"Are you sure of this?" demanded Jack.
"Very sure; yes. I was below just before I was forced into the small
boat, and there wasn't a plate sprung. The engines were in good
order and if the mutineers hadn't raised a hue and cry, everything
would have been all right. But they wanted their way, for their own
ends, I fancy."
"Meaning what?" asked Jack.
"That they were glad of any excuse to seize the ship. I overheard
some of their plans. They would have done it, storm or no storm.
There was a plot to take the Ramona, put off all who would be in the
way, take her to some port, change her name and engage her in what
amounted to piracy."
"The plotters were going to do this?" cried Walter, aghast.
"Yes, and the storm only egged them on. It was their opportunity."
"Then the Ramona may be afloat now?" demanded Cora.
"She very likely is, Miss, I should say. A little damaged perhaps,
but not more than could be."
"And what of the passengers?" asked Bess.
"Well, they're either aboard her, as prisoners, or have thrown their
lot in with the mutineers, or--"
He did not go on.
"Well?" asked Jack, grimly.
"Or they were put adrift, as I was," went on Ben.
"But you did not see that happen?" asked Cora, for the story was
nearing its end now.
"No, Miss, I didn't see that. When I was put overboard, all the
passengers--and there weren't many of them--were still aboard.
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