The midshipmen exchanged glances.
“Looking for the ‘Sacramento,’” Sydney exclaimed. Then they told Alice of the conversation Stump had overheard and of their mission for that evening.
“That isn’t all my news,” Alice said proudly. “One of the ‘Talofa’s’ crew, a Fiji Islander, arrived in Ukula, and Klinger rode away with him toward Saluafata. Mary Hamilton came and told me that an hour ago.”
The two lads shook hands with each other in boyish excitement and joy, while Alice looked on thinking they had suddenly gone crazy.
“Don’t you see,” Phil explained to Alice’s inquiry. “Scott and his schooner are back, and Klinger is going to get the lease and explain that Stump will come later. We’ll catch the schooner anyway, and maybe Scott and the lease will also be on board.”
CHAPTER XVIII
A “CUTTING OUT” EXPEDITION
Four bells was struck on board the “Sitka,” as the steam launch quietly shoved off from the gangway.
The launch had been stripped of its bulky canopy and lay lean and low in the water. No lights were shown, and in the darkness the little craft hoped to leave the harbor unobserved.
“What’s that for?” Sydney suddenly exclaimed in alarm.
The “Sitka” had turned on all her search-lights and was sweeping them in small arcs over the shipping and along the shore line.