And now, if you will allow me to use it on behalf of
the government, we will try to catch the Ramona."
"Is there really a chance of doing that?" asked Cora, in her
eagerness laying her hand on the sleeve of the young officer.
"There really is," was his answer. "She has been sighted by a
fishing schooner--we had word from the captain of it. And the Ramona
seems to be crippled. She was going slowly. We ought to catch her
soon--if this storm holds off long enough."
"Oh, isn't it exciting, Cora!" whispered Bess. "Almost like the time
when you saved the papers in the red oar at Denny Shane's cabin!"
"Only I hope there are no physical encounters," spoke Cora, with a
shudder, as she recalled the strenuous days spent on Crystal Bay.
"I fancy you need not be alarmed," the lieutenant said. "From what
we can learn, the mutineers and smugglers are rather sick of their
bargain. There have been dissentions and part of the crew is ready
to give up. But the others are afraid of the punishment that will be
meted out."
"Will it be heavy?" asked Belle. "Heavy enough," was the significant
answer. "It is a high crime to mutiny on the ocean, especially in
time of storm and trouble."
"Then you have a good chance of catching them?" asked Jack.
"We think so--yes."
"'But isn't this a rather--er--small force to capture a large
steamer, in possession of desperate men?" Walter wanted to know.
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