"Now, fellows, here's the program, as I see it," said Dick, when the meal was finished. "Senor Alantrez, his son and I will go over to the other side of the island and erect some sort of a distress signal. We will also take a look around while there. Widdy, you and Henry Darby and Tim Muldoon can get busy and make a better shelter. You have pocket-knives, and can cut branches when you can't break 'em. Paul, you and Beeby take a stroll around, and see if there is anything to eat on this place. Take the rifle, which you were lucky enough to bring with you, Paul, and if you can pot a brace of quail or a roast turkey, so much the better." "And I'll take some pictures," added Beeby. "Yes, it will keep you out of mischief," declared Dick, smiling. "Now we all have something to do." "Aye, aye, Captain Hamilton!" exclaimed Paul, with a left-handed salute. "Your orders shall be obeyed." "I wish I had some sort of a hatchet with which to cut a tree to stick down near the beach for a signal pole," went on Dick. "The kidnappers left me one, but it's not very sharp," said Pedro Alantrez, as he brought it forth. "It'll have to do," observed the young millionaire. "Now, come on. We'll be back to dinner, fellows, so be sure to have a good one ready," he added, as he and the two Spaniards started across the island. When the wealthy youth and his companions reached the high ground in the middle of the place, they looked long and earnestly across the waste of waters, but there was no sign of the yacht, nor any other vessel. Dick could not help sighing, as he started to ascend the slope. "I regret, senor, that you have suffered so much on my account," spoke Pedro, softly. "Your fine yacht is gone." "But I'll get it back!" declared Dick, with anger in his eyes. "It wasn't your fault at all--I'm only too glad that we came here for you." They made a careful examination of the beach upon which the launch had been hauled when the party went ashore, but no clews could be had. The tide had washed away most of the footprints, and those that were left were so intermingled that it could not be told whether they had been made by Dick and his chums, or by strangers who landed, took away the launch and thus reached the yacht. "Well, we'll put up a signal, and leave a note in some stones at the foot of the pole, telling any rescue party that may land, to come to the other side of the island," proposed Dick. "And there's another thing--what shall I make the signal of?" "We'll have to use some of our clothing," suggested Senor Alantrez. "I can spare my vest." "I guess we all can," said Dick. "We don't need 'em in this climate, and three vests, fluttering from a flagstaff, will attract attention almost anywhere." They cut down a tall, slender tree, tied their vests to it, one below the other, and then, digging a hole in the sand with the hatchet, well above high-water mark, they set up the pole. The signal showed conspicuously.