"By a ruse, which I thought of myself. Early last evening I sent out calls, through the Salvadore's wireless instrument, for the Salvadore. You see? My ship was calling for herself. The call was answered by a ship which claimed she was the Salvadore, Captain Sandoval commanding."
Matt was amazed, not so much by what the captain had found out as by the fact that he had had sense enough to think of such a ruse.
"How did you know, captain," returned Matt, "that I did not answer that second call as you accused me of answering that other one?"
"Carramba! You would not have been so foolish. There is a ship somewhere in these waters that is trying to make others think she is the Salvadore. Where is she?"
"Yonder," said Matt, pointing to the Japanese steamer. "That is the vessel that claims to be the Salvadore. One of her officers told me that was her name, and that her captain was Enrique Sandoval."
Sandoval whirled about on his bridge and picked up a pair of binoculars. For several moments he studied the steamer.
"She was flying the Chilian flag when we first sighted her," he went on to Matt through the megaphone, "and now she's flying a piece of German bunting."
"That's because she don't want you to make her any trouble," said Matt.
"Car-r-ramba! I will make her trouble. I will pursue her and take her to Punta Arenas while the conduct of her officers and crew is being looked into. It will be easy for the real Salvadore to overtake the counterfeit. Adios, señor, and good luck to you!"
"Wait a minute, captain!" called Matt.