"Keep her east southeast!" he roared out.
A questioning hail came through the night, a wild, terrified cry.
"Keep her east southeast! Good-bye!" he answered.
"Ay, ay, sir! Good-bye, sir!" came the voice of the mate booming hoarsely above the gale.
The Buccaneer fought her way out that night. She lost her foresail and half her other canvas before the finish; but she went to sea safely.
Three days later she came in and anchored near the wreck of the steamer. The mate and two men went ashore and searched the reef for signs of their Captain. The boat was gone, and so was he. This told the story. Two hours later they were tearing up the rusted hulk of the Stella Polare, and they carried tons of her to Key West in the little schooner, with the mate in command.
The Barrators