“What are they doing?” asked the professor eagerly as Mark entered, and the boy told him what had taken place.
“They will ruin my ship and spoil the whole trip,” cried the old scientist. “Oh, why did I ever go to the rescue of the scoundrels?”
“Never mind,” said Jack. “Perhaps we may yet outwit them.”
Morning came at last. The ship was still shooting forward at fast speed, in an easterly direction. The sailors had learned, in their short stay aboard, where the food and stores were kept, and they lost little time in getting breakfast. They sent some in to their captives, including a big pot of hot coffee, and, after partaking of this the professor and his friends felt better.
The mate of the Good Hope came in to help clear away the dishes. As he passed Mark he slipped into the boy’s hand a note.
“Don’t read it until you are alone,” he said in a low voice, as he hurried from the room.
As soon as the other sailors had left, Mark glanced at the slip of paper. It bore these words:
“Open when you hear three raps, then two, then three, and keep silent.”
“What is it?” asked Mr. Henderson.
Mark showed him the paper.