Clif, followed by the others, hastened to the spot.
The man had spoken the truth. The boat, which was now their sole dependence, was no longer there.
They looked in blank amazement at one another and at the spot where they had fastened it in fancied security.
What could it mean?
CHAPTER XXVII.
IN WHICH CLIF MEETS WITH A SURPRISE.
They were now in a perilous position.
They could not return to the flagship, and at any moment the Spaniards, finding they were not pursued, might pluck up courage to seek them out and try conclusions with them once more. If they should find them on that narrow strip of beach the story of the conflict might be a different one.