"Gomez's message will tell. Quick, boy, with that lantern."
As Jenks stepped into the cabin, Harry, fully dressed, came out of his stateroom. The unusual noise on deck and the loud commands of the captain had awakened him.
"What's up, Wash?" he asked.
"Plenty. Cap'n Dynamite get bad news in message, and bang—he scoot for shore."
"Captain gone ashore, to-night?"
"Suah, enough."
"What's the bad news, Wash?"
"Nobody knows yet. George Wash Jenks get cap'n's lantern and then we find out."
He took the lantern from the hook, and with Harry behind him returned to the deck. Morgan took the light and held it so that Suarez could read the message.
"Ah, here it is" said the mate, after he had scanned the instructions. He read aloud: