"We simply must find them—if they're alive," spoke Bess, rather solemnly.
"We'll find them—alive!" predicted Walter, joining his cheerful efforts to those of his college chum.
"Oh, you Americans—you are so wonderful, so amazing!" whispered Inez. "I am so glad I am wiz you," and she divided her affectionate looks impartially between Jack and his sister.
"What do you think of it, Captain?" asked Walter of the skipper of the steamship. "Is it possible to go about down among these islands in a big motor boat?"
"Yes, if the boat be large enough, and seaworthy."
"I'm thinking of the Tartar," said Jack. "I heard of her from the engineer of the boat we came out in just now."
"Oh, the Tartar. Yes, she is a very fine boat, and quite safe, except in a very bad storm."
"Oh!" gasped Bess.
"But you are not likely to have bad blows now," the captain went on, "especially after this one we've just passed through. It is the last of the hurricane season, I hope. In fact, this was most unusual. Yes, I should say it would be very safe to make a cruise in the Tartar. I know the craft well."
"And what are the chances of success?" asked Walter in a low voice of the commander, as Jack, with his sister and the Robinson twins withdrew a little apart to discuss the important question of the coming cruise.