"Wasn't that remarkable?" asked Bess.
"Very strange," agreed Cora.
"And it gave us news," spoke Belle. "We know now that your mother,
Cora, and that our folks are all right."
"All right?" cried Jack, questioningly.
"Well, I mean they are safe on board, and not suffering on some little island," went on Belle.
"They might better off on some island," murmured Jack, but only
Walter heard him, and he cautioned his chum quickly.
"Don't let the girls hear you say that," he whispered. "I agree with you that they might be better off on an island, than on the steamer, with the mutineers and smugglers. But if the girls hear that, they'll have all kinds of fits. Keep still about it."
"Oh, I intend to. But this complicates matters doesn't it? We'll have to find a constantly moving steamer, instead of a stationary island."
"It's about six of one and a half dozen of the other," spoke Walter. "But we have help in our search now," and he nodded toward the cutter, only the smoke of which could now be seen.
St. Kitts was reached without further incident, and Sailor Ben was taken ashore, Cora insisting on leaving him a sufficient sum of money to insure his care until he could find another berth. Then the pursuit of the Ramona was again taken up.