at the tree."

Jim was wild with anxiety, yet dare not make known his presence. But the
opportunity to act was close at hand.

Reaching the shore, the Senor and his daughter were exchanging
salutations, while the woman Annie sprang lightly into the boat, and
it was then swung about, seemingly to allow the girl to land. The man
rose from his seat as if to lend aid. Big Annie took the oars, and
immediately, with quickly repeated strokes impelled by her powerful
arms, the boat shot away. At the same instant the man grasped the
Senorita, holding her before him so as to protect himself from harm
should the Senor be armed. This all happened far more quickly than it
can be described.

Now, all too late, the party in hiding sprang forward.

"Help! Help!" called the Senorita. "Save me, Senor James!" She had at
once recognized him among the party.

It was a desperate situation. The boys were too far away to be of aid.
It was impossible to shoot at the man without risking the life of the
girl. Twice Jim raised his rifle and let it drop, while the Senorita's
call for help rang in his ears.

The Irishman continued to hold the Senorita as a shield, and the woman,
knowing the boys would not shoot her, fiercely swung the oars of the
boat, which was headed toward the lugger.

In a few moments Jim and his party were at the shore, where the Senor in
desperation raged now that it was all too late, bemoaning his
over-confidence and its result.

"What shall we do?" cried Tom.

"Get back to the Storm King as quick as we can," cried Jim, in a
frenzy. "We will run the yacht down and get her if we have to follow
them to the end of the world. Come on!"

The boys, headed by Jim, started off on the run, when they were halted
by a shout from Juarez.

"Here's a boat!" he cried.

Half hidden in the bushes which fringed the shore was the little dinghy
of the lugger.

To seize the boat and rush it down to the water was but the work of a
moment.

"But we haven't any oars!" cried Tom.

"Here is one. Yes, a pair!" exclaimed Jo, who had been rummaging in the
bushes.

"Let me go with you," pleaded the Senor.

"I am sorry," replied Jim, "but the boat will only hold three, and some
will have to stay on shore. There is serious work ahead of us. We don't
know how many there may be on board the lugger."

"Then let me be of the party, I implore you! I am an expert marksman,
and can hit the eye of the bull at a hundred yards."

"Good!" c