“I have one, too,” put in Ross.
“So much the better. We can take independent observations and then compare them. But come along, boys. We’re on the right trail at last.”
They all hastened out of the forecastle, wildly excited by this latest and most important clue.
It was the work of only a moment to throw off the lines, and the boats were off at the fastest speed of which they were capable. Teddy had gone aboard the Sleuth, so as to run the boat while Ross took his observations, and the other boys took the Ariel off Lester’s hands for the same purpose.
In a few minutes this had been done, and the boats ran alongside each other, so that the skippers could compare notes.
“It’s somewhere within five miles from here,” declared Lester, at the end of the conference. “Now, fellows, keep your eyes peeled for the first big rock you see standing at the right of any opening and we’ll put in there so quick it will make your heads swim.”
“Trust us to keep a close watch,” said Fred emphatically. “We won’t let any guilty rock escape.”
“You bet we won’t!” echoed Bill.
Their excitement chased away from the boys’ minds any idea of getting a regular meal, and they contented themselves with hasty bites of whatever 232 was found at hand, while they kept their eyes glued to the irregular coast line.
It was late in the afternoon when a shout came from Bill.