36xxxx 090 Engineer Peterson Is Taken Prisoner

The journey back to Magic Island is proving much more difficult than the escape from the island. Just off the coast of Lower California, Old Mexico, the Gregory boat has run into one of the hurricanes so common to that locality known as the Chebasco.

The storm is so bad that the small boat is in great danger, which is increased when the motors stop and leave them helpful. Jerry radios to the girl commander of the Euclidean submarine, which is following them, and she picks up their anchor with a magnetic fin on the stern of the submarine.

For several hours the storm rages. Then is gone as suddenly as it appears. We find Captain Bradford and Mrs. Gregory standing at the wheel as the storm subsides. Tex, that was the worst storm I've ever been through.

Certainly the worst time I went through and it was a little too small and helpless as this one. Now that the wind has gone down we're moving awfully fast. Do you think it's safe to be told at this speed?

Might be a good idea to go a little slower. That girl certainly makes that submarine move along. What are your chances of starting the engine? Can't tell until I look at them and see how much damage Peterson did.

You're sure he did it. How often it happened? Accident? No chance. This motor's quit cold when they were running perfectly. That was no accident. Wherever he's Peterson now. We'll have to find out. We should go and stay with Joan in the radio room and send her to me.

God, I help you. Nothing for you to do. I'll feel safer if you're in the cabin with Joan when we round Peterson up. Once you're in there, call a submarine commander. Explain our position to her.