And jump they did, into the mighty waves, and none too soon, for a minute later the yacht went down, out of their sight forever.

The small boat was not far away, and soon Sam and Tom were picked up.  To get Dick and Captain Jerry was not so easy, but the task was finally accomplished, and soon all of our friends stood on the deck of the tramp steamer, safe and sound once more.

CHAPTER VII

DISMAYING NEWS

“Thank fortune we got away from the yacht just in time!” exclaimed Tom, as he shook the water from his clothes.

“I’m sorry to see the Old Glory go,” said Captain Jerry sadly.  “I thought a heap o’ that craft, I did.  It will be sorry news to take back to Master Bob.”

“Never mind, we’ll help pay for the loss,” put in Dick.

“Where are you folks from?” questioned the captain of the steamer, as he came up to, the crowd.

“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.

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.