This caused all a thrill of excitement.

It was not a long run to the extremity of the “ever-faithful isle,” and then the Channel of Yucatan would be reached.

Frank reckoned that they would make it easily by the next noon. The Meta would be certainly a day longer covering the same distance.

That the schooner would really visit the locality Frank had every reason to believe. But he anticipated no trouble in keeping out of her way.

Steadily onward the Sea Diver ran. At length land was sighted to the southwest.

“The Isle of Cuba!” cried Wade.

“No,” said Frank; “Cuba is farther to the east. Those are some little cays which lay off the coast. We must bear off a little to the west.”

At this moment Barney sighted a sail. It was a coast lugger and carried some trading natives from Honduras.

They signaled the Diver in a careless sort of way and then scurried off to the eastward.

“They are afraid of us,” cried Wade.