“I reckon the money is safe. I’ve hidden it where no one would ever think of looking, unless they were certain we had something of the kind on board. Say! but that land shows up now, don’t it?”
“There’s no longer any question about soon having all the assistance we need,” Ned replied cheerily. “Anything as large as that, even if it is only an island, must be inhabited.”
“I hope we shall be able to telegraph to father, for he must be worrying about us by this time.”
“You won’t have any trouble on that score. Take the wheel awhile, and I’ll see if I can’t trim the sails a little better. It looks to me as if we might get more speed out of the yacht.”
Ned was correct in this belief, for after the canvas had been drawn in a trifle more, it could readily be seen that she moved through the water considerably faster, and the “bone in her teeth” was as large as one could have desired.
The sea was rapidly subsiding. The little craft no longer flung the water over her decks, but sent it swirling aft on either side in proper fashion.
In the cabin, pantry, and kitchen Roy was doing wonders in the cleaning line, and the Zoe was rapidly being gotten into shape for inspection.
“I’ll get dinner as soon as this is finished,” the amateur cook said after Ned had praised him for the altered appearance of the craft. “If you can spare Vance awhile it will help things along just so much.”
Once more Ned stood at the wheel alone; but the chances of reaching port very soon seemed so good that he was perfectly willing to remain there until it should be possible to come to an anchor.
The sun was yet above the horizon when, after a voyage which had been made at the caprice of the wind and tides, the Zoe entered a roadstead wherein were craft of every description.