"We came from Santa Barbara. The storm took our mast, and blew us
out to sea," answered Dick. "We owe you something for, picking us up."
"You're welcome for what I've done," answered Captain, Fairleigh.
"Come with me, and I'll try to get you some dry clothing. I can trick
out the men folks, and the young ladies will have to see my wife,
who happens to be with me on this trip."
"What steamer is this?" asked Tom.
"The Tacoma, lad."
"Are you bound for San Francisco?" questioned Sam.
"No, we are bound for Honolulu, on the Hawaiian Islands."
"Honolulu!" burst out the others.
"Do you mean to say that the first port you will make will be Honolulu?"
demanded Dick.
"That's my orders, lad. I must get there just as quick as I can, too,
for a cargo of sugar."
"But we don't want to go to the Hawaiian Islands!" put in Dora.
"Mercy! It's two thousand miles away!"
At this Captain Fairleigh shrugged his broad shoulders.
"I am sorry for you, but I can't put back, miss. Perhaps we'll meet
some vessel bound for some port in the United States. If so, I can
ask the captain to take you back."
"And if you don't meet any vessel?" came from Grace.
"Oh, I think we'll pass some vessel," returned the captain.
He took the girls and introduced them to, his wife, and then turned
the boys and old Jerry over to the first mate, who obtained for them
some dry clothing. After this all were provided with a hot supper,
which did much toward making them comfortable, at least physically
speaking.
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