The next hour was spent in straightening up the water damage. Bedding was brought on deck and spread to dry. Li was elected cook, to make coffee and hot tea. Dawn was spreading before the Easy Action was shipshape again.
After a hot meal, Mr. Brewster took Biff aside.
“Biff, we’re not going to let last night’s incident change our plans. Hank and I are going ashore immediately. You and Li put out and start the search at once. We’ve got to stop Perez Soto before he stops us. Come below with me for a moment.”
Biff followed his father into the cabin. He saw him open his bag. When he turned around, he was holding a revolver in his hand.
“You know how to use this, Biff. You’ve practiced enough.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“You’re not to use it, except in the most extreme emergency. You’re to use it only to repel anyone trying to board this boat.”
Biff nodded his head gravely. Mr. Brewster replaced the weapon and left the cabin to join Hank Mahenili. Biff and Li watched their fathers as they headed for shore in the yawl’s dinghy.
CHAPTER XIV
Storm!
The boys watched the dinghy plunge into the surf near the shore. They saw it picked up by a breaking roller, and carried on its crest to the shore. They saw the two men pull the dinghy high up on the shore and hide it behind some low, spreading growth.