"Can't help it," replied Jerry. "I'm glad we are not going to have
anything to do with him. I believe he is a dangerous person. Certainly
he had no right to talk about us as he did."

"Oh, I'm so glad you're not going!" exclaimed Nellie, as she and her
sisters came out of the cabin. "I was afraid you would give in when he
got so angry. But let's get away from here. Somehow, I don't like this
place. Besides we should have been home some time ago. Papa may have
returned, and we always try to be in before ten o'clock. We'll hardly
get home by that time now."

"Yes, we will," said Ned. "I'll send the Ripper along at a good clip."

He started the engine, and, as the boat swung out from beside the rock
dock, the form of Blowitz could be seen going up the cliff in the
moonlight. In less than an hour the boat was at San Felicity and the
girls were put ashore. They found Ponto down at the dock to meet them.

"Massa Seabury done got worried after he got home," said the colored
man, "an' he sent me to see if yo' was heah."

"Ponto," asked Jerry, "do you think you can take the young ladies
safely home, without falling asleep?"

"Suttinly I can," Massa Jerry. "Fall asleep! I gess I doan't fall
asleep at night. I'se only sleepy when de sun shines, I is."

"Then I guess you'll do all right. See that they get home safe."