"We must be on the watch," said the chief engineer. "I am certain now that Carey is up to some game."
A long discussion followed, but nothing came of it. The steam yacht kept on its way and rounded the eastern point of Treasure Isle. Then it stood to the north westward.
"I hope he knows his course," said Norton, to the boys. "If he doesn't he stands a good chance of running us on some key or reef."
If the boys were excited, the girls and ladies were more so. Nobody knew exactly what to do, and each minute added to the general anxiety.
At last the vessel rounded another point of the isle and came in sight of the sea beyond. There in the distance was a steamer at rest on the waves, and Fred and Hans felt certain she must be the Josephine.
The two vessels were soon close together. As the Rainbow came up to the other craft, Walt Wingate went to the rail and shouted something through a megaphone which the mate loaned him. Immediately came back an answering cry, but the boys did not catch what was said.
"This is going pretty far," said Fred, to Frank Norton. "Don't you think I ought to step in and stop it?"
The chief engineer shrugged his shoulders.
"Carey is really in command and it might be called mutiny to do anything to stop him."
"But supposing he allows Wingate to go to that other ship.