Chapter X: At San Matteo Bay

"I thought you said that the rendezvous was somewhere in the South," drawled Berwick.

He was standing with Jim and the professor on the afterdeck of the Storm King, watching away in the north the fast disappearing Sea Eagle.

"So I did, and so it is," answered Jim stoutly. "That heading to the north is only a ruse on Broome's part to lead us in the wrong direction."

"Hope you are right, but--" returned Berwick, leaving the sentence significantly unfinished. "I am going down to the engine-room again. Let me know if anything new transpires."

"Which way shall I lay our course, sir?" asked the captain, coming up to where the others were standing.

The professor, before replying, looked at Jim inquiringly.

"To the South!" insisted Jim.

"South it is then," directed the professor.

"South it is," answered the captain, going back to the bridge.

"We will keep on that course until morning," added the professor. "And as there is a fair breeze blowing we will proceed under sail. Ask Mr. Berwick to bank the fires in the boiler."

It was now dusk. The stars were showing in the sky, and the lights of the Sea Eagle were lost in the mist on the horizon.

For awhile the voyagers sat around on the deck listening to the professor's stories of his experiences in the South Seas, but it had been a long and arduous day and they soon began to grow weary.

"I think," began Tom, in a pause in the talk, suppressing a yawn. "I think I shall turn in until time for my watch." It had been arranged that some one of the four should always be on deck.

"A very sensible idea," agreed the professor; "I think we will all be better for a good night's rest."

Without incident of note, all through the night the Storm King sped on her way south.

The party were all on deck early the next morning. It seemed on looking around that they were alone on the wide sweep of water. Way off to the west the sails of a vessel showed white like the wings of a bird on the horizon, and far away to the north was a blur from the smoke of a steamer.

It was well along in the morning when the bold headline of the cliff that marked the entrance to San Matteo Bay came into view, and it was middle afternoon when the yacht glided into the bay and sought an anchorage.

"Broome," said the captain, "knows this harbor as he knows his cabin, but I am not familiar with any part except that near the entrance. It's full of rocks farther in, and I will anchor under the lea of these northern cliffs where I know there is sufficient depth of water."

The harbor covered an area of several square miles, and there was to be seen only one other vessel, a small lugger which lay close to the lower end of the bay.

"Well," remarked Berwick, looking about the harbor. "Our piratical friend Broome doesn't seem to have kept the appointment you made for him, Jim."

"Not yet," replied Jim, "but there is still time enough."

"And you still hold to the opinion this is the place?" asked the professor.

"I may be mistaken," replied Jim, "but I don't believe I am. In any case the morning will determine. I am for going ashore then, and will investigate."

Watches were set for the night, and for each interval of two hours one of the boys was on duty. Tom was on deck during the darkest period between two and four, and shortly before the latter hour he noted at a distance, although he could not see the ship, the noise of machinery, and felt sure that a newcomer had entered the harbor.

None were surprised at early dawn to observe the Sea Eagle riding quietly at anchor well toward the inner shore of the harbor, and some two and one-half miles distant.

Alongside of the Sea Eagle was a boat of nondescript appearance, the one they had seen the night before, and it was evident that the masters of the two ships had business of importance in hand.

"By Jove, old fellow," cried Berwick, addressing Jim, "you were right after all. It is her, all right. We had better be getting ready."

"Better go fully armed," advised the professor. "You know that they are a pretty tough lot."

"Tough enough," agreed Berwick, "but I think we can take care of ourselves. I am not afraid to tackle anyone except that fiend of a Mexican. He is so little and slippery that I never feel quite safe when he is around."

"I think we have seen the last of him," put in Tom.

"Perhaps," doubted Berwick, "but I don't believe it. He's got more lives than a score of cats."

"Will you need any help from the crew or myself?" asked the professor.

"No," replied Jim, "I think we can take care of the situation, and beside," he laughed, "someone will have to look after this yacht or Broome will be getting away with her."

"He will have a jolly good time doing it," asserted the professor. "By the way, Mr. Berwick, you might attach a hose to the boiler so we can give them a warm reception if they try to come on board."

"What are your plans, Jim," the professor asked.

"First and foremost to see that the compact for the surrender of their prisoner, the Senorita, is carried out. Beyond that I must be guided by circumstances."

"While Captain Broome is ashore with his men may be your opportunity to get back your ship."

"I have that in mind, but any move now before she is free would add to the peril of the young girl."

While they had been talking, the long-boat had been lowered and was now alongside the gangway.

"All aboard," directed Jim.

Each member of the party was armed with a rifle and a revolver. It took but a moment for the five to get into the boat. Jim and Juarez took the oars.

"Where are you going to land, Jim," asked Berwick, who had taken the tiller. "It won't do to venture very close to the Sea Eagle."

"The first point where we can find a landing place on the north shore. They will hardly see us at this distance."

"Just over here is a good place," suggested Tom, indicating a break in the rocky cliff where the land sloped down to the water.

It was only a short pull to the shore, and ten minutes later the boat was run up on a sandy beach, and the comrades disembarked. Making the painter fast to a large rock, the party, under the lead of Jim, set out for the other end of the harbor.

It was slow moving through the tangled underbrush, and nearly two hours were consumed in a roundabout trip which brought them to a point, where, themselves unobserved, a close and distinct view of the Sea Eagle and the lugger was obtainable.

Everyone on board the two boats was busily engaged in the task of transferring from the lugger's hold numerous boxes, cases and casks, which were being stored aboard the Sea Eagle.

Berwick clutched Jim's arm. "See," he gasped, "on the afterdeck! What did I tell you?"

"Manuel," muttered Jim, with almost a shudder.

"It means trouble," grumbled Berwick.

"Nonsense," responded Jim. But there was lacking the usual tone of assurance in his voice. He looked at his brothers and Juarez. No one spoke. All seemed imbued with the same feeling of inexpressible nervous concern. Was it a foreboding of some impending danger?

Very silently now the party pushed on, and a little later they were able to get a good view of the stretch of land occupying the space between the water's edge and the foot hills, which were a full mile away.

It was a level plain with a few large eucalyptus trees of considerable growth clustered a short distance from the shore.

One particularly large tree of the group attracted Jim's attention, and indicating this one, he announced:

"That is where the meeting will be held."

The others looked at him in astonishment. To them the trees all looked alike.

"How do you know?" they chorused.

"See the birds flying about?" There were flying through the air a number of birds. Occasionally some of them lit for an interval, but never upon the tree Jim had pointed out.

"But what of that?" asked Tom.

"There is some one in that tree," explained Jim. "That is why, as you will notice, the birds alight on the other trees, but never upon that one."

Observing for a continuous period the actions of the birds their maneuvers seemed to confirm Jim's theory.

"This then," determined Jim, "is our place of observation when it comes to the surrendering of the Senorita and the paying of the ransom. We cannot be seen here, but can get quickly into action and upon the scene if there is need."

"We have the place of ambush," said Berwick, "and the next thing to find out, if we can, is, when the villains are to complete the transaction."

"For that purpose I am going to attempt to hunt out the senor, and try to secure, if possible, an interview with him."

Jim had noticed that a faintly marked trail led inland from the shore, and a short way up the nearest hill was seen a low bungalow with out-buildings which Jim concluded was a way-house or inn, and the likely stopping place of the Senor.

"What are we to do?" asked Tom.

"You four remain here on guard and fire two shots in quick succession if I am wanted."

Saying this, Jim strode away in the direction of the foot hills, but sheltered the while from observation by the forest and underbrush.

It was as Jim surmised. On the veranda of the inn sat the senor intently reading a book. As Jim approached, no other person was in sight.

"Buena diaz, Senor," called Jim.

Instantly the Senor sprang to his feet, observing Jim for the first time and facing him with a stern, uncompromising look.

"So you are concerned in this evil venture, you--"

"On the contrary," broke in Jim, himself greatly surprised. "I have come to help you."

"I have no need of help," asserted the Senor, unbending not the least, suspicion in his voice.

Jim was staggered for a moment and at a loss for words. Here was an obstacle he had not thought of. Finally he ventured the inquiry:--

"You have not, however, recovered your daughter, the Senorita?"

"No."

"And until you do, I assure you, there is grave danger."

Something in Jim's tones seemed to impress the Senor with his sincerity, and his future speech indicated the return of confidence.

"My daughter is abducted. By whom, I know not. How did you know of this?"

"Just by chance," replied Jim. "But tell me about the capture?"

"But I know nothing," protested the Senor. "She went out and came not back. Then I got word that these men,--these--" the Senor stopped. "They warned me to say nothing or that they would kill her."

"Unless you paid them so much money," added Jim.

"And you know that, too. It was much--five thousand dollars--but that is nothing if I have my daughter safe again. You think they will come?"

"I think they will try to get the reward," said Jim, cautiously.

"And if they do not come, you will help me find her?" the Senor asked, looking into Jim's face.

"Assuredly," responded Jim. "But tell me about the arrangements you have made."

The Senor glanced about, then walked with Jim a little distance from the inn. There was no apparent need for the precaution, for there was no one to be seen about the place.

"At five o'clock to-day, at an appointed spot, a tree below here, I am to be met by someone who will receive the money."

"Yes," said Jim, "and you already have your men perched in the branches of the tree."

The Senor made an exclamation of intense

"It is the large eucalyptus on the margin of the grove," continued Jim.

"Yes. Yes. You seem to know all."

"All I must know to aid you effectively," said Jim, earnestly. "You speak about the money, but your daughter, what of her?"

"That is arranged. She is to be seen by me before the money is given up. She is to be near at hand. I am to see her, it is promised, sitting in a small boat near the shore, and in the care of a good woman who has been her companion."

Jim could not restrain a laugh. The idea of applying any such word as "good woman" to the virago on board the Sea Eagle.

"Captain Broome's sister?" suggested Jim, inquiringly.

"Captain Broome's sister," repeated the Senor. "It is not possible. The captain is a comrade, a friend, engaged by me to carry arms and armament to my confreres in Cuba. Ah, what am I saying to you, James? My secret, in my anxiety for my daughter, my secret I have told, you must not repeat or disclose."

"Your secret is safe, Senor, but your daughter is on board the Sea Eagle now, and Broome, whatever he may be, is not to be trusted."

"I am amazed. It is true the Sea Eagle is in the harbor. So I was told by the innkeeper this morning. But I knew for what purpose, and I was glad to think that someone was near on whom I could rely in case of need. Then I have my trusted man, as you surmised, in the tree to give aid if called upon. But how know you all and so many of these things?"

"Perhaps I know more. You arranged all the plans through a certain lawyer in San Francisco?"

"Yes. Yes."

"And he sold you out."

"What do you mean?"

"That he plotted with Broome to get your daughter into his hands, that they might wring another five thousand out of you."

"How dare they!" He thought a few moments, his face livid with suppressed rage. Then he continued, "They probably counted on my intense interest in Cuban affairs, of which I told you, to save themselves. But they are mistaken. I will kill them both."

"Just now," interrupted Jim, "we must attend to the business in hand."

"I put the matter in your control."

"At the hour named," suggested Jim, "do you go to the appointed place. I will be in hiding near at hand with the others of my party. There will be five of us."

"And what am I to do?"

"Do exactly as you have planned. Do not, I beg of you, vary one iota. Let your man in the tree know that he must be ready for quick action."

"You have ever my thanks!" said the Senor.

Very carefully, Jim went over in anticipation every move of the arrangement. When about to take leave, the Senor wrung his hand expressing his gratitude and they parted. Jim rejoined his party and found them eating the lunch they had brought with them from the ship.

During the afternoon Jim scouted around the country to the north of them with a result that had much bearing upon the future, but he was on hand with the others long before the appointed hour.