h everything that there was to see from their viewpoint,
"this is all very well, and we have already learned quite enough to
repay us for all our trouble in taking this trip. But I have not yet
seen nearly all that I want to see; therefore, by hook or by crook, I
must get ashore upon that island yonder"--pointing to Tierra Bomba.
"That hill at its north-eastern angle ought to command a view of the
whole harbour and town, and I must get up there. Now, how is it best to
be done?"

"It appears to me," said Dick, "that there is an opening of some sort--
either a creek or the mouth of a small river--immediately opposite us,
just to the right of that bay, and also to the right of those two hills,
one of which is showing just clear of the other. There are two small
islets standing in the mouth of it--"

"Yes, yes; I see what you mean," interrupted Marshall. "Well, what is
your suggestion?"

"My suggestion," answered Dick, "is that we remain concealed until
nightfall, and then that we should take the boat and explore that creek,
or whatever it is; and if it proves to be a suitable hiding-place, well
and good. We will conceal the boat and her crew there, and to-morrow
morning you and I can climb to the top of that hill and make all the
observations we need, even, perhaps, to the extent of drawing a rough
chart of the place. It will cost us twenty-four hours of time; but I
believe that the information which we shall thus obtain will more than
repay us."

"I am sure of it," answered Marshall, heartily; "and we'll do it, my
lad. Meanwhile, the mosquitoes are becoming something more than
troublesome; so, as we have now seen all that it is possible for us to
see from here, we'll get away back to the boat, or the men will begin to
think that something has happened to us."

CHAPTER FOUR.

HOW MARSHALL AND DICK ENTERED CARTAGENA HARBOUR IN THE LONGBOAT.

As Marshall had anticipated, the men were beginning to feel distinctly
alarmed at the prolonged absence of their officers, admitting, indeed,
that they were seriously debating the advisability of leaving the boat
and instituting a search at the moment when Marshall and Dick
reappeared. This admission drew forth a sharp rebuke from the Captain,
who there and then gave them strict orders that under no circumstances
were they ever to dream of doing such a thing. "For instance," said he,
"what a pretty pickle should we all be in if, being discovered and
pursued hotfoot