As quickly as they could they re-entered 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.
