el that was moving steadily out on the Pacific in a straight line
from the shore.

"To the North, doubtless," replied the Spaniard.

"Wherever she goes we must find her out," said Jim, with grim
determination.

"I wish we could follow them," sighed Jo. "If we could only hire a
boat."

"They have our money," replied Jim, briefly.

"I had forgotten that," said Jo, and his face showed his disappointment.

"Permit me to help you," said the Spaniard, "I am to blame for detaining
you at breakfast."

"That is generous of you, Senor," replied Jim, "but I do not favor going
to the expense of chartering a steamer. Even if it were possible, my
plan would be to follow along the coast on horseback and see what can be
done when they make a landing."

"As you are the General," replied the Spaniard, "we will allow you to
make the plans."

"Look!" exclaimed Jo, "they are turning South instead of North."

"Impossible!" cried the Spaniard. "There is only one port within two
hundred miles. I do not understand. Yes, they are surely going South."

"Perhaps they have a secret landing place," hazarded Jim.

"Not so," replied the Spaniard. "Not a harbor where they could land save
one and there they would not dare to go."

The three watchers on horseback gazed until there was little to be seen
other than a smudge of smoke upon the horizon. It was no use, the Sea
Eagle was holding to her southerly course to some mysterious port. The
sun had now come out and was shining with sheer brilliance upon the
sparkling ocean.

"We must return now," said the Spaniard. "There is nothing more for us
to do at present."

"I think that my brother and I will start this afternoon and take the
trail to the south," announced Jim, "wherever those fellows set foot, I
want to be waiting for them."

"I fear it is impossible to start so soon," replied the Spaniard, "I
must go with you as I know the country to the South, every foot of it."

"The Senor is right, Jim," put in Jo, quickly, as he saw a frown on
Jim's face and was afraid that he was going to say something abruptly.
"You will want to give Caliente a good rest, so that when we start, we
will make the distance without delay. Then we have to make some
preparations ourselves."

Jim looked at his brother with a moment's dark suspicion, but it was
evident that Jo was perfectly sincere in what he said.

"I will promise, Senor," said the Spaniard with a peculiar smile, "that
when we start which