“Those men have got something up their sleeve or they wouldn’t be giving us this food,” returned Jack, suspiciously.
“Perhaps they’re getting a little bit scared over what may be coming to them,” said Gif.
“No, I don’t believe it’s that, Gif,” returned the young major.
It was not until late in the afternoon that Letts came up to where Jack and Ralph were standing and smiled rather dubiously at them.
“We’re in a hole, and you fellows have got to stand for it,” said the mate. “We thought we could run closer to land and let you take your motor boat and go ashore. But we saw some signals a while back, and we’ve got to change our plan entirely.”
“Signals?” queried Ralph. “What sort of signals? I didn’t see anything.”
“No; because you weren’t looking in the right direction and because you didn’t have a spy-glass,” returned Letts. “The captain got signals that two revenue cutters are searching for us. So instead of going inshore we’re going out.”
“What do you mean—out on the ocean?” demanded Jack, quickly.
“That’s it, lad. And we intend to keep out until we’re sure the coast is clear. Besides that, we’ll be better off outside, I think, because another storm is coming.”
The boys did not know whether to believe the mate of the Hildegarde or not. However, there was nothing they could do to improve matters, so they did not argue with him. They had already noted that the sun was going under some heavy clouds and that the breeze was freshening.