“They are either sleeping, or else they are afraid we’ll shoot at them if they show themselves,” said Tom.  And he added:  “I am going to climb the tree and take a look around.”

“Be careful,” cautioned Sam; nevertheless, he went up the tall tree with his brother.

Once in the tree, directly under the flag, they took a careful look around the island and then out to sea.

“My gracious, Sam, look!” screamed Tom suddenly, and pointed out to the ocean.

“A ship!  A ship!” ejaculated Sam.

“Yes, and do you see what kind of a ship it is?  A warship, and an American warship at that!”

“Hurrah, Tom; we are saved!”

“Yes! yes!  They are sailing this way.  Our flag of distress has been seen!  Hurrah!”

“We must tell the others right away.”

Both slid down the tree with all haste.  As they reached the bottom a gun boomed out across the waves.

“That is to let us know that our signal has been seen,” said Tom.  “Won’t the others be delighted when they know a ship, an American ship at that, is so close at hand!”

As quickly as they could they reentered the cave and ran to where they had left the others.

The good news spread like lightning.

“A ship! an American warship is coming!” was the cry.

“Oh, how thankful I am,” came from Dora.

“What shall we do next?” asked Nellie, with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.

“We’ll go to the shore and meet the small boat that is sent in,” answered Captain Blossom.

Without delay he set out, accompanied by Dick and old Jerry, leaving the others to defend the cave during his absence.

It was nearly two hours before he returned.

“The ship is the cruiser Jefferson,” he said.  “She is bound for Honolulu, to await orders.  The captain says he will take us on board willingly, and he will do what he can to help us bring those other fellows to justice.”

“Hurrah!” cried Tom.  “If that is so, then our troubles as castaways are over.”

“And we are not sorry,” said Grace.  “Not a bit sorry.”

And all of the others agreed with her.

A few words more and I will bring to a close this story of the Rover boys’ adventures on land and sea.

The captain of the warship was true to his word, and before nightfall all 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 the sky when the wreck was burnt,” said the captain of the cruiser.  “I thought perhaps that a volcano had become active.  But at daybreak we saw nothing unusual, and were about to turn away when the lookout discovered your flag of distress.”

“What will you do about the mutineers and Dan Baxter?” asked Dick.