"I have an idea!" suddenly exclaimed the British officer. "I'll be back in a moment."
He hurried down to the cabin again, and through a port Jack and Walter saw him bending over some charts. In a few minutes the lieutenant was up on deck again.
"I understand!" he cried. "I know what they're up to now."
"What?" asked Jack. He did not have to shout so loudly now, as the storm seemed to be lessening in its fury.
"They're going to run in under the lea of Palm Island," said Lieutenant Walling. "I guess they've had enough of it. This is the beginning of the end. They must be in bad shape."
"Sinking—do you mean?" asked Walter.
"No, not exactly. But they may have run out of coal, and can't keep the engines going any longer. Yes, that's what they're doing—making for Palm Island."
"What sort of a place is that?" Jack wanted to know.
"A mighty ticklish sort of place to run for during a storm," was the answer. "There's a bad coral reef at the entrance to the harbor, but once you pass that you're all right. I wonder if they can navigate it?"
"And if they don't?" asked Jack.