“Well, all you have to do now, Pedro, is to hire a pilot.  Get the best man that you can find.  I want one who knows every foot of the Virgin Islands.  We are going there first.  It does not matter so much about his knowing San Domingo, for as we shall probably come back here, we can put him ashore and get another pilot specially for San Domingo.  Be sure you get the best man that you can find, whatever his terms are.  We will be back again here in half an hour.

“That is satisfactory indeed, George,” Frank went on, as they turned away.  “Of course, strongly as we believed that he might be here, there was no absolute certainty about it, for he might have gone to the South American ports, or even have headed for the Gulf of Florida.  You see he is not only here, but came to the very island we thought that he would most likely make for.  As for his going west, no doubt that was merely a ruse.  He did not get up anchor until it was getting so dark that he would be able in the course of half an hour to change his course, and make for the Virgin Islands without fear of being observed.  I don’t suppose that they have any idea whatever of being followed, but they take every precaution in their power to cover up their traces.  You noticed, of course, their anxiety that no shore boat should go off to them.

“Well, George, we have succeeded so well thus far, that I feel confident that we shall overhaul them before long.  As far as one can see on the chart, most of these Virgin Islands are mere rocks, and the number we shall have to search will not be very great, and if the pilot really knows his business, he ought to be able to take us to every inlet where they would be likely to anchor.”

Pedro was awaiting them when they returned to the boat, and was accompanied by a big negro, who, by the grin on his good-natured face, was evidently highly satisfied with the bargain that he had made.

“This is the man, senor,” Pedro said.  “I met one of the port officers I know, and he told me that he was considered to be the best pilot in the island.  He speaks a little English—­most of the pilots do, for several of the Virgin Islands belong to your people—­and, of course, when he goes down to the Windward Islands—­”

“The Windward Islands!” Frank repeated.  “Why, they are not anywhere near here.”

“I should have said the Leeward Islands, senor.  The English call them so, but we and the Danes and the Dutch all call them the Windward Islands.”

“Oh, I understand.

“What is your name, my man?”

“Dominique, sar.  Me talk English bery well.  Me take you to any port you want to go.  Me know all de rocks and shoals.  Bery plenty dey is, but Dominique knows ebery one of dem.”

“That is all right.  You are just the man I want.  Well, are you ready to go on board at once?”

“Me ready in an hour, sar.  Go home now, say goodbye to wife and piccaninnies.  Pedro just tell me that boat go off with water in one, two hours.  Dominique go off with him.  Me like five dollars to give wife to buy tings while me am away.”