"They are safe, so far as can be judged, though they may be in some
distress."
"But where are they?" asked Cora, for Jack had found a chance to tell
her that he had been informed they were put ashore.
"On Double Island," answered Lieutenant Walling. "They were made
prisoners when the mutineers rose and seized the ship. They were
locked in their cabins, so some of those who have confessed told me,
and when the storm was over, they were treated fairly well. They
were forced to remain on board while the plan of entering into the
smuggling game was carried on. They tried to get ashore, or to send
messages for help, but were frustrated.
"Then, finally, some of the crew began to grumble at the presence of
the passengers. Food was running low, and a certain amount of care
was required to prevent them from escaping. The upshot of it was
that your parents were put ashore on Double Island, with a fairly
good amount of food and other supplies."
"How long ago?"
"Where is a Double Island?"
"Can't we start and rescue them?"
"What of Inez's father?"
These questions were fairly rained on Lieutenant Walling, "One at a
time, please," he said, as he gazed at the young people gathered
about him in the cabin of the Ramona. "It was over a week ago that
the passengers were put ashore on Double Island--there were only your
parents," he added, glancing again from Cora to the twins.
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