"You're right," Zircon agreed. He waved a hand at the island. "Does anyone doubt that this is the right place?"
No one did.
"I not seeing scientists," Chahda observed.
"They wouldn't be in the open, anyway. But did anyone see their boat?"
"All boats were vintas," Rick replied.
"I thought so, too. However, I wouldn't expect the pirates to keep the Sampaguita in sight. Head back toward Tawi Tawi, Rick. We've plans to make!"
Rick returned the scientist's jubilant grin, then he turned to look back at the rapidly receding pirate island, the volcano black and forbidding in the gathering dusk.
"We'll be back," he promised the invisible scientists. "We'll be back!"