Even now, she
was willing to help others first.
"You're a dear," murmured Cora, her foot on the first step of the
mounting ladder. "Oh, to think that all our worry is over now!" She
had yet to learn what was in store for her and the others.
"Oh, I know I'll fall in!" cried Bess, as she essayed to go up.
"Don't be silly!" cautioned Cora. "Belle, you pull her from in
front, and, Inez, you push. We've just got to get her up."
The Tartar was made fast by a rope tossed from the deck of the
Ramona, and Joe and Slim Jim stood on deck, ready to execute any
commands that might come from the young navigators. Cora and the
other girls safely reached the deck of the steamer.
A carious sight confronted them.
Jack and Walter stood confronting, in the glare of several electric
lights, the portly form of Senor Ramo, who seemed ill at ease. The
members of the mutinous crew stood about, rather shame-facedly, it
must be confessed. Lieutenant Walling wore an air of triumph. He
had brought the criminals to the end of their rope.
"Jack! Where are they?" asked Cora, impulsively.
"They--they're not here," her brother answered.
"Not here? Then where are they? Oh, don't say they're--"
Cora's voice could not frame the words.
At this moment Inez caught sight of Senor Ramo. She was rather a
timid girl, and her troubles and, tribulations had not made her any
bolder, but now, at the sight of the man she believed had done, or
who contemplated doing her father an injury, the Spanish maid's
courage rushed to the fore.
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