All being ready, hundreds of natives waded into the water at high tide and by sheer force of numbers pushed the Seagull off the sands till she floated. This operation was assisted by our propeller, but we could not have moved the heavy ship without the aid of Bry’s subjects.
The chief held a final farewell celebration, and distributed among his people many beads and trinkets, a stock of which we always carried with us. Then, amid the shouts of the multitude, who were all really sorry to see us go, we started our engines, whistled three times and fired a gun, and steamed out of the hospitable harbor.
The voyage to Colombia was without important event. We soon got upon our course again and encountered no more bad weather.
But at our destination Señor de Jiminez received some startling news. The revolution had, by a clever coup, overthrown the unpopular government and won without bloodshed. As De Jiminez did not happen to be present, another patriot was elected to the presidency, and was doing his duty ably when we arrived.
So the feelings of young Alfonso and his father were a combination of both joy and sadness; but the joy predominated when they were greeted enthusiastically by their political friends and De Jiminez was publicly thanked for his services to his party.
We were able to unload the guns and ammunition without danger, after which we settled our accounts in a satisfactory manner with the revolutionists, who recognized all of De Jiminez’ obligations. Then, being once more the legal owners of the Seagull, we bade good-bye to our passengers, who had shared with us the dangerous adventure at Faytan, and steamed northward toward San Francisco.
I noticed that Joe and Lucia exchanged rings, and overheard him promise to see her again. I wonder if he ever will?
A new and exciting story of the adventures of “The Boy Fortune Hunters” is added each year. These thrilling stories can be bought wherever books are sold. The full list of title is given on page 2 of this volume.
(Complete catalog free on request)