etter go prepared for an overnight
stay."

"Why do you think it will take us so long?" questioned Jo.

"That is something we cannot tell," responded the professor. "We don't
know what we may have to contend with. We have a powerful and wily
enemy in Captain Beauchamp, and we will have to accomplish our ends by
strategy rather than by force."

"Have you got any plan, professor?" asked Tom.

"Only in a general way," replied the professor. "We shall have to act as
seems best as things turn up."

"What is the first thing to be done?" asked Tom.

"I propose," answered the professor, "that we go to the place where you
saw the column of smoke."

"What do you expect to find there that we did not?"

"Nothing, perhaps, but I think that that is the highest point on the
island," explained the professor, "and from there we ought to be able to
get a fair idea of the size and shape of the place and the character of
the country."

"And from that we can plan our campaign," said Berwick.

"Exactly. Now, then," he went on a moment later, "if you are all ready
we will get away. Be careful, boys, for it is more than likely that our
movements are watched."

The first faint light of the coming day was beginning to show, and the
stars were fading before the coming dawn. Away off to the right of the
yacht as she swung at her anchor on the incoming tide the shore loomed
heavy and black, a thick blot in the inky darkness. There was almost an
unnatural stillness over the harbor, the only sound to break the quiet
being the soft lap, lap, of the ever restless waves beating against the
side of the vessel.

Their voices sounded so unnaturally loud when they spoke to one another
that they all unconsciously dropped their tone to a whisper.

Despite his protests that he was in fit condition to accompany the
others, it was decided that Juarez should remain on the yacht.

"You are really not able to travel," insisted Tom.

"And you will be in shape to-morrow when we will need you more," added
Jo in an effort at consolation.

"Beside," explained the professor, "you may possibly be of more service
here than if you went along. The captain might need your aid, for we
cannot tell what may happen, and you are the only one beside Mr.
Berwick who knows anything about the engine."

"If you really think so," reluctantly acquiesced Juarez.

"Most decidedly," affirmed the professor. "I would advise that you get
up enough steam in the boiler to s