ot
give utterance to sound more horrible. All the party in the boat and the
swimmers in the water turned toward the direction from which it came to
note the cause.

At the cabin window in the stern of the abandoned vessel was a face
distorted by agony. The person's arms were flung wildly about. It was
the Mexican dwarf. He it was who had planned the trap in which he now
found himself caught. He had set fire to the lugger and was intending
to make his escape in the dinghy. The scream had come when he realized
that his one avenue of escape was cut off, that his plot had miscarried.

Even as the horrified observers noted the conditions there came an
appalling, thunderous crash. Debris filled the air. The old lugger and
the evil face at the window were gone--gone, forever.

The storm so long delayed broke now in all its fury. Jim's party were
safe, and thankful for their preservation, but in a rather dubious
predicament, although it was really no more wet in the water than in the
boat. Each of the boys rested a hand on the gunwhale of the little craft
and discussed their next move. The problem was soon solved for them.
Juarez, together with the steward from the ship, rowing the long boat
was seen approaching.

On board the Storm King, the rescued party when they arrived were made
comfortable. Jim learned that the Sea Eagle had been quietly maneuvered
down the harbor, and under close reefed sail had disappeared into the
obscurity of the storm.

Jim's disappointment was keen, but he felt that he had much to be
thankful for, and was not the Senorita, herself, a member of the party
for a time at least?

"Besides," said the professor, offering consolation, "mayhap you will
make enough from the recovered treasure to buy half a dozen Sea Eagles."
But there was another possibility which the professor did not foresee.

The storm lasted well into the night, but the Storm King was riding
meanwhile safely at anchor. The following morning saw them once more
upon the ocean every sail set and southbound.

CHAPTER XIII.

AN ADVENTURE.

There were unvarying, placid seas and happy hours during the next two
days. One item was occasionally commented upon. There could be seen at a
distance, which seemed never to change, a steam yacht. But doubtless
this was only a coincidence.

To Jim especially, and perhaps to the Senorita, the hours were brief
indeed, and when on deck they were always in each other's company.

All the