“Well, I have considerable cash with me,” answered our hero, showing the money belt which had successfully resisted the efforts of Mr. Skeel to take away. “And my father’s agent in Sydney will supply me with more, I think.”
“Then you will be well provided for,” commented the commander. “You can do almost anything—up to a certain point—with money, and it’s good you have enough. I can give you a note to a friend of mine in Melbourne who can fit you out with a proper vessel for such need as you have. He is also an experienced navigator, and if you like I’m sure he would sail to this island for you. Of course I can’t just say what one it was, for there are several in the group near the large one of Tongatabu, and you may have to make a search.”
“I’ll do it!” cried Tom, “and I’ll be much obliged to you for that note. I’ll engage your friend if he’ll come.”
Tom and the captain talked for some time longer, and our hero was given many valuable pointers about what to do. So interested did he become, and so occupied was he in looking for a vessel to take him back to Australia that he had no time to worry about his parents. Not that he did not think of them, but his thoughts were hopeful ones.
“I’ll rescue them!” he declared determinedly. “And, oh! if I could only pick up some of those from the Silver Star who may still be adrift in open boats. And Jackie’s father! If I could only find him!”
But Tom felt that this was too much to hope. Several days passed, and no Australian bound vessel was seen. Tom began to be a bit discouraged, but one morning there was a cry on deck when he was at breakfast. He hurried up to find that the lookout had sighted a large steamer approaching them.
“Oh, if it’s only going to Australia!” cried Tom.
It was, as he learned a little later when the steamer hove to in answer to a signal from the Alexandria. A small boat was sent from the sailing ship to the steamer, and Captain Buchanan requested the courtesy of transferring one of his passengers to the Monarch, which was the name of the steamer spoken.
The word came back that Tom would be accepted.