With the extinction of the blaze on the Hildegarde, the only light anywhere around the motor boat vanished and the Rover boys and the others found themselves plowing along slowly and uncertainly over the wide bosom of the Atlantic. Overhead there were drifting clouds, and only a few stars could be seen.
“P’int her a little more to starboard, lad,” advised Ira Small, as he joined Jack at the wheel. “I can’t give you the course direct, but I’ll do my best.”
“I suppose you’ve often steered by the stars,” returned the young major.
“Yes, I did when I was on the old Maria Deggett,” answered the lanky sailor. “I took three trips in that four-master, an’ we sailed pretty nigh to ev’ry spot on the globe. She was a fine ship, an’ Cap’n Deggett he was one fine man!”
“Why didn’t you remain on her?” questioned Ralph.
“She went ashore off the coast of Floridy in a hurricane. She was a total wreck, an’ that nigh broke ol’ Cap’n Deggett’s heart, an’ he never went to sea no more. That was the trip when I heard all about the thirteen rocks an’ the pirates’ hidden gold,” went on Ira Small, impressively.
“Do you really believe in that treasure?” questioned Fred, eagerly.
“Of course I do, lad! It’s there, an’ I know it! All I’ve got to do is to locate them thirteen rocks.”
“I’d like to hear your yarn about it some day—when we’re out of this trouble,” returned Fred.