But not one of them was comfortable mentally. To be carried to the
Hawaiian Islands, two thousand miles away, was no pleasant thought.
Besides, what would their folks think of their prolonged absence?
"Mother will think that we have all been drowned," said Dora.
"And that is what our folks will think, too," said Nellie. "Oh, it
is terrible, simply terrible!" And she wrung her little hands.
By making inquiries Dick learned that the steamer was expected to
reach Honolulu inside of two weeks, if the weather was not too, bad.
From Honolulu they could get passage to San Francisco on the mail
steamer, the trip lasting exactly seven days.
"We'll have to get some money first," said Tom. "And we can't cable
for it, either," he went on, for the cable to the Hawaiian Islands
from the United States had not yet been laid.
"Let us hope that we will see some ship that will take us back," said
Sam.
Day after day they watched eagerly for a passing sail. But though
they sighted four vessels and hailed them, not one was bound for the
United States, outside of a whaler, and that craft intended to stay
out at least three months longer before making for port.
"We are booked for this trip, and no mistake," sighed Tom. "Well,
since that is so, let us make the best of it."
The Tacoma was heavily laden, and though the storm cleared away and
the Pacific Ocean became moderately calm, she made but slow progress.
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