“But I didn’t believe a word Tom told me,” Pitch went on. “By that time I was very much interested in the subject and was determined to see it through. I decided to learn all I could about the colonial history of Antago, and anything at all that was available on Azul Island. I wasn’t able to learn much here, because the people seem so little interested in the past. It’s only the present and future that hold their attention. They talk all the time about how much more they should get for their sugar and rum, and why Antago should be provided with an air service instead of having to rely upon the few boats that stop here. Problems like these are all they care about.

“So I got hold of some books from the States and learned that at one time Antago was used as a supply base by the Spaniards!” Pitch’s eyes were bright as he went on excitedly, “From here, Steve, those infamous Conquistadores, men like Cortés, Pizarro and Balboa, may have selected their armies, their horses, guns and provisions, and set forth to plunder the Incas and the Aztecs of their gold!”

Pitch paused a moment, then continued in a calmer voice, “I also learned that in the year 1669, British and French pirates succeeded in sacking Antago and driving the Spaniards from the island.”

“And Azul Island?” Steve asked. “Did you learn anything about it?”

“No,” Pitch replied. “Nothing … absolutely nothing about its history. The report mentioned only that it was an uninhabited island twenty miles north of Antago.”

“Then in spite of what Tom said, you think that the horses now there could be descended from the horses of the Conquistadores?” Steve asked with keen interest.

“I do, Steve. I most certainly do,” Pitch said slowly. “The Spaniards surely knew of Azul Island and it’s very possible that they could have used it for something … or were even forced to go there when Antago was sacked by the British and French pirates. I’m terribly interested,” he added quickly, “because here’s an island that’s been avoided for centuries, except for the few visits by Tom and the others who preceded him to obtain horses. And for all anyone knows, it’s possible that there’s other evidence besides the horses that the Spaniards once inhabited the island. I very much want to look around, because it’s obvious no one else has.”

“Pitch,” Steve said quickly, “I want to go with you to Azul Island.”

“You mean what I’ve said about Azul Island interests you as well?”

“More than you know,” Steve replied quickly. “When can we go, Pitch?”

“Why … I guess most any time,” Pitch said thoughtfully. “I’d planned on going when your father wrote that you’d like to come here. Yes, we could go anytime you say.”

“Tomorrow, Pitch?”