There's gasoline enough, I think, and there is a powerful
searchlight. Oh, Helen, we're found--we're found!" and she fell to
sobbing on her sister's shoulder.
Ruth and Alice, too, clasped their arms about each other. All their
troubles seemed over now.
"Do you think you can pilot us to that steamer?" asked Russ.
"I shore can, honey lamb!" chuckled the old negro. "I'se libbed in dese
waters boy an' man all mah life. Yo' can't lose me!"
"And is this your place?" asked Mrs. Maguire, pointing to the palm hut.
"Dat's what it am, honey lamb. Uh, huh! I comes heah t' hunt alligators
an' sea cows. Sometimes I stays fer a week at a time. I jest come up now
t' see if dere any traces of 'gators. I'se gwine t' start in huntin' next
week."
"Oh, isn't he a dear!" laughed Alice, with tears of joy in her eyes.
"Well, I guess you can postpone your investigation for a while,"
suggested Russ. "It's getting dark, Uncle, and we'd like to get back to
the steamer. Now, if you'll pilot us we'll pay you well, and see that
you get back in the morning. You can stay on the _Magnolia_ to-night--if
we find her."
"Oh, I'll find her, all right--don't yo' all let dat fret yo'!" chuckled
the negro. "I knows jest where's she tied. It's a few miles from heah,
but in dat choo-choo boat yo' all kin soon be dere.
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