likely to reach the same port before Sunday noon. If the Islander
had kept on her course during the twenty-four hours we had been at
anchor, she would be likely to reach Key West on Saturday afternoon. I
did not know that she had any occasion to put in there at all; if she
had, she was not likely to remain there many hours. If the Islander had
not put in at any port during the storm, Cornwood would not arrive at
his destination until after she had departed.

The interesting question was whether she had or had not made a port in
the storm. If I had had no ladies on board, I should not have thought
of such a thing as going into St. Augustine on account of the bad
weather. Captain Blastblow, according to his own statement, was a
thorough seaman, and, judging by my own feelings, it was not probable
that he had made a port.

But I was not quite satisfied on this point, and I had not so much
confidence in the captain of the Islander as he seemed to have in
himself. Our chart indicated only one port where he could have gone in,
and that was Mosquito Inlet, which had hardly water enough at high tide
to allow the Islander to run through the narrow passage that leads from
Hillsboro River out into the ocean. The inlet is sixty-five miles from
St. Augustine light.

The town of New Smyrna is two or three miles up Hillsboro River,
between which and St. Augustine and Jacksonville a small steamer plies
regularly. I had about made up my mind to run up the inlet as far as
the depth of water would permit, and see if I could find any one who
could give me any information in regard to the Islander. I had hardly
reached this conclusion when I was called to dinner. I was to dine in
the cabin, and I told the party what I intended to do.

"I don't care to have you delay your voyage for me, Captain Alick,"
replied Colonel Shepard.

"We started out to catch the Islander, and I am as anxious to do it as
you are," I added.

"I suppose you wish to get rid of us," interposed Miss Edith.

"Not at all; after I invited you to make the trip with us, and was
anxious to have your company, I shall not be in haste to get rid of
you. On the contrary, it must be that you wish to get rid of me, or you
would not have chosen to go in the Islander."

"Forgive me, Captain Alick; I did not mean it," replied the fair
maiden. "But we are so comfortable and so happy that we shall be in no
haste to get out of the Sylvania."

"Isn't there danger in going into