As the sun grew brighter the scene increased in attractiveness, and the greater part of the boys were charmed by it, making many exclamations of delight, as they turned from one object to another.

“It’s a fine place wherever it is,” said Jack.  “I suppose they will locate it to-morrow, and perhaps some one will come out to the yacht, and tell us where we are.”

“I don’t see any sign of dwellings,” murmured Percival.  “Perhaps there are no people on it.  Not all of these little islands are inhabited, and I suppose it is an island?”

“Probably, for I do not think we are near the South American coast.  Some one will know after a bit, doubtless.  At any rate, we are safe and that is a good deal.”

One of the officers came along where the two boys were standing, and Jack asked him if he knew where they were.

“No, I don’t,” was the answer.  “We have not been able to get an observation yet, and we started off at such a gait that it was impossible to tell where we were going or at what rate.  We will probably locate ourselves in the morning, but there is no danger so you can make your minds easy on that point, young gentlemen.”

“There is a good deal in that, sir,” said both boys.

CHAPTER IV

CAUGHT ON LOST ISLAND

The sun set gloriously, and after a short twilight common to those latitudes the full moon arose over the hills, and all the stars came out little by little till the heavens were full of them.

The moon dimmed their brightness somewhat, but they were still very brilliant, and the night was a glorious one, the air warm and balmy, the breeze just enough to temper the heat of the air, and all around them sea and shore bathed in moonlight.

After dinner, which was served in the saloon as usual, the boys went out on deck for the most part, and enjoyed the beautiful evening, being dispersed in little groups here and there, some seated and some walking the decks.

“We are safe enough, anyhow,” observed Jack to Percival and a few of the boys who were seated on deck with him, “and I suppose we will not leave here till the morning at any rate.”

“We are sheltered in this bay, and even if there should be a storm outside we will not feel it,” returned Percival.  “I hardly think there is one, and it seems strange that we should have caught that cyclone at this time of the year.  Isn’t it unusual?”

“You can’t call anything unusual in the tropics,” laughed Jack.  “I believe you are liable to catch anything at any time here from yellow fever to a tornado.  They seem to have them always on hand.”

“Well, we are safe now, at any rate, and I am glad for that much.  We will make the best of this fine night, and take other things as they come.”

It was late when the last of the boys went to bed, for they all wanted to make the most of the fine night, but they were all up early the next morning, anxious to learn where they were, and if they would stay at the island or put to sea again.