“Rest easy,” said Frank. “You shall have the chance. But first I must ease Captain Snow’s mind.”
“By no means,” protested the captain. “If it is the disposition of the party, we will visit the isle first.”
“No,” cried Stanhope; “it is more important that we should find the Belden first of all.”
Powerful glasses were brought into requisition, and the sea was scanned closely, but not the slightest speck could be seen.
It was reckoned that the Belden would be blown to the northeast, so it was decided to pursue the quest in that direction.
The Dolphin headed that way, which would carry it past the point of the island.
She had just got under headway and was leaving the isle to the eastward when a terrible thing occurred.
There was a sudden terrible jar, a jolt and a crash. Everybody on board was thrown from his feet.
The Dolphin was at a standstill.
It needed no further explanation to tell Frank Reade, Jr., the truth. He gained his feet and rushed to the rail.