When they awakened the daylight was sparkling on land and sea, and Jupe was filling the air with appetizing aromas proceeding from his cooking fire.
It was while they were in the midst of the morning meal that Jack sprang to his feet with a shout.
“The Sea King! the Sea King!” he cried, pointing seaward.
About half a mile off shore, steaming leisurely along, was a fine-looking white yacht that the Professor speedily pronounced to be, indeed, the Sea King.
“The wireless, Tom, as quick as you can,” called Jack, and the two lads at once set about sending their life-jacket balloons aloft.
This time the message that Jack sent out reached the persons it was intended for, and an hour later a boat came ashore and the castaways found themselves among their friends.
Repairs had been effected in record time on the yacht, and those in charge of her had determined not to wait longer at Lone Island, but proceed south at once. They were urged to this course, also, by news from Mexico that the revolutionists had triumphed, and that Diaz had abdicated.
We should like to chronicle more of the adventures of the Boy Inventors on this trip, but the exigencies of space forbid it. Suffice it to say then, that while the Professor, the rescued explorer and the rest, including Captain Andrews, voyaged to Lone Island and thence home on the Sea King, the boys drove the Flying Road Racer through Mexico, and reached home in that way by the overland route. They had many exciting times, but none so filled with peril and incident as their career on the gulf had been.
In due time the Vagrant was also recovered and sent home by the newly formed Madero government. Of Herrera, all trace was lost for a time. But ultimately he was heard from in Paris, whither, as had been prophesied, he had fled when the Diaz government fell. But he is not leading the life of a luxurious refugee there. Far from it. The gems he had stolen with the exercise of so much villainy and planning, proved to be, as Professor Chadwick had conjectured, mere cheap imitations worth very little except as specimens of Maya workmanship. Herrera, when last heard from, was acting as a head waiter in an humble Mexican restaurant in the Latin quarter of the French capital.
The genuine gems were sold to a New York millionaire, and when he dies will be seen in his private museum, which will then be opened to the public. The proceeds were shared, by the wishes of Professor Chadwick and Mr. Jesson, with the faithful crew of the Sea King, each, from Captain Andrews down, receiving a due portion. A handsome monument was also erected above the grave of poor Kettle, who fell in the battle with the Mayas.