AN EXCITING RACE
Steve was giving the engine all his attention and coaxing it to
develop all the speed of which it was capable. Even with eight people
aboard--two more than its regular complement--it was beginning to gain
on the big boat ahead. Orissa, at the steering wheel, was also intent
upon her task.
Mr. Cumberford turned to Chica.
"How did Ramon manage to build that house, and make such a big
settlement on the island, all in secret?" he asked.
"Pietro knows," said she.
"In Mexico," stated Red-beard, halting at times in his English, "Ramon
rob bank of much money. Then he escape in boat an' find islan'.
He think it fine place for hide. So he go to Unite' State--to San
Pedro--an' buy much thing with his money--much lumber--much food in tin
can--many thing he will need. He hire ship to take all to his islan'.
It big sail-ship, but it old an' not ver' good. In San Pedro Ramon
find some Mexicans who do bad things an' so are afraid to go back to
Mexico. He say he make them rich, so they go with him on ship. I go,
too.
"Storm come an' make ship leak, but we get to islan' an' unload
ever'thing. Captain start to go back, but ship leak so bad he run on
rocks at West Islan'. Ship go wreck an' men drown. By'mby Ramon go out
to wreck, take all thing he want an' let wreck go. It now on rocks at
West Islan'. No good, now."
This terse recital was listened to with astonishment.
"Interesting--very," was Mr. Cumberford's comment, and they all
supported his verdict.
"Then Ramon make us build house an' make garden," continued Red-beard.
"When we get mad an' not mind Ramon, he whip some of us with his own
hand, an' then others scare an' work hard. Two, three time, Ramon go in
launch to Mexico. He land secret, in night time, and get more men to
come back with him to islan'. Nobody know him in the places he goes.
One time he coax Chica from her nice home, that way, an' bring her to
islan', to make her help the women work in his house."
Chica nodded.
"But now I go home," she said, confidently. "When kind Americaños
arrest Ramon, I go free."
But arresting Ramon was not so much in the thoughts of the Americaños
just then as the result of the race to reach the _Salvador_. Madeline's
launch was gaining steadily, but both boats were gradually drawing
nearer to their destination and the problem was which could arrive
first? Already the little boat had been seen and its purpose understood
by the wily Mexican. He could not know how it was that the Americans
had managed to secure their boat and were able to follow him so soon,
but the fact that they were in his wake and quickly closing the gap
between the two launches was sufficient information for the time being,
and it did not particularly disturb him.
Ramon Ganza reasoned that in order to beat him to the yacht the little
launch must pass near him, but in doing so he would intercept it and by
grappling it with boat-hooks take it and its occupants along with him.
If the Americans kept out of range and gave his boat a wide berth, he
would be able, in spite of their superior speed, to beat them to the
yacht by maintaining his course in a straight line.
This danger was soon appreciated by the pursuers; for, whenever they
altered their course, Ganza altered his, to head them off by getting
directly in their way.
"Ah," said Mr. Cumberford, grimly, "this interests me."
"It interests us all," observed Steve, dryly. "The big boat is like a
rock in our path."
Orissa looked at her brother inquiringly.
"How shall I steer?" she asked.
"We shall have to circle around them, to keep out of their way. They
think that they will beat us, and they may; but I'm not sure of it--as
yet."
"Is it best to argue the point, Steve?" asked Chesty.
"I really think our salvation depends on our getting to the yacht
first," was the reply.
For some time after this no one spoke. The engine, under Steve's
skillful handling, was doing its utmost, with never a skip or protest
of any sort. The man who was running the larger boat was also crowding
his engines, urged thereto by his domineering master. The sea was ideal
for the race and favored both boats alike.
They continued the dodging tactics some time longer, the smaller boat
being forced to the outside and unable to cut in ahead.
"Confound it!" cried Steve, much chagrined, "here's the island, and
they've got the inside track."
"Yes; but something's wrong with them," remarked Mr. Cumberford.
"They're slowing down."
"By Jove, that's a fact!" cried Chesty, elated.
Steve stood up and shaded his eyes with his hand.
"Their engines have stopped," he said. "That's a streak of luck I
hadn't banked on. Head in, Orissa. We're all right now, if they don't
start again promptly."
There was evident excitement on board the larger motor boat. Ramon
kicked the new engineer away and himself took his place. The engine
revolved, made a brief spurt--and stopped dead. Ramon made another
attempt, while his boat bobbed placidly up and down on the waves.
Meantime the launch, still keeping to its wide circle, rounded the
point of rock and headed into the bay, where the _Salvador_ lay with
her trim white sides glistening in the sunshine.
"Quick!" cried Steve, as soon as he could be heard by those at the
rail, "let down the ladder. They're after us!"
"Who is it?" demanded Mr. Tupper, curiously; but Captain Krell marked
the panic on the faces of those on board the launch and issued prompt
orders. The aft davits were run down in a jiffy and Steve and Chesty
hooked them to the launch, which was quickly raised with all on board
and swung over the rail to the deck.
There were a few tumbles and some scrambling to get out of the boat,
but at that moment Ramon Ganza's big launch swept into the bay, and the
Mexican, assured by one sharp glance that his clever plan to surprise
the yacht was thwarted, shut down the engines and halted his craft
while he examined the situation at his leisure.
Madeline Dentry's superb yacht was indeed a prize worth winning. It
was even worth running some risks to acquire. Ramon reflected that the
_Salvador_ and her helpless crew were really at his mercy, for they
were unable to float the ship and were at present securely imprisoned.
He laughed rather maliciously at their vain opposition, and said to his
lieutenant, the one-eyed man:
"Very good, Francisco. Everything comes my way, you see. A little
patience and the beautiful ship is ours, for it surely is wreck, and I
justly claim all wrecks on my islands. There will be rum aboard, or at
least plenty of liquors and wines. Champagne, perhaps. You shall have
all the spirits for your drink if you back me up firmly in my demands."
"What will you do, señor?"
"Insist on taking possession of the ship, which, according to my law,
is mine," he answered, with grim humor. "Perhaps they may object,
in which case you will stand by your chief. But understand: you must
use no knives or pistols; I can't afford to have murder added to the
charges against me. If diplomacy fails, we will fight with our bare
fists, in American fashion, and our numbers will suffice to conquer
those insolent strangers who come here uninvited and then refuse to
abide by my laws."
He took from his pocket a note-book and with a fountain pen wrote upon
one of the leaves as follows:
"To my beloved Friends, the Americaños:
Alas, your ship is hopeless wreck. I, the lord and ruler of these
islands, behold the sad condition and with grief, for I must condemn
the ship as wreck, which I do by right of Spanish Grant to me, from
which is no appeal. With pain for your loss, I am obligated to
confiscate the ship that before was yours, with all it contains, and to
declare it is now mine. I demand that you deliver my property into my
hands at once, in the name of law and justice, and I believe you will
do so, because otherwise you will become the enemies of the kingdom of
DON MIGUEL DEL BORGITIS, Rex."
He tore out this leaf, folded it neatly and then boldly ran his launch
to the side of the yacht. Francisco stuck the paper on the point of a
boat-hook and standing on a seat thrust the epistle so far up the side
that Captain Krell was able to lean over and grasp it. Then the launch
returned to its former position, while the captain carried the note to
Madeline.
She read it aloud and their anxiety did not prevent the Americans from
laughing heartily at the preposterous claim of this audacious Mexican
refugee.
"At the same time," said Miss Dentry, resuming her gravity, "our
case appears to be somewhat serious. The man has unmasked and shown
us clearly his intentions. He believes we can expect no succor from
outside, and in that he is quite correct. Only by our own efforts and
the exercise of our wits may we hope to circumvent his intentions and
retain our freedom and our property."