A few words more and I will bring to a close this story of the Roverboys' adventures on land and sea.
The captain of the warship was true to his word, and before nightfallall who had been in the cave were safe on board of the Jefferson.Those who were wounded or hurt were given the best of medical attention,and everybody was made comfortable.
"What attracted me to the islands was the bright reflection in thesky when the wreck was burnt," said the captain of the cruiser. "Ithought perhaps that a volcano had become active. But at daybreak wesaw nothing unusual, and were about to turn away when the lookoutdiscovered your flag of distress."
"What will you do about the mutineers and Dan Baxter?" asked Dick.
"We'll bring them to justice, if we can, lad."
When a visit was paid to the burnt house nobody was in sight. Butin the woods nearby a wounded sailor was discovered. He was badlyhurt, and, though given every care, died two days later while onshipboard.
"You'll have a job finding Lesher, Baxter, and the others," he said,when being attended. "They said they wouldn't give in to anybody,and when they learned the warship was here they rowed away in a boatfor one of the other islands, They'll hide away until after you aregone."
"If that's the case, let them stay here," said Captain Blossom. "Itwill be punishment enough for them to live here without any stores."
"They may find those at the cave," said Tom.
"Even so, those stores won't last forever," said Dick. "Yes, theywill be punished enough, for there is no telling when another shipwill stop here and take them away."
"More than likely they'll have to remain here a year or two," saidCaptain Blossom.
Everything of value was taken to the warship, and twenty-four hourslater the Jefferson steamed away on her journey to the Hawaiian Islands.
"How glad mother will be to learn that I am safe!" said Dora to Dick.
"It will be good news to all of our folks," answered Dick. "They willwelcome us as from the grave."
"I hope we can get a steamer directly from Honolulu to San Francisco,"said Tom. "Our little vacation has proved unusually long."
"Do you think that we will ever see Dan Baxter again?" questioned Sam.
"I hardly think so," said Dick. "After what has happened he will notdare to show his face again." But Dan Baxter did show himself, andwhat he did to harm the Rover boys in the future will be told inanother volume of this series, entitled "The Rover Boys in Camp; or TheRivals of Pine Island," in which we shall meet many of our old friendsagain. It may be as well to mention here that Baxter and two sailorsescaped from the seven islands just one week after our friends left it.The others, including Jack Lesher, lost their lives while in a quarrelover the last bottle of rum which the mate had brought with him fromthe burning wreck. Their taking off was an awful example of the evilsof intemperance.
It was soon seen that Bostwick was not seriously burnt, and beforethe trip to Honolulu was over he was able to sit up and to walk alittle. The wounds of those who had been shot proved slight.
"We are well out of that adventure," said Tom one evening, as theRover boys and the girls sat on the deck in the starlight. "And Idon't know as I want to go through anything like it again."
"All I am thinking of is home, sweet home," said Sam.
"Just what was in my mind," answered Dick. "How father and UncleRandolph and Aunt Martha will welcome us!"
"Let us sing," put in Dora, and in a moment more all were singingthe first verse of "Home, Sweet Home"; and here let us bid themgood-by.
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