It was a most weird and peculiar sight, but after nearly two hours’ work, everything was ready. Only Jim, Juarez and the engineer were left upon the derelict, with old Pete ready at the oars to pull away as soon as the men should jump into the boat after firing the fuses.
“Already for’ard!” yelled Jim.
“Ready,” came Juarez’s reply.
They touched the long fuse and then ran and stepped lightly into the boat. Pete dug the oars into the water and away the boat leapt towards the Sea Eagle. She had cleared the derelict about a hundred feet, when with two dull shaking thuds, and a glare of red light at either end, the derelict was blown to destruction, and pieces of broken timber fell all about the boat. Some pieces fell even on the deck of the Sea Eagle. In a few minutes the broken hull had sunk below the dark waters of the Pacific. The work had been well done.
Two days later the Sea Eagle turned from the windy channel into her own harbor on the southern coast of California with the flag flying, and as the anchor chain rattled down into the quiet water, there came a salute from the two cannon on the upper deck. Then Jim turned and gripped the hand of his old friend.
“Here you are at home, Captain. Now it’s for the Lost Mine, boys.”
“And good luck to you,” said the old captain heartily. “I and the Sea Eagle will be here when you return.”
The boys at parting gave three rousing cheers.