“Wonder how it all happened?” inquired Bob.
“That we don’t know, Son.” Mr. Holton’s temper was also being tried. “But now that it has happened, there’s no way out, only to wait.”
“I took for granted the Zanzibar’s navigators were competent,” said Mr. Lewis. “However, such things do happen occasionally.”
Although the naturalists and their sons were disappointed, there was nothing they could do but wait. Just how much longer it would be, however, they did not know.
To the vexation of all, the Zanzibar steamed for the remainder of that afternoon and evening without sighting the city of its destination. It was not until eight o’clock that night that Mombasa could be outlined in the distance, and then, of course, only the lights could be seen.
Bob and Joe, together with their fathers and many other passengers, stood at the prow of the ship, waiting for land to come up to meet them.
The broad beam of the vessel’s searchlight illuminated the water ahead perfectly. At last the Zanzibar was making directly for the harbor.
“Not much to be seen at night,” observed Joe. “But I guess we’ll be able to look around in the morning.”
They watched interestedly as the ship moved slowly into the harbor. Aside from a few small ships and native dhows, there was no water traffic in sight. Neither was the dock easily visible.