“So can I,” said Mr. Kennedy. “Now, boys, you had better let me do the talking, if we really overhaul them and force them to stop. I can speak their language and I know what to say to them to bring them to terms I think. And you want to look out. Bernardo is an ugly customer, and he is probably very bitter over the defeat of his forces and the collapse of the revolution. He’ll be especially vindictive against you sailors, for if it had not been for Uncle Sam’s men the revolutionists would undoubtedly have won.”
“Well, we have our rifles and automatics,” replied Frank, as he looked to see that his gun was loaded, and the pistol in readiness. “If they try any monkey business—”
“Look! Look!” suddenly interrupted Ned. “They’re having another dispute! And it’s about the box!”
Several of the rascals were now standing up in the boat. One of them had the box in his arms, and Bernardo was trying to take it from him. High words could be heard.
“We’re going to close in on them, and they know it,” exulted Frank. “Maybe some of them want to offer us the box to stop the pursuit.”
“I wouldn’t agree to that,” said Mr. Kennedy. “You might need more evidence than is in the box—personal testimony. Don’t let them get away if you possibly can stop them.”
“I really believe we are going to get them,” cried Ned.
It seemed very probable, and the revolutionists evidently thought the same thing. The dispute over the box was renewed.
“I wonder what really is in it,” ventured Ned.
No one could tell him.