“I took a good deal of stock in the story at the time it was told, captain,” said Bob.
“That may be; but you didn’t let your own desires override what you conceived to be your duty. There would have been no merit in your act, for you, if you had not wanted to go with the don, but yet allowed your idea of duty to me hold you back. I am much obliged to you, Speake, Gaines, and Clackett, for affording me this added proof that my confidence in Bob Steele is not misplaced. But, if I ever hear of any further mutiny on the Grampus, there will be something happen which none of you will ever forget.
“The U. S. cruiser Seminole is in the harbor, and I am positive that her captain bears some news for me of a very important nature. This may make it necessary for a call to be made upon the officers and crew of the Grampus for some further work. I cannot tell yet as to that, but you’ll receive your orders later. If so it turns out, then your commanding officer will be Bob Steele. Now leave me, all of you, for I have both listened and talked too much, and I am beginning to feel tired. Have the periscope ball and mast repaired, Bob, as soon as possible, and call and see me to-night.”
As Bob left the house and made his way along the street, he came suddenly upon Ysabel Sixty, again clad in her feminine clothes and looking like the Ysabel he used to know of old.
“You did not stay long at home, Ysabel,” said Bob.
“I couldn’t,” she answered. “I wanted to find out what your plans were, and how long you expect to remain in Belize.”
“That’s all in doubt, as yet. I am to call on Captain Nemo, junior, to-night, and perhaps he will be able to tell me something about future plans.”
“I hope,” and there was a tremulous earnestness in the girl’s words, “that you are not going to leave Belize very soon.”
“I should like to stay here a little while, Ysabel, myself,” said Bob.
Her face brightened. “And if you are here for a while, you will come often and see me?”