Teddy the little craft had a particularly friendly look.

The schooner had been headed for the shore when the smoke first began to
ascend; but the wind was so light that she hardly moved through the
water, and, after a few moments, the watchers could see that a boat was
being lowered.

"That dashes some of my hopes," Cummings said with a laugh.

"What do you mean?" Neal asked.

"I thought there might be just a chance that she hailed from Progresso,
and we should have no trouble in persuading them to do as we wished."

"Why do you think that isn't the case?"

"Because you couldn't find a crew of natives who would willingly row so
far; the majority would wait for a breeze a week before voluntarily
performing so much labor."

The boys watched the boat as she approached slowly, and when she neared
the shore both they and Jake started in surprise, scrutinized her more
intently, and then looking at each other as if in fear.

"What is the matter?" Cummings asked, and Neal replied slowly:

"The man who is steering resembles Mr. Walters, the sailing master of
the Sea Dream, that is all."

"It _is_ him!" Teddy cried excitedly. "I am certain of it now; but how
did he get here in that schooner?"

As a matter of course the question could not be answered by his
companions, and all waited with the liveliest signs of impatience until
the gentleman was within hailing distance, and then Neal shouted:

"Is that really you, Mr. Walters?"

"To the best of my knowledge it is," was the laughing reply. "Are you
all well?"

"In first-class condition. Where is father?"

"On board the schooner. I will give the signal to let him know the crew
of the yacht have all been saved."

As he spoke he discharged a revolver, and the waving of the flag told
that the good news was understood.

"Not all, Mr. Walters, the three sailors in our boat were drowned while
trying to land on this coast."

"It is too late now to rectify the mistake. I hoped when I saw so many
that there had been no disaster."

By this time the little craft had been rowed around the point of the
lagoon where it was possible to effect a landing without danger of being
swamped, and the sailing master leaped ashore to welcome by hearty
handshakes those whom he had feared were dead.

Cummings and Poyor were introduced, and then Neal asked:

"Where did you get the schooner?"

"Chartered her to hunt for you; but Mr. Emery shall tell the story. Will
you come aboard n