rew himself on the ground, asking as he did so:

"Can you tell me how near we are to a sea-port? We have just landed
from a pleasure yacht which was destroyed by fire, and haven't any idea
where we are."

"You are now in Yucatan, and probably know perfectly well how near to
the coast, for----"

"In Yucatan?" Jake repeated in surprise.

"Exactly, and not so very far from the famed Silver City of the Chan
Santa Cruz Indians."

"That last information doesn't seem to be very important so far as we
are concerned; but it does surprise me to know we are in this section of
the country, for our captain was quite positive we should strike the
coast of Cuba."

"Tell me how such a mistake was made."

"That is exactly what I don't know myself; but it won't take long to
explain why we are here."

Then Jake told the story of the cruise in the Sea Dream, of the
unaccountable conflagration, and the fatal landing on the coast,
concluding by saying:

"As a matter of course we are most anxious to reach some place from
which we can find a steamer or sailing vessel going to the United
States. Probably you can give us the proper information, and by that
means get rid of unexpected and, perhaps, unwelcome visitors."

"But I do not wish to get rid of you," the stranger replied quickly. "On
the contrary I am more than delighted because you were forced to come
here, since you can render me a very great service."

"I fail to understand how," Jake replied in perplexity.

"You shall soon know, and I fancy you will be decidedly surprised when I
give you all the details. First, however, allow me to prepare supper,
and then it will be singular if I do not tell such a story as will cause
greater astonishment than you ever experienced before."

With these strange words the young man--he did not appear to be more
than thirty years old--leaped out of the hammock, and disappeared among
the shrubbery which so nearly concealed the building.

CHAPTER X.

A STRANGE STORY.

The meal, which was partaken of heartily by the weary travelers,
consisted of eggs and fruit, with plenty of freshly cooked tortillas,
and as Teddy remarked in a low tone when it was absolutely impossible
for him to eat any more, "it went way ahead of turkeys roasted on a
stick."

After his guests had finished this very satisfactory repast, the
stranger proposed that all adjourn to the banana avenue where he slung
another hammock that both the boys might lie dow