JOY.
It was useless for the boys to argue with themselves that the rapid discharge of musketry could have no sinister meaning. They were in that frame of mind when no silver lining can be seen, even to the smallest cloud; and against their own better judgment they decided that the strange schooner either would be of no assistance to them, or that she was manned by a crew which might attempt to inflict further injuries.
Joe thoughtlessly suggested that perhaps the red-nosed man was in command, and had come to get the Bonita's cargo. This was said more in jest than as something with a possible foundation of truth; but it was sufficient to excite all of Jim's fears, and he actually tried to induce Harry and Walter to go with him into the thicket, where they might hide until the schooner had left the vicinity.
While the boys would not agree to anything quite as wild as this, they were seriously alarmed; and when the rattle and splash of oars broke the stillness Walter was almost sorry he had not followed the young fisherman's advice.
"We haven't got to wait long before findin' out if they'll take us away from this blessed key!" Bob said cheerily. "Here comes a boat, an' unless I'm makin' a big mistake we'll soon, be leavin' this 'ere cove bound for some civilized port!"
Louder and more distinctly sounded the clink of oars in the row-locks until from out the darkness came the welcome hail:
"Ahoy, on the island!"
"Halloo!" Bob shouted with a roar, as if afraid any ordinary cry would not be heard by those from whom he expected assistance.
"Have you got three boys there who were carried away from the Isle of Shoals in the brig Bonita?"
"Ay! ay! an' they'll be mighty glad of a chance to leave!"
This question surprised the boys almost to the verge of bewilderment. It was positive the red-nosed man would not ask for them so solicitously; and yet, who else in that lonely portion of the ocean knew anything regarding their mishaps?
Harry and Walter clasped hands as if in a daze, both so excited as to be unable to speak until a second voice from out the darkness shouted:
"Are you there, Harry?"
"It's father! It's father!" Harry screamed, as he ran toward the water; and there, with Walter at his side, he stood straining his eyes in the vain effort to see the boat, but in his joyful astonishment giving no heed to the apparently strange fact that those whom he loved had known so well where to look for the Bonita's involuntary crew.
It was not possible for the little craft to land with safety on the beach, where the surf was breaking with sufficient force to overturn if not stave her to pieces, and he who had first hailed now cried:
"Is there a landing-place near by?"
"You're at the mouth of a cove in which there's water enough to float a ship," Joe replied. "I'll walk along the beach to where there is no surf."
By shouting continually he succeeded in piloting the boat behind the point where a landing could be effected, and a few moments later both Harry and Walter were clasped in Mr. Vandyne's arms.
For some moments no word was spoken, and then the boys poured forth a flood of questions regarding the loved ones from whom they had been so long separated.
"They are all well at home," Mr. Vandyne replied laughingly; "but we had better settle down for the night before I attempt to give you the information required. Shall we go aboard the schooner?"
In their exceeding great joy the boys had forgotten the treasure entirely, and it is quite probable they would have said "Yes" to the last question but for Bob. He had not been in such a state of despair prior to the coming of the boat as to render happiness so bewildering, and he also had a very clear idea of what should be done.
"I axes your pardon for interfering sir," he said, stepping very close to Mr. Vandyne and speaking in a low tone, "but there's particular reasons why you'd better have a chance to talk with us alone afore your crew comes ashore or we leave the key!"
Harry's father was considerably mystified by this odd statement; but he hesitated only an instant before asking:
"Have you got any kind of a shelter?"
"A decently good tent, with a couple of mattresses to lie on," Bob replied. "It ain't the best that ever was, but you can manage to get along one night, I reckon."
