposed the -captain.</p> - -<p>"We will run over there the first thing in the -morning, with Miss Dentry's consent," decided -Steve.</p> - -<p>Madeline heartily agreed and as the sea was -enticingly calm the next morning a party was -made up to visit the larger island in the launch.</p> - -<p>At first Captain Krell suggested he should go -with part of his crew, saying that no one could -tell what sort of people might inhabit the island, -if indeed any inhabitants were to be found there; -but Steve scorned the notion of danger.</p> - -<p>"We are too near the American coast to run -against cannibals or hostile tribes," he argued; -"and, in any event, our mission is a decidedly -peaceful one. I'll take my revolver, of course, -but it won't be needed. What do you say, Mr. -Cumberford?"</p> - -<p>"I quite agree with you," replied that gentleman. -"I'm going along, if only for the ride."</p> - -<p>"So am I," said Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Really, my dear!" began Mr. Tupper; but she -silenced him with a single look.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> -<p>"That means I must go as chaperon," sighed -Mrs. Tupper.</p> - -<p>"I'll be chaperon," laughed Sybil; "but as we -shall go and return in a couple of hours I don't -believe Madeline will really need one."</p> - -<p>"You shall stay comfortably on the yacht, Aunt -Anna," said Madeline. "Who else wants to go? -We can carry six, you know."</p> - -<p>It was soon arranged to add Mr. Radley-Todd -and Orissa to the four, thus completing the -complement of the launch.</p> - -<p>Just before they set off Monsieur Rissette, the -alert chef, appeared with his hamper of lunch, -for he had an established idea that no one should -depart, even on an hour's journey, without a -proper supply of food. Then, merrily waving -adieus to those on board, the explorers glided out -of the bay into the open sea.</p> - -<p>Rounding the north end of their islet they saw -clearly the large island ahead, and Steve headed -the launch directly toward it.</p> - -<p>The trip consumed rather more than the hour -Orissa had figured on, but it was a light-hearted, -joyous party, and they beguiled the way with -conversation and laughter.</p> - -<p>"I am quite sure," said Madeline, "that I am -enjoying this experience far more than I would -a trip to Hawaii. Think of it! A chase, a rescue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -and a wreck, all included in one adventure. I'm -rather sorry it's about over and we are to return -to civilization."</p> - -<p>"Sybil and I have had a glorious time," added -Orissa. "Barring the fact that we were a bit worried -over our fate, those days when we played -Crusoe and Columbus on a forsaken island were -full of interest and excitement. I know now that -I enjoyed it thoroughly."</p> - -<p>"I quite envy you that delightful experience," -asserted Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Don't," said Sybil. "The adventure wasn't -all pleasant, by any means. The hoots of those -dreadful birds will ring in my ears for years to -come; the food was far from satisfying and I -piled rocks and tramped and sweated until I was -worn to a frazzle. If we had not invented our -checker set I believe we would have become raving -maniacs by the time you found us."</p> - -<p>As they drew near to the island they found it -even more green and beautiful than they had suspected.</p> - -<p>"It's queer," said Steve, eyeing the place -thoughtfully, "how very imperfect those seamen's -charts are. The one Captain Krell has indicates -nothing but barren rocks in these seas. Not one is -deemed important enough to name; yet here is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -good-sized island that is really inviting enough to -attract inhabitants."</p> - -<p>"And, by Jove, it has 'em!" cried Chesty Todd, -pointing eagerly to a thin streak leading skyward. -"See that smoke? That means human beings, or -I'm a lobster."</p> - -<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Cumberford. "That -interests me; it does, really. Head around to the -right, Steve; that's where we'll find the natives."</p> - -<p>Steve obeyed. Skirting the shore of the island -he rounded the northern point and found before -him a peculiar inlet. The shore was rocky and -rather high, but in one place two great pillars of -rock rose some fifty feet in the air, while between -them lay a pretty bay which extended far inland. -They afterward found this was the mouth of a -small river, which broadened into a bay at its -outlet.</p> - -<p>As the launch turned into this stretch of water, -moving at reduced speed, their eyes were gladdened -by one of the loveliest natural vistas they -had ever beheld. The slope from the table-land -above to the inlet was covered upon both sides -with palms, flowering shrubs and fruit trees, all of -which showed evidence of care. A quarter of a -mile up the little bay was a little dock to which -were moored several boats. The largest of these -was a sixty-foot launch, which made Madeline's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -little craft look like a baby. Two sailboats and a -trio of rowboats, all rather crude in design, completed -the flotilla. On the end of the dock two -men stood, motionless, as if awaiting them.</p> - -<p>"Why, they're not natives at all," exclaimed -Sybil, in a low voice. "They—they're clothed!"</p> - -<p>So they were, but in quite a remarkable fashion. -Their feet were bare, their trousers ragged and -soiled; but they wore blue vests highly embroidered -in yellow silk, with velvet jackets and red -sashes tied around their waists. Add to this outfit, -peaked Panama hats with broad, curling -brims, and a revolver and knife stuck in each sash, -and you will not wonder that our friends viewed -this odd couple with unfeigned amazement.</p> - -<p>One was a tall, thin man with but one good eye, -which, however, was black and of piercing character. -His face was sullen and reserved. The -second man was short and fat, with profuse whiskers -of fiery red and a perfectly bald head—a combination -that gave him the appearance of a stage -comedian. The skin of both was of that peculiar -dingy brown color peculiar to Mexicans and some -Spaniards.</p> - -<p>The little one, with hat in hand, was bowing with -exaggerated courtesy; the taller one stood frowning -and immovable.</p> - -<p>When Steve steered the launch alongside the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -dock a broad roadway came into sight, leading -through the trees to the higher elevation beyond, -where stood a white house of fair size which had -a veranda in front. The architecture was of Spanish -order and in its setting of vines and trees it -looked very picturesque. There were climbing -roses in profusion and gorgeous beds of flowers -could be seen in the foreground.</p> - -<p>Despite the appearance of the two men, who -might easily be taken for brigands, the place was -so pretty and peaceful and bore such undoubted -evidences of civilization that the visitors had no -hesitation in landing.</p> - -<p>Chesty leaped to the dock first and assisted the -three girls to alight beside him. Mr. Cumberford -followed and Steve tied up to an iron ring in the -dock and also stepped ashore. The tall man had -not moved, so far, except that his one dark eye -roved from one member of the party to another, -but the little fat man continued to bow low as each -one stepped ashore, and they accepted it as a sort -of welcome. Neither had uttered a word, however, -so Mr. Cumberford stepped forward and said:</p> - -<p>"Do you speak English?"</p> - -<p>They shook their heads.</p> - -<p>"Ah! that is unfortunate. Can you tell me, then, -the name of this island, and who inhabits it?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Of course not, Daddy," cried Sybil. "Try 'em -in Spanish, Steve."</p> - -<p>But before Stephen, who could speak a little -Spanish, had time to advance, the men turned -abruptly, beckoned the strangers to follow, and -deliberately walked up the broad pathway toward -the dwelling.</p> - -<p>"Well?" inquired Steve, doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Let's follow," said Chesty. "I've an idea -these are hired men, and they're taking us to be -welcomed by their master."</p> - -<p>"Interesting, isn't it?" muttered Mr. Cumberford, -but with one accord they moved forward -in the wake of their guides.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a><br /> - -<small>DON MIGUEL, DEL BORGITIS</small></h2> - - -<p>Halfway up the road they noticed on the left a -large clearing, in which stood a group of thatched -huts. Some women and children—all with dark -skins and poorly dressed—were lounging around -the doorways. These stood silently as the strangers -passed by. A little farther along three men, -attired in exactly the same manner as the two -who were escorting them, were cultivating a garden -patch. They gave no indication they were -aware of the presence of strangers.</p> - -<p>There was something uncanny—wholly unnatural—about -the manner of their reception and even -about the place itself, that caused some of them -to harbor forebodings that all was not right. Yet -they had experienced no opposition, so far—no -unfriendliness whatsoever.</p> - -<p>Up to the broad veranda they were led, and this, -now viewed closely, showed signs of considerable -neglect. The house, built of rough boards, needed -whitewashing again; the elaborate stained-glass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> -windows were thick with dust; the furnishings of -the wide veranda, which were somewhat prodigal, -seemed weather-stained and unkempt. On a small -wicker table was a dirty siphon bottle and some -soiled glasses with bugs and flies crawling over -them. Beside these stood a tray of roughly made -cheroots.</p> - -<p>The fat man at once disappeared through the -open doorway of the dwelling, but the tall man -faced the strangers and, spreading out his arms -as if to forbid their entrance, pointed to the -chairs and benches scattered in profusion about -the veranda.</p> - -<p>"Invited to sit," interpreted Mr. Cumberford. -"Interesting—very."</p> - - - -<p><a name="i189" id="i189"></a></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 60%" > -<img src="images/189.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 60%" /> -<div class="caption"> -<p class="center">Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the -newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<p>Suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting -the newcomers with a quick, comprehensive -glance. The man was nearly as tall as Chesty -Todd, but not so well built. Instead of being athletic, -he possessed a superabundance of avoirdupois, -evidently the result of high living. He was -clothed all in white flannel, but wore a blue linen -shirt with a soiled collar and a glaring red necktie -in which glittered a big diamond. Jewels were on -his fingers, too, and even on his thumbs, and a gold -chain passed around his neck fell in folds across -his breast and finally ended in his watch-pocket. -On his feet were red slippers and on his head a -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>sombrero such as the others had worn. A man of -perhaps thirty-five years of age, rather handsome -with his large eyes and carefully curled mustache, -but so wholly unconventional as to excite wonder -rather than admiration.</p> - -<p>He had merely paused in the doorway for that -one rapid glance. Immediately he advanced with -a brisk step, exclaiming:</p> - -<p>"Welcome, señors and señoritas—Americaños -all—most joyous welcome. You the Spanish -speak? No! It cannot matter, for I speak the -English. I am so pleasured that my humble home -is now honored by your presence. You make me -glad—happy—in rapture. You do not know to -where—to whom—you have come? Imagine! I -am Don Miguel del Borgitis, and this"—extending -his arms with a proud gesture—"my own Island -of Borgitis—a kingdom—of individual property, -however small, for it owes allegiance to no other -nation on earth!"</p> - -<p>This was spoken very impressively, while the -shrewd eyes read their faces to determine the -degree of awe created.</p> - -<p>"Yes," he went on, giving them no chance to -reply, "I am really King—King of Borgitis—but -with modesty I call myself Don Miguel del Borgitis. -As such I welcome you. As such I take -you to my arms in friendship. Observe, then, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -my kingdom is yours; you shall reign in my place; -you shall command me; for does not Don Miguel -ever place his friends above himself?"</p> - -<p>This seemed cordial enough, certainly, but it -was rather embarrassing to find an answer to -such effusiveness. Don Miguel, however, did not -seem to expect an answer. With merely an impressive -pause, as if to drive the words home, he -continued: "May I, then, be honored by a recital -of your names and station?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure," said Mr. Cumberford. "You—er—interest -me, Don Miguel; you do, really. -Quite a relief, you see, to find a gentleman, a -civilized gentleman, in these wilds, and——"</p> - -<p>"My island kingdom is very grand—very important—Señor -Americaño," interrupted Don Miguel, -evidently piqued at the use of the term "wilds." -"In effect have I reign over three islands—the one -from which you now come, the one to the west of -here, and—the Grand Island Borgitis! Three -Islands and one owner—One King—with privilege -to decree life and death to his devoted subjects. -But you have more to say."</p> - -<p>They were a bit startled to hear that he knew -they came from the island of the owls. But they -reflected that some of his people might have -watched the progress of their launch.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford introduced his party to Don<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -Miguel, one by one, afterward briefly relating the -aërial trip of the two girls, the search for them -by the yacht and the unfortunate beaching of the -<i>Salvador</i> on the island during the recent storm, -ending with the surprising reunion of the party -and their desire to secure help to get the launch -into deep water again, that they might return -home.</p> - -<p>To all this Don Miguel listened intently, his -head a little to one side, his eyes turning critically -to each person mentioned during the recital. Then -said he, more soberly than before:</p> - -<p>"How unfortunate that your ship is wreck!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, it is not wrecked," returned Madeline. -"It is merely stuck on those rocks—'beached' is, I -think, the proper word."</p> - -<p>"Then, alas! it is wreck."</p> - -<p>"It is not injured in the least, sir," declared -Steve.</p> - -<p>Don Miguel's face brightened at this statement, -but he controlled his elation and responded sadly:</p> - -<p>"But it is no longer a ship, for you cannot get -it off the land."</p> - -<p>"Not without your kind assistance, I fear," said -Miss Dentry.</p> - -<p>"Make me obliged by resuming your seats," -requested Don Miguel. Then he clapped his -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>hands, and the red-bearded man appeared. "Refreshments, -Pietro!" He offered the cheroots to -the men, and when they refused selected one for -himself and lighted it. Then, leaning back in his -arm-chair, he regarded his guests musingly and -said:</p> - -<p>"It is laughable. Really, it amuses one! But -under the Spanish Grant by which I hold my -islands—my kingdom—I am exclusively owner of -all wrecks on my shores. In fact, were you not -my dear friends, I could take your yacht, which -I now own because it lies wreck on my coast."</p> - -<p>"But it is <i>not</i> wrecked!" asserted Steve, frowning, -for he was beginning to suspect Don Miguel.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not, since you tell me so; but I will -see. I will see for myself. Ah, the poor refreshments—the -offering of hospitality to a king's -friends. Partake, is my earnest implore, and -so honor your humble host—Don Miguel del -Borgitis."</p> - -<p>The tall man and the short man brought wines, -liquors and glasses, with a fresh siphon of clear -water. Following them came a sour-faced woman -of middle age and a pretty young girl of perhaps -sixteen years—pretty in the Spanish fashion, with -plump cheeks, languid dark eyes and raven hair. -These last carried trays of fruits and cake, which -they passed to the company. The woman's face -was expressionless; that of the girl evinced eager<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -curiosity and interest; but neither spoke nor -seemed to receive the notice of the royal Don -Miguel.</p> - -<p>When they had all positively refused to accept -any of the strong drink, the Don helped himself -liberally to a milky liquor diluted with water, -which he called pulque. As he sipped this he said -to them:</p> - -<p>"The life here on Borgitis is grand—magnificent—entrancing—as -you will easily conceive. But it -is also lonely. I have here no equals with whom -I may freely associate. So it delights me to receive -you as guests. May you long enjoy my hospitality—it -is a toast which I drink with fervency."</p> - -<p>"We return to the yacht at once," said Steve, -stiffly.</p> - -<p>"My mansion is roomy and comforting," continued -the other, as if he had not heard, "and -here are no owls to annoy one. Some day I will -take you to visit the third island of my kingdom. -It is called Chica—after my daughter, here." He -glanced at the young girl, as he spoke, and she -cast down her eyes, seeming frightened.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford arose.</p> - -<p>"Sir," said he, "we thank you for your hospitality, -which we regret we are unable to further -accept. Let us come to the point of our errand. -We need your assistance and are willing to pay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> -for it—liberally, if need be. You have plenty of -men here, I observe, and a large launch. Send -a crew with us to our island——"</p> - -<p>"My island, señor, if you please."</p> - -<p>"Very well. Send a crew of men to help us, -and come along yourself, if you like. But whatever -you do, kindly do it at once, as we have no -time to waste."</p> - -<p>He spoke positively, in a way that required an -answer; but Don Miguel merely took a cake from -the tray, and as he munched it said casually in -Spanish, as if addressing the air: "Prepare my -launch; have the men in readiness; lock the little -boat securely."</p> - -<p>Without a glance at his master, the one-eyed -man deliberately left the veranda and walked -down the path. Steve pricked up his ears. He -understood the carefully veiled command, and it -nettled him.</p> - -<p>"What little boat do you refer to, sir?" he -pointedly asked.</p> - -<p>Don Miguel gave a start, but tossed off the contents -of his glass, and rose.</p> - -<p>"I shall prepare to go at once to visit your -yacht, with my own men and in my own launch," -said he. "You will be good enough to amuse -yourselves here until I send you the word that I -am ready to depart."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - -<p>With this he lazily stretched his big body, -yawned, and turned his back on his "beloved -guests," to leave the veranda and proceed leisurely -down the path to the inlet.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a><br /> - -<small>THE MASK OFF</small></h2> - - -<p>"Come!" cried Steve, impatiently. "The Don -is either a fool or a rascal, and in either event I -propose to keep an eye on him."</p> - -<p>"Quite right," said Chesty Todd, nodding -approval.</p> - -<p>As with one accord they rose and started to -leave the veranda the fat little man with the red -whiskers barred their way, removing his hat to -indulge in his absurd bow.</p> - -<p>"My noble master has desire that you remain -his guests," said he in bad English. "Some time -will he send word he is ready for you to depart."</p> - -<p>"Out of the way, fellow," said Chesty, pushing -him aside.</p> - -<p>"My noble master has desire that you remain -his guests," repeated the man, moodily, and there -was a defiant twinkle in his pig-like eyes that -indicated he had received positive orders to detain -the strangers.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Radley-Todd's ire was aroused.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Stand back!" he cried threateningly. "Your -master is not our master."</p> - -<p>"Very true, Chesty," said Mr. Cumberford; -and then they all hurried down the path toward the -inlet. They were not three minutes behind Don -Miguel, yet as they reached the dock the big -launch left it, filled with dark-skinned men. In -the stern stood Don Miguel, smoking his cheroot, -and he made them an elaborate bow.</p> - -<p>"Have patience, dear guests," said he. "I will -satisfy myself if your boat is wreck or is not -wreck, and soon will I return to consult with you. -Kindly excuse until I have investigation made. -Oblige me to use my island as if it were your -own."</p> - -<p>"The rascal!" cried Mr. Cumberford, as -the boat of Don Miguel swept down the inlet. -"Tumble into the launch, girls, quick! I believe -we can get to the yacht before he does."</p> - -<p>But the girls hesitated to obey, for Steve and -Chesty Todd were bending over the bow of the -launch, where the rope hawser had been replaced -by a heavy chain, which was fastened by a huge -padlock.</p> - -<p>Steve picked up an iron bar, twisted it in the -chain and endeavored to wrench the iron ring -from its socket; but it was firmly embedded in -the dock, being held by a powerful cement. Then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -he tried breaking away the launch, but the -fastenings held firmly.</p> - -<p>"No use, Steve," said Chesty, squatting down -on the dock. "We must have the key. Question -is, who's got it? That pirate, or—or——"</p> - -<p>"He's a pirate, all right," said Sybil, angrily.</p> - -<p>"What do you think he intends to do?" -Madeline quietly asked.</p> - -<p>"Take the folks on the yacht by surprise, capture -the ship and then claim it is his, because it -is beached upon his island," replied Steve.</p> - -<p>"How absurd!" exclaimed Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Yes; but the scoundrel knows no law," -declared Mr. Cumberford. "In this lost and forgotten -island he has played the tyrant with a -high hand; I can see that by the humble subjection -of his people; and so he thinks he can rob -us with impunity."</p> - -<p>"He is mistaken, though," asserted Madeline -greatly annoyed. "If this is really an independent -island, I shall send an armed ship here to demand -reparation—and force it. If the Don lies, and he -is under the domain of any recognized nation, then -our government shall take the matter up."</p> - -<p>"To be sure," said Mr. Cumberford. "Interesting; -very. Provided, of course, we—we——"</p> - -<p>"Go on, sir."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Er—er—it is really a pretty island, and—interesting," -he mumbled.</p> - -<p>"Daddy means," said Sybil, "that Don Miguel -has no intention of letting us get back to civilization -again, provided the yacht proves to be worth -taking—and keeping."</p> - -<p>"That's it, exactly," said Chesty; "only Mr. -Cumberford did not like to disturb your equanimity. -But he sized up the situation, as we all -did. Eh, Steve?"</p> - -<p>Steve nodded, looking gloomily at the three -girls.</p> - -<p>"How many men did he take with him?" asked -Madeline.</p> - -<p>"About fifteen. I tried to count 'em," said Mr. -Todd. "But they did not seem to be armed."</p> - -<p>"There are seven on the yacht, besides Mr. -Tupper, who doesn't count; and they have no -arms, either, that I know of."</p> - -<p>"They won't be expecting to defend themselves, -anyhow," observed Chesty. "Therefore the yacht -is as good as captured."</p> - -<p>"And with the noble Don in possession," added -Sybil, "our plans for a homeward voyage are -knocked sky-high."</p> - -<p>"The yacht will be a great find for him," -remarked Mr. Cumberford; "so I imagine he will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -condemn it as 'wreck' on his shores and keep it -for himself."</p> - -<p>"With certainty, señor," said a soft voice -beside him.</p> - -<p>They all turned to find that the Spanish girl -had quietly joined their group. Behind her came -limping the Red-beard, sullen and muttering at his -rebuff. The girl faced Pietro and uttered a sharp -command in Spanish. He hesitated, mumbled a -reply and retreated up the path.</p> - -<p>"So you think Don Miguel will keep my -yacht?" asked Madeline, approaching the pretty -child and speaking in a kindly tone.</p> - -<p>"I do, señorita. But his name is not Don -Miguel del Borgitis, as he said. He is Ramon -Ganza, a fugitive from Mexico, where he robbed -a bank of much money and escaped. He came -here in his launch with ten men, and has been hiding -for many years in this island, where no people -lived before he came."</p> - -<p>"Dear me!" exclaimed Madeline; "a criminal -and a refugee! And you are his daughter?"</p> - -<p>"No, señorita. He said so, but he lied. He -lies always, when he speaks. He coaxed me away -from my people in Mazatlan, when he came there -to buy provisions, saying I would become a -princess. But I am merely a housemaid, in truth."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How many years has he lived on this island?" -inquired Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"I do not know, señor. But it is many. He -has built the house, yonder, or rather he has -forced his poor men to build it. Ramon loves to -pose as a royal Don, but I do not think he is of -noble birth. Once every year he goes to Mexico -or the United States for supplies, and sometimes -he coaxes others to come back with him, and be -his slaves."</p> - -<p>"And do the people love their master?" asked -Madeline.</p> - -<p>"No. They hate him, but they fear him. Not -one who has ever come here has gone away again, -for he dares not let them return to tell where he -is hiding. Now there are seventeen men and nine -women here. With you, and those he will fetch -from your yacht, there will be many more; but -none of you will ever leave here with Ramon's -consent," declared the girl.</p> - -<p>"Then we will leave without it," remarked Mr. -Todd, easily.</p> - -<p>She gave him a quick, eager look.</p> - -<p>"Will you dare to oppose Ramon, then?" she -asked.</p> - -<p>"On occasion we are rather daring," said -Chesty, smiling at her simplicity. "The fellow -ought to be arrested and given up to justice."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh, if you would do that, we could all -go away!" said the child, clasping her hands -ecstatically. "Please arrest him, sir; I beg you -to."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about it, little one. Meantime, how -can we get the key to unlock this chain?"</p> - -<p>"Would you follow Ramon?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"That is our greatest ambition, just now."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll get you the key. Pietro has it."</p> - -<p>"The Red-beard?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Pietro is my friend. He is not so bad -as some of the other men."</p> - -<p>"They must be a sorry lot," decided Chesty. -"Come on, then, Chica; I'll help you to interview -Pietro."</p> - -<p>The man was sitting on a rock nursing his -grievances.</p> - -<p>"The key, Pietro," said Chica.</p> - -<p>"No," he answered surlily.</p> - -<p>"I want it, Pietro."</p> - -<p>"He'll whip me. But then, he'll whip me anyhow, -for not to stop his 'guests.' Take the key, -Chica. Pah! a few lashes. Who care?"</p> - -<p>He tossed the key upon the ground at her feet -and Chesty promptly picked it up. The girl looked -hard at Red-beard.</p> - -<p>"You will not be whipped," she said softly. "It -is all right, Pietro. The Americaños will arrest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -Ramon Ganza and deliver him up to justice; they -have promised it; so you will be safe. Come with -me. Our new friends need guns."</p> - -<p>"What!" The man fairly gasped in his -amazement at her temerity.</p> - -<p>"Our new friends shall take all they need of -Ramon's store of guns. They are not like the -others who come here; the Americaños are not -cowards. You will see them conquer Ramon very -nicely, and with no trouble at all. Come, Pietro—the -guns!"</p> - -<p>The man slowly rose and led the way to the -house, while Chesty called for Steve and then -followed.</p> - -<p>In ten minutes Chesty and Steve returned to -the dock where the others awaited them, and both -were loaded with rifles, revolvers and ammunition, -ruthlessly abstracted from the private stores -of the island magnate.</p> - -<p>When these were distributed, the launch -unlocked and they were ready to start, Madeline -turned to Chica.</p> - -<p>"Get in, dear," said she. "I think it will be -best for you to come with us. Provided we ourselves -manage to escape, I promise to take you to -Mazatlan and restore you to your own people."</p> - -<p>The child hesitated, looking at the little fat -Red-beard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I—I'm afraid Pietro will suffer for helping -us," she said.</p> - -<p>"Ah; 'tis true," agreed Red-beard. "Unless -you please will arrest Ramon, Ramon will whip -me until I faint. I know; it is his habit when he -is opposed."</p> - -<p>"Get aboard, then," said Steve, impatiently. -"There's room enough, and your service may -come handy to us."</p> - -<p>Somewhat to their surprise the man came -aboard without an instant's hesitation, and at -once Steve started the engine.</p> - -<p>"Are any other men left upon this island?" -asked Mr. Cumberford, as the launch gathered -way and darted down the inlet.</p> - -<p>"Two," said Chica. "But they have no orders -to interfere with you, so they will be blind. Fourteen -have gone with Ramon."</p> - -<p>"Are they armed?" asked Orissa.</p> - -<p>"I do not know, señorita. Francisco may be, -and perhaps Tomas; but Ramon is afraid to trust -many of his men with guns."</p> - -<p>Heading out of the inlet they rounded the pillar -of rock and skirted the shore until the open sea -lay between them and Owl Island. Now they were -able to see plainly the big launch of Ramon Ganza -plodding along in advance. It had fully half an -hour's start of them, yet from the distance it had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -gone Steve awoke to the fact that it was -not nearly so speedy as Madeline's little boat. -Although the big launch had gasoline engines of -comparatively modern pattern, the lines of the -boat were broad and "tubby," in strong contrast -with the slender, graceful waist of the <i>Salvador's</i> -launch. Moreover, Ramon had neglected his -machinery, as he had everything else on the island, -and the engines did not work as well as they -should.</p> - -<p>"I've an idea that I can beat the pirate to the -<i>Salvador</i>," said Steve.</p> - -<p>"By Jove!" cried Chesty; "if you could do -that, old man, you'd save the day."</p> - -<p>"What difference would it make?" inquired -Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Their plan is to take our crew by surprise, -board the yacht and make prisoners of every man -jack—also of Mrs. Tupper," explained Chesty. -"Then, when we arrive, our capture could be -easily accomplished. But if we manage to get -there first, warning our men and taking them -these weapons, we stand a good chance of beating -off the rascally potentate and holding possession."</p> - -<p>"They are not really pirates, I suppose," -remarked Sybil.</p> - -<p>"According to this child's story," declared Mr. -Cumberford, "the man is a fugitive from justice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -and so has no respect for the rights or property -of anyone. Mexico, his own country, has outlawed -him and doubtless if the authorities could -put their hands on the fellow they'd clap him in -jail and keep him there."</p> - -<p>They considered this statement gravely.</p> - -<p>"For which reason," remarked Chesty Todd, -"Ramon Ganza is desperate. He can't afford to -let us get away and carry the news of where his -island retreat may be located. Therefore, good -people, this is going to be a lively little scrap, so -let's grit our teeth and do our level best."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a><br /> - -<small>AN EXCITING RACE</small></h2> - - -<p>Steve was giving the engine all his attention and -coaxing it to develop all the speed of which it -was capable. Even with eight people aboard—two -more than its regular complement—it was -beginning to gain on the big boat ahead. Orissa, -at the steering wheel, was also intent upon her -task.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cumberford turned to Chica.</p> - -<p>"How did Ramon manage to build that house, -and make such a big settlement on the island, all -in secret?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Pietro knows," said she.</p> - -<p>"In Mexico," stated Red-beard, halting at times -in his English, "Ramon rob bank of much money. -Then he escape in boat an' find islan'. He think -it fine place for hide. So he go to Unite' State—to -San Pedro—an' buy much thing with his money—much -lumber—much food in tin can—many -thing he will need. He hire ship to take all to -his islan'. It big sail-ship, but it old an' not ver' -good. In San Pedro Ramon find some Mexicans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -who do bad things an' so are afraid to go back -to Mexico. He say he make them rich, so they -go with him on ship. I go, too.</p> - -<p>"Storm come an' make ship leak, but we get to -islan' an' unload ever'thing. Captain start to go -back, but ship leak so bad he run on rocks at West -Islan'. Ship go wreck an' men drown. By'mby -Ramon go out to wreck, take all thing he want -an' let wreck go. It now on rocks at West Islan'. -No good, now."</p> - -<p>This terse recital was listened to with astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Interesting—very," was Mr. Cumberford's -comment, and they all supported his verdict.</p> - -<p>"Then Ramon make us build house an' make -garden," continued Red-beard. "When we get -mad an' not mind Ramon, he whip some of us -with his own hand, an' then others scare an' work -hard. Two, three time, Ramon go in launch to -Mexico. He land secret, in night time, and get -more men to come back with him to islan'. Nobody -know him in the places he goes. One time he coax -Chica from her nice home, that way, an' bring her -to islan', to make her help the women work in his -house."</p> - -<p>Chica nodded.</p> - -<p>"But now I go home," she said, confidently.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> -"When kind Americaños arrest Ramon, I go -free."</p> - -<p>But arresting Ramon was not so much in the -thoughts of the Americaños just then as the result -of the race to reach the <i>Salvador</i>. Madeline's -launch was gaining steadily, but both boats were -gradually drawing nearer to their destination and -the problem was which could arrive first? Already -the little boat had been seen and its purpose -understood by the wily Mexican. He could not -know how it was that the Americans had managed -to secure their boat and were able to follow him -so soon, but the fact that they were in his wake -and quickly closing the gap between the two -launches was sufficient information for the time -being, and it did not particularly disturb him.</p> - -<p>Ramon Ganza reasoned that in order to beat -him to the yacht the little launch must pass near -him, but in doing so he would intercept it and -by grappling it with boat-hooks take it and its -occupants along with him. If the Americans kept -out of range and gave his boat a wide berth, he -would be able, in spite of their superior speed, to -beat them to the yacht by maintaining his course -in a straight line.</p> - -<p>This danger was soon appreciated by the pursuers; -for, whenever they altered their course,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> -Ganza altered his, to head them off by getting -directly in their way.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Mr. Cumberford, grimly, "this interests -me."</p> - -<p>"It interests us all," observed Steve, dryly. -"The big boat is like a rock in our path."</p> - -<p>Orissa looked at her brother inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"How shall I steer?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"We shall have to circle around them, to keep -out of their way. They think that they will beat -us, and they may; but I'm not sure of it—as yet."</p> - -<p>"Is it best to argue the point, Steve?" asked -Chesty.</p> - -<p>"I really think our salvation depends on our -getting to the yacht first," was the reply.</p> - -<p>For some time after this no one spoke. The -engine, under Steve's skillful handling, was doing -its utmost, with never a skip or protest of any -sort. The man who was running the larger boat -was also crowding his engines, urged thereto by -his domineering master. The sea was ideal for -the race and favored both boats alike.</p> - -<p>They continued the dodging tactics some time -longer, the smaller boat being forced to the outside -and unable to cut in ahead.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" cried Steve, much chagrined, -"here's the island, and they've got the inside -track."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes; but something's wrong with them," -remarked Mr. Cumberford. "They're slowing -down."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, that's a fact!" cried Chesty, elated.</p> - -<p>Steve stood up and shaded his eyes with his -hand.</p> - -<p>"Their engines have stopped," he said. "That's -a streak of luck I hadn't banked on. Head in, -Orissa. We're all right now, if they don't start -again promptly."</p> - -<p>There was evident excitement on board the -larger motor boat. Ramon kicked the new engineer -away and himself took his place. The engine -revolved, made a brief spurt—and stopped dead. -Ramon made another attempt, while his boat -bobbed placidly up and down on the waves.</p> - -<p>Meantime the launch, still keeping to its wide -circle, rounded the point of rock and headed into -the bay, where the <i>Salvador</i> lay with her trim -white sides glistening in the sunshine.</p> - -<p>"Quick!" cried Steve, as soon as he could be -heard by those at the rail, "let down the ladder. -They're after us!"</p> - -<p>"Who is it?" demanded Mr. Tupper, curiously; -but Captain Krell marked the panic on the faces -of those on board the launch and issued prompt -orders. The aft davits were run down in a jiffy -and Steve and Chesty hooked them to the launch,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -which was quickly raised with all on board and -swung over the rail to the deck.</p> - -<p>There were a few tumbles and some scrambling -to get out of the boat, but at that moment Ramon -Ganza's big launch swept into the bay, and the -Mexican, assured by one sharp glance that his -clever plan to surprise the yacht was thwarted, -shut down the engines and halted his craft while -he examined the situation at his leisure.</p> - -<p>Madeline Dentry's superb yacht was indeed a -prize worth winning. It was even worth running -some risks to acquire. Ramon reflected that the -<i>Salvador</i> and her helpless crew were really at his -mercy, for they were unable to float the ship and -were at present securely imprisoned. He laughed -rather maliciously at their vain opposition, and -said to his lieutenant, the one-eyed man:</p> - -<p>"Very good, Francisco. Everything comes my -way, you see. A little patience and the beautiful -ship is ours, for it surely is wreck, and I justly -claim all wrecks on my islands. There will be -rum aboard, or at least plenty of liquors and -wines. Champagne, perhaps. You shall have all -the spirits for your drink if you back me up firmly -in my demands."</p> - -<p>"What will you do, señor?"</p> - -<p>"Insist on taking possession of the ship, which, -according to my law, is mine," he answered, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -grim humor. "Perhaps they may object, in which -case you will stand by your chief. But understand: -you must use no knives or pistols; I can't -afford to have murder added to the charges -against me. If diplomacy fails, we will fight with -our bare fists, in American fashion, and our numbers -will suffice to conquer those insolent strangers -who come here uninvited and then refuse to -abide by my laws."</p> - -<p>He took from his pocket a note-book and with a -fountain pen wrote upon one of the leaves as -follows:</p> - - - -<p class="p20">"To my beloved Friends, the Americaños:</p> - -<p>Alas, your ship is hopeless wreck. I, the lord -and ruler of these islands, behold the sad condition -and with grief, for I must condemn the -ship as wreck, which I do by right of Spanish -Grant to me, from which is no appeal. With pain -for your loss, I am obligated to confiscate the ship -that before was yours, with all it contains, and -to declare it is now mine. I demand that you -deliver my property into my hands at once, in the -name of law and justice, and I believe you will do -so, because otherwise you will become the enemies -of the kingdom of</p> - -<p class="px"> -<span class="smcap">Don Miguel del Borgitis</span>, Rex."</p> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> -<p>He tore out this leaf, folded it neatly and then -boldly ran his launch to the side of the yacht. -Francisco stuck the paper on the point of a boat-hook -and standing on a seat thrust the epistle so -far up the side that Captain Krell was able to -lean over and grasp it. Then the launch returned -to its former position, while the captain carried -the note to Madeline.</p> - -<p>She read it aloud and their anxiety did not -prevent the Americans from laughing heartily at -the preposterous claim of this audacious Mexican -refugee.</p> - -<p>"At the same time," said Miss Dentry, resuming -her gravity, "our case appears to be somewhat -serious. The man has unmasked and shown -us clearly his intentions. He believes we can -expect no succor from outside, and in that he is -quite correct. Only by our own efforts and the -exercise of our wits may we hope to circumvent -his intentions and retain our freedom and our -property."</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a><br /> - -<small>BESIEGED</small></h2> - - -<p>Disregarding the lordly disposal of the yacht -and its contents so coolly outlined by Señor Ramon -Ganza, those aboard the <i>Salvador</i> began to face -the probability of a siege. They all gathered aft, -where, shielded by the bulwarks from the view -of the Mexicans, they could converse at leisure -and with safety. At Madeline's suggestion, every -member of the crew, seven in number, was present -while the details of their visit to the larger -island were related by his principals. The character -of the lordly islander, and his history as -gleaned from Pietro and Chica, were likewise canvassed, -and his evident intention to add the strangers -to his band of cowed subjects was impressed -upon the entire company in a most -forcible manner.</p> - -<p>"It would have been serious, indeed," continued -Madeline, "had Ganza arrived here before us and -found you unwarned and unarmed, for you could -not have resisted his invasion. But his clever -scheme was frustrated by an accident to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -engines of his launch, and now we must bend our -every energy to driving him away and making our -escape from this dreadful island."</p> - -<p>"We don't know yet, of course, how that can be -done," added Mr. Radley-Todd, reflectively; "but -there's no hurry about deciding it. We are pretty -well provisioned for a siege, and Steve and -I captured from the enemy and brought with -us nine rifles, half a dozen revolvers, and some -ammunition."</p> - -<p>"We have also a small supply of arms and -ammunition in the storeroom of the yacht," said -Captain Krell. "The former owner was something -of a sportsman, and I think you will find the -guns to be shotguns."</p> - -<p>"All the better," said Chesty. "These fellows -may decide to board us, in which case the shotguns, -at short range, will scatter their loads and -do fearful execution. Get 'em up, Captain. Let's -have on deck, where it's handy, every offensive -and defensive weapon aboard."</p> - -<p>"I don't want any shooting," protested Madeline; -"I'd rather give them the yacht."</p> - -<p>"We won't need to shoot," returned Steve. -"A big bluff is all that is necessary."</p> - -<p>The entire company now understood the importance -of a successful resistance, and aside from -the fact that Mrs. Tupper had violent hysterics,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -which lasted several hours and nearly caused her -devoted husband to jump overboard, the situation -was accepted by all with philosophical composure. -A definite plan to guard the deck and prevent the -foe from scaling the sides was adopted and each -man given his position and instructed what to do.</p> - -<p>As they were dealing with a desperate and -unscrupulous man, a self-constituted autocrat in -this practically unknown group of islands, they -realized the wisdom of being constantly alert; so -all the men, passengers and crew alike, were -divided into watches during every hour of day -and night, and those not on duty slept in their -clothing that they might respond instantly to any -call to action.</p> - -<p>The Mexican, however, proceeded very deliberately -with the siege, believing his victims were -trapped and unable to escape him. He withdrew -for a time around the rocky point, where he disembarked -ten of his fourteen men. With the other -four he ran the launch to the mouth of the bay -again and dropped anchor, evidently intending to -block any egress by the boats of the yacht.</p> - -<p>That night, under cover of the darkness, for the -moon was often obscured by shifting clouds, -Ramon's men deployed among the rocks on both -sides of the narrow channel, where they erected -two miniature forts, or lookouts, by piling up the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -loose rocks. Behind each rock barrier some of the -men were stationed, with instructions to watch -every movement on the deck of the <i>Salvador</i> and -report to their master. The Mexicans were well -protected by the rocks from the firearms of those -on board, if the defenders resorted to their use, -and because of the slant of the deck from fore to -aft Ramon could himself command almost the -entire deck as he sat in his launch.</p> - -<p>Realizing this disadvantage, Radley-Todd and -O'Reilly, the engineer, crept down to the stern -and by pushing the ends of their rifles through -the hawser-holes were able to bring the launch -under such direct fire that the outlaw decided that -discretion was the better part of valor and withdrew -his boat to a safer anchorage around the -point, where he might still intercept the passage -of any boat that ventured to come out.</p> - -<p>The next morning Francisco of the one eye and -a comrade took the launch back to the other island -for a store of provisions. When they returned, -at noon, they brought the two men who had been -left behind when the first expedition set out, and -also one of the rowboats, which was allowed to -trail behind the launch.</p> - -<p>With the Americans surrounded and on the -defensive Ramon felt that he could safely remove -his entire force from his home island and leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -the place to the keeping of the women. If it came -to a fight he would need every man he had.</p> - -<p>On that first day those on the yacht were alert -and excited, but the marked composure on the part -of their besiegers gradually quieted their fears of -immediate violence. The decks were not really -dangerous, although constantly under the observation -of the men in the rock fortresses, so they -ventured to use them freely. At one time, when -Chesty Todd made a feint of landing on the shore, -a group of Mexicans quickly gathered to prevent -his leaving the ship, thus demonstrating their -open enmity.</p> - -<p>"This won't do!" declared Steve, savagely, as -he faced the company assembled around the cabin -table that evening. "Those infernal bandits mean -to keep us here till doomsday—or until we go crazy -and surrender. They'll make our lives miserable -unless we dislodge them from those rocks."</p> - -<p>"I prefer them there to having them attempt -to scale the sides of our ship," returned Chesty. -"A hand-to-hand fight would be far more serious."</p> - -<p>"Interesting, isn't it?" said Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"I don't think they care for a hand-to-hand -fight," observed the captain. "Such fellows as -this Ramon Ganza are always cowards."</p> - -<p>"I don't know about that," said Madeline. "He -has faced all the men he brought here and in spite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -of their numbers and their hatred of him has -cowed them, every one, single-handed."</p> - -<p>"Ramon is not a coward," the child Chica -declared very positively. "He is bad; yes. But -not a coward."</p> - -<p>"He has sixteen men—with himself, seventeen—and -we have but eleven," said Steve. "However, -the advantage is with us, because the yacht -is a fort."</p> - -<p>"You spoke a moment ago of dislodging them," -remarked Radley-Todd. "Can't we manage to do -that, Steve?"</p> - -<p>"How?"</p> - -<p>"If we could make some bombs," suggested the -press-agent, slowly, "and hurl them among those -rocks, I've an idea we could drive them away."</p> - -<p>Steve was thoughtful a moment.</p> - -<p>"We'd need nitro-glycerine for that," said he. -"I suppose there's none aboard, Captain Krell?"</p> - -<p>The captain shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Plenty nitro-glycerine at big islan'," announced -Pietro. "Ramon use it to blast rock."</p> - -<p>"Ah, but that's a good way off," declared Steve.</p> - -<p>Chesty drummed on the table, musingly.</p> - -<p>"If Pietro will go with me," he said presently, -"I'll get you the nitro-glycerine."</p> - -<p>"You're crazy, man!"</p> - -<p>"Not quite," said Chesty, with a smile. "Every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -man belonging to Ramon's band is now here. I'm -not afraid of the women he has left back there."</p> - -<p>"But how will you get there—swim?"</p> - -<p>"We'll take the launch, Pietro and I, and run -the blockade at dead of night."</p> - -<p>"No," said Madeline, with decision, "I can't -allow that. It would be too dangerous an -undertaking. You might be captured."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. If we are discovered, your -launch can outrun theirs and I'll lead them a -merry chase and come back again. What do you -say, Pietro?"</p> - -<p>"Who? Me, Señor? Why, Ramon my enemy -now. So I go with you."</p> - -<p>"You needn't fear Ramon, Pietro," said Madeline, -gently. "We shall manage in some way to -get you safely back to Mexico."</p> - -<p>The man's expression was stolid and unbelieving.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he doesn't dare go back to Mexico," -said Sybil.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes;" replied Pietro. "I not 'fraid of -Mexico. I smuggle, sometimes, before Ramon get -me; but they forget all that by now. It is Ramon -I fear. He is very bad man, as little Chica say. -Always he wins, never he loses, in what he tries -to do. For me, I have disobey an' defy him, so -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>Ramon he whip me sure, when he catch me, an' -when Ramon whip it is as bad as to die."</p> - -<p>It was impossible to overcome this stubborn -belief in Ramon's omnipotence and they did not -argue with the man further. But Orissa, who had -been thoughtfully listening to the conversation, -now said:</p> - -<p>"I do not like the plan of bringing nitro-glycerine -here, even if Chesty could succeed in getting -it. The stuff would be dangerous to us and to our -enemies, for a slight accident would explode it or -careless handling might blow us all to eternity. -But, admitting you made the bombs, without accident -to any of our party, what would be the result -of exploding them among those little rock forts -yonder? Wouldn't the rocks scatter in every -direction and bombard us and the ship, perhaps -causing damage that would be fatal to our hopes -of escape?"</p> - -<p>"Orissa is quite right," said Mr. Cumberford, -decisively. "We must abandon the idea at once."</p> - -<p>"I know it appears a desperate measure," -admitted Radley-Todd, "but something must be -done, both to drive away our enemies and get the -<i>Salvador</i> afloat again. Cut the explosives, and -what remains for us to do?"</p> - -<p>"Make a sortie and drive them away from -here," replied Cumberford. "I'm a little old for -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>a pitched battle or guerrilla warfare, but this -extraordinary Mexican—er—er—interests me. I'm -willing to have it out with him here and now."</p> - -<p>"One white man is worth six Mexicans," -declared Captain Krell, belligerently.</p> - -<p>"Won't do at all," asserted Steve. "We can't -afford to take the chances of defeat, gentlemen, -while we have these girls in our care. The ship -is a fort that is almost impregnable, and we -mustn't leave it for an instant—under any -circumstances."</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a><br /> - -<small>CAPTURING AN AËROPLANE</small></h2> - - -<p>As they sat with downcast countenances, reflecting -upon their uncomfortable position, Orissa said -quietly:</p> - -<p>"I've thought of something to relieve us. The -idea came to me when Chesty insisted our launch -could run the blockade."</p> - -<p>"Speak out, Ris," exclaimed Steve. "Your -ideas are pretty good ones, as a rule. What's the -proposition?"</p> - -<p>"Why, we all seem to have forgotten the Hy."</p> - -<p>"The Hydro-Aircraft?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. It is lying quite safe, and in apple-pie -order, in the little ravine at the foot of the bluff -where we camped."</p> - -<p>"But it is minus its plane-cloths," added Sybil. -"Our tent is still standing, for I saw it from deck -only an hour ago."</p> - -<p>"It won't take long to attach the plane-cloths," -said Steve, "provided those brigands will let us -do it. It's rather odd they haven't taken the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> -trouble to capture the Aircraft already. It would -be easy for Ramon to declare it 'wreck.'"</p> - -<p>"What would be the use?" asked Madeline. -"They could not fly it, even if they knew how to -put it in order; and, as they imagine we cannot -get to it, they are not worrying about the thing. -Of course they are able to see that tent on the -bluff as easily as we can, and by and by they will -go there and capture whatever the girls left."</p> - -<p>"True. That is why we must lose no unnecessary -time," observed Orissa.</p> - -<p>"I do not yet see what the proposition is," -asserted Chesty, in a puzzled tone.</p> - -<p>"I know what Orissa means," returned Steve -quickly. "There's plenty of gasoline on board—I -think nearly a barrel—intended for the use of -the launch. If I could get to the Aircraft and fill -its tanks with gasoline no one could prevent my -flying home, where I could get a ship and men to -come to our rescue."</p> - -<p>"That interests me; it does, really!" said -Mr. Cumberford. "It's so easy and practical -I wonder none of us thought of it before."</p> - -<p>"I've had the possibilities in mind for some -time," declared Orissa, "but I had no idea we -could get to the Aircraft until Chesty proposed -running the blockade in our launch."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - -<p>"It's a fine idea," said Chesty, with enthusiasm. -"I mean both our ideas—the combination, -Orissa."</p> - -<p>"I believe it will solve all our difficulties," -added Madeline, confidently. "But will not this -journey be a hazardous one for Mr. Kane to -undertake?"</p> - -<p>"I think not," replied Orissa. "The same -amount of gasoline that brought Sybil and me to -this place will carry the machine back again, and -Steve can go more directly than we came, for he -knows exactly how to head."</p> - -<p>"Then!" said Chesty Todd, "the plan is this: -We'll put enough gasoline in cans to fill the tanks -of the aëroplane, load 'em into the launch, and -to-night Steve and I will sneak out of this inlet, -slip past the Mexican's launch and hie us to that -ravine of yours. Is there room enough for our -boat to enter the bay you described, or is that -big rock too close to shore to let us pass?"</p> - -<p>"There will be just about room for you to pass -in, I think," answered Orissa.</p> - -<p>"But the big launch couldn't do it?"</p> - -<p>"Ramon's? No, indeed."</p> - -<p>"Very good."</p> - -<p>"Who will fly with me to San Diego?" asked -Steve. "The Aircraft carries two, you know. -One of the women ought to go. I wish we could -carry them all away from this dangerous place."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Let them draw cuts for it," suggested Chesty.</p> - -<p>"You can let me out," said Sybil; "I won't -leave Daddy."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense!" cried her father.</p> - -<p>"Then I'm nonsensical," laughed Sybil, "for -I won't budge an inch without you. That wicked -Mexican might capture you in a jiffy if I wasn't -here to look after you. Not a word, sir; the thing -is settled, as far as I am concerned."</p> - -<p>"I cannot go, of course," said Madeline. "This -is my yacht and I must stand by it, and by my -men, to the last. Nor could I with courtesy escape -and leave my guests in danger."</p> - -<p>"Then it shall be Mrs. Tupper," proposed -Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Me? Me? Goodness sakes, child," cried Mrs. -Tupper, in great alarm, "do you think I'd risk -my life in that dreadful airship?"</p> - -<p>"You'll risk it by staying," suggested her -husband.</p> - -<p>"But there's a chance of salvation here," -asserted the lady, with nervous haste. "I'd get -light-headed and tumble out of that aëroplane -in two minutes. And they'd hear me yell from -Japan to San Francisco, I'd be so scared. I can -stand death, Mr. Tupper, with Christian fortitude; -but not torture!"</p> - -<p>"Orissa?" said Steve, inquiringly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes; I'll go. I may be of more assistance to -you all by going than by staying. And I will run -the machine, Steve, and take you as a passenger. -I've tinkered that steering-gear until I know just -how to manage it."</p> - -<p>Steve nodded.</p> - -<p>"As I understand it, Miss Dentry," said he, -"my mission will be to charter a fast steamship, -for which Mr. Cumberford and I will pay, and -bring it here to drag the <i>Salvador</i> off this beach. -The crew, which I will see is well armed, will work -in conjunction with yours and when we outnumber -Ramon Ganza's band of rascals he will probably -run away to his den without attempting to fight."</p> - -<p>"Ramon never run," protested Pietro, shaking -his head. "You cannot scare Ramon. The more -men you bring, the more he has to fight; that is -all."</p> - -<p>This gloomy prophecy made them look grave -for a time.</p> - -<p>"Our Pietro is a pessimist," said Chesty, with -assumed cheerfulness. "But some day the Mexican -government will find this invincible hero and -send a warship to blow his island out of the -water."</p> - -<p>"Why—yes!" exclaimed Madeline, with sudden -inspiration; "the Mexican government is interested -in this affair. Why not fly to the nearest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -point on the Mexican coast, Mr. Kane, and from -there telegraph President Madero? I believe he -would send a warship at once, both to capture -Ramon Ganza and to rescue us from his clutches."</p> - -<p>"Um-m. Madero has his hands full, just now, -putting down revolutions at home," Mr. Cumberford -reminded her. "And maybe he isn't -interested in Ganza, who was convicted of a felony -under the rĆ©gime of Diaz."</p> - -<p>"I can try him, anyhow," said Steve. "The -Mexican coast is about fifty miles nearer than -San Diego."</p> - -<p>"Madero has offer one thousan' dollar—Mexican—for -capture of Ramon," said Pietro, proudly. -"So much money shows Ramon is great man."</p> - -<p>"In that case you'd better give Madero a chance -at him, Steve," decided Mr. Cumberford. "A -man-o'-war would be more effective here than a -trading ship, and in the interests of humanity we -should put an end to this fellow's cruel tyranny -for good and all. He's far better off in jail."</p> - -<p>After some further discussion this plan was -finally decided on and preparations were begun -for the adventure. During the afternoon the cans -of gasoline were placed in the launch and Steve -went over the machinery of the little boat with -great care, to assure himself it was in perfect -order.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>The nights were never really dark until toward -morning, when the stars seemed to dim and the -moon dipped below the horizon. Sometimes there -were a few drifting clouds, but they never -obscured the sky long enough to be utilized as a -mask. So Steve decided to make his attempt at -the dark hour preceding dawn and made Orissa -go to bed and get what sleep she could. She said -her good-byes to the others then, so it would not -be necessary to disturb them at the time of -departure.</p> - -<p>At three o'clock her brother called her and told -her to get ready. Chesty and Steve were seated -in the launch when the girl arrived on deck, and -she quickly took her place. While it was much -darker than it had been earlier in the night, Orissa -found she could see near-by objects quite distinctly. -Four of the crew, headed by Captain -Krell, were standing by to lower the launch over -the side, and as the owls were hooting their most -dismal chorus their screams drowned any noise -made by the windlass.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the launch touched the surface -than Chesty dipped his scull in the water and -with a dexterous motion sent the little craft forward -toward the mouth of the inlet. They might -have been seen from the shore had the Mexicans -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>been alert, but at this hour many who were supposed -to be watching had fallen asleep, and if -any remained awake their eyes were not turned -upon the waters of the tiny bay. Quite noiselessly -the launch moved on and presently turned the -point of rock at the right.</p> - -<p>Orissa stifled a cry and Steve's heart gave a -bound as the bow of the launch pointed straight -at the big boat of Ramon, scarcely ten feet distant; -but Chesty saw the danger, too, and a sharp -swing of the scull sent the light craft spinning -around so that it just grazed the side of the -Mexican's boat, in which all the occupants were -fast asleep.</p> - -<p>Next moment they had passed it, and still -Chesty continued sculling, as it was not safe as -yet to start the engines. But when they had -skirted the shore for such a distance that the -screeching of the owls would be likely to drown -the noise of their motor, Steve started the -machinery and the launch darted away at full -speed.</p> - -<p>Half an hour later they crept between the big -rock and the bluff and were safe in the deep hollow -at the foot of the ravine, having accomplished the -adventure so easily that they marvelled at their -own success.</p> - -<p>"Strikes me as a good omen," remarked Orissa, -cheerfully, as they disembarked and drew the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -launch upon the sands. "I hope the luck will follow -you on your return, Chesty."</p> - -<p>"Me?" replied the big boy. "Why, nothing -ever happens to me. Let us hope the good luck -will follow you and Steve, on whom the safety of -the entire party now depends. What first, Steve?</p> - -<p>"The tent. We must get that down before daybreak, -so they won't see us working on it from the -bay, and interfere with our proposed flight."</p> - -<p>Orissa led the way to the bluff and at once Steve -and Chesty began tumbling the rocks from the -edges of the canvas. This was no light task, for -the girls had erected a solid parapet in order to -defy the wind; but just as the first streaks of dawn -appeared the tent came down and they hastily -seized the canvas, added it to the covering of the -upper plane, which had been inside the tent, and -lugged it all down the incline to where the frame -of the Aircraft lay.</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Steve. "We'll need the daylight -now, in order to attach the cloth."</p> - -<p>They had not long to wait, and while Steve, -assisted by Radley-Todd, fastened the cloth in -place with the clips provided for that purpose, -which Orissa had carefully saved, the girl herself -inspected the machinery and all the framework, -even to the last brace, to be sure it was in condition -for the long trip. She also oiled the steering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -gear and thoroughly tested it to see that it worked -freely.</p> - -<p>By nine o'clock the planes were tautly spread -and the tanks had been filled with gasoline.</p> - -<p>"I think we are all ready for the start," said -Steve. "But how about you, Chesty? As soon -as we roll the Aircraft to the top of the bluff the -Mexicans will see us and start for this place to -try to intercept us. Orissa and I will be gone, -when they arrive; but they may find you, unless -you make tracks."</p> - -<p>"How do you expect to regain the ship?" -asked Orissa, who had not considered this matter -before.</p> - -<p>"Don't worry about me, I beg of you," -retorted the boy, hastily. "I shall be all right. -All ready, Steve?"</p> - -<p>Steve looked at him thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"I think that when they see us fly away they -may give up the idea of coming here," said he; -"and, in that case, you'd better lie here in the -ravine until night, when you can try to steal back -in the same way we came."</p> - -<p>"All right, old man; never mind me."</p> - -<p>"But we <i>do</i> mind you, Chesty," said Orissa, -earnestly. "You've been a faithful friend ever -since we got into this difficulty—and before, too—so -we can't have anything happen to you."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> - -<p>He blushed like a girl, but declared he would be -perfectly safe.</p> - -<p>"Don't take any foolish chances," urged -Orissa.</p> - -<p>"I won't."</p> - -<p>They rolled the Aircraft up to the top of the -bluff and set it with the head facing the sea. -Then Steve and Orissa took their places and -Chesty, giving them each a hearty handclasp, -spun the propeller blade as Steve started the -engine.</p> - -<p>At once the aëroplane darted forward, rose as -it passed the bluff, and sailed gracefully into the -air. Chesty hid his six-feet-three behind a -boulder, to shield himself from observation, while -he watched the splendid machine turn upon its -course and speed away over the Pacific on its -errand of rescue.</p> - -<p>Then, with a sigh of relief and elation, the boy -crept into the ravine and descended to where his -boat lay. Seated in the launch, calmly awaiting -him, were three of the Mexicans, headed by the -one-eyed Francisco.</p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a><br /> - -<small>RAMON GANZA</small></h2> - - -<p>When Madeline came on deck, soon after daybreak, -Captain Krell reported the successful -departure of the launch.</p> - -<p>"Are you sure they were not seen?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Quite sure, Miss Dentry, for we heard not a -sound, either from our party or from the -besiegers, although we listened intently."</p> - -<p>Long before Steve could have prepared the -aëroplane for the journey those on board the -yacht were gazing expectantly at the bluff. The -tent had disappeared, which was proof that the -undertaking had so far been successful.</p> - -<p>At this time there seemed to be a little stir -among the Mexicans and Mr. Cumberford suggested, -rather nervously, that they also had -noticed the absence of the tent, without understanding -what could have become of it.</p> - -<p>At half-past eight they heard the sound of the -engines of Ramon's big launch, and that made -them worry more than ever until Sybil suddenly -cried: "There they are!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> - -<p>Upon the distant bluff appeared the Aircraft. -A little cheer, which none could restrain, went up -from the deck of the yacht. There was no delay. -Scarcely was the machine in position when it -mounted into the air and headed directly toward -the east. Every eye watched it eagerly until it -had become a dim speck against the blue sky and -finally disappeared from view altogether, flying -steadily and with a speed that raised their hopes -to the highest pitch. Then, with one accord, they -returned to the cabin to discuss the chances of -Radley-Todd's getting back to them safely with -the launch.</p> - -<p>"I don't worry much about that young man," -said Cumberford. "He's as full of resources as -a pincushion is of sawdust, and I'll bet my hat -we shall soon see him again, safe and sound."</p> - -<p>The captain now entered with an anxious face.</p> - -<p>"That confounded Mexican king is signaling -us with a flag of truce," he reported.</p> - -<p>"What, Ramon?" exclaimed Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Yes. What shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"Stay here, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, -rising. "I'll go and see what the fellow wants."</p> - -<p>"I will go with you," returned Madeline, -quietly.</p> - -<p>"I wish you would not."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Why?" she asked. "If he bears a flag of -truce there is no danger."</p> - -<p>"I do not believe he would respect a flag of -truce—nor anything else," asserted Mr. Cumberford. -"Do you, Captain?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir. He's tricky and unreliable. Don't -trust him for a moment."</p> - -<p>But Madeline would not be denied. She accompanied -the captain and Mr. Cumberford to the -deck.</p> - -<p>Just beside the yacht floated the little rowboat -which had been brought from Ramon's island, -and in it sat Ramon himself, all alone, holding -aloft a handkerchief attached as a flag to a boat-hook.</p> - -<p>As they peered over the side at him he bowed -profoundly and removed his hat to Miss Dentry. -He was still clothed in his white flannels and his -fingers glittered with jewels.</p> - -<p>"What do you want?" demanded Mr. Cumberford -sharply.</p> - -<p>"The pleasure of conversing with you, señor," -was the confident reply. "If you will kindly let -down your ladder I will come on board. You see, -myself I place in your power. We have, I much -regret, some slight misunderstanding between us, -which a few words will assuredly correct."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Don't let him up, sir," advised Captain Krell, -in a low voice.</p> - -<p>"But he is unarmed," said Madeline. "I think -it will be best to confer with him."</p> - -<p>"Then do it from a distance," grumbled the -captain.</p> - -<p>"Sir," called Mr. Cumberford, "if you have -any apologies to make, you may speak from where -you are."</p> - -<p>"Then, alas, my overtures of peace are -refused?" said Ramon, not defiantly, but in a -tone of deep regret.</p> - -<p>"No; we don't refuse any sincere overtures of -peace; but you have treated us in a scoundrelly -manner, and we don't trust you."</p> - -<p>"Such a terrible mistake, señor; so sad! But -I cannot explain it from here. With utmost trust -in your honor I offer to come to you alone, and—see!—unarmed. -Will not you, for the sake of the -ladies who are with you, encourage my friendliness?"</p> - -<p>"Let him come up," said Madeline again. -There seemed a veiled threat in Ramon's appeal.</p> - -<p>"Very well. But tell your men to watch his -every movement, Captain, and if he makes a -treacherous move shoot him down without hesitation."</p> - -<p>The rope ladder was cast over the side and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -Ramon promptly seized it and climbed to the -deck.</p> - -<p>"Follow us below," commanded Mr. Cumberford, -turning toward the cabin. The man hesitated, -casting a shrewd, quick glance around. -Then he bowed again and said:</p> - -<p>"I thank the señor for his courtesy."</p> - -<p>In the cabin were assembled Mr. and Mrs. Tupper -and Sybil Cumberford. Chica and Pietro -discreetly kept out of view. Mr. Cumberford -entered first, followed by Madeline. Then came -Ramon Ganza and behind him the captain and -little O'Reilly, the Irish engineer. This last personage -was virtually "armed to the teeth," for -he carried one of Ramon's own rifles and a brace -of revolvers.</p> - -<p>"Be seated," said Mr. Cumberford, pointing -to a chair. "And now, sir, state your errand."</p> - -<p>Ganza's comprehensive glance had taken in -every member of the party, as well as the luxurious -furnishings of the <i>Salvador's</i> cabin, which -seemed to please his aesthetic taste.</p> - -<p>"I ask to be inform, being in ignorance, if -three people may ride in one flying-machine," he -blandly announced, looking from one face to -another as if uncertain whom to address.</p> - -<p>"Three?" asked Cumberford, as if puzzled.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Yes. I see that one young lady and two men -are missing from your party."</p> - -<p>"I suppose three can ride, if need be," muttered -Cumberford. "Is your mission here to gain -information concerning aëroplanes?"</p> - -<p>"Only in part, señor."</p> - -<p>The Mexican's features had hitherto been composed -and smiling, despite the stern and mistrustful -looks he encountered on all sides. But -now, perhaps understanding that these Americans -were not easily to be cajoled, his own face grew -somber and lowering and he said in a sharp, -incisive manner: "You prefer to discuss business -only?"</p> - -<p>"We do, sir," was the reply, Mr. Cumberford -continuing to act as spokesman.</p> - -<p>"Very nice. I have a wish to invite you all to -my island, where you shall be my respected -guests. My mansion shall be at your service; my -servants shall obey your commands; you shall -delight in the grand scenery and enjoy yourselves -as you will."</p> - -<p>"Thank you; we decline your hospitality."</p> - -<p>"But I fear in that you make bad mistake, -señor," continued Ramon Ganza, unabashed by -the rebuff. "My island is a pleasant place, and -where else can you find so much happiness when -my ship, which you now inhabit, is destroyed?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Oh; that's the idea, is it?" exclaimed Mr. -Cumberford. "You interest me, sir; you do, -really. Perhaps you will state how you intend to -destroy our ship, which is not, permit me to say, -your ship as yet."</p> - -<p>"Is it necessary to say more?" asked the Mexican, -spreading out his jewelled hands with a -deprecating gesture.</p> - -<p>"I think it will enable us to understand you -better."</p> - -<p>As if in deep thought, Ganza drummed upon -the cabin table with his fingers.</p> - -<p>"I am very sad at your refusal to be my -guests," he said after a time. "This, my ship, is -in a most dangerous position. It is half out of -water, on an island that is a bleak rock. I come -here from the island where I reside to befriend -you—to offer you my humble hospitality—when -I have taken possession of the wreck—and in your -blindness—do you call it fatuity?—you receive -me as an enemy. Some of your people chase my -boat, as if I have no right to sail the seas of my -own islands! Yet I am not resentful; not at all. -I enjoy some humor and I am good man, with -much respectability. When your ship catches on -fire, as it will probably do very soon, you must -escape to these bare rocks, where you can find no -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>assistance, no food to keep you alive. Then perhaps -you will feel more kindly toward poor Don -Miguel del Borgitis—your humble servant—and -find willingness to accept his beautiful home as -your own. But why wait for fire to drive you to -death most terrible or to my great hospitality? -Is it not the best to accept my offer, and so save -yourselves from—inconvenience?"</p> - -<p>Beneath the smooth words the ugly threat was -so visible that even brave Madeline paled, and Mr. -Tupper shuddered vigorously. But Mr. Cumberford, -gazing critically into the man's face, -replied:</p> - -<p>"I see. Interesting; very. You want to save -this yacht. You would like to drag it afloat and -carry it away to your own island, where we, -accepting your hospitality, would become your -prisoners. But if we refuse to surrender the ship, -you say you will set fire to it, in which case you -would burn us up or force us to land. If we land, -you will capture us and force us to become your -unwilling subjects. Is that a clear understanding -of your statement, Ramon Ganza?"</p> - -<p>The outlaw gave a start as he heard his true -name mentioned, but quickly recovered his -assurance.</p> - -<p>"The señor is very intelligent," he said.</p> - -<p>"At any rate, the señor is not demented," -retorted Cumberford, grimly. "Why did you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> -venture to place yourself in our power, Ramon -Ganza, and then threaten us as you have done?"</p> - -<p>"I came under flag of truce."</p> - -<p>"And you think, on that account, we will let -you go again, to carry out your cowardly -designs?"</p> - -<p>"I am certain of that. Before I came I took -care to protect myself."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>He looked at his watch, a huge jewelled affair.</p> - -<p>"Underneath your ship," said he quietly, "is -anchored a mine of very much power. It lies -under that part which is in the water—I think -just below the place where we now sit. If I do -not depart from here in safety within fifty minutes -from now, my men will kindly explode this -mine and blow us all to—well, where we go. The -poor ship, alas, will be destroyed with us."</p> - -<p>"Would your men execute such an absurd -order?" asked Cumberford sneeringly.</p> - -<p>"With much satisfaction. You see, it would -make them free. They do not love me very much. -If I die, they will have my beloved island and all -my possessions—so they think."</p> - -<p>"And you would be willing to forfeit your life -as the alternative of not getting control of this -yacht? Do you expect us to believe that?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>The outlaw's glittering fingers drummed upon -the table again.</p> - -<p>"The señor is not so wholly intelligent as I -believed," said he. "I do not contradict his statement -that he is not—eh—what you call it?—demented, -or a fool; but the statement seems open -to suspicion."</p> - -<p>"Ah; that interests me."</p> - -<p>"It ought to. You seem to know my name, -señor; therefore you doubtless know my history. -Pietro will have told you, or Chica, for both are -now with you. My safety has depended on my -keeping hidden upon my island. I must not let -any who has seen me there, and recognized Ramon -Ganza, depart to carry the tale to the mainland. -In Mexico a price is set upon my head and they -have condemned me to years in prison. But—there! -I assure you all that I am good man, -and honest; but my enemies have conspired to -destroy me.</p> - -<p>"As Don Miguel del Borgitis I have lived very -respectable until, unfortunately for us all, you -came here. I knew two girls had been wreck on -this island in a flying-machine—a very strange -and exciting invention, is it not?—but I did not -disturb them nor allow them to become aware of -my existence. Why? All I wish is safety. When -some of you people, after this yacht is driven<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -ashore in storm, intrude on me by coming to my -hiding-place, I was obliged to protect myself. I -started to come here to get every one on board -and invite them to my island—where I meant to -keep you all indefinitely, for I did not dare allow -you to return to America and say where you had -found Ramon Ganza. This yacht I could use to -advantage, I admit; but I would be better pleased -had I never seen it—nor you.</p> - -<p>"Almost at once you are my enemies, and defy -my laws. That did not change my plans except -to make them harder. In this unknown island I -am really king. I must conquer you, which I -thought with good reason I could easily accomplish -in time. So I make siege to your boat, -laughing to think you cannot escape me. But one -man cannot comprehend all things, señor, and I -failed to consider that devilish contrivance, your -flying-machine. I thought it was wreck, and no -good any more. Some time last night three of -your party get away and go to flying-machine, -and this morning some of them—one, two, three; -it does not matter—have fly away in it. Of -course they will go to the mainland. That means -they send assistance to you. They float your ship, -take you back to America and you all have knowledge -where Ramon Ganza may be found by those -that seek his capture. Now you understand me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -do you not? You have make it very unpleasant -for me. If I escape from my island in little boat, -where can I got? If I stay I will be arrest and -carried to Mexico to be put in prison. Very well; -I must escape. But not in my launch, which is -old and not very good. I must have this yacht, -which will carry me to any far part of the world, -where Mexico is not known. Perhaps in it I could -be privateer, if that seemed best way to protect -my liberty—which is dearer to me than life. With -this yacht I could defy all enemies; without it—I -face death, or at least ruin. You have driven me -to this desperation, so I come to make you my -proposition. Now that I have explained all with -much frankness, you will understand I mean what -I say, for I am talking for my liberty—the liberty -of a man who would soon die in confinement, for -I am used to the open and could not exist as a convicted -felon, in chains and abused by dogs of -jailers. For your party I have no especial enmity; -neither do I care for you the snap of my fingers. -But believe this: Either I will save myself in this -yacht, as I have proposed, or I will die in your -company."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a><br /> - -<small>A DESPERATE ALTERNATIVE</small></h2> - - -<p>Ramon Ganza had spoken slowly and with -deliberation, choosing his words with care. His -story seemed plausible, except where it referred -to the planting of the mine, which he claimed to -be the last resort of a man so desperately situated. -Some of his hearers were quite convinced -of his sincerity in making this statement, but Mr. -Cumberford was not among them. He remembered -Chica's artless statement: "Ramon lies; he -always lies," and it confirmed his skepticism.</p> - -<p>"As I understand you," he made answer, after -a little thought, "you consider your retreat no -longer safe because we have discovered it. Therefore, -on obtaining possession of this yacht, you -propose to sail to parts unknown, leaving us -stranded on this rocky island."</p> - -<p>"From whence you will soon be rescued," added -the outlaw, with a bow.</p> - -<p>"The siege which you had planned, in order to -force us to surrender through starvation, is no -longer practical; for time presses and if you delay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> -you will be surprised by the ship sent to rescue -us—perhaps a Mexican man-o'-war."</p> - -<p>The man nodded, watching the speaker's face -with an eagerness he could not dissemble.</p> - -<p>"For which reason," continued Mr. Cumberford, -"you decided to force a climax by coming on -board and threatening us—as you have done. -Well, we intend to force your alternative, Ramon -Ganza. You are our prisoner, and if your men -blow up this yacht you shall go to eternity with -us!"</p> - -<p>The Mexican's face grew rigid a moment. Then -he smiled in a sardonic way and shrugged his -shoulders. But Mr. Tupper, white and trembling -as with an ague, leaped to his feet and cried:</p> - -<p>"In heaven's name, Cumberford, what do you -mean? Would you destroy us all in this heartless -fashion?"</p> - -<p>"No. There is no mine; or, if there is, it will -not explode."</p> - -<p>"I—I differ with you. This—er—person—is -desperate. He—he knows what he's talking -about. I refuse to ta-ta-take the chances, sir! I -must consider the safety of my wife and myself, -and of our niece, Miss Dentry. This is our -yacht, Cumberford, not yours, I beg to remind -you, and we shall decide this important question -ourselves."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> - -<p>Even before he ceased speaking Mrs. Tupper, -whose eyes had been wild and staring, uttered a -piercing shriek and tumbled to the floor of the -cabin in violent hysterics. Sybil and Madeline -rushed to her assistance and this confusion further -unnerved Mr. Tupper. With sudden energy -he pounded his fist upon the table and cried:</p> - -<p>"I won't allow it! I won't allow this sacrifice. -Madeline is rich; what does she care for this -miserable yacht? Take it, you Mexican thief, if -you want it! Our lives are far too precious to be -put in peril."</p> - -<p>Ramon Ganza's face showed his satisfaction but -his eyes expressed nothing but contempt for the -terrified Mr. Tupper. Mr. Cumberford sat calmly -regarding the contortions of the afflicted lady, as -if wondering how much was involuntary and how -much pure perversity. The captain twirled his -thumbs and seemed absolutely unconcerned, while -little O'Reilly's attention was fixed, in keen -amusement, on the scene before him, as if it were -a vaudeville act performed for his especial edification.</p> - -<p>As Mrs. Tupper continued to pound the floor -with her heels Madeline first emptied the water -pitcher over her aunt and then slyly pinched her, -which torture may have been responsible for some -of the frantic screams. Mr. Tupper bowed his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> -head despairingly on the cabin table, in an attitude -so pitiable that it should have aroused the -sympathy of all beholders, as he intended it to -do. But meanwhile his good wife gradually -recovered; her screams subsided to heart-rending -wails and then to moans, after which she became -quiet except for a series of nervous sobs. Madeline -and Sybil now raised the poor woman and -supported her to her stateroom, where she fell -exhausted upon the berth.</p> - -<p>It was not until the girls returned to the cabin -that the discussion of Ramon Ganza's proposition -was renewed. Miss Dentry gave him a searching -look as she entered and noted the outlaw's smirk -of satisfaction and the triumphant glitter of the -dark eyes beneath their half closed lids. Then -her own expression hardened and she turned to -Mr. Cumberford, as if inviting him to proceed.</p> - -<p>"Madeline," implored Mr. Tupper, "be good -enough to assure this man—Mr.—Mr.—eh—Ganza—that -the yacht, which is your property, -is at his disposal in return for our—safety."</p> - -<p>"The yacht is really Miss Dentry's property," -added Mr. Cumberford coolly. "She will dispose -of it as she thinks fit."</p> - - - -<p><a name="i253" id="i253"></a></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 60%" > -<img src="images/253.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 60%" /> -<div class="caption"> -<p class="center">Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before -her curiously, while an amused smile played around her -lips. "We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she -announced.</p> -</div> -</div> - - - - -<p>Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces -before her curiously, while an amused smile -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>played around her lips. She knew she was enjoying -the scene, and also knew the moment was -critical, but no fear of consequences caused her -courageous heart to falter an instant.</p> - -<p>"We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," -she announced. "Ramon Ganza is not the man -to abide by any promises he makes, and if once -we left the protection of this yacht we would -probably be treated with little mercy. It would -not save a single life, Uncle Martin, to agree to -Ganza's proposal. Threatening and browbeating -those weaker than himself seems to be the man's -pet recreation and before he left the island he -would leave us to our fate, virtual prisoners. It -might be years before any ship chanced to sail -this way."</p> - -<p>"I give you my pledge of honor to send word -to your friends where you are," protested Ganza, -eagerly.</p> - -<p>"As you have no honor, sir, your word has no -value. But I have a counter-proposition to suggest -which will, I think, satisfy all concerned. -Order your men, Ramon Ganza, to lay down their -arms and surrender themselves to our keeping -and to obey us unreservedly. Then, under command -of Captain Krell, all hands must attempt to -get the yacht afloat in deep water. When that is -accomplished we will take you with us back to -the United States and secretly land you in any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> -port you select. Afterward we will not betray -you nor attempt to hunt you down. If you need -money, I will even supply you with a small sum -that will enable you to flee to Europe or South -America. That is fair. It is more fair than you -deserve. But, if you accept our terms, we will -abide by them faithfully."</p> - -<p>The Mexican was intensely annoyed.</p> - -<p>"No!" he exclaimed, abruptly. "If you cannot -trust me, why should I trust you?"</p> - -<p>"Because my plan is by far the better way," -she rejoined. "If you seek liberty, if you desire -to avoid arrest, this plan will surely accomplish -your purpose. You cannot prefer prison to -assured freedom, and the alternative, if you reject -my plan, is simply to explode your mine."</p> - -<p>He drummed on the table again, rather nervously.</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, -"but you are proposing to aid and abet the escape -of a condemned criminal. You will render yourself, -and us, liable to punishment."</p> - -<p>"I know," she answered. "I despise myself for -treating with this scoundrel, but do it to relieve -the fears of the Tuppers and perhaps others -aboard who have not yet protested. If I dared -follow my own counsel I would defy him, as you -have done."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> - -<p>"My dear sir," said Mr. Tupper, looking at the -Mexican beseechingly, "accept Miss Dentry's -terms, I implore you. She will do exactly as she -agrees; she always does!"</p> - -<p>"Puh!" muttered Ganza, uneasily shifting in -his chair; "perhaps we can arrange. But the -trust shall not be all on one side. If I trust you, -you must trust me—to an extent—a few more -details. Instead of giving you my men, you must -give me yours, and place all weapons in my control. -Also I will take command of this yacht, for -I am good sailor. In an hour's time I will float -the ship; then, with my men, I will sail it back to -United States, to land your party on the coast -near to some city which you can reach easily by -walking. After that I will sail away in this yacht, -which you will present to me in return for my -services to you. You see, in this way you assure -absolute safety to yourselves. As this wise and -agreeable gentleman," indicating Mr. Tupper, -"has with cleverness stated, the young lady is -rich enough to afford the loss of her boat, so you -can have no objection to my generous proposition."</p> - -<p>"None whatever!" exclaimed Mr. Tupper. -"Agree, Madeline, agree!"</p> - -<p>"No," she said, shaking her head, "I will not.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> -The man is not sincere, or he would not require -us to place ourselves in his power."</p> - -<p>"But I insist, my dear. He—he seems quite -honest. I—I——"</p> - -<p>"Be quiet, confound you!" roared Cumberford, -losing patience. "You're a doddering old -idiot, Tupper, and if you don't shut up I'll gag -you." He turned to Ganza. "Miss Dentry's -proposition still stands, and it's the final word. -You'll either accept it—right now, on the spot—or -take the consequences."</p> - -<p>"Already I have refuse," said the outlaw -calmly.</p> - -<p>"Very well. O'Reilly, march this fellow to the -cage, for'ard, and lock him in. Then stand guard -before the door and shoot him if he bothers you."</p> - -<p>"Thank 'e, sor; it's proud I am to do that -same," answered the engineer, gleefully.</p> - -<p>"One moment, please," said Ganza. "You -make doubt of my saying that you all face a most -horrible death. You are stupid Americans, and -must be convinced. Come with me on deck and -I will prove to you your danger."</p> - -<p>"No harm in that," replied Cumberford. "It's -on your way to the cage."</p> - -<p>With one accord they all accompanied O'Reilly -and his prisoner to the deck.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Ramon, standing by the rail, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> -have some men hid in those rocks yonder. Their -names are Paschal, Mateo, Gabrielle, Gomez, -Francisco, Pedro, Gonzales, Juan and Tomas. -Tell me which one I shall call—I care not which, -myself—and the man will assure you my orders -are positive to them, and that they will carry out -the explosion of the mine as I have arranged, -provided I do not return in safety."</p> - -<p>Cumberford was curious to learn the extent of -the rogue's bravado.</p> - -<p>"Call Mateo," he suggested.</p> - -<p>The Mexican did so, raising his voice to utter -the summons.</p> - -<p>From behind a pile of rocks nearly opposite -them sprang a thin, gaunt man. He ran down -to the water's edge, saluted his chief and stood at -attention.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Mateo," commanded Ganza.</p> - -<p>Without hesitation the man waded into the inlet -and swam to the rope ladder which dangled over -the side. This he seized and climbed on deck, -where, dripping with water, he again faced his -master and saluted him.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, Mateo," said Ramon Ganza, "where -is it, beneath this boat, that the mine has been -planted?"</p> - -<p>"Fourteen feet from the stern, Capitan."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - -<p>"And is it powerful enough to destroy the -ship?"</p> - -<p>"To make it in small pieces, Capitan—an' ten -ship like it, if ten ship were here."</p> - -<p>"Very nice. You know what time the mine is -to explode?"</p> - -<p>"At eleven o'clock, Capitan, unless you come -ashore to countermand the order."</p> - -<p>"Ah yes; so it is. You may go back to your -post, Mateo."</p> - -<p>The man, looking neither to right nor left, -descended the ladder, swam to shore and retreated -behind the rocks again.</p> - -<p>Ramon turned to Mr. Cumberford, showing the -open face of his watch.</p> - -<p>"In five minutes it will be eleven o'clock," he -quietly announced.</p> - -<p>"Take him to the cage, O'Reilly!"</p> - -<p>Two other armed men had joined the engineer -on deck and the three now surrounded Ganza and -started forward with him.</p> - -<p>"Mercy, Cumberford! Save us—save us!" -howled Mr. Tupper, frantic with fear. "I can't -die now—we ought none of us to die! Give him -the launch. Give him the——"</p> - -<p>A cry interrupted him. Mason, the man nearest -the rail, dropped his gun and staggered back -with his hands clasped to his side, from which a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -stream of blood gushed forth. At the same -moment the huge form of Ramon Ganza leaped -the rail and dove headforemost into the water.</p> - -<p>But everyone else was more interested in the -wounded man, who seemed to be badly hurt. -Ramon Ganza was forgotten as the girls bent over -the poor fellow with anxious looks.</p> - -<p>"Have Mason brought to my own cabin, at -once," said Madeline to Captain Krell.</p> - -<p>They carried the wounded man below, to be -placed in Madeline's roomy cabin. Mr. Cumberford -was not a surgeon, but there was no one -aboard who knew more of surgery than he and -so he went to Mason's side at once.</p> - -<p>Ganza had struck the man with a knife of the -stiletto type, the narrow blade of which had penetrated -his side just above the hip joint. Mr. -Cumberford's "first aid" outfit, which the captain -was able to supply, enabled him to stop the -bleeding, but he was unable to tell how serious -the injury might prove. The man was in considerable -pain, which Cumberford partially -relieved with a hypodermic injection of morphine.</p> - -<p>During this interesting period no one gave a -thought to the escaped Mexican, but when nothing -more could be done for his patient Cumberford -left the girls to watch over him and walked -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>into the cabin, where he found Mrs. Tupper sobbing -as if in great grief while her husband sat in -his favorite despairing attitude, his head bowed -on his arms.</p> - -<p>"What's wrong?" demanded Cumberford, in -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Wrong!" cried Tupper, lifting his head; -"why, at any moment may come the crash of the -explosion that will send us all to eternity. We—we -can't escape it. It's inevitable!"</p> - -<p>Cumberford looked at his watch.</p> - -<p>"It's a quarter to twelve," he said. "The -explosion was due at eleven."</p> - -<p>"But the Mexican brigand—the pirate chief—the——"</p> - -<p>"He has escaped, so there'll be no explosion at -all. I believe he threatened to fire the ship; but -he won't do that. Ganza's sole ambition is to -capture this boat, so he can sail away from his -countrymen, escape imprisonment, and perhaps -become a really-truly pirate. Interesting, isn't it? -Forget the explosion, Tupper; if you must worry, -worry about our real danger."</p> - -<p>"What is that, sir? What is our real danger?" -cried Madeline's uncle, springing to his feet in a -new access of terror.</p> - -<p>"There'll be fighting, presently," predicted Mr. -Cumberford. "Having failed in all else, the -Mexican will find a way to board us—in the night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -probably—and will try to slice us to goulash or -pepper us with bullets, as opportunity decides."</p> - -<p>"Great heavens!"</p> - -<p>"To be sure. To avoid getting to those great -heavens, where you don't belong, I advise you to -arm yourself properly and be ready to repel the -attack."</p> - -<p>Then Cumberford went on deck and found the -captain.</p> - -<p>"How about Ramon Ganza?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I think Ganza kept swimming and reached the -shore, where his men dragged him to cover. The -fellow seems to bear a charmed life."</p> - -<p>"That's bad," observed Cumberford, shaking -his head regretfully. "I've an idea, Captain -Krell, that unless we manage to capture Ramon -Ganza during the next twenty-four hours, he will -manage to capture us."</p> - -<p>"So soon?" asked the captain.</p> - -<p>"He won't dare to wait longer. There's help -coming."</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, in that case——" The captain -hesitated.</p> - -<p>"In that case it will be pleasanter and more -satisfactory for us to capture Ganza," said Mr. -Cumberford. "Interesting; isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"How can we do it?" asked Captain Krell.</p> - -<p>"I don't know," replied Cumberford.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a><br /> - -<small>THE DIPLOMACY OF CHESTY TODD</small></h2> - - -<p>When Mr. H. Chesterton Radley-Todd discovered -the one-eyed Francisco and his two comrades -calmly seated in the <i>Salvador's</i> launch, engaged -in nonchalantly smoking their brown-paper cigarettes, -he merely raised his eyebrows and continued -down the slope. They had seen him as soon as -he saw them and, confident in their superior numbers, -awaited his advance with serenity.</p> - -<p>Chesty knew there was little chance of escape, -and he knew the men knew he knew it. The -launch was his sole resource, and the enemy had -captured it. He might, perhaps, dodge behind the -rocks on the mountain for an indefinite period, -but they'd get him in the end, so such an undertaking -was scarcely worth the exertion it required.</p> - -<p>Therefore, on he came, walking leisurely and -picking his way deliberately down the incline -until he stood beside the launch, which was still -beached upon the shore of the little pocket-like -bay. Then he drew out a silver case and, choosing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> -a cigarette with solicitous care, turned to Francisco -and said:</p> - -<p>"Will the señor favor me with a light?"</p> - -<p>The men grinned. They enjoyed the humor of -the situation. Francisco, with a bow of mock -deference, furnished the required light from his -own cigarette.</p> - -<p>Chesty climbed into the launch, took a seat -facing Francisco and remarked: "Fine day, -señors."</p> - -<p>"Good to fly in air," nodded one of the men, -with a laugh and a glance skyward.</p> - -<p>"Oh; did you see the machine fly? Pretty sight, -wasn't it? And you boys saw it for nothing. In -the United States we charge fifty cents to tickle -the vision like that."</p> - -<p>Francisco looked at him, meditating.</p> - -<p>"Where they go?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"To Mexico, to ask President Madero for a -battleship."</p> - -<p>The men exchanged significant glances.</p> - -<p>"For why, señor?" inquired one of them.</p> - -<p>"To come and get Ramon Ganza and clap him -in prison. Perhaps hang him to one of those -banana trees, on the bluff up there."</p> - -<p>The Mexicans looked their consternation.</p> - -<p>"If that is true," said Francisco, slowly, "then -I may be capture an' put in prison, too."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I suppose so; because you belong to Ganza's -gang and have probably broken the laws more -than once."</p> - -<p>"I not murder," protested the man. "Ramon -do that, I know; but not me. I very hones' an' -good. But come," he added, throwing away his -cigarette and rising. "We mus' go back. You -are our prisoner, señor."</p> - -<p>Chesty did not move. He took the silver case -from his pocket and offered it to the Mexicans.</p> - -<p>"Help yourselves, boys," he said. "There's -no hurry. Let us sit here and have a little talk. -When you get back to Ramon he'll be sure to keep -you busy enough. This is a good time to rest."</p> - -<p>They hesitated a little, but took the cigarettes -and lighted them.</p> - -<p>"I suppose," remarked Mr. Todd, leaning back -with his arms clasped around his knees, "if I -asked the warship to take Ganza, and let my -friends—you are my friends, I suppose?" They -all nodded, watching his face eagerly. "And let -my friends escape—with me, in our yacht, the -<i>Salvador</i>—they would do so without question. -Madero knows me, and he usually does what I -ask."</p> - -<p>"You know Madero?" asked Francisco, his -back against the boat and his elbows resting on -the gunwale, in a lounging attitude.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> - -<p>"We are like twin brothers," asserted Chesty. -"That is why he will send a warship to take -Ramon Ganza and all his gang—except those who -are my friends."</p> - -<p>They smoked a while in silence and Chesty -noted that they now forbore meeting one another's -eyes.</p> - -<p>"Ramon great man," said one, presently, as if -to himself. "Ramon bad master; his people are -dogs; but Ramon have his own way, an' nobody -dare stop him."</p> - -<p>"Wrong, my friend," rejoined Mr. Todd. -"Ramon is stopped right now. His time is up; -his days are numbered. He has run the length -of his rope. Presently he'll be confined in a dungeon, -on bread-and-water, or breaking stone on -the roads—in chains and very miserable. Poor -Ramon. What a fool he was to break the law—which -leads to breaking stones!"</p> - -<p>"Ramon very clever," suggested another man, -but in a doubtful tone.</p> - -<p>"Cleverness has failed him this time," said -Chesty. "Your leader is caught like a rat in a -trap. If he could get hold of our yacht he'd skip -out and save himself; but he can't do that in a -thousand years."</p> - -<p>"An' why not, señor?"</p> - -<p>"We're too strong for him."</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> - -<p>They pondered this.</p> - -<p>"Ramon have sixteen men," said Francisco, -presently. "You had 'leven; but one fly away, -an' one—that is you, señor—is now capture. That -make you nine. Nine to sixteen—an' Ramon to -lead those sixteen!"</p> - -<p>"You didn't remain in school long enough to -complete your education, Francisco," declared the -prisoner, calmly. "In other words, you can't figure. -Here's the real situation, and it's worth -your while to study it: The yacht has a crew of -seven—all splendid warriors. Then there's General -Cumberford, a terrible fighter, and Major-General -Tupper, who cries every night if he can't -kill a man before he goes to bed—it makes him -sleep better, you know—and the invincible Captain -Krell, who once cut down a whole regiment -with his own saber—chopped them into mince-meat -by the hundreds, and was given a gold medal -with his monogram engraved on it, to commemorate -the event. That's an even ten defenders. -And then there's myself. I won't say much -about myself, but you might look me over carefully. -It is possible that if I was aroused I might -crush you three in my arms until your bones -cracked like walnuts."</p> - -<p>They did look at him, and it seemed as if the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> -big fellow might do it, exactly as he said. But -Chesty continued, reassuringly:</p> - -<p>"However, I never injure my friends. I'm -noted for that. Let's see; ten in our party, so -far, wasn't it? Then there's that Red-beard—Pietro—who -has been given a charm by one of -our witch-women which will not only preserve his -life but enable him to defeat all his enemies. -Pietro desires to return to civilization, a free man, -and we will allow him to do so."</p> - -<p>They were much impressed by this statement. -Chesty's idea of the "witch-woman" was destined -to prove his most forceful argument.</p> - -<p>"Pietro makes eleven," he continued, "and you -three bring the number up to fourteen, which -leaves Ramon but thirteen followers to be arrested -with him—unlucky number, thirteen. Haven't -you noticed it?"</p> - -<p>"You think we join you, then?" asked Francisco, -curiously.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure of it. You are no longer afraid of -Ramon, for his jig is up. You don't want to go -to prison with him, because it is very disagreeable -to break stone on the roads, I'm told, and in prison -they deprive a man of even his cigarettes. I know -you have been bad boys, all three of you, and until -now the law has threatened you. But you have -reformed. Remember, señors, you have reformed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> -and are now honest men. I will tell Madero, my -friend the president, what honest men you are, -and how you have helped to defy Ramon, the outlaw, -and give him up to justice. Madero will then -reward you, and you will live happy ever after."</p> - -<p>It was an enticing picture. The men looked -grave and undecided. In their hearts they hated -Ramon; but they also feared him. For years they -had lived in daily terror of the tyrant who ruled -them with an iron hand, who whipped a man -brutally if he incurred his anger, who dominated -them so utterly that they grovelled at his feet like -the curs they were. If they could be sure of -Ramon's downfall; if they could believe this big -American boy, who was fully as powerful of frame -as Ramon himself, then they would gladly desert -the tyrant and save themselves by joining his -enemies. It was only their inbred fear of Ramon -and their confidence in his cleverness in defying -justice, that made them hesitate.</p> - -<p>Chesty saw this. He racked his brain to find -other arguments.</p> - -<p>"You have witch-women?" asked one of the -men, in an awed tone.</p> - -<p>"Three of them, all very bewitching."</p> - -<p>"One has fly away."</p> - -<p>"Yes; to cast a spell over the captain of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> -Mexican battleship, and make him hurry. The -two most powerful are still here on this island."</p> - -<p>"Then why they not use their witchcraft to -push your ship into deep water!" inquired Francisco, -his one eye flashing triumphantly. "Why -the witch-women let Ramon make trouble for you? -Eh? Tell me, señor."</p> - -<p>Chesty looked at the man reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"How stupid you are, Francisco. Must we not -keep Ramon busy, to hold him here until the warship -comes? Why do you suppose we came to -this island at all, and ran our ship high on the -beach, without hurting it in any way! Did we -lay a trap for Ramon? Did we coax him to come -and try to capture us, that we might prove he is -a wicked law-breaker? We do not seem much -afraid of your Ramon, do we? Am I frightened? -Do I grow pale, and tremble? Here—feel my -pulse—does my blood beat faster in my veins -because Ramon Ganza, the trapped criminal, is -waiting here to be captured, and thinks he is -making us worry?"</p> - -<p>The two men exchanged a few sentences in -Spanish. Francisco listened to them and nodded -approvingly.</p> - -<p>"The case is this, señor," he announced, -addressing Mr. Todd. "We would like to leave -Ramon. We would like to join your ship an' go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> -back to Mexico, an' have pardon. But Ramon is -not trap yet. Ramon great man. Many time he -escape. If we leave him, an' he then capture your -ship, Ramon flog us with whip, which make great -pain in us."</p> - -<p>"True, that might be the result if Ramon captures -the ship; but he can't do that—not in a -century of Sundays, which is a long time. And -if you stay with Ramon you will surely be made -prisoners when the warship comes, which will be -in another day or two. You must make up your -minds which is the most powerful—we and our -witch-women, with the Mexican government and -its warships to back us, or poor Ramon, who is -caught in a trap. I like you, all three—but not -too much. You are fine men—unless I am lying—and -I would grieve to see you imprisoned with -Ramon. But otherwise I do not care what you -decide to do. Come with me and I will save you, -just as I intend to save myself, from Ramon's -anger. But if you stick to your old master I cannot -say one good word for you when you face the -Mexican authorities. Now I am tired talking. -Make up your minds and let me know."</p> - -<p>He carelessly rose, lighted another cigarette -and strolled down to the water's edge, where he -stood with his back to them. The three rascals<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> -took advantage of the opportunity and argued -among themselves for half an hour.</p> - -<p>"Señor!" called Francisco, who, as a trusted -lieutenant of Ramon Ganza, was the more important -of the three.</p> - -<p>Mr. Radley-Todd came back to the launch.</p> - -<p>"It is this way," explained Francisco. "We -desire to be save, señor, but we have caution. We -believe you speak true, but not yet have you conquer -Ramon; not yet has the warship come to -take him to prison. So we think of a way to be -safe if Ramon win, an' safe if you win. It is but -just to us, as honest men, that we do that way."</p> - -<p>Chesty smiled, really amused.</p> - -<p>"How childlike and bland you naughty, naughty -men are!" he exclaimed. "But let me hear your -clever plan to play both sides and win hands -down."</p> - -<p>"When we find you escape from ship," began -Francisco, "then Ramon think you have come -here, for the tent is gone from the top of the -bluff. So Ramon tell us to come here in big -launch, to see what you do, an' he say capture -you an' bring you back to him. When we get here -we find this boat; but two fly away in air-machine, -an' only one is left to capture. But -Ramon not know if we come before the two fly -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>away or not; he not know if we three, who come -to capture, get capture ourselves. So that is -what we mus' do. We get capture. You tie up -our arms an' our legs an' put gag in our mouth. -Then you put us in boat an' take us away to your -ship. If Ramon stop us, we say we have been -capture. If Ramon see you take us on your ship, -he think we have fight hard an' been capture, an' -he sorry but not mad. Then, if he take your ship, -he set us free; if warship come an' capture -Ramon, we safe on your ship an' be hones' men, -like you say, an' get reward from Madero. Is it -not good way, señor?"</p> - -<p>Chesty's sentiments wavered between indignation -and admiration. Such a combination of low -cunning, cowardice and absence of all shame he -had never encountered in any being of human -origin. But his cue was not to quarrel with the -men at this time. It was enough to realize that -instead of becoming a prisoner he was to carry -his three captors, bound, to the ship, and so -deprive Ramon of that many assistants.</p> - -<p>In the outlaw's big launch, which was anchored -just outside the tiny bay in the open sea, were -plenty of stout ropes. Francisco waded out and -got a supply, and then he proceeded deftly to -bind his two comrades, trussing their arms to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> -bodies and their legs together, so that they were -helpless. The fellows grinned with delight at this -experience, thinking how cleverly they were fooling -Ramon Ganza, and when they were laid side -by side on the beach Chesty stuck a lighted cigarette -in the mouth of each, to afford them comfort -and render them patient. Then Francisco bound -his own legs and turned to Mr. Radley-Todd, who -at once completed the operation and fastened -Francisco's arms to his body—not too tightly, but -in a very secure manner.</p> - -<p>When this was done the big boy breathed a sigh -of contentment and set himself down beside his -captives.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Francisco, "you mus' put us in -big boat an' go back to ship with us."</p> - -<p>Chesty shook his head.</p> - -<p>"Not yet, old man," said he.</p> - -<p>"Not yet?"</p> - -<p>"No; I shall wait for night. It will be safe in -the darkness."</p> - -<p>"Then you are 'fraid of Ramon?"</p> - -<p>"Not much. Just a little."</p> - -<p>The prisoners wriggled uneasily.</p> - -<p>"Listen, then, Señor American," observed -Francisco. "If we not go before night, then -release our bonds—make loose the ropes—so we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -will rest more easy. When night come you will -again tie us up."</p> - -<p>Mr. Todd was unresponsive.</p> - -<p>"Too much trouble, Francisco," he remarked, -with a yawn. "Why do the work twice?"</p> - -<p>"But—to lie here all day? San Sebastian, it -is too horrible!"</p> - -<p>"Fortunes of war, my dear boy. Ramon might -appear unexpectedly, you know. We made a bargain, -to ensure your safety, and we're going to -keep it."</p> - -<p>All three turned their heads to regard him with -interest. There were sparks of glowering resentment -in their dark eyes. Presently one of them -said in humble tones:</p> - -<p>"With your kind permission, Señor Americaño, -I think I will change my mind."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," replied Chesty; "do anything you -please with your mind. It's yours, you know."</p> - -<p>"I think, then, señor, I will not be your prisoner—until -night."</p> - -<p>"Don't think any such thing. It's wicked of -you. Try to guide your thoughts into right channels. -Make up your mind to be true to your bargain, -because—you have to be."</p> - -<p>Francisco groaned.</p> - -<p>"All masters are cruel," he muttered. "This -Americaño is as bad as Ramon!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> - -<p>"But he's going to preserve your liberty and -keep you out of jail," Chesty reminded him.</p> - -<p>"And now, boys, try to sleep, for I'm going to -take a little walk and stretch my legs."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a><br /> - -<small>SCUTTLED</small></h2> - - -<p>A modicum of truth had been included in Ramon -Ganza's recital of falsehoods during his interview -with those on board the yacht. The outlaw -was really in a tight place and only by forcing, -in some way, the capture of the yacht could he -hope to escape in a manner at all agreeable to his -requirements.</p> - -<p>By this time he was fully aware of the situation -that confronted him. The flying-machine, if -it encountered no accident, would reach the mainland -and secure assistance for the stranded -Americans. Perhaps it was true that President -Madero would send a warship to capture him. -Like most fugitive criminals, he had an exaggerated -idea of his own importance. In any event he -must abandon his island kingdom and seek another -hiding place. His first intention—to make everyone -of these intruders prisoners and subjects, so -they could not betray him—was frustrated by the -escape of the two in the aëroplane. It would be -useless to capture the others when these two had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> -already carried the news to the authorities who -were seeking him.</p> - -<p>Two courses of procedure were, open to Ganza. -One was hastily to outfit his sixty-foot launch and -run it to the South Pacific in search of some other -island that was uninhabited, taking with him -enough men and women to start a new colony. -The other was to capture the yacht, put his most -cherished possessions on board and then make off -in it before any help could arrive from the mainland. -The first was by far the most sensible -course, but the beauties of the <i>Salvador</i> had so -enraptured him and he was so well aware of the -value a yacht would prove to him that he could -not bring himself to abandon the idea of securing -it until the last moment of grace had arrived.</p> - -<p>This led him to consider how much time -remained to him in which to carry out his intentions. -He figured that at least thirty-six hours -must elapse before any ship could possibly arrive. -It was unlikely that the messengers would find -a ship prepared to sail at a moment's notice, and -therefore three or four days might pass before he -would be disturbed by any outside foe.</p> - -<p>Ramon had hoped to frighten the Americans -into surrender and therefore had arranged the -little drama so lately enacted; but the finale had -disappointed him. There was no mine planted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> -beneath the yacht, but he had instructed one of his -men to answer to his call, no matter what name -he cried out, and to make the statement to the -Americans which he had so cleverly invented. He -made a mistake in thinking the flag of truce would -protect him, for these strangers were not so simple -as he had believed; so he had been forced to -attempt a desperate escape, which succeeded -because it was so bold and unexpected.</p> - -<p>Recovering his breath as his white flannels dried -upon the rocks, Ramon Ganza carefully considered -his next move in the game. The yacht was a -glorious prize. He must certainly have it for his -own. The people on board seemed unequal to a -successful defense. There might be half a dozen -determined men among them, but the rest were -women and cowards. He laughed as he recalled -Mr. Tupper's terror at his threats.</p> - -<p>The outlaw decided to carry the ship by assault. -A night attack would be best. As soon as Francisco -returned with the launch he would call his -men together and instruct them what to do. Being -informed of every movement on the part of the -besieged, Ganza was aware that three people had -escaped in the small launch to the bluff where the -flying-machine lay. As soon as he discovered that -the tent was gone he had dispatched Francisco -with two men to capture the three, or as many as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> -he could find. When the aëroplane ascended -Ganza watched it carefully and decided it contained -but two people; therefore Francisco would -find the other and presently return.</p> - -<p>But Francisco failed to put in an appearance, -to his master's great annoyance. That old tub of -a launch was precious to him, for if all else failed -he must use it to make good his escape. Also he -needed the three men to assist in boarding the -yacht in the night attack. His men were unarmed, -while the yacht's crew seemed well provided with -weapons of defense.</p> - -<p>As the day wore on he considered sending the -rowboat to search for Francisco's party, but -decided not to risk it. Of course Francisco would -come, in time; doubtless he was delayed because -he experienced difficulty in capturing his man.</p> - -<p>Evening came, but no Francisco. Ramon Ganza -was perplexed; he was even somewhat troubled. -He must defer the attack until the launch arrived, -for he intended to use it to carry his men to the -side of the yacht. His plan was to have the launch -run up to one side and make a noisy attack, to -create a diversion and concentrate the attention -of those on board, while he and a party of picked -men stole silently to the other side in the rowboat, -climbed to the deck and overcame all who opposed -them. The bow was too high to scale, where it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> -rested on the beach; the attack must be made near -the stern, which sat low in the water.</p> - -<p>Therefore the launch was quite necessary, as -were the three men who were absent with it, -so Ramon was angry with Francisco for not -returning more promptly.</p> - -<p>The outlaw paced up and down the rocks in the -starlight and cursed his dilatory lieutenant most -heartily.</p> - -<p>But the launch was coming. In fact, two -launches were coming to the bay.</p> - -<p>As soon as night had really settled down, Mr. -Radley-Todd quit loafing and suddenly became -active. He carried his trussed and helpless prisoners, -one by one, to the small launch and laid -them gently along the bottom. He had already, -during the afternoon, waded out to the larger -launch of Ganza, bored a large hole in its bottom -and then stopped the inrushing water with a plug. -He chuckled while doing this, being greatly -pleased by what he called his "foxy plan to fool -the pirate."</p> - -<p>With his prisoners aboard, the boy shoved the -<i>Salvador's</i> launch into the water and cautiously -paddled it between the rocks and to the side of -the big launch, to which he attached it by means -of a rope.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I think I shall gag you boys, as you suggested," -he said to the prisoners, who by this -time had become sullen and decidedly unfriendly.</p> - -<p>"No!" cried Francisco, partly in anger and -partly in fear; "it is not necessary. We know -what to do."</p> - -<p>"Will you promise not to cry out and attract -Ramon's attention?"</p> - -<p>"We swear it!" they all cried eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Then I think I shall gag you. Not because I -doubt your word but because I've whittled out -three lovely gags and I'm anxious to see how they -work."</p> - -<p>They began to protest vigorously at such unkind -treatment, but Chesty gagged them, by turns, and -they were effectually silenced.</p> - -<p>"You boys are splendid actors," he told them, -admiringly, "and you are performing your parts -with great credit to us all. No one would guess -this was your plan, would he? Ramon least of all. -If we are not captured, you will make an important -addition to our party on the yacht. If we -are, you will lie gloriously to Ramon and say I -sneaked up behind you and sandbagged all three -before you saw me. Eh? Never mind answering, -for you can't."</p> - -<p>As he spoke, Chesty climbed into the big launch -and started the engines. They grumbled and -refused to act, at first, but finally overcame their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> -reluctance and the boat chug-chugged on its way -to the south bay, making such a racket that the -owls thought it was defying them and redoubled -their frantic screeches.</p> - -<p>"Ramon will be certain to hear me coming," -reflected the boy as the boat swept on. "He's a -clever scoundrel, that Mexican; exceptionally -clever; but if he guesses this riddle he's a wizard."</p> - -<p>He kept the launch well out from the shore and -as it approached the points of rock behind which -the yacht lay hidden he set the steering wheel to -carry the boat a couple of hundred yards past the -entrance to the bay, lashing it firmly in place. -Then, while the engines continued their monotonous -"chug-chug," he pried the plug out of the -bottom of the boat, crept aboard the <i>Salvador's</i> -launch and unfastened the rope, cutting the two -craft apart. The big launch quickly forged ahead -and Chesty sat down and let the smaller boat -drift peacefully where it lay.</p> - -<p>Ramon Ganza had heard his boat coming, as -Chesty had intended he should. Greatly relieved, -but still angry with Francisco, he ran as far out -upon the point as the rocks would permit and -peered through the starlight to catch sight of the -approaching launch.</p> - -<p>Presently it appeared, making good time, the -old engines working steadily and doing their full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> -duty. But it did not turn into the bay, for some -extraordinary reason; instead, it kept straight -on and headed for some indefinite point out at -sea.</p> - -<p>"Francisco!" shouted Ganza, in a rage; "Francisco—villain—fool! -What are you doing? Wake -up, Francisco! The idiot is asleep."</p> - -<p>As the precious launch did not halt, the outlaw -ran along the shore, following its track and shaking -his fist at the perverse Francisco with vengeful -energy. Most of his men, attracted by their -chief's excitement, left their posts to join him on -the shore; the others gazed wonderingly in the -direction of the disappearing launch.</p> - -<p>Meantime, Chesty Todd cautiously paddled his -little boat into the bay, crept to the side of the -yacht and uttered a low whistle—the signal agreed -upon. Those on board, who had been interested -in Ramon's shouts and suspected something was -about to happen, lost no time in lowering the -davits and Chesty promptly attached the grappling -hooks. A few moments later the launch and -its occupants were safely on deck and the boy -stepped out to be greeted by hearty handshakes -and congratulations on his safe return.</p> - -<p>"You'll find three prisoners in the launch, Captain -Krell," he said. "When you remove their -gags they'll protest they are our friends; but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> -wouldn't trust 'em. Better lock 'em in the cage -until this cruel war is over."</p> - -<p>"What has become of the Mexican's launch?" -asked Mr. Cumberford. "The pirates seem to -be having some trouble over it."</p> - -<p>"It won't bother 'em for long," replied Mr. -Todd, complacently. "The boat is headed out to -sea, all by its lonesome; but there's a hole in the -bottom and it's fast filling with salt water. I -imagine that within the next fifteen minutes it -will go to Davy Jones's locker, and be out of -commission."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a><br /> - -<small>ORISSA RETURNS</small></h2> - - -<p>If ever man was thoroughly perplexed it was -Ramon Ganza the outlaw. He heard his launch -proceed for a distance out to sea, then listened -while the engines hesitated and stopped, and saw -the boat on which his liberty might depend whirl -slowly around and disappear beneath the waves. -What could it mean? Were his men on board, -and had they met with some astonishing accident, -or had they deliberately committed suicide? The -curses died on his lips; the affair was too startling -and too serious for mere raving; he must try -to think of a logical solution of the problem.</p> - -<p>The loss of the launch, his last refuge from captivity -and imprisonment, left him caught like a -wolf in a trap—in case he failed to get possession -of the yacht. All night long he sat on a rock by -the sea, smoking his black cheroots and thinking—thinking—thinking. -Neither he nor his men -knew that Chesty Todd had returned to the yacht; -but if Ramon had known it he would not have -attached especial importance to the fact. It<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> -would merely mean one more person to capture -during the assault.</p> - -<p>Morning found Ganza still deep in thought. He -glanced rather uneasily at the ocean and at times -swept the horizon with his glasses, which were -slung by a strap to his shoulder. His men brought -him food and a cup of hot coffee, but dared not -speak to him in his present mood. They suspected -his case was growing desperate, yet they -still retained confidence in their resourceful, -clever master, who had never yet failed to -accomplish whatever he undertook.</p> - -<p>In this crisis of his career the fugitive, usually -irritable and quick to act, proved his strength of -mind by taking time to consider his position from -all points and to weigh carefully the merits of the -different plans that suggested themselves. He -realized that an error at this time would prove -fatal.</p> - -<p>The hours wore on until, at about the middle -of the afternoon, as Ganza made one of his -periodic inspections of the horizon, his glasses -caught a speck in the sky—a speck that moved -and grew larger. At first he thought it a gull -or an eagle; later he changed his mind, for the -speck rapidly increased in size and took form, and -the form was that of an aëroplane.</p> - -<p>Those on the yacht saw it now and great was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> -the wonder and excitement it caused. Here was -a messenger from the great world, bringing them -hope of succor or black disappointment. Presently -the broad spreading planes bore down upon -the island and circled gracefully over the ship.</p> - -<p>"It's Orissa!" they cried in chorus and Chesty -Todd added: "She wants to land on deck. Clear -a space—quick!"</p> - -<p>They did the best they could. It seemed like a -tiny place for that great sweeping thing to land -on and even Sybil exclaimed: "She'll never make -it in the world!" But Orissa, hovering above -them in her Aircraft, observed carefully the conditions -below and shutting off her engine began -to volplane.</p> - -<p>The huge machine settled quietly down and -alighted fairly upon the deck. One rail caught -the lower plane and tipped it, but the girl leaped -lightly from her seat and was caught by Mr. Cumberford, -whose gray eyes sparkled with joy from -behind their spectacles.</p> - -<p>You may be sure the brave girl received a glad -welcome, but as soon as her safety was assured -she was deluged with questions. The ping of a -rifle ball warned them to scuttle below to the cabin, -where Orissa tried to explain.</p> - -<p>"Why on earth did you venture to come back?" -demanded Madeline. "We had told ourselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> -that you, at least, were safe from the dangers -that menace us, and it pleased us to know that. -But where is your brother?"</p> - -<p>"Did you get to land?" cried half a dozen -voices, eagerly. "What did you do? Tell us!"</p> - -<p>Orissa laughed and held up both hands, imploring -silence.</p> - -<p>"I came to bring you good news," she began. -"And now that you are assured of that, please -let me tell the story my own way, or I shall -bungle it."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead," they answered and settled themselves -to listen.</p> - -<p>"We followed the route Captain Krell had -mapped out for us," said Orissa, "and in four -hours after leaving here we sighted the Mexican -coast. Fifteen minutes' run to the north brought -us to the village of San Blas, where there is a -telegraph office. We landed and had some difficulty -in satisfying the authorities that we were -harmless Americans, but finally they agreed to -escort us to the telegraph office under guard. We -wired our story direct to President Madero, putting -it as briefly as possible and asking him for a -warship to rescue our friends and capture Ramon -Ganza. There was no answer until evening, when -we received a message from the Secretary of the -Navy saying he had conferred with the President<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> -and Secretary of State and would be glad to -accede to our request. In eight or ten days he -thought he could spare a warship to go to the -island for Ganza. Unfortunately, the entire navy -was in use at the present time.</p> - -<p>"That dashed our hopes, you may be sure, for -we feared you couldn't hold Ganza at bay for so -long; so Steve and I determined to fly to San -Diego and secure help there. The Secretary of -the Navy had wired the authorities of San Blas -to afford us every consideration and hospitality, -so we filled our tanks with gasoline and slept at -a little inn until daybreak. Then we were off for -the north, and in two hours met the United States -torpedo fleet, on its way to Magdalena Bay for -target practice. We made out the flagship and -dropped to the water beside it. Commodore Davis -at once laid to and sent a boat to us. Steve went -aboard and explained fully to the commodore our -story and the need for immediate help. As a -result the <i>Mermaid</i> was signaled and its captain -presently came aboard and received his orders. -He was to take us directly to this island, drive -off Ganza or fight him, as circumstances might -require, and then assist in getting the <i>Salvador</i> -afloat again. If he captures Ganza he is to carry -him away a prisoner and turn him and his men -over to the Mexican authorities at Magdalena.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Captain Swanson undertook the adventure -gladly and is now on his way here with the <i>Mermaid</i>, -with Steve to guide him. My brother and I -thought it best for me to come on ahead and tell -you the good news, for we have worried about you -and knew that with rescue at hand you would -have courage to hold out, no matter how desperate -your condition. So here I am, and the <i>Mermaid</i> -will arrive either to-night or early in the -morning."</p> - -<p>They were indeed delighted with this assurance -and it put new heart into the most timorous of -those aboard.</p> - -<p>"However," said Chesty Todd, "we seem to be -in no danger, just now, and since our clever enemy -has failed to scare us into surrender he has -remained quiet and behaved himself as well as -could be expected."</p> - -<p>They told Orissa all that had transpired in her -absence and the conversation continued all during -the dinner—on which the chef exercised his best -talents, in honor of Orissa's return—and even -until bedtime, there was so much to say.</p> - -<p>Chesty went on watch at eleven o'clock, and as -he leaned silently over the rail at a point near -the bow of the launch he detected a series of queer -sounds coming from below. This part of the -yacht was high on the shelving beach and it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> -here that they had arranged huge piles of rock, -on either side, to hold the keel level. It sounded -to Mr. Todd as if some one was at work near these -rocks, for on account of the swell of the boat's -side it was impossible to see, from the deck, -anyone below, in case he kept close to the keel.</p> - -<p>So Chesty crept aft, held a whispered conversation -with Captain Krell, and quickly divested -himself of his clothing. At the stern, which was -settled quite close to the surface of the water, the -boy let himself down by means of a rope, descending -hand under hand, and silently dropped into -the dark water. Swimming was one of Radley-Todd's -principal accomplishments and he scarcely -made a ripple as he crept alongside the boat until -the bow came into full view. The night was somewhat -darker than usual, but the American had -sharp eyes and it did not take him long to discover -that the besiegers were employed in removing -the rocks from the right hand side of the keel.</p> - -<p>Instantly comprehending their purpose in this, -Chesty turned and quickly regained the stern, -climbing to the deck. His report to Captain -Krell seemed so serious, because it meant a desperate -attack presently, that it was promptly -decided to arouse the entire party and warn them -that a crisis was at hand.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a><br /> - -<small>FACING THE CRISIS</small></h2> - - -<p>Consternation reigned in the cabin when -the principals assembled there with white and -startled faces. On deck Captain Krell was -instructing his men how to act in the threatened -emergency. Pietro was among them, accepting -his rifle and his instructions willingly, but shaking -his head at what he considered a vain attempt -to resist Ramon Ganza.</p> - -<p>"Ramon great man!" he said to Captain Krell. -"Ramon always win; nobody can conquer him. -I knew Ramon would win this time, an' when he -does he will capture me an' whip me hard. All -right; I know I am to be whipped at the time -Chica tell me to leave Ramon. Never min'. -Pietro can stand it, for others have been whipped -by Ramon an' lived—with marks like a zebra's -on their skins."</p> - -<p>In the cabin Chesty was trying to explain the -situation.</p> - -<p>"It's this way," he said; "when the rocks are -all removed the yacht will fall over on her side, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> -she was at first, with the rail quite near to the -water. You remember how she lay before we -propped her up. Well, that means we have no -secure footing on deck and that the pirates can -easily climb aboard and have the best of the -argument. If we slip, we fall into their arms; if -we stick to the deck—like flies to a ceiling, they'll -rush and get us."</p> - -<p>"We can't fight from the deck," declared -Cumberford. "Tell Captain Krell to come here."</p> - -<p>The captain arrived and after a consultation it -was decided to gather all hands in the cabin and -fortify it as strongly as possible. The roof projected -a few feet above the deck and there was a -row of small windows on either side, but these -were supplied with heavy shutters designed for -use in case of storms, when the shutters were -readily fixed in place. The stairway might be -well guarded by one man, and above the windows -were small ventilators through which several -rifles could be pointed. By standing upon the -cabin table the defenders could command the deck -in this way. They were instructed not to shoot, -however, unless absolutely obliged to. All the -hatches were battened down, so that if Ganza -gained the deck he could not get below and was -welcome to remain aboard until the rescuers -arrived.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> -<p>Orissa, who had listened silently, now approached -Mr. Cumberford and said:</p> - -<p>"When the yacht tips, our Aircraft will be -ruined, for the chances are it will slide overboard. -Even if it doesn't, those scoundrels will -wreck it completely, for it will be quite at their -mercy. So I've decided, while there is yet time, -to fly it across to the bluff, where I can remain -until you are rescued."</p> - -<p>"Can you manage to get away from the deck?"</p> - -<p>"Easily."</p> - -<p>"Then I think it best for you to go."</p> - -<p>"May I take Sybil with me?"</p> - -<p>He hesitated a moment; then replied: "Yes. -It will be a good thing to have you girls away -from here when the attack is made. Here you -could be of no service whatever, and your absence -will—eh—give us more room to defend the cabin."</p> - -<p>"You will have to act quickly, Miss Kane," -suggested Chesty.</p> - -<p>"I know. Come, Sybil."</p> - -<p>They drew on their jackets as they went on -deck, both girls realizing that no time must be -lost if they hoped to get away. Once the yacht -tipped on her side it would be impossible to fly -the machine.</p> - -<p>As they took their places Mr. Radley-Todd -inquired: "Plenty of gasoline?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> - -<p>"I think so," said Orissa. "I'm not sure how -much is left in the tanks, but it ought to be enough -to get us to the bluff. Whirl the propeller, -Chesty."</p> - -<p>He did so, and the engine started with a roar. -Cumberford and Chesty steadied the Aircraft -until the motor had acquired full speed and then -Orissa threw in the clutch and the big aëroplane -rose as easily as a bird takes flight and ascended -into the starlit sky at a steep angle. This feat -is what is called "cloud climbing" and Orissa -understood it perfectly.</p> - -<p>It seemed a bold thing to undertake such a -flight in the nighttime, but the Flying Girl's -friends had so much confidence in her skill that -they never considered the danger of the undertaking. -Across the barren island to the bluff -was so unimportant a flight to one of Orissa's -experience that when she was once away they -believed her quite safe.</p> - -<p>While the men stood watching the Aircraft -mount into the dim sky the yacht suddenly -trembled and keeled over, throwing them all flat -upon the deck. With one accord they scrambled -up and dashed into the cabin, which they reached -just as Ramon Ganza and his men swarmed over -the rail.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a><br /> - -<small>THE PRISONER</small></h2> - - -<p>"What's wrong, Ris?" asked Sybil, as the -engine skipped and wavered.</p> - -<p>"Gasoline," was the brief answer.</p> - -<p>"Oh. Can you get to the bluff?"</p> - -<p>"I—don't—know. There!" as the propeller -ceased to whirl; "now I'll volplane. It's a long -reach, Syb; but we'll land somewhere—right side -up."</p> - -<p>The dim mountain seemed far ahead of them; -below was the "dip," or valley, which lay between -the rock ridges and the mountain. As they had -casually glanced toward it in former times, it -seemed a forbidding place, slimy and moist, devoid -alike of any green thing or living creature. Even -the owls shunned the "dip."</p> - -<p>To-night, when everything was obscure, they -seemed gliding into a black pit. Orissa had to -manipulate her levers cautiously, for she could -not tell just when they would reach the ground. -As it was they bumped, bounded forward, bumped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> -again and brought up suddenly between two -boulders that topped a rugged knoll.</p> - -<p>"Any damage?" asked Sybil, catching her -breath.</p> - -<p>"Not much, I'm sure," replied her chum. "But -here we are; and here we'll stay until some one -comes with gasoline. Can you see anything, -Syb?"</p> - -<p>"The mountain, over there against the sky. It -seems so near I could almost touch it. It wouldn't -have taken but a few drops more to have landed -us on the bluff, drat the luck!"</p> - -<p>"See anything else?"</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>"Around us."</p> - -<p>"No; but I can smell something. Smells like -spoiled gasoline. Does gasoline ever spoil, Ris?"</p> - -<p>"Not to my knowledge. But come; let's crawl -into the boat and get the blankets out. Wherever -we are, it's our hotel, and we must make the best -of it."</p> - -<p>Skyward, there could be distinguished the mountain -at the west and the rock hills at the east; -but the pocket in which they lay was black as ink. -From the boat Orissa managed to open the aluminum -chest and take out the blankets. They then -arranged a temporary bed in the bottom of the -boat and covered themselves up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> - -<p>"Anyhow, I managed to save the Aircraft," -sighed Orissa, contentedly. Then she sat bolt -upright and cried: "Listen!"</p> - -<p>"The battle's on," answered Sybil, as a succession -of wild shouts reached their ears. It was -very aggravating to be so ignorant of what was -happening to their friends. The shouts continued, -at intervals, but there was no sound of firearms. -Evidently the Mexicans had gained the deck but -had found it a barren victory. On the mountain -the owls were hooting and flying about as usual, -but the shouts that had come from the bay were of -such a different nature that the shrieks of the -night-birds did not drown them.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a broad streak of light shot over them, -rested a moment on the mountain, swayed to right -and left and then sank below the ridges of rock. -Above the bay where the <i>Salvador</i> was beached -thin shafts of white light radiated, illuminating -the sky like an aurora borealis.</p> - -<p>"A searchlight!"</p> - -<p>"The torpedo boat!" the girls cried in one -breath; and then they sat trembling and straining -their ears to listen.</p> - -<p>A dull, angry "boom!" rent the air and echoed -from the mountain. It was a warning gun from -the <i>Mermaid</i>. The shouts became screams of fear. -Then silence followed, complete and enduring.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p> - -<p>Orissa breathed heavily. "It's all over, Sybil!" -she gasped.</p> - -<p>"I—I wonder if—anyone was—hurt."</p> - -<p>"Any of our people?"</p> - -<p>"Of course."</p> - -<p>"I think not. That gun was merely a signal -and I imagine the Mexicans ran like rats. How -fortunate it was that Captain Swanson arrived -with the <i>Mermaid</i> so soon!"</p> - -<p>"How unfortunate he didn't come sooner. We -wouldn't have been in this awkward predicament. -It will take them hours to get to us over those -sharp rocks."</p> - -<p>Orissa did not reply. She was trying to understand -the events transpiring around the <i>Salvador</i>. -Had there been a tragedy? Or had the torpedo -boat merely frightened the outlaws, as she had -imagined, and driven them away?</p> - -<p>There was no sleep for the isolated girls during -the brief hours preceding the dawn. As it gradually -lightened they peered about them to see -where they were, and by degrees made out their -surroundings. There were fewer rocks in this -cup-shaped hollow than in other parts of the -island. On the knoll where the Aircraft rested -were the two big rocks which had arrested its -progress, and between these the body of the aluminum -boat was tightly wedged. At intervals<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> -throughout the valley were similar rocky hummocks, -but all the space between consisted of an -oozy, damp soil of a greenish-brown color, with -glints of red where the sun caught it prismatically. -Looking at this ooze critically, as the light -strengthened, it seemed to the girls to shift somewhat, -showing here and there a thick bubble -which slowly formed and disappeared.</p> - -<p>Orissa put her hand over the side of the boat -and withdrew it again.</p> - -<p>"Look, Sybil," she exclaimed. "It's oil."</p> - -<p>"Hair or salad oil, Ris?"</p> - -<p>Orissa sniffed at her dipped finger.</p> - -<p>"Petroleum. This is the crude article, and seeps -up from some store of oil far down in the earth. -There would be a fortune in this find, Syb, if it -happened to be in America. Out here it is, of -course, valueless."</p> - -<p>"Don't they make kerosene and gasoline of it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; of course."</p> - -<p>"Then make some gasoline and let's fly away."</p> - -<p>Orissa laughed.</p> - -<p>"If you will furnish the distillery, Syb, I'll -make the gasoline," she said; "but I believe it's -a long, slow process, and——"</p> - -<p>"Look!" cried Sybil, with a start, as she pointed -a slim finger toward the east. From a far distant -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>ridge a man came bounding over the rocks, leaping -from one to another with little hesitation in -picking his way. He was a big man, but as the -light was still dim they could see no more than -his huge form. Presently he paused to look -behind him; then on he dashed again. He had -come from the direction of the bay and was at -first headed toward the mountain, but in one of -his pauses, whether to regain his breath or look -behind, he caught sight of the aëroplane and at -once turned directly toward it.</p> - -<p>"Do you think," asked Sybil, uneasily, "it is -one of our people come to look for us?"</p> - -<p>"No," returned Orissa, positively. "That man -is a fugitive. He has escaped over the rock hills -and is trying to find some hiding place."</p> - -<p>"Then I wonder he dares come in our direction."</p> - -<p>"It is <i>strange</i>," agreed Orissa, with a shudder -as she remembered how helpless they were.</p> - -<p>Then, with fascinated gaze, the two girls fell -silent and watched the approaching fugitive. As -he neared that part of the valley where the oil -seeped up he proceeded more cautiously, leaping -from one point of rock—or hummock—to another. -Once, when forced to step on the level ground, the -oil tripped him. He slipped and fell, but was -instantly up again and bounding on his way. It -seemed no easy task to make speed over such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> -rough and trackless way, yet here it was easier -to proceed than back in those almost impassable -hills. It was wonderful that he had succeeded in -crossing them at all.</p> - -<p>"I think," said Orissa, as she sat cold and staring, -"it is Ramon Ganza."</p> - -<p>"The outlaw? But he wears white flannels."</p> - -<p>"Not now. He probably changed them for the -night attack; but I can see the rings glitter on his -fingers, and—none of the other Mexicans is so -big."</p> - -<p>Sybil nestled a little closer to her friend.</p> - -<p>"Have you a revolver, Ris?"</p> - -<p>Orissa shook her head.</p> - -<p>"No arms at all—not even a hatpin?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing whatever to use for defense."</p> - -<p>The man was quite near now. Yes; it was -Ramon Ganza. His clothes were torn by the rocks -and hung around him in rags, and where he had -fallen the thick, slimy oil clung to them. His face -was smeared with dust and grime and the whole -aspect of the outlaw was ghastly and repulsive—perhaps -rendered more acute by the jewelled -rings that loaded his fingers.</p> - -<p>He was obliged to step with more care as he -neared the aëroplane, in which crouched the two -girls, and finally he came to a halt on a hummock -a few paces away. The oil lay more thickly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> -around the Aircraft than elsewhere, and Ramon -Ganza eyed it suspiciously. Then he spoke, resting -his hands on his hips and leering insolently -at Sybil and Orissa.</p> - -<p>"So, I have caught you, then," he cried. "Why -did you try to escape?"</p> - -<p>"For the same reason you are trying to escape, -perhaps," retorted Orissa, summoning what courage -she could command. "But I warn you that -our friends will presently come for us, and—you -may not care to meet them."</p> - -<p>He uttered an angry snarl and cast a quick -glance around the valley. In all its broad stretch -not a person other than themselves was visible.</p> - -<p>Ramon sat down on his knoll, breathing heavily -from his long run.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have run away," he admitted, bitterness -and hate in his tone. "I can fight ten—or -twenty, perhaps—with my single hand; but not -fifty. They have come to put me in prison, those -fiends over there," jerking his thumb toward the -bay, "and seeing they were too strong for me to -oppose, I came away. It is what you call discreet—eh?—which -is more safe, if less noble, than -valor. But they have the island and they will -hunt me down. And once more I shall laugh at -them—once more Ramon Ganza will defy them -all!"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> - -<p>"How?" asked Orissa, curiously.</p> - -<p>"Have you not the flying-machine—the airship?" -he asked, simply. "And are you not here -alone, and in my power? It carries but two, I see, -so one of you shall stay here. The other must -fly with me to my own island, where I will take -a sailboat and—vanish from the dogs who are -hounding me."</p> - -<p>"That," said Orissa, with forced calmness, for -her heart was beating wildly, "is impossible."</p> - -<p>He uttered a fierce growl.</p> - -<p>"It is <i>not</i> impossible," he cried. "I have seen -your machine fly, and know it can fly when you -want it to. It must fly now, or by San Filippe I -will tumble you both out and fly it myself. It is -best that you not arouse my anger, for Ramon -Ganza is desperate and will not be denied. Get -ready, girl! We will fly to my island, or——" -He laughed harshly. "Or you will both ruin your -beautiful toilets, and—the mire is dangerous," -he added.</p> - -<p>"We have no gasoline," pleaded Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Pah! a trick to deceive me."</p> - -<p>"No; it is true," cried Sybil, who grew more -quiet as fear possessed her.</p> - -<p>He hesitated, a look of despair flashing across -his features. Then he said with grim determination: -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>"I will see for myself," and stepped recklessly -into the pool of oil that lay between him and -the hummock where the aëroplane perched.</p> - -<p>The slime reached to his ankle, but he kept doggedly -on. The second step sent him knee-deep into -the ooze and he had to struggle to wade farther -in. But now he sank nearly to his waist and the -sticky soil held him fast. Then suddenly the man -seemed to realize his peril and uttered a shrill -cry of terror.</p> - -<p>"Help, young ladies! For the love of humanity—help! -Will you see me die like this?" he -screamed.</p> - -<p>Orissa and Sybil, both horrified, had risen to -their feet. The sinking outlaw was fully five -yards distant and there seemed no possible way -to aid him. But it was terrible to allow a human -being to perish in such a way, even when it was a -confessed enemy who stood in peril. Orissa caught -up a blanket and hurled it toward him, and he -seized it eagerly and spread it around him for -support. Next moment Sybil had hastily folded -the second blanket and cast it with all her strength -toward Ganza. One corner he caught and in a -moment had added it to the first, now becoming -saturated with oil. Yet the blankets would not -have availed much had not Ramon's feet now -rested upon a rock far beneath the surface, effectually -preventing him from sinking any lower.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> -Almost waist-deep in the putty-like mire he stood -a fast prisoner, for no effort of his own could -enable him to free himself.</p> - -<p>He realized, presently, that he was not fated to -be entombed in the mire, so part of his old assurance -returned to him. As he stared at the girls -and they returned his gaze with horrified looks, -he remarked:</p> - -<p>"Well, I am caught, as you see; but it was no -officer of the law that did it. Ramon Ganza can -defy mankind, as he has often proved, but he bows -to Nature. Also, young ladies, I beg to point -out that—if you have spoken truly—you are likewise -caught, and alas! we cannot assist one -another. What, then, shall we do for amusement?"</p> - -<p>"I think," said Sybil gravely, "you ought to -pray."</p> - -<p>"I? I have forgotten how. What then? Shall -we sing songs? If you will accompany the chorus -I will delight your ears with my excellent tenor -voice."</p> - -<p>This bravado, coming from a man stuck fast in -the mire, was so gruesome that it made the girls -shudder with aversion. But Sybil, happening to -glance up, cried with sudden animation: "Look, -Orissa!" and pointed with a trembling finger.</p> - -<p>In the distance a group of men had appeared -over the edge of the rock hills. They saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> -the stalled aëroplane and waved their arms -encouragingly.</p> - -<p>Ganza screwed his head around with some difficulty -and also observed the rescue party.</p> - -<p>"It cannot matter," he said coolly. "As well -one prison as another, and no Mexican dungeon -could hug me tighter than this."</p> - -<p>He fell silent, however, and no further remarks -were exchanged as the distant party drew nearer. -They were forced by the treacherous nature of -the valley to move cautiously and when they -entered the area of oil seepage more than one -slipped in the slimy pools. But gradually they -approached the spot where the aëroplane rested -and now Orissa and Sybil could make out Stephen -Kane, Mr. Cumberford, Captain Krell, Chesty -Todd and an unknown man in uniform, who were -accompanied by several seamen.</p> - -<p>The girls stood up and waved their handkerchiefs -and then cried out warnings to beware the -mire. Not until the rescuers were quite near to -the place did they perceive the upper half of -Ramon Ganza protruding from the imprisoning -slime.</p> - -<p>"Dear me," cried Mr. Cumberford; "this is -interesting; very! How are you, girls? All -right?"</p> - -<p>Through the bombardment of eager questions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> -they assured their friends that they had suffered -no serious discomfort because of the accident to -the Aircraft. "But," added Sybil, "we had a -good fright when Ramon Ganza threatened us, -unless we assisted him to escape in our aëroplane. -Fortunately the mire came to our assistance, for -he stepped into a soft place and it held him fast—as -you see."</p> - -<p>All eyes turned upon the helpless outlaw, who -nodded his head with astonishing nonchalance.</p> - -<p>"I bid you good morning, señors," said he. -"When you are sufficiently rested from your walk, -be kind enough to pull me out of this loving -embrace; but gently, or you may dislocate my -bones."</p> - -<p>"Who is this?" asked the officer in uniform, a -fine featured young man.</p> - -<p>"The rascal who has so boldly annoyed us, -regardless of consequences," replied Cumberford, -frowning upon the Mexican. "He escaped us last -night, but we have him now, sure enough, and I -intend to see he is handed over to the authorities -of his country, whose laws he has defied."</p> - -<p>"What did he do?" the officer inquired, gazing -at Ganza curiously.</p> - -<p>"Permit me to explain that I robbed a bank—a -bank engaged in robbing others under government -sanction," said Ganza. "To rob is a small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> -thing, señors; but it is a crime to be discovered -robbing. That was my fault. Others in my native -land, who are more successful embezzlers than I, -are to-day respected, rich and happy."</p> - -<p>"Was that your only crime?"</p> - -<p>"So far as is known, señor. Otherwise I am -very good man and quite respectable."</p> - -<p>"He is a tyrant and a bully, and whips his men -if they disobey him," declared Steve.</p> - -<p>"Pah! they are curs. The whip is less than -they deserve," retorted Ganza. "But permit me -to remind you of my present discomfort, señors. -I will gladly exchange this bog for a Mexican -prison."</p> - -<p>They managed to drag him out, none too gently, -and the seamen scraped the oily slime from his -legs and body so that he could stand erect.</p> - -<p>Then they turned to examine the condition of -the aëroplane.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a><br /> - -<small>ORISSA DECIDES</small></h2> - - -<p>Only by taking the Aircraft entirely apart, -decided Steve, might he hope to remove it to the -bay, for it could not be flown from the hummock -where it was wedged between the rocks. But they -could not wait to do that now. The girls were -very near one of those feminine crises so familiar -to Mrs. Tupper, and their friends realized the -nervous strain they had endured and made haste -to lead them back to the yacht. The seamen looked -after Ramon Ganza, who was so physically -exhausted by his late experience that he made no -endeavor to escape.</p> - -<p>It was a tedious climb, by no means devoid of -danger, but so anxious were Orissa and Sybil to -escape from the dread valley that they energetically -persevered until the last rock hill was passed -and they descended the slope to the inlet.</p> - -<p>There lay the <i>Salvador</i>; keeled over, indeed, -but safe and sound. Just without the bay floated -the <i>Mermaid</i>, and one of her boats was run upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> -the beach and another clung to the <i>Salvador's</i> -side.</p> - -<p>A hearty cheer greeted the return of the rescue -party when Orissa and Sybil were observed -approaching with them, and Captain Swanson -himself came forward to offer his congratulations.</p> - -<p>On their way, Steve had briefly related the -events of the night attack and told how the -defenders, fortified within the cabin and below -decks, had been quite safe from Ganza until the -arrival of the torpedo boat relieved the situation. -Then the Mexicans fled and made frantic attempts -to escape, hiding themselves in the wilderness of -rocks that littered the island.</p> - -<p>When Captain Swanson learned of the capture -of Ramon Ganza and the rescue of the young -ladies he decided to attempt no pursuit of the scattered -Mexicans but to apply himself promptly to -the task of floating the yacht, which he succeeded -in doing before night. The <i>Salvador</i> was in no -way injured and as soon as she had anchored -outside the bay was again in commission and fully -able to care for herself.</p> - -<p>Madeline invited the officers of the <i>Mermaid</i> to -dine aboard her yacht and Monsieur Risette prepared -a repast that surprised even his employer, -so elaborate and delicious it proved.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p> - -<p>As they conversed together afterward, commenting -upon the exciting experiences of the -yacht and her company and the daring flights of -the Kane Hydro-Aircraft, Madeline said to Captain -Swanson:</p> - -<p>"What shall we do with Ramon Ganza?"</p> - -<p>"Where is he, Miss Dentry?"</p> - -<p>"Locked up in our cage. But I don't want him -aboard. Won't you take him to Magdalena and -turn him over to the Mexican police?"</p> - -<p>"I am not sure I have authority to arrest the -man," replied the captain gravely. "I will send -a wireless to the fleet to-night and endeavor to -get the admiral and receive his instructions concerning -Ganza."</p> - -<p>He wrote out a message at once and dispatched -it to his ship by one of his men, that the wireless -operator aboard might repeat it a number of times -in the attempt to reach the ship for which it was -intended. A wireless message travels farther by -night and is more distinct.</p> - -<p>Madeline now urged Captain Swanson to carry -Chica and Pietro to Magdalena, which would -enable them to reach their homes quickly and he -agreed to do this. Miss Dentry supplied the two -with sufficient money for their needs and the Red-beard -and the child said their good-byes and were -rowed to the <i>Mermaid</i>.</p> - -<p>The yacht party, now reunited and safe from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> -further molestation, thoroughly enjoyed the evening -and expressed their gratitude again and -again for the prompt assistance rendered them -by their fellow countrymen. Madeline had already -written a nice letter to the admiral, which she -entrusted to Captain Swanson.</p> - -<p>As Orissa and Sybil, as well as many others of -the party, had passed a trying and sleepless night, -the officers thoughtfully retired early, returning -to their quarters on the <i>Mermaid</i>.</p> - -<p>Breakfast was in progress on the <i>Salvador</i> next -morning when a note was brought from the captain -of the torpedo boat.</p> - -<p>"I was fortunate in reaching the admiral," it -said, "and I beg to enclose you a copy of the -message I have received from him in reply. I -further regret to state that I am ordered to rejoin -the fleet without delay and must therefore bid you -all adieu."</p> - -<p>The wireless read: "President Madero proclaimed -a general amnesty to Mexican refugees -some three months ago. On the list of pardons -appears the name of Ramon Ganza."</p> - -<p>Madeline drew a long breath.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry for that," she said. "Ramon -Ganza has escaped the penalty of breaking his -country's laws and we are powerless to punish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> -him ourselves—even though he struck poor Mason -with a knife."</p> - -<p>"How is Mason getting along?" asked Orissa.</p> - -<p>"Very nicely," stated Mr. Cumberford. "It -was a deep cut, but reached no vital organs and -the man will soon be as good as new."</p> - -<p>"That does not alter the fact that Ganza is a -wicked desperado," said Sybil.</p> - -<p>"It's a shame to allow him to escape," exclaimed -Mr. Tupper, indignantly. "Can't we -arrest him for disturbing the peace, and trying -to capture our yacht, and attempting to murder -one of the crew?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Mr. Cumberford. "This island -doesn't belong to the United States. I believe it -is Mexican territory. But if we can prove damages -we might be able to recover from the Mexican -government—and then, again, we might not."</p> - -<p>"I'll never put in a claim, for my part," said -Madeline, laughing. "But what are we to do with -Ramon Ganza—and those three rascals imprisoned -with him, whom Chesty captured and brought -to us?"</p> - -<p>"Let Chesty get rid of them; they're his prisoners," -suggested Sybil.</p> - -<p>"The chief bandit is your own prisoner—and -Orissa's," declared Chesty. "What do you intend -to do with him, Miss Cumberford?"</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sybil laughed.</p> - -<p>"It's a problem," she confessed. "Can you -solve it, Miss Dentry?"</p> - -<p>"I fear not," answered Madeline, indeed puzzled. -"Our prisoners are likely to prove white -elephants on our hands. To carry them to -America would involve us in endless difficulties, -and—I have other plans, wherein their presence -is better dispensed with."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Chesty, after due reflection, "let -us leave them all behind us, on the island. Not -this island, where they would be prisoners and -perhaps starve, because I have sunk their gasoline -launch and they cannot get away, but on -Ramon Ganza's own island. Then the fellow may -decide his future as he deems best and we may -wash our hands of the whole disagreeable affair."</p> - -<p>"I hope you won't inform him that he is pardoned," -said Mr. Tupper, earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Why not?" asked Madeline. "Let us return -good for evil. Perhaps, when Ramon Ganza is no -longer a refugee and can face the world a free -man, he will redeem his past and become honest."</p> - -<p>"I doubt it," declared Mr. Cumberford; "but -I think you are right to give him the chance."</p> - -<p>It was so decided. There remained on Owl -Island but one of Ganza's rowboats which would -be available for use by the men hidden among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> -the rocks, but at the larger island was a small -sailboat in which, during calm weather, the chief -might go for his men and transport them to their -former quarters.</p> - -<p>Next morning a party accompanied Steve into -the valley once more, where the Aircraft was -taken apart and brought with considerable labor -to the bay, from whence it was conveyed to the -yacht and compactly stored away below decks.</p> - -<p>"There's no use putting it together until we -get back home," said the inventor; and his partner, -Mr. Cumberford, agreed with him.</p> - -<p>This task had consumed the entire day, during -which Orissa and Sybil had kept to their state-rooms, -trying to quiet their nerves and get some -much-needed sleep. Madeline, in the meantime, -had ordered a store of provisions placed on the -beach for the use of the band of Mexicans until -they were rescued by their leader, as she did not -wish them to suffer for lack of food, however mischievous -and lawless they might be.</p> - -<p>The following day Captain Krell hoisted anchor -and headed for the larger island, and it was good -to all to feel the water slipping along underneath -the <i>Salvador's</i> thin keel again.</p> - -<p>Ramon Ganza accepted his liberty with the same -stoical indifference that characterized all his -actions. He strutted a bit when Chesty told him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> -of his pardon, but declared he would continue to -inhabit the island where he was virtually a king.</p> - -<p>"With no fear of a prison to haunt me," he -said, "I can make the island a paradise. Many -Mexicans will settle there and become my subjects."</p> - -<p>"You'll have to cut out the flogging, then," -suggested Chesty.</p> - -<p>"It will gratify me to do so. Before, I have -the obligation to flog the disobedient ones because -I dared not send them away; but now, if they -prove obstinate, I may send them back to Mexico."</p> - -<p>He took off his hat with an elaborate bow as -the <i>Salvador's</i> boat left him standing with his -three men on the little dock below his residence; -but Francisco and the other two scowled fiercely -at Mr. Todd, whom they reproached for deceiving -them about Madero's reward, although they had -elected to remain with their old master rather -than be taken to America.</p> - -<p>"It's a good thing for civilization that those -villains are sequestrated on a far-away, unknown -island," remarked Chesty, when he had regained -the yacht's deck. "I suppose anyone can reform, -if he tries hard, but I'll bet a hat that Francisco -and his comrades never make the attempt."</p> - -<p>"We are well rid of them, in any event," -asserted Mr. Cumberford.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> - -<p>Orissa and Sybil appeared at dinner, both considerably -improved in spirits after their long rest.</p> - -<p>"When do we sail for San Diego?" Sybil asked -Madeline.</p> - -<p>"Captain Krell is ready. I am waiting for -Orissa and you to decide," was the reply.</p> - -<p>Orissa looked up in surprise.</p> - -<p>"What have we to decide?" she inquired.</p> - -<p>"Merely which way we shall proceed. My yacht -hasn't had a fair trial yet and I had in mind a -trip to Honolulu before we went in chase of two -runaway girls. We still have on board enough -coal and supplies for such a trip and I have -resolved to invite you all to make it in my company—in -which case we will head directly for -Hawaii from here."</p> - -<p>Orissa was thoughtful for a time and looked -inquiringly at Steve, who smiled in return.</p> - -<p>"I think such a trip would do us all good," he -suggested.</p> - -<p>"The Flying Girl has no important engagements, -at present," added Mr. Todd, the press -agent.</p> - -<p>"If she had, I think she deserves a little recreation -after her late trying experiences," said Mr. -Cumberford.</p> - -<p>"Why, Orissa, it has all been decided in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> -advance," exclaimed Sybil. "They're merely asking -our consent out of politeness."</p> - -<p>Orissa turned to Madeline and pressed her hand -gratefully.</p> - -<p>"You've really been our guardian angel, Miss -Dentry," she said. "We can never repay your -great kindness and generosity, nor properly thank -you for what you have done for us."</p> - -<p>"Why should you?" asked Madeline. "Think -what a splendid time I've had during this adventure, -all due to the Flying Girl and her chum—and -to a defect in the famous Kane Aircraft. But if -you sincerely wish to please me, come with me on -the trip to Honolulu."</p> - -<p>"Of course I will," Orissa responded. "I've -always longed for an ocean voyage, and in such -company, and on the dear old <i>Salvador</i>, the trip -will be delightful."</p> - -<p>The others of the Kane-Cumberford party, who -were every one eager to go, rapturously applauded -this decision.</p> - - -<p class="p22">THE END.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="pz"><b><i><big>Exhilarating Books for Girls of Today</big></i></b></p> - - -<p class="center"><big><big><big>The Flying Girl Series</big></big></big><br /><br /> - -<i>By</i> EDITH VAN DYNE<br /> - -<i><small>Author of "Aunt Jane's Nieces" Series</small></i></p> - - -<div class="figleft" style="width: 20%" > -<img src="images/322.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 80%" /> -</div> - - -<p>Capital up-to-the-minute stories for girls and young -people, in which the author is at her very best. Thrilling -and full of adventure, but of that wholesome type parents -are glad to put in the hands of their daughters. Two -titles:</p> - - - -<p class="center"><big><big>The Flying Girl</big></big></p> - -<p>Orissa Kane, self-reliant -and full of sparkling -good nature, under-study -for her brother, prospective -inventor and aviator -whose experiments put -the Kane family into -great difficulties, in the -crisis proves resourceful -and plucky, and saves -the day in a most thrilling -manner.</p> - - - -<p class="center"><big><big>The Flying Girl and Her Chum</big></big></p> - -<p>This story takes Orissa -and her friend Sybil -through further adventures that test these two clever girls -to the limit. A remarkably well told story.</p> - -<p class="center"> -<i>12mo. Bound in extra cloth with design stamping<br /> -on cover and fancy jacket. Printed on high<br /> -grade paper. Illustrated in black and white.</i><br /> -<i>Price 60 cents each. Postage 12 cents.</i><br /> -</p> - - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="center"><big>Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</big></p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<p class="pz"><b><i><big>Books for Older Children by L. Frank Baum</big></i></b><br /><br /> -</p> - - -<p class="center"><big><big><big>The Daring Twins Series</big></big></big><br /> - -<i>By</i> L. FRANK BAUM</p> - - -<div class="figright" style="width: 10%" > -<img src="images/323.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 80%" /> -</div> - - - -<p>In writing "The Daring -Twins Series" Mr. Baum -yielded to the hundreds of -requests that have been -made of him by youngsters, -both boys and girls, who in -their early childhood read -and loved his famous "Oz" -books, to write a story for -young folk of the ages between -twelve and eighteen.</p> - -<p><b>A story of the real -life of real boys and -girls in a real family -under real conditions</b></p> - - - -<p class="center"><i><big>Two Titles:</big></i><br /><br /> - -<b><big><big>The Daring Twins -Phoebe Daring</big></big></b></p> - -<p>While preparing these books Mr. Baum lived with -his characters. They have every element of the -drama of life as it begins within the lives of children. -The two stories are a mixture of the sublime and -the ridiculous; the foibles and fancies of childhood, -interspersed with humor and pathos.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Price 75 cents net each</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="center"><big>Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</big></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<p class="center"><big><big><big><b>ANNABEL</b></big></big></big><br /><br /> - -<i>By</i> SUSANNE METCALF</p> - - - -<div class="figright" style="width: 10%" > -<img src="images/324.jpg" alt="front" style="width: 80%" /> -</div> - - - -<p>A girls' book with a clever, quick-moving -plot is unusual. ANNABEL is -that kind. The heroine is a lovable girl, -but one with plenty of snap—her red hair -testifies to that. Her friend, Will Carden, -too, is a boy of unusual -qualities, as is apparent -in everything he does. -He and Annabel make -an excellent team.</p> - -<p>The two, the best of -chums, retrieve the fortunes -of the Carden -family in a way that -makes some exciting -situations. The secret -of the mysterious Mr. -Jordan is surprised by -Annabel, while Will, in -a trip to England with an unexpected climax, -finds the real fortune of the Cardens.</p> - -<p>ANNABEL is a book whose make-up is -in keeping with the high quality of the story.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Beautiful cover and jacket in colors, 12 mo. Illustrated by Joseph Pierre Nuyttens. Price 60 cents</i> -</p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - - -<p class="center"><big>Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</big></p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<p class="pz"><b><i><big>Popular Memory Books for Girls</big></i></b></p> - - - - -<p class="center"><b><big><big><big>My Golden School Days</big></big></big></b><br /><br /> - -<i>By</i> JANET MADISON</p> - - -<p>A Very attractive memory book for girls, in -which they can keep a record of happy school -days. There are places and departments for every -item of interest—classmates, colors, yell, photographs, -autographs, dances, etc. Appropriate -decorations and headings for each department, with -verses and poems. In special box. Two bindings.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Half Cloth, 60 cents. Swiss Velvet Ooze, $1.25</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<p class="center"><big><big>My Sorority</big></big><br /><br /> - -<i>Designed by</i> LOUISE PERRETT</p> - - -<p>A complete and cleverly designed memory -book for girls who are members of the well-known -"Greek Letter" Societies in high school or -college. A record book with appropriately decorated -headings for name, colors, secret motto, pin, -grip, initiation, spreads, banquets, etc. In three -styles.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Cloth, $1.50. Swiss Velvet Ooze, $2.50<br /> -De Luxe, Flexible Morocco, $3.00</i></p> - -<hr class="r5" /> - -<p class="center"><big>Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</big></p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Flying Girl and Her Chum, by Edith van Dyne - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE FLYING GIRL AND HER CHUM *** - -***** This file should be named 53692-h.htm or 53692-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/6/9/53692/ - -Produced by Mary Glenn Krause, Chris Curnow, Haragos P?l -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images -made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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