"
"Oh, don't!" begged Bess. "It reminds me of my school days. I never
could tell the difference between latitude and longitude."
"Well, there's where Sea Horse Island is," went on Jack, "and if all
had gone well, Mr. Robinson hoped to gather orchids there. Now--?"
he hesitated.
"And do you think we'll touch near there, Jack?" asked his sister.
"I'm going to try."
"Oh, it is so good of you!" murmured Inez. "Perhaps we can save my
father."
"At any rate, they ought to allow you to see him," put in Walter.
"Political prisoners aren't supposed to be kept in solitary
confinement. We'll have a try at him, anyhow; eh, Jack?"
"Sure. Well, that's our problem--to search among these islands, and
I think we have the very boat to do it."
Indeed the Tartar was just what they could have desired. It was a
powerful motor boat, and had been in commission only a short time.
It could weather a fairly big sea, or a heavy blow. It had a
powerful motor, many comforts, and even some luxuries, including a
bathroom.
The engine was located forward, where there was a sleeping room for
the engineer, who could steer from a small pilot house. Or the craft
could also be guided from the after deck, which was open.
There was a large enclosed space, variously divided into cabins and
staterooms. A kitchen provided for ample meals, the cooking being
done by the exhausted and heated gases from the motor, which also
warmed the boat on the few days when the weather was rainy and
chilly.
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