CHAPTER XL.
Major Jack Starland flashed up the glass and studied the other craft.
“By Jove! you are right; where do you suppose they came from, Dick?”
“The General must have established communication with his friends soon after we left him; he certainly has a strong crew.”
“That means he intends to attack us; it looks as if there is to be a naval battle between an American yacht and the navy of the Atlamalcan Republic.”
It was Miss Starland who said this without a trace of excitement, and as if the impending struggle was of only passing interest.
“She is right,” observed the mate; “it is hard to tell which has the advantage with one crippled and the other hard aground.”
“They will wait till night and then come at us in their small boats. As nearly as I can make out, they have all of twenty men on board. What is your opinion, Miss Starland?”
She pointed the glass again for several minutes before replying: