As the boat approached closer it became evident that it had but a single occupant; and as it drew still nearer, that the occupant was a young native.
Captain Anderson hailed him through his megaphone.
“What do you want?” he shouted in Spanish.
“Message for Señor Willing!” came the reply.
Five minutes later, bowing and scraping, the boy put a message into Mr. Willing’s hands.
The latter tore it open quickly and his eyes devoured the words in a moment. Then he gave a cry of rage.
“What’s the matter?” asked Colonel Ashton and Dick in a single voice.
For reply, Mr. Willing read them the contents of the letter—a demand for $20,000 if the girls were ever to be seen again.
Mr. Willing and the others rushed again toward the captain on the bridge. The captain read the letter gravely.
“I wish I could help you, sir,” he said at last. “But it is impossible. I must get under way within half an hour.