Case and Alex had indulged in many a good-natured squabble over the pronunciation of certain Spanish words, and each had predicted all kinds of trouble for the other when the time to use the language came.
“Sure I talked Spanish,” replied Alex, a whimsical smile spreading over his face. “I delivered an oration in the city hall! Didn’t I, Frank?”
Frank Porter and Alex had become fast friends. They bunked together and planned mischief together. In fact, Clay and Case were having rather a busy time with Alex, Jule, and Frank. Jule’s health was improving so fast, and he was so full of animal spirits because of his new lease of life, that he kept things moving pretty lively, while Frank and Alex were always engaged in some mischief, not necessarily vicious mischief, but just fantastic enough to keep the company stirred up most of the time.
Frank promptly backed Alex up in the ridiculous assertion that he had made, and was as promptly chased off the deck by Case, who growled at the pranks of the boys one minute and joined in with them the next. It was close on to midnight when Case moved over to where Clay sat and began a whispered conversation with him.
“Did you see anyone you knew in Para, that is, anyone besides your own party?” he asked.
“That is a strange question,” Clay responded. “Of course I did not. Why do you ask?”
“One more question,” Case went on. “Have you seen anything since you came here with a familiar look to it?”
“Of course not. We are a long way from anything I know the look of, except what came with us.”
“Look around you now,” advised Case, “and see if there isn’t something familiar in view.”
“In the boat, you mean?”