"Are you sure of this?" demanded Jack.
"Very sure; yes. I was below just before I was forced into the small boat, and there wasn't a plate sprung. The engines were in good order and if the mutineers hadn't raised a hue and cry, everything would have been all right. But they wanted their way, for their own ends, I fancy."
"Meaning what?" asked Jack.
"That they were glad of any excuse to seize the ship. I overheard some of their plans. They would have done it, storm or no storm. There was a plot to take the Ramona, put off all who would be in the way, take her to some port, change her name and engage her in what amounted to piracy."
"The plotters were going to do this?" cried Walter, aghast.
"Yes, and the storm only egged them on. It was their opportunity."
"Then the Ramona may be afloat now?" demanded Cora.
"She very likely is, Miss, I should say. A little damaged perhaps, but not more than could be."
"And what of the passengers?" asked Bess.
"Well, they're either aboard her, as prisoners, or have thrown their lot in with the mutineers, or—"