Evidently the others of the party already had arrived, for the guard barred the gate and followed them.
“How will I go through the gates when I return,” objected Mr. Temple, turning around.
“The pier watchman will see you out, sir,” said the sailor, a young fellow, touching his cap.
Struck by the beauty of the scene, the party paused several moments. To the boys it was a revelation. To Mr. Temple, who had visited Santa Barbara in the past, it was a recurring delight. In the west, where the sun only a few moments before had sunk beneath the waters over the shoulder of San Miguel, the sky was yet bright. But behind them deepening twilight lay over the tree-embowered town, while still farther to the east the mountains were in darkness and lights twinkled here and there among the houses in the foothills.
Over all was an atmosphere of peace, of lazy contentment, so much in contrast with the object of their expedition that it was remarked by the sensitive Frank.
“As peaceful as Paradise here,” he said. “While out there——” He waved his hand to indicate the west, and paused expressively.
The others looked at the distant islands, humped mountainously like crouching camels against the darkening western sky.
“Come on, fellows,” added Jack. “No time for fancies. The boat is tooting for us.”
They hurried along the pier to the stairway. Mr. Temple did not descend to the float, but remained leaning on the railing. He was inclined to be anxious about the welfare of the boys, but Inspector Burton reassured him.
“I’ll see they come to no harm,” he said. “And young huskies can’t be coddled forever, you know.”
“Yes, I realize that,” said Mr. Temple. “They are growing up. I know such experiences are good for them, and teach them self-reliance and sharpen their wits in a crisis. That is why I am letting them go. That is why I let them make that wild dash into Mexico, too. Just the same, Inspector, one of the three is my son, and the others are as close as sons to me. And—well, you have to be a father to appreciate it.”
“I’m only an old bachelor,” said Inspector Burton. “But I think I can understand. Well, good-bye, and rest assured I shall look out for their welfare.”
With that, he descended to the boat, which at once forged away from the float. The boys stood at the rail, waving farewell to Mr. Temple until his figure dwindled and was lost to sight in the growing darkness landward.