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diff --git a/44846-0.txt b/44846-0.txt index bdb84ff..bb63b1f 100644 --- a/44846-0.txt +++ b/44846-0.txt @@ -1,35 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys on the Atlantic, by Clarence Young - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44846] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44846 *** [Illustration: HALF THE STEAMER DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT BENEATH THE WAVES.] @@ -6644,359 +6613,4 @@ written by Mr. Young._ End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys on the Atlantic, by Clarence Young -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - -***** This file should be named 44846-0.txt or 44846-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44846/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44846] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44846 ***</div> <div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="600" height="707" @@ -9082,381 +9044,6 @@ the others written by Mr. Young.</i></p> <p>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.</p> </div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys on the Atlantic, by Clarence Young - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - -***** This file should be named 44846-h.htm or 44846-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44846/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44846 ***</div> </body> </html> diff --git a/44846.txt b/44846.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c759a02..0000000 --- a/44846.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7002 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys on the Atlantic, by Clarence Young - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Motor Boys on the Atlantic - or, The Mystery of the Lighthouse - -Author: Clarence Young - -Release Date: February 8, 2014 [EBook #44846] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - - - - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: HALF THE STEAMER DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT BENEATH THE -WAVES.] - - - - - THE MOTOR BOYS - ON THE ATLANTIC - - Or - - The Mystery of the Lighthouse - - - BY - CLARENCE YOUNG - - Author of - "The Racer Boys Series" and "The Jack Ranger Series." - - - ILLUSTRATED - - - NEW YORK - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - - - -BOOKS BY CLARENCE YOUNG - -=THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES= - -(_=Trade Mark, Reg. U. S. Pat. Of.=_) - -12mo. Illustrated - - THE MOTOR BOYS - Or Chums Through Thick and Thin - THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - Or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune - THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - Or The Secret of the Buried City - THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - Or The Hermit of Lost Lake - THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - Or The Stirring Cruise of the Dartaway - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - Or The Mystery of the Lighthouse - THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - Or Lost in a Floating Forest - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - Or The Young Derelict Hunters - THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS - Or A Trip for Fame and Fortune - - -=THE JACK RANGER SERIES= - -12mo. Finely Illustrated - - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOLDAYS - Or The Rivals of Washington Hall - JACK RANGER'S WESTERN TRIP - Or From Boarding School to Ranch and Range - JACK RANGER'S SCHOOL VICTORIES - Or Track, Gridiron and Diamond - JACK RANGER'S OCEAN CRUISE - Or The Wreck of the Polly Ann - JACK RANGER'S GUN CLUB - Or From Schoolroom to Camp and Trail - - - Copyright, 1908, by - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY - - THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - - Printed in U. S. A. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - I. LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE 1 - II. THE RAILROAD WRECK 9 - III. A QUEER OLD MAN 17 - IV. OFF TO THE COAST 25 - V. CAUGHT IN A SQUALL 33 - VI. THE RACE 41 - VII. "THERE SHE BLOWS!" 53 - VIII. AFTER THE WHALE 61 - IX. TOWED TO SEA 68 - X. THE WHALE ESCAPES 74 - XI. ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN 82 - XII. ALMOST RUN DOWN 90 - XIII. NODDY NIXON TURNS UP 98 - XIV. A BATH HOUSE MYSTERY 107 - XV. LOOKING FOR BILL 114 - XVI. LANDING A SHARK 124 - XVII. THE ABANDONED VESSEL 132 - XVIII. ABOARD THE WRECK 140 - XIX. ADRIFT IN THE STORM 148 - XX. NODDY'S COMPANION 156 - XXI. A RACE WITH NODDY 164 - XXII. OVERHEARING A PLOT 172 - XXIII. THE MOTOR BOAT MISSING 182 - XXIV. THE SECRET OF THE COVE 189 - XXV. AT THE LIGHTHOUSE 197 - XXVI. HELD PRISONERS 206 - XXVII. TRYING TO ESCAPE 215 - XXVIII. JESS TO THE RESCUE 223 - XXIX. THE RIGHT LIGHTS 231 - XXX. JESSICA'S FATHER--CONCLUSION 239 - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - - - - -CHAPTER I - -LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE - - -"Oh! It's yo heave ho! and never let go, while the stormy winds do -blow! blow! blow!" - -"Is that you, Jerry Hopkins?" asked a youth, without looking up from a -box he was hammering, in the yard back of his home. - -"Aye, aye, my hearty! Shiver my timbers messmate, but we're in for -a spell of bad weather!" and Jerry walked up to where Bob Baker was -trying to drive a nail straight into a piece of board. - -"Why this sudden nautical turn?" asked Bob, aiming a hard blow, in hope -of correcting a certain wobbly tendency on the part of the nail. "Is -there--Wow! Jimminy crickets!" and Bob began dancing about on one foot, -while his thumb was stuck in his mouth. - -"What's the matter, Chunky?" asked Jerry, giving Bob the nickname he -sometimes was called because of his general fleshiness. "Did you hit -your finger?" - -"No, I'm doing this for amusement," replied Bob, taking his injured -thumb from his mouth and gazing critically at the wounded member. "Um, -it's going to swell," he added. - -"Put cold water on it," Jerry advised. "That's a good thing. Then wrap -it up in arnica." - -"Come on into the house," Bob mumbled. "You can tell me the news there, -while I'm doctoring up." - -"What news?" asked Jerry. - -"Why there must be something in the wind when you come around this way, -singing sea songs and walking like a sailor on a pitching deck." - -"Oh, yes, of course there's some news," Jerry went on. "I forgot about -it in the excitement of seeing you do that war dance. Well, it's just -as I was singing. It's going to be a life on the ocean wave for me this -summer vacation." - -"How's that?" - -"Mother is going to take a cottage on the Atlantic coast. Maybe I'll -not have swell times! I'm going in bathing every day, and I can learn -all about a sail boat." - -Bob had been so busy looking for the arnica bottle, and a rag in which -to wrap his thumb, that he paid little attention to what Jerry was -saying, save in a vague sort of way. He caught the last reference to a -boat, however, and asked: - -"You're not going back on our motor boat, are you, when you say you're -going to take up with a sail boat? Jerry I'm ashamed of you!" - -"Go back on the dear _Dartaway_? I guess not much," Jerry answered. -"But we can't take her down with us, very well. The cottage is too -small." - -"I don't know about that," Bob said, in rather muffled tones, for he -held one end of a string in his mouth and was wrapping the other about -the rag on his thumb. "I wish we were going to the shore. The folks -don't know yet what they will do. There, that feels better. When I turn -carpenter again you'll know it." - -"What were you making?" - -"Oh, the cook wanted something to keep the stove blacking in, and I -said I'd make it. Glad it's finished though. Maybe she'll give me -something to eat before dinner's ready." - -"You don't mean to say you're going to eat again, and breakfast not -over more than two hours?" - -"There you go, poking fun at my appetite as usual," Bob complained. - -"Well, it's hard to forget it, since you always seem to have it with -you," Jerry commented, referring to Bob's one failing, if it could be -so called. - -The Baker family's cook entered the dining room at this point and Bob -mentioned that the box she had asked for was finished. Then, while the -woman was expressing her thanks, Bob added: - -"You haven't got any bread and butter and jam you could spare, have -you, Mary?" - -"Sure there's lots of it," was the answer. "Though it's not long since -I cleared off the breakfast things. Will I bring two plates?" - -"Have some, Jerry?" - -Jerry tried to struggle between wanting some of the good jam he knew -would be brought out, and his desire to maintain his attitude against -eating so soon after the morning meal. Bob watched him, and laughed. - -"Of course you will, Jerry," he said. "Bring two plates, and plenty of -jam." - -"Seen Ned since last night?" asked Jerry, as he spread the jam on his -bread. - -"Nope, but he's coming over this afternoon, and we were going out in -the boat," replied Bob, hardly pausing between the bites. "Want to -come?" - -"Speak of trolley cars and you'll hear the gong," remarked Jerry, as -he looked out of the window and saw Ned Slade across the street. Ned -observed his chums at the same instant and came over. - -"At it again, Chunky?" he asked, as he saw the refreshments. "How many -meals so far to-day?" - -"Help yourself," replied Bob, not bothering to defend his character. - -Ned lost little time in following his chums' examples, and Bob, with a -laugh, rang the bell to have the cook bring more bread and butter. The -jam supply still held out. - -"Let me make you acquainted with Willie-off-the-Yacht," said Bob, -nodding toward Jerry. - -"What's the matter? Has he bought a pair of white duck trousers and a -cap?" - -"Worse and more of it," Bob answered. "He's going to the seashore for -the summer, and learn to run a sail boat." - -"That's so, it's about time to think of where I'm going this summer," -mused Ned. "I heard the folks say something about the mountains, but I -don't know as I care for 'em. Wish we could do as we did last year, and -cruise about in the _Dartaway_." - -"Why can't we?" asked Bob, spreading another piece of bread. "Jerry -says he's going to the shore, where his mother is hiring a cottage. -Maybe I can persuade my folks to let me go down along the coast and -board; or perhaps they'd go along. Then if you could come, too, Ned, we -could take the _Dartaway_ with us, and run up and down the shore, and -have no end of good times. How about it?" - -"Sounds good to me," Ned replied. "I guess we could manage it. How -could we get the boat down?" - -"Have it boxed and shipped, of course," Bob replied. "It traveled a -good way over land before it got to us, and I guess it wouldn't cost -much." - -"Say, that would be sport!" exclaimed Jerry. "There is just the place -for a motor boat where mother is going." - -"Where's that?" asked Ned. - -"Harmon Beach. There's a sort of cove there, where the boats are -sheltered from storms. But you can go through the inlet right out to -sea, and then up and down the coast. The _Dartaway_ is big enough to -stand a bit of bad weather, if it don't come too strong." - -"Then let's do it," exclaimed Bob. "I'll speak to my folks right away, -and will you fellows do the same? Then we can talk it over again." - -"I'm pretty sure dad is going to the Berkshires," Ned answered, "but I -don't have to go with the rest of the family. I'll find out as soon as -I can. Are there any good boarding houses at Harmon Beach, Jerry?" - -"I don't know much about that part of it, but I'll ask mother to take a -larger cottage than she counted on and you two boys can come with me." - -"Fine!" cried the others. "That will be the best ever," went on Bob. -"Here's your hat, Jerry, go home and ask her right away." - -"Well, I like your nerve, Bob Baker!" exclaimed Jerry. "Nice way to -treat company! Here's your hat, what's your hurry? I'll come again!" -and he pretended to get angry. - -"Oh, you know I didn't mean it that way!" cried Bob, fearing he had -offended his friend. "It's only that we're anxious, you know. I want--" - -"Hark! What's that?" cried Ned, running to the window, just as the -only ambulance the town of Cresville possessed, went by with the gong -clanging. - -"Something has happened!" exclaimed Jerry. "See all the people running." - -The three boys hurried to the front door. The street was filled with a -hurrying and excited throng, every one going in the same direction. - -"What's the matter?" asked Bob, of a boy running past the house. - -"Railroad collision! Lots killed! Down near the cut crossing!" the lad -exclaimed. - -"Come on!" Jerry shouted. "Let's go!" - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE RAILROAD WRECK - - -The boys grabbed up their hats, raced down the steps, and along the -street in the direction of the railroad. While they are on their way, -the reader may care to ascertain a little more about the three chums, -and something of their doings, which have been set forth in previous -volumes of this series. - -Jerry Hopkins was the son of a well-to-do widow, Bob Baker the -offspring of a rich banker, while Ned Slade's father owned a large -department store. - -The first volume of the series, entitled "The Motor Boys," told how -the lads took part in bicycle races, and how one of them won a fine -motor cycle. They incurred the enmity of Noddy Nixon, a town bully, -and his crony, Bill Berry. The chums had many experiences on their -motor cycles, and in a race they won a fine touring automobile. -Their adventures, and exciting ones they were, which followed the -acquisition of the car, were told of in the second volume, "The Motor -Boys Overland." They went west to search for an old mine, of which a -prospector they had befriended had told them. They found the claim, -with the aid of Jim Nestor, though they had a close race with Noddy -Nixon and Bill Berry to get formal possession. - -On their western trip the boys had become acquainted with an old man, -Professor Uriah Snodgrass, a naturalist, and he told them of an ancient -buried city in Old Mexico. The boys resolved to search for it, and -how they succeeded was set forth in the third volume, "The Motor Boys -in Mexico." They had several fights with the Mexicans and Bob was -kidnapped, but escaped. The ancient city was found, very unexpectedly, -as the auto sunk down through a concealed road and coursed along an -underground passage. There many strange things occurred, including the -discovery of the disappearing reservoir, and a valuable box of jewels. - -The boys decided to visit their mine, on their way back to the United -States, and it was a good thing they did, as it had fallen into the -possession of the plotters, as related in "The Motor Boys Across the -Plains." An old hermit, who lived near a lake, proved to be the father -of a boy the three chums rescued from a desperate gang and, later, the -hermit was of much assistance in retaining possession of the mine for -the motor boys, since he was one of the original prospectors. - -The boys returned home after that. They had saved quite a sum of money -from their share of the mine profits, and invested it in a fine motor -boat, the _Dartaway_. As set forth in the fifth volume of the series, -entitled "The Motor Boys Afloat," the three chums transferred their -energies to river and lake, and took part in races, foiled the plot -Noddy Nixon laid, and solved the mystery of a strange schooner and the -robbery of Mr. Slade's store. They had an exciting chase after the -thieves, rendering the police much assistance. - -All their adventures took place during their school vacations. Now -another one was at hand, and, naturally enough, the boys wanted to have -as much fun as had fallen to their lot in the past. But, while they -were racing to the railroad wreck, their minds were more on that than -on what the summer might hold for them. - -"I wonder if many are killed?" Bob said. - -"Looks as though some were, as there goes the morgue wagon. There must -be a number injured, too," Jerry replied. "There go Dr. Bounce, Dr. -Jones and Dr. Hardy," and he pointed to the carriages of the three -physicians. The medical men were urging their horses to a gallop. - -Following the crowd the boys soon found themselves near the railroad, -which swept up to Cresville in a long curve, after passing through a -deep cut. It was in this cut where the wreck had occurred. The boys -could see, from the top of a little hill, a great crowd gathered about -the entrance to the gorge. - -"Come on!" cried Ned. "Maybe we can help!" - -It was a terrible sight that met the boys' eyes as they entered the -narrow cut. As they learned later a defective rail had caused the -smash-up. The engine had jumped the track, and crashed into the rocky -sides of the defile. The cars had piled on top of the locomotive, and -there was a mass of wreckage. - -Wheels and trucks were scattered about. The top of one car had been -sliced off, and was resting on the coach in front of it. Another car -was almost inside of another, and the smoker had mounted the engine -tender, the wheels being buried in the coal and water tank. - -Fortunately it was summer, and there was no fire in the cars, so the -wreckage did not ignite. The coals from the engine boiler had started -a small blaze, but this had been put out. - -The train was a through one, not scheduled to stop at Cresville, and -there had been comparatively few passengers aboard. - -The rescuers were already at work. Several bodies had been carried -from the wreck, and placed on beds made from the car seats. One or two -silent forms, under shawls and blankets, told, better than words, that -death had come swiftly to the unfortunates. - -There were several badly injured, and it was to them that the -physicians gave prompt attention. The majority of the hurt were women -and children, though there were some men. Only the fact that travel was -light, just preceding the annual vacation rush, prevented a terrible -loss of life. - -At first the boys did not know what to do to assist, though they felt -they should help, as far as possible. They stood in the front of the -crowd, which the railroad men were endeavoring to keep back, and looked -on, their hearts palpitating with the terrible sights they witnessed. -As they stood there Dr. Bounce, who had just finished bandaging up a -man's leg, came past. He knew the three boys, and, as he saw them, he -called: - -"Here, Jerry, you and your friends come in here and help me, will you? -I've got my hands full. One of you carry my medicine case, and the -others rummage around and get all the cloth you can for bandages. Tear -up the sheets in the sleeper. That is the last car and didn't smash up -as badly as the others." - -Anxious to take part in the work, and glad to be called on by Dr. -Bounce, the boys slipped through the cordon of railroad men, who, at a -nod from the physician, let them pass, and followed the doctor. - -Jerry took the medical man's valise, containing its grim instruments -and also the healing remedies, and the merciful chloroform to relieve -pain. Ned and Bob found their way to the wrecked sleeper. No one was in -it, and they got an axe and broke open some of the berths, which were -jammed shut. They took out pillows, sheets and blankets, which willing -hands soon distributed among the wounded. - -The two boys tore the sheets into long strips that Dr. Bounce and the -other physicians used to bind up the cuts and bruises of the wounded. -As fast as the passengers were taken from the wreck they were put on -improvised stretchers and carried out of the dark and gloomy gorge to -the level land beyond, where the doctors could work over them. - -Jerry was kept busy attending on Dr. Bounce, handing him this -instrument or that, and pouring out the medicines under the physician's -directions. - -The scene was one of confusion and terror. Cries and groans of the -wounded mingled with the weeping of those who had lost loved ones in -the crash. Then came the noise of axes, hammers and saws on wood, the -implements being used to free some imprisoned victims, held down by -heavy timbers. - -It seemed that all were now rescued who could escape by their own -efforts or be carried out by the workers. There only remained the -possible dead under the wreck and those who might be held fast in it. -The boys had a brief respite from their strenuous labors. They were -standing together, hardly able to realize what they had seen and taken -part in. - -Suddenly a small boy rushed up to where the chums were standing. He -seemed greatly excited. - -"Come here, quick!" he called. - -"What is it, Andy Rush?" asked Bob. - -"Man--pinned under a big beam--groaning awful--makes me have the -shivers--I tried to get him--couldn't--head hurt I guess--come -on--help me--we'll save his life," and finishing his usual disjointed -and rapid-fire remarks Andy hurried off, followed by the three chums on -the run. - -He led them to the rear end of a telescoped car. There, pinned under -a pile of seats, was a gray haired man, his white locks stained with -blood. He was groaning feebly. - -With a quick eye Jerry saw one particular plank that was holding the -others like a wedge. He caught up a hammer and, with a few heavy blows, -knocked the splintered timber out of place. Then he and the other boys -were able to lift the man out. As they carried him to where the other -wounded were lying on improvised cots, the wounded passenger murmured: - -"Jess!--Jess!--Where are you? Jess! Jess!" - - - - -CHAPTER III - -A QUEER OLD MAN - - -"Here, Dr. Bounce!" called Jerry, as he and his chums laid the aged -man down on a pile of car cushions, "here's a man who needs your -attention," and the physician, who was hurrying past, stopped. - -"Where did you find him?" he asked. - -"Got him out of the wreck," replied Ned. - -"Well, you boys are certainly doing good work," Dr. Bounce remarked. -He bent over the old man and felt of his head. "Skull fractured," he -murmured. "Not much chance." - -By this time the ambulance which had made several trips came back, and -in it the man the boys had saved was taken to the hospital, being one -of the last to go. - -Never before had there been such excitement in Cresville. The whole -town was aroused, and every one offered some aid to the wounded. There -were a number taken to private houses, and cared for there, as the -hospital was a small one. - -Soon the wrecking crew came, the men working rapidly to get the tracks -cleared. Because the smash had occurred in the cut there was no chance -to build a temporary track around it, as is sometimes done. - -Then came a swarm of reporters from Boston, which was not far from -Cresville. They kept the telegraph wires fairly sizzling with -dispatches, telling of the terrible wreck. - -A big crowd remained at the scene long after the damaged cars and -engine had been hauled away, and the line put in shape for use, which -was late in the afternoon. The three boys, who, to tell the truth, were -nervous and upset from the unaccustomed sights, left shortly after the -old man had been taken away. - -"Well," remarked Bob, as they strolled back toward his house, "it would -be hard to beat that for excitement." - -"What were we doing just before it happened?" asked Ned. "It seems like -a week ago when we ran out to join the crowd." - -"We were talking about going to the shore with our motor boat," Jerry -put in. - -"Oh, yes. Well, let's see if we can't work that scheme. Suppose you two -come over to my house this afternoon," spoke Ned. - -His chums said they would, and then the three separated, their minds -filled with a strange combination; the pleasures that might be in store -for them mingling with the sad memories of the wreck. - -Jerry spoke of the boys' plan to his mother at dinner. She took a -little time to think it over, and then announced she would try to get a -large cottage if possible. - -"Ned and Bob can come and stay with you," she said, "that is if their -folks will let them. I want to see you all have a good time, and I -believe the motor boat will be just the thing at the shore. Only you -must be very careful. When I think of some of the things you and your -friends went through with, Jerry, it frightens me." - -"Well, I guess we can look after ourselves, mother. We've pulled out of -some pretty tight places." - -Mrs. Hopkins wrote a letter to a real estate agent at Harmon Beach, and -Jerry was so anxious to have the plan succeed that he did not forget to -mail the epistle which his mother gave him to post as he was going out. -It was the first time such a thing had occurred in quite a while, as -Jerry had a bad habit of forgetting to drop letters in the post-office. - -Happy in the anticipation that he and his chums would be able to spend -the summer together, Jerry whistled a gleeful mixture of all the sea -songs he had ever heard, as he hurried over to Ned's house. He found -both his chums there. - -"How about it?" asked Ned. - -"My part is all right," announced Jerry, "though of course it depended -on whether a large-enough cottage can be secured." But he did not think -that detail worth bothering about. If worst came to worst he knew he -and his chums would sleep on the floor in one room. - -"I can go," Bob announced, and Ned chimed in to say his parents had no -objections if he was to stay at Mrs. Hopkins's house. - -"Then it's all arranged," Jerry said, in boyish confidence. "Now we'll -have to overhaul the _Dartaway_, and get her in shape. A new awning -would do no harm, and I think we'll need a little heavier anchor." - -With boundless enthusiasm the boys began to discuss their plans. They -jumped from one thing to another, from the possibility of cruising half -way to Florida to doing deep-sea-fishing in their motor boat. - -"We'll have the time of our lives," said Bob. "We'll--" - -At that instant the door of the sitting room where the chums were -opened and Dr. Bounce entered. - -"You boys were talking so loudly you didn't hear me knock I guess," he -said. - -"Is any one sick?" inquired Ned, thinking the medical man had called to -attend some one. - -"Not here," replied Dr. Bounce, "but there are enough cases in town to -keep ten doctors busy. No, I called about that old man you helped get -out of the wreck." - -"Is he dead?" asked Jerry. - -"I'm afraid he can't last long. He regained consciousness a little -while ago, and wanted the three boys who took him from under the seats -to be sent for. Do any of you know him?" - -"Why, no. Did he mention any of us by name?" inquired Bob. - -"No, but he insisted he wanted to see the three boys, and I happened -to remember it was you who saved him. He seems to have something on -his mind. Perhaps it will make him rest more easily if you go to the -hospital and see him. It may be only an odd fancy, but sometimes we -have to humor our patients. Will you go?" - -The boys said they would, and while they were getting their hats Dr. -Bounce told them how he had first gone to Jerry's house and then to -Bob's, before he arrived at Ned's. - -The hospital was so crowded with patients from the wreck that even the -office of the superintendent and some of the doctors' rooms were used. -On cots in them were men and women; some badly injured. - -The aged man had a small room to himself, as his case was regarded as -critical. Dr. Bounce, preceding the three boys, entered. He paused for -a few seconds regarding the patient, who seemed to be sleeping. Then -the physician turned, and silently beckoned the boys to approach. As -they came near the old man opened his eyes and regarded them curiously -for a moment. - -"Are these the boys you wanted to see?" inquired Dr. Bounce. - -"Yes, yes," was the eager reply. The man tried to raise himself in bed, -but was so weak he fell back on the pillow. - -"Calm yourself," said Dr. Bounce soothingly. "You must not get excited. -What did you want of the boys?" - -"I want Jess," murmured the man, looking first at one of the boys, and -then at the other. "I was on my way to get her, after long years of -separation, when there came a terrible blow on my head." - -"But what have the boys to do with it, and who is Jess?" asked Dr. -Bounce. - -"They will find her for me. They know where she is. Where the great -light is. They can find her. They are smart boys. I can see that." Then -his mind wandered. "I must have my Jess. Maybe she was killed in the -wreck! Oh, boys, please find her for me! Perhaps she is pinned down -under the seat where you rescued me!" - -The chums looked at each other curiously. Dr. Bounce placed his hand on -the old man's pulse. - -"Tell us who you are," the physician said. "Who is Jess, and how can -the boys find her?" - -"Jess--Jess--where the great light shines at night,--Bring her to me--I -am--I am--Jess--the boys will find you--they will save you! Oh, the -awful crash!" - -The next instant the old man, who, in his excitement, had risen from -the pillow fell backward, and his eyes closed. A terror seemed to grip -the boys' hearts. They thought they had seen death come. Dr. Bounce -rang a bell to summon a nurse. - -"He has become unconscious again after his raving," the doctor said. -"I'm afraid my experiment was a failure. Do you know who Jess is, or -what he is referring to about the 'great light,' boys?" - -"Not in the least," replied Jerry, and his chums said the same. - -"Was any one of that name killed or hurt in the wreck?" Dr. Bounce went -on. - -"No," replied Bob. "I have looked over the list as published in one of -the extras, and all the passengers are accounted for. No one was named -Jess." - -"Do you suppose he could have meant a dog called Jess?" came from Ned. -"He seemed to think some one might be pinned down under the seats where -he was." - -"But he spoke of going to claim her after a long separation," Dr. -Bounce went on, while the nurse was administering medicine to the -unconscious patient. "That would apply only to a person. No, I believe -Jess is a girl or a woman. There seems to be some mystery connected -with her." - -"Maybe we will happen to solve it some day," remarked Jerry. "I wonder -what he meant by the 'great light?'" - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -OFF TO THE COAST - - -"Perhaps a search light on some vessel," put in Ned. "He looks like a -seafaring man." - -"I think you boys had better go, now," said Dr. Bounce. "We will have -to operate on the patient, but I am afraid it will be a long time -before he recovers his senses. If he does and wants to see you, I will -let you know. I would like to get at the bottom of this. Strange, he -should think you boys could rescue Jess. Stranger still, who is Jess?" - -But, for a while at least, there was no prospect of solving the strange -meaning of the old man. His condition grew worse, and there was little -hope for him. - -That night the boys heard that though the operation was performed it -was not entirely successful. A piece of bone was pressing on the man's -brain, and it was found impossible to remove it until his condition -improved. Consequently he remained in a stupor, and could not talk. He -murmured, in his delirium, Dr. Bounce said, something about Jess and -the light, and there he stopped. - -Three days after the wreck Mrs. Hopkins got a letter from the real -estate agent informing her he had been able to secure a large cottage, -close to the beach. It was on a small cove, and there was a boathouse -near by. - -"Fine!" cried Jerry when he heard of it. "Now to get the _Dartaway_ -ready. Whoop! But life is worth living, I tell you!" and he began to -dance a jig with such vigor that the dishes on the sideboard rattled. - -"Jerry, you'll smash some of my fine cut glass!" exclaimed Mrs. Hopkins -in alarm, yet she could not help being glad that she was able to -provide a summer's outing for her son and his chums. - -"I'm going over to tell Ned and Bob," Jerry said, rushing from the -house. As he hurried down the steps he collided with a youth who was -just then passing the house. - -"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Jerry, his breath almost taken away by -the sudden impact. - -"You did that on purpose! You saw me coming and tried to knock me -down!" exclaimed the youth, and Jerry saw it was Noddy Nixon, the old -enemy of himself and his chums. - -"Why, Noddy," remarked Jerry, much surprised at the sudden encounter -and the identity of the youth. "Where did you come from? Haven't seen -you since--" - -Jerry was about to say he had not met Noddy since the time of the chase -after the thieves in the motor boat, and the escape of Bill Berry and -Noddy, as told in the fifth volume of this series, "The Motor Boys -Afloat." But he thought better of it, and stopped in time. - -"Don't you make any references to me," said Noddy, as he rubbed his -shin, which Jerry had accidentally kicked. "If you spread any scandals -about me I'll have you sued. I've a good notion to have you arrested -for assault and battery!" - -"Look here, Noddy Nixon!" exclaimed Jerry. "I apologized for colliding -with you. That's all I'm going to do. You can put that in your pipe and -smoke it," and without a look at the bully Jerry turned and walked off. - -"You'll pay for this, Jerry Hopkins," called Noddy. "I'll get even with -you." - -Jerry had heard Noddy threaten like that before, and, generally the -bully had found means to make it very uncomfortable for the chums. But -Jerry did not fear him, and he felt he could hold up his own end fairly -well. As for his friends, he did not worry on their account. - -"I wonder where he's been all this while," Jerry mused, as he continued -on toward Bob's house. "He has a queer way of disappearing and coming -back at the most unexpected times." - -"What's the matter, going into your second childhood, Jerry?" some one -asked, and Jerry looked up suddenly, to see Bob standing in front of -him. - -"Hello, Chunky," he called. "What's that?" - -"You were talking to yourself like an old man," explained Bob. "I was -getting worried about you." - -"Oh, I just had a little run-in with Noddy Nixon," Jerry explained, -smiling as he recalled how well his words described what had taken -place. - -"So he's back, eh? Well, look out for trouble." - -"Guess it can't amount to much. We will be away from here in another -week." - -"Did your mother get the cottage?" - -"Sure. Come on, let's tell Ned." - -The three boys were soon at Bob's house discussing their plans in -detail. Their interest in them made them forget Noddy and the trouble -he threatened. But, had they seen a letter which the bully posted a -short time after, addressed to Bill Berry, and accepting a certain -invitation, they might have felt a little worried. - -"We've got to hustle to get things in shape," said Bob, when the date -of departure had been settled. "The first thing is to arrange to have -the boat shipped. Let's go over to the freight office and see the -agent. I--" - -Bob was interrupted at that instant by the entrance of the cook, with a -tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of milk. - -"Oh," she said. "I didn't know there were three of you here," and she -looked at Bob, who grinned sheepishly. - -"Chunky!" exclaimed Ned. "Did you order all this for yourself," and he -gazed reproachfully at his chum. - -"Well you see I told her to get it ready a while ago," explained Bob. -"I didn't know then you two were coming over. I went out to post a -letter and I met Jerry and we saw you. Then I forgot all about this -until--but she'll get some more, won't you Mary?" - -"Sure, Master Bob, if you want it." - -"I move that Bob be compelled to sit there and see Jerry and I eat all -this up," spoke Ned, beginning with a sandwich in each hand. - -Poor Chunky looked so woe-begone at this inroad on his rations that his -two chums laughed. - -"Oh, pitch in!" said Jerry. "I know how you feel, Bob. It must be all -of two hours since you had anything to eat." - -Over their lunch the boys laid out their work, dividing it among -themselves so as to get it all done in time. Bob was to attend to the -shipping arrangements, Ned to refitting the boat, and Jerry said he -would sort over the portable camping outfit the boys always took with -them. - -The _Dartaway_ was a fine, stanch craft, of four cylinders, as speedy -as one could wish. It had many new appliances, such as three speeds -forward and one reverse, and was well fitted up. There was a small -galley where a meal could be cooked, and a folding table to serve it -on. The stove burned gasolene. - -There was a portable awning which had side curtains, so the whole boat -could be enclosed in stormy weather. There were also collapsible bunks, -so, if necessary they could remain on board several days without going -ashore. There were food lockers and a good sized storage tank for -gasolene. - -In anticipation that they might make rather lengthy trips the boys got -a larger searchlight for their craft than the one they had first used, -and also a larger saluting cannon. A more reliable compass was added -to the equipment, and the size of the whistle was increased, to give -better precaution in case of fogs. - -An anchor, as large as could be carried, was installed, and, with -several other minor, but necessary improvements, the boys felt they had -a motor craft second to none for its size. - -It was no easy task to box the boat and ship it to Harmon Beach. -But the boys worked like Trojans, and accomplished much that less -enthusiastic persons would have shrunk from undertaking. Finally they -saw the _Dartaway_ loaded on a flat car at the freight office. - -"Now to get ourselves off," said Jerry. - -But this was an easier task. Three days later found Mrs. Hopkins at her -summer cottage. It would not be quite correct to say that the boys were -there also, for they had no sooner alighted from the train than they -hurried to the freight office to see if their boat had arrived. - -"There she is!" cried Jerry, pointing to a bulky object on the station -platform. "Now for a spin on salt water." - -But there was a wait of several hours before the boys' desires were -realized. Only their boundless enthusiasm and their tireless energy -made it possible, but, by evening the boat had been hauled to the small -dock near Mrs. Hopkins's cottage, and launched. - -The boys did not stop to fully equip her. They saw that the engine was -working well, and, just at dusk, three happy, if very tired lads, sat -in the _Dartaway_ and sent the craft in a wide circle around the little -cove on which the colony of Harmon Beach was situated. - -"Put out toward Old Briny!" called Ned to Jerry, who was steering, and -Jerry, nothing loath, did so. - -As the speedy craft surged ahead, throwing up a salty spray, the boys -heard a hail behind them. - -"Here! Come back!" some one called. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -CAUGHT IN A SQUALL - - -"Who is it?" asked Jerry. - -"Seems to be some one in another motor boat," Bob replied. "He's waving -at us." - -"Maybe he wants a race," suggested Ned. - -"Well, he can have it if he catches up to us," Jerry responded. "I'm -not going to race otherwise. The _Dartaway_ is not in her best trim, -and she may get beaten. Then we'll get the name of having a slow boat. -We'll have a regular race later, when we are in better shape," and he -put on a little more speed. - -Still from behind came the cry over the water: - -"Come back! Come back!" - -"Oh, cut it out!" exclaimed Bob as he felt the salt wind and spray in -his face. "We can't bother with you. We're out for a good time. Catch -us if you can!" - -"Isn't this glorious!" exclaimed Ned. "Say, but I'm glad we came!" - -The _Dartaway_ had increased her speed considerably and was fairly -flying through the water. The boys could no longer hear the hailing of -the lone man in the boat behind, though they could still see him coming -after them. - -"Guess if he wants a race he'll feel sort of discouraged," Jerry -remarked, as he put the wheel over a bit to meet an oncoming wave. - -"Funny sort of a chap," said Bob. "Thinks we ought to stop for him, I -s'pose." - -The craft was now approaching one of the two points of land which -enclosed the cove of Harmon Beach. The wind, which had been blowing -quite strongly, increased in volume and the water became a little -rougher. Still there had been just as much disturbance on Lake Cantoga, -where the boys had cut their eye teeth in running a boat, and they were -not alarmed. - -It was getting dusk now, and, off to the east there was a curious haze -hanging over the water. Jerry, who was peering sharply ahead, remarked: - -"Looks like breakers beyond," for he had caught sight of some white -caps. - -"We don't mind them," said Ned. "I guess our boat is strong enough to -navigate through 'em." - -"Our friend seems to have given up trying to catch us," Bob said. - -"He never had a chance," came from Ned. - -"Hold hard!" Jerry suddenly cried. "Look out!" - -An instant later a shower of spray flew over the boat, wetting the boys. - -"Hurrah! It's salt water!" yelled Ned. - -"Old Briny!" cried Bob. - -"Of course it is," spoke Jerry, as he wiped the water from his eyes. -"We're right out on the ocean now." - -"Really?" asked Ned, hardly able to believe it. - -"Sure," Jerry added. "We've gotten beyond the point of the cove and -it's open water ahead of us now. Europe lies just beyond. Shall we put -for it?" - -Another dash of spray caused the boys to duck. - -"Not to-night," came from Bob. "There's nothing on board to eat." - -"You'd think of that if you were headed straight for Davy Jones's -locker," exclaimed Ned. "Why can't you forget it, Chunky?" - -"This sea air gives me such an appetite," replied the stout youth. - -"Well, we haven't anything on board to--" began Ned, when his remarks -were suddenly interrupted by a roll of the boat that nearly threw him -over the side. - -"Look out!" cried Jerry. "Here comes a big wave!" - -Almost as he spoke there was a rush of greenish-white water and -something more substantial than spray came aboard the _Dartaway_. - -At the same instant there was an increase in the force of the wind, -which fairly howled overhead, and sent the spume from the crests of the -waves with stinging force into the faces of the boys. - -"What is it?" panted Bob, as he tried to get his breath, after -swallowing a mouthful of salt water. - -"We seem to have gotten out to sea in a hurry," replied Jerry. - -"It's beginning to rain!" yelled Ned. - -Then everything seemed blotted out by a gray blanket of mist, caused by -the drenching downpour. The boys were wet through in an instant, though -they tried to cover themselves with some pieces of canvas. - -In their hurry to get the boat into the water they had not set the -awning. In fact the craft was not at all equipped for a trip, beyond -the fact that she could go, since there was plenty of gasolene in the -tank. - -The _Dartaway_ was rocking and bobbing about on the rough water, for, -once beyond the protection of the cove, the full force of the waves -and wind was felt. - -"Turn around, Jerry!" yelled Bob. - -"Yes! Put back!" cried Ned. - -"Too risky!" sung out Jerry. "I've got to keep her head into the wind," -and he swung the wheel around to meet a big wave. - -The crested roller of green water struck the boat half broadside on. -Considerable came aboard, but the _Dartaway_, after staggering a bit -under the weight, rose to it like a duck, and went on. Jerry started -the automatic pump and the water was soon forced out. - -"Say, we are in for it!" Bob yelled. - -"It's nothing but a squall!" Jerry called back. He did not have time to -turn around, because he had to devote all his attention to the wheel. - -"What are you going to do?" asked Ned, shouting the words out. Indeed -nothing less than a yell could have been heard above the roar of the -wind, the swish of the rain and the splash of the water as it struck -the side of the little craft. - -"Going to keep on," replied Jerry grimly. "It's all I can do. If I turn -back I'll be swamped. Maybe I can run into a quiet cove, somewhere -along the beach." - -The squall was now raging in all its sudden, but short-lasting fury. -Though the boys realized it would not keep up its capers very long, -they knew that their position was anything but a safe one. It was -nearly dusk, with the dying light of sunset hidden by the mist and -clouds. - -Still, as Jerry had said, there was nothing to do but keep on. By doing -so the bow of the boat could be held so as to cleave the waves. To turn -meant to get them broadside on and this would soon swamp the craft. - -"Isn't there some place we can put in to?" yelled Ned. - -"Don't know of any," Jerry called back. - -Down came the rain, harder than before, and the wind seemed to howl in -glee at the plight of the boys. The craft was tossing to and fro on the -waves, which, while not of any extraordinary size, were almost too big -for the _Dartaway_. They would have amounted to nothing for a larger -boat, with more freeboard than had the motor craft. - -Ned and Bob crouched in the bottom of the boat, to render it more -steady, while Jerry clung to the wheel, which now and then was almost -jerked from his hand by the force of the water on the rudder. - -Every now and then the salt spray would dash over the craft, adding its -saline dampness to that caused by the rain. It was now quite dark, -with the rain making it all the more difficult to see. Jerry tried to -pierce the gloom, for he had no more idea where he was going than a -blind man. He knew he had started to pass out of the harbor of Harmon -Beach, between the two points of land, and that he was steering east -then. But, whether he had kept the boat headed in that direction was a -question he could not answer. - -In spite of it all the _Dartaway_ was behaving admirably. She stood up -to the attack of the waves and wind like a veteran. It was her baptism -of the Atlantic, and she seemed to rejoice in it. - -"Hark! I hear something!" cried Ned. - -The boys listened as well as they could above the throbbing of the -engine. Over the storm-swept waters there sounded three long whistles. - -"It's a boat!" cried Bob. "Look out, or she'll run us down!" - -"Can't tell where she is," Jerry answered, his hand on the lever to -stop the engine in an instant. - -"It's behind us," Ned shouted, standing up and trying to see to the -rear. - -Once more the whistle sounded. This time it was clearer, and in spite -of the roar of the wind and the swish of the waves the boys could hear -the throb of a boat engine. - -"Some one is coming after us!" exclaimed Bob. - -Just then, through the mist of the storm there shone a great light, -full on the _Dartaway_. It flashed a glaring beacon on the boat, and -then suddenly it turned red, flashed twice, and disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE RACE - - -"What was that?" cried Ned. - -"Lightning!" came from Bob. - -"Lightning doesn't act that way!" Jerry replied. He put the wheel over -to meet an on-coming roller. As he did so the queer light flashed out -again. First it was white, and then it changed to red, showing twice -and going out. - -"It's a lighthouse!" cried Jerry. "I forgot there is one near here. -It's near a dangerous ledge of rocks, which are off shore." - -"Then we'd better stop!" cried Ned. "We may sink the boat." - -"Can't turn around now. Too risky." - -Suddenly three sharp whistles sounded so close to the _Dartaway_ that -the boys jumped in fright. They thought they were about to be run down. -Then came a hail: - -"Say, what you chaps trying to do? Commit suicide?" - -"Who are you?" called Jerry, slowing down the engine. - -"This is the _Three Bells_. Who are you?" - -"_Dartaway._" - -"Where from?" - -"Harmon Beach." - -Out of the mist there loomed up alongside of the boys' boat another -motor craft. It was nearly twice the size of theirs, and the throb of -the engine, though it was running slow and on low gear, told better -than words of the power of it. - -The rain ceased, almost as suddenly as it had started and the fury of -the squall, having blown itself out, subsided. The wind died away, and, -though there was a long swell on, the storm was practically over. It -grew a little lighter with the dispersing of the mist. - -The boys sized up the newcomer. The boat was about fifty feet long, -and had a small cabin. It was operated by a gasolene motor of eight -cylinders. Beside it the _Dartaway_ looked small. - -"Are you the boys who sailed out of the cove this evening?" asked the -steersman of the _Three Bells_. - -"I guess we are," Jerry replied. He had stopped his engine, as had the -skipper of the other craft, which contained two men. - -"Didn't you hear some one hail you?" - -"Yes," said Jerry. "We thought it was some one wanting to race, and we -weren't in trim for a brush. We haven't got our boat fixed up yet, so -we decided to pay no attention to it. Was it you?" - -"No, it was one of the coast fishermen," replied the captain of the -_Three Bells_. - -"Did he want to race?" asked Ned, curious to understand why a fisherman -should want to challenge them. - -"Race? I guess not," was the man's reply. "Why he was calling you to -come back because he saw the squall coming up. He sized you up for -newcomers at the beach, and knew you probably didn't know anything -about the weather here. We have some pretty bad storms, and they come -up in an instant and without warning. The fisherman was able to see it -getting ready to break, and he didn't want you to venture out. But it -seems you went, anyhow." - -"Yes, and we had quite a time," returned Jerry. "But the _Dartaway_ -stood it all right." - -"More good luck than good management," was the comment. "Why, half the -people at the beach probably believe you drowned by now." - -"How's that?" asked Bob. - -"The fisherman, when he saw he couldn't catch you, came back and gave -the alarm." - -"I wonder if my mother is worried," Jerry said. "We must hurry back." - -"Did you come out for us?" asked Bob of the _Three Bells'_ captain. - -"That's what I did," was the answer. "I knew how risky it was out here, -in a small boat, so I hustled out after you. You must have gone a -pretty good clip, for I couldn't catch you for some time." - -"Well, the _Dartaway_ has some speed," admitted Jerry with a little -note of pride in his voice. - -"We'll have to enter her in the races next week. Oh, by the way, allow -me to introduce myself. I'm Captain James Jenkinson." - -Jerry told his own name, and those of his companions. - -"Well, the squall's about over now," said Captain Jenkinson. "I guess -it's safe enough to go back. Are you all right?" - -"All except being wet through," Ned replied. - -"And hungry," put in Bob, whereat his chums laughed. - -"I can give you a tow back," Captain Jenkinson went on. "We might make -it a little quicker." - -"I guess the _Dartaway_ can make it under her own power," Jerry said. -He was not going to accept any assistance not really needed. - -"All right," Captain Jenkinson responded, probably understanding how -the boys felt. "You can follow me in, as I can probably pick out the -best channel for you." - -This aid the boys had no compunctions about accepting, and, as Jerry -turned the gasolene on, and shoved the spark lever over, the _Dartaway_ -shot ahead. Jerry steered her in a curve after the _Three Bells_, which -was heading back toward the harbor. - -"I say!" called Captain Jenkinson. - -"What is it?" cried Jerry. - -"If you ever come out this way again, look out for the rocks. They're -indicated by a red and white striped buoy for days, but the lighthouse -marks them by night. They're bad ones, so look out." - -"Thanks, we will," shouted Bob. - -It was now very dark, but the lights of the _Three Bells_ enabled the -boys to follow her. She made a fast pace, but the _Dartaway_ was no -slow boat, and in about an hour Jerry swung his craft into the little -cove. - -"See you to-morrow perhaps," called Captain Jenkinson, as he increased -the speed of his craft, and steered toward the boathouse on the -opposite shore to where Mrs. Hopkins had her cottage. - -"Good-bye!" shouted the boys. - -A few minutes later the _Dartaway_ was at her dock, and three soaking -wet, and somewhat tired, but very proud boys strolled up to the cottage. - -"Good boat we've got," observed Jerry. "Hard to beat, eh, fellows?" - -"Now you're talking," said Bob. "I believe we could cross the Atlantic -in her--if we could take along enough to eat," he added quickly. - -The boys found Mrs. Hopkins so busy with the servants arranging the -cottage, that she had hardly given the lads a thought. She did not -even know they had gone out in the boat, so the storm had not worried -her. However, a number of the cottagers, who paid more attention to -the boating affairs, had heard of the boys' peril and were relieved to -learn they got back safely. There was no small appreciation of their -pluck, after Captain Jenkinson had told of the affair. - -When Mrs. Hopkins heard of it she was, at first, much frightened over -the danger the boys had escaped. But Jerry assured her they could -look out for themselves, and, on his promise to use all precautions -thereafter in going out of the cove in the boat, his mother placed no -restrictions on his actions. - -For three days after this the boys were kept busy fixing up their -craft. They put the new saluting cannon in the bow, strung new rudder -lines, which had been strained during the squall, and cleaned the -engine. They were burnishing up the brass work, one afternoon, when -some one entered the boathouse. - -"Where are the three boy sailors?" a hearty voice asked. - -"Come in!" cried Jerry, and Captain Jenkinson entered. - -"Hard at work, eh?" he asked. "That's right, can't take too much care -of your boat and engine. They do better work the more time you put on -them, and you never can tell when you may need an extra bit of speed." - -Captain Jenkinson told the boys of some informal races that had been -arranged among the owners of motor boats. There were half a dozen, he -said, who had entered their craft, and he asked if the boys did not -want to take part in the contest. - -Of course they were delighted, and the captain said he would arrange to -have them formally entered. The races were to take place in the cove -the next Tuesday. The course was a triangular one, about three miles in -all, and the prize was a silver cup. - -In the interval the boys found time to take several short cruises. They -found their craft was working well, and, in several little impromptu -contests, they "put it all over the other boats," to use Bob's -expression. - -There were seven entries for the race, including the _Dartaway_. As -Captain Jenkinson's boat was so powerful, and outclassed the others so -much, he did not enter but allowed the judges to use her. - -"Do you think we have any chance?" asked Ned, the morning of the -contest. - -"Sure," replied Jerry, who was going to steer. "I don't say we'll win, -but we'll come near it. You and Bob want to keep the engine well oiled. -Guess I'll rig up a spare set of batteries, in case of accident. I'll -have 'em ready to switch on in a second if the magneto or the regular -batteries fail." - -"The only boat I'm afraid of is the _Snail_," said Ned. "She's just the -opposite to her name, and the other day she went way ahead of us." - -"Our engine wasn't sparking good that time," Jerry remarked. - -The race was a handicap one,--that is the boats were graded according -to the size of their cylinders and the horse-power of the engines. This -grading made the _Dartaway_ and _Snail_ take fourth place. Three other -boats started off ten seconds ahead of them, and two large boats ten -seconds after them. - -The cove was dotted with craft the afternoon of the race. It was hard -to keep them clear of the course, but by dint of circling around it -several times Captain Jenkinson was able to make the owners of other -boats understand he meant business. - -At the crack of a revolver the three first boats started off, the -explosions of their engines, from which the mufflers had been taken, -sounding like a battery of Gatling guns in full action. - -The three boys nervously awaited the signal that was to send them off. -Jerry kept watch of those aboard the _Snail_, which contained three -youths. - -Crack! went the pistol, and Jerry threw in the first speed clutch, for, -as in the case of the other boats, the engine had been kept running, -though not in gear. - -The _Dartaway_ jumped ahead like a hungry fish after a small frog. -Likewise did the _Snail_, and, with the engines working almost at full -speed the two rival craft surged through the water. - -Side by side they kept. Jerry threw in second gear and the captain of -the _Snail_ did likewise. Jerry decided to run on that for a while, and -trust to the power of the motor, which Ned and Bob were looking after. - -Jerry dimly heard the revolver shot that sent the two last boats off. -But he did not care for them. He wanted to overhaul those in the lead. -This he seemed in a fair way to be able to do. None of the craft was -speedy, and, though their ten seconds start gave them an advantage, the -_Dartaway_ was soon close to the rear one. - -Notch by notch Jerry gave the engine more gasolene, and, notch by notch -he advanced the spark lever. He was crouching down low, as were the -other boys, to offer less resistance to the wind. Slowly the _Dartaway_ -was creeping up to one of the leading boats, and a little later passed -it. Then it overhauled another. - -Just as the first leg of the triangular course was rounded Jerry threw -in the third speed, and shut off a little of the power. At the same -instant he passed the last one of the three boats that had gotten off -first and the _Dartaway_ was now in the lead. A thrill possessed him. -The _Dartaway_ might win. - -But, as he turned his head, he saw that the _Snail_ had also crept up, -until, passing the others, it was on even terms with the boys' boat. -The _Dartaway_ was not going to have things her own way. - -Jerry had no thought for the other craft now. It was a contest with the -_Snail_ only. The two boats were evenly matched and those aboard knew -best how to get the speed out of them. - -It was bow and bow between the two, almost to the second stake. Then -Jerry slightly advanced the spark lever and the _Dartaway_ shot ahead. -Only for an instant, however, as the _Snail_ was right after her. - -"I'd like to lose her," thought Jerry. - -He gave one look behind him. The two boats which had started last were -close up, but Jerry had no fear of them. The engine of one, he could -tell by the sound, was missing explosions, and the other was wheezing -and coughing in a way that indicated loss of power. It was now a race -between the _Dartaway_ and the _Snail_. - -They were on the last leg. Jerry could hear the shouts of the excited -spectators. It was a race worth seeing. - -"Douse her with oil," called Jerry. "On the bearings, only, don't flood -the cylinders!" - -Ned and Bob were busy over the machinery. Jerry was holding the wheel -firmly, watching, from the corner of his eyes, the progress of the -_Snail_. He thought he saw her falling back a little, and he used a -little of his reserve power. - -Suddenly, with a wheeze that sent a chill to the hearts of the boys, -the _Dartaway's_ engine ceased to work, and the _Snail_ shot ahead. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -"THERE SHE BLOWS" - - -"What's the matter?" cried Jerry. - -"Don't know," replied Bob. "Something's broken." - -"It's the batteries or magneto," Ned exclaimed. "There's no spark!" - -"Quick! Throw on the new set of batteries I put in," called Jerry. -"Lively now! Maybe she'll explode without cranking!" - -Bob shoved over the switch that Jerry had provided for just such an -emergency. There was a click, a little spurt of green fire as the two -pieces of copper came together, and, with a sound like a gun, the -engine resumed its revolutions. A charge in one of the cylinders had -exploded, and had turned the fly wheel over, just in time to render it -unnecessary to crank up. - -"Hurrah! She's off!" cried Ned. - -With a quick motion Jerry threw the engine back on first speed, as he -wanted to give it a chance to work up before he called on it for a -harder effort. - -But the accident was likely to prove dear to the _Dartaway_. One of -the boats in the rear had almost caught up to her, and the _Snail_ was -a good five lengths ahead. - -"We've got to strain everything now," said Jerry grimly. "It's a small -chance but we'll take it." - -Quickly he speeded up the engine, giving the cylinders all the gasolene -they would take, and he also began to advance the spark. - -As soon as he could he threw in the third speed gear. The _Dartaway_ -responded nobly, and fairly shot through the water. The _Snail's_ lead -was cut down by one length. - -One advantage the accident gave was the bringing into use of fresh -batteries. This gave a better and hotter spark, and rendered the -explosions more powerful. Jerry saw this, and his heart rejoiced. - -Notch by notch he shoved the two levers around and the boat increased -her speed. Those in the _Snail_ looked back apprehensively. - -"We'll catch you yet," Jerry murmured. "How's she running, Ned?" - -"Couldn't be better." - -"Don't spare the oil, and keep low down. We're right against the wind -now, and everything counts." - -Slowly but surely the _Dartaway_ was overhauling the _Snail_. Inch by -inch she crept up. Now the leading boat was but two lengths ahead. But -the last stake was close at hand. Five minutes more and the race would -be over. There was a big lead to cut down in a short time. - -Jerry shut his teeth tightly. It was if he, himself, was running the -race, and was determined to win or die. He gave one look towards the -stake-boat and another at _Snail_, and then shoved the sparking lever -over as far as he dared, at the same time giving the cylinders the -utmost gasolene they could take without being choked and floated. - -It was the last effort, the utter limit to which the _Dartaway_ could -be pushed. - -The craft responded, as if knowing what was required of her. She seemed -to rise like a bird under the increased impulse, and to fairly skim -over the water. She darted ahead, and, with hearts that beat high with -hope, the boys saw her creep past the stern of the _Snail_, until the -bows of the two boats were once more even. - -The stake was three hundred feet ahead. The _Dartaway_ must do an inch -or two better if she was to win. Those aboard the _Snail_ were doing -their utmost to get another revolution or two from their engine. - -Jerry and his companions almost held their breaths. They peered over -the side to see what their rivals were doing. They saw them frantically -oiling the levers and cams. - -"Only an inch! Only an inch!" Jerry whispered under his breath. "Only -an inch and we can beat 'em!" - -Then, whether it was that the _Dartaway_ heard the cry and responded, -or whether the _Snail's_ engine went back on the boat, no one could -tell, but the _Dartaway_ shot ahead, several inches. There was an -exultant cheer from the three boys. There was a corresponding groan -from those on the _Snail_. There was a great shout from the spectators. - -An instant later the _Dartaway_ crossed the line a winner. - -What a shrill tooting of whistles there was! What a chorus of shouts -and yells! What a sound of gasolene engines exploding on all sides to -add to the din. - -_Bang!_ it was a cannon on the _Three Bells_, fired in honor of the -victor. - -_Bang!_ spoke the _Dartaway's_ ordnance in reply. - -Then there were more cheers and yells. Jerry, in answer to a signal, -slowed down his craft and put it over to the _Three Bells_, where the -judges were. The _Snail_ followed. - -"A good race and well managed," said Captain Jenkinson. "I thought you -boys were out of it when your engine stopped. How did you manage it?" - -Jerry told him of the extra batteries, and was congratulated for his -forethought. - -"You certainly have a fine boat," the captain of the _Snail_ said, -as he shook hands with Jerry and his chums. "You beat us fairly and -squarely." - -"Yes, and here's your reward," said Captain Jenkinson, as he handed -Jerry a beautiful silver cup. "May it be an incentive to you and your -comrades to win many more races." - -"Speech! Speech!" cried several. The judges' boat was surrounded by a -score of craft, which hemmed in the _Dartaway_ and the _Snail_. - -"I can't make a speech," Jerry stammered. "But I want to thank you all -for allowing us to take part in this race, and if any one wants to have -another try for the cup, why he can, that's all." - -"Hurrah!" yelled the crowd. - -"I may take you up on that offer," said Captain Jones, owner of the -_Snail_. "I believe I can beat you yet." - -"You're welcome to try," Jerry answered. - -The boys were hardly able to realize their good luck. They had snatched -the race from defeat, and the skillful way in which they had managed -their boat brought them much praise. - -There were several other aquatic events that afternoon. It was a sort -of opening of the summer season at Harmon Beach, which was quite -a resort for those who loved the sea. The boys did not stay long, -however, as Jerry was anxious to show his mother the cup he and his -chums had won. - -As the boys were fastening their boat to the dock, they heard a noise -in the shelter house. At first they thought it might be Mrs. Hopkins, -who had come down to meet them. But they heard a hoarse voice singing: - - "Oh it's blow, blow, blow! - And to Davy's locker we'll go. - For a stormy night - Is my delight; - And I love the hail and snow!" - -An instant later a short, stout man, with one eye, a grizzled beard, -rather ragged clothes, the trousers of which he kept hitching up, while -he rolled his lone optic around in a strange fashion, came out on the -dock from the boathouse. - -"What ho! my hearties!" he cried. "Avast, messmates!" - -"Who are you?" asked Jerry. - -"Salt Water Sam. A relic of the deep seas." - -"Glad to see you," remarked Bob. The lads took the old man for a -harmless character, and paid little attention to him. For a while Salt -Water Sam regarded the boys with his one eye, and then, singing his -verse once more, he walked off with a rolling gait. - -"Old sailor," said Ned. "I'd like to know him." - -"You'll probably have a chance. He seems to make himself at home," -remarked Jerry. - -For several days after this the boys only made short trips about the -cove in their boat. They took Mrs. Hopkins out, and she enjoyed the -little cruises very much. Jerry wanted to take her out on the ocean but -she would not hear of it. She said she was afraid the boat would swamp. - -"You'd ought to have been with us the other night," said Jerry. "I -guess that would have scared you." - -"Don't you ever take such risks again," cautioned Mrs. Hopkins, and -the boys promised they would not. But boys are very forgetful. - -The _Dartaway_ was now fully equipped "from anchors to apricots," as -Bob said. He had superintended putting aboard a quantity of provisions -including the canned fruit which, he said, could be used in case of -emergency. - -One afternoon, as the boys were cruising near shore, they saw a -fisherman's boat come in. It was the kind of craft with a small engine, -called a "kicker," in it, to be used in case of calm. - -As it tied up alongside of a small public dock, the boys could see, -by the manner of the men, that something had happened. They were much -excited. - -"What's the matter?" they heard several ask. - -"There's a whale off shore," replied the captain. "We found our nets -all ripped up, and, as we were wondering what did it, we saw a big -whale spout, close by." - -"What's that? A whale?" cried a hoarse voice, and the boys saw Salt -Water Sam come rolling down to the dock. "A whale! Shiver my timbers, -there she blows!" he cried, seeming to get excited at the mention of -the name. "Let me get at him. Many a one I've harpooned!" - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -AFTER THE WHALE - - -There was considerable excitement on the dock. The news soon spread -that one of the monsters of the deep had been sighted off the beach, -and a number of boats were gotten ready to go out for a glimpse of the -whale. - -"Here's our chance," said Ned. "Why can't we go out and have a look at -him? I never saw a whale in the ocean." - -"Neither did I, nor anywhere else," Jerry replied. "I guess we can go." - -"Hi there!" hailed a voice, and the boys saw the old sailor beckoning -to them. "Avast! I want to speak to you. Avast! Belay!" - -"Shall we see what he wants?" asked Jerry. - -The old man was dancing about on the dock, hitching his trousers up -so often that Bob remarked he would wear them out in a short time at -that rate. His one eye was rolling about trying to see in half a dozen -directions at once. - -"Can't do any harm to learn what he wants," Ned replied. "Put her over, -Jerry." - -Accordingly the _Dartaway_ was steered toward the dock, on which there -were quite a number of persons. Several were getting boats ready to go -off and get a view of the big creature. - -"Steady now, my hearties!" exclaimed the old sailor. "That's the way to -do it! Couldn't have done it any better myself!" as Jerry brought the -boat up alongside of the dock without hitting the string piece. - -"Did you call us?" asked Bob. - -"Sure, son, I want you to take me out so we can kill that whale. Shiver -my timbers, but it's like old times again!" - -"Did you ever kill whales?" asked Ned. - -"Did I? Say you don't know me!" - -Then, rolling up his sleeves and disclosing two very hairy and much -tattooed arms he sang in a high, quavering voice: - - "I've traveled in the North sea. - I've traveled in the South. - I've killed a whale - With the biggest tail - And the smallest kind of a mouth!" - -"That's me! That's Salt Water Sam!" he went on. "Now boys, if you wait -a minute I'll go after my harpoon and line, and we'll have a whale -chase as is a chase." - -Before the boys could reply, the old sailor ran from the dock toward a -little shanty that stood on the beach. When he was gone Jerry asked: - -"Shall we risk it, fellows?" - -"Maybe he's only joking?" Bob said. "He doesn't look as if he knew how -to harpoon a whale." - -"Let's take him along, anyhow," Ned put in. "He'll know a lot about the -ocean, and we can ask him about the lighthouses and the rocks, even if -we don't see him kill a whale." - -In a few minutes the old man came back again. On his head he carried a -tub, while over his shoulder was a long pole. He ran down to the dock -with a speed surprising in so old a person. - -"There she is!" he cried, as he reached the boat. "There's the iron -that sent many a good whale, and some bad ones, too, maybe, to the -boiling kettles. There she is!" - -It was a harpoon that he had; an old implement, and one that had seen -service, to judge by the look of it. It was rusty, and the wooden -handle was full of notches. - -"Them's the number of whales she's been into," said Salt Water Sam, -proudly, pointing to the cuts. "I did every one myself. And this tub -and line--well they've seen service, just the same as their owner. -They're old but you can depend on 'em." - -While he was speaking he had boarded the boat, and was arranging the -tub, with its coil of line in the bottom, at the bow. Then he sat down -near Ned, and, taking out a file, began sharpening the barb of the -harpoon. - -"Let her go, skipper," said Sam, to Jerry, and, at a nod from the -latter, Bob cranked the engine, and the _Dartaway_ was steered out -toward the open sea. - -"Any danger of a storm?" asked Ned, of the old sailor. He did not want -to get caught as they had been before. - -"Clear as a bell, and it'll stay so 'till dog watch," the sailor -replied, not looking up from the delicate operation of putting a finer -point on his weapon. - -"I'm afraid we'll see very little of the whale," remarked Bob. "All the -other boats are ahead of us, and they'll scare him off so we'll miss -him." - -"Don't let that worry you, sonny," said Sam. "Trust an old whaleman to -find the creatures if they're within seeing distance. Put her right -between the two points, lad, there's less current there, and you'll -skim along like one of Mother Carey's chickens," he added to Jerry. - -Jerry speeded up the engine, and the _Dartaway_ fairly flew through the -water. Ahead was quite a flotilla of sail and motor boats, crowded with -persons anxious to get a view of the sea monster. - -"It's a sweet little craft you have here, lads," Sam remarked, having -satisfied himself that the harpoon was sharp enough. "Almost as fast -as the _Dolly Gray_, in which I made my first voyage to the whaling -grounds. Ah, but she was a lovely schooner." - -Sam now began fastening the line to the weapon. He took great care in -this, and Ned and Bob watched him curiously. Then he saw to it that the -line was properly coiled in the tub. - -"Can't be too careful," the sailor remarked. "If it snarls why it's all -up with the whale and you, too." - -"Is there going to be any danger?" asked Bob, in some alarm. - -"Not with Salt Water Sam aboard," was the sailor's reply. "You leave it -to me." - -By this time the _Dartaway_ was up with the last of the boats, and, a -little later had overhauled some of them. Ten minutes more and she had -passed the points of the harbor and the boys found themselves out on -the open Atlantic. - -The water was calm, and there was scarcely a breeze to ruffle the -surface. There was a long gentle swell, but the lads soon became used -to this. - -"Now, boys," said Sam, "if you'll do as I tell you we'll be all right. -I'm going to stand in the bow, and, skipper, you send her forward or -back, as I tell you. If we strike the whale you want to send her astern -like lightning, or there'll be a mess." - -"Aye aye, sir!" answered Jerry, somewhat inclined to laugh at the old -man's earnestness. - -"That's the way to talk," said Sam. "Put her out a little more, -skipper. I want to clear some of these craft." - -Jerry manoeuvred so as to round a number of other power boats, which -seemed to be headed for one spot. They were evidently steering for -where the whale had last been seen. - -"He was headed up the coast," Sam murmured. "We'll point up that way, -and maybe we can land him before the others scare him away." - -It was here that the old sailor's knowledge of whales and their ways -stood him in good stead. He knew the creature would not merely float -around on the water, but would dive, and swim beneath the surface. He -had made inquiries and learned that the monster was headed up the coast. - -The _Dartaway_ was now comparatively alone, there being no other boats -within a quarter of a mile. The rest were hovering near where the big -creature had been seen to go down. - -"If he comes up under one of those boats it will be all day with 'em," -observed Ned. - -Salt Water Sam was standing in the bow, beside Jerry, who was at the -wheel. The old man peered ahead with his one keen eye. He was as still -as though the carved figurehead of a vessel; every muscle was tense, -every nerve on the alert. The joy of battle shone in his face. - -Suddenly, just ahead of the _Dartaway_, there was a commotion in the -water. It seemed to boil and bubble. Then something big and black was -flung up from the hidden depths. - -At the same instant two thin columns of water shot up from the surface -of the ocean. Up and up they went, sparkling in the sun. - -"There she blows! There she blows!" yelled Sam. "Send her ahead, boys!" - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -TOWED TO SEA - - -With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, -the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster. It was -the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view -one in its native element. - -Jerry's hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever -forward, to increase the speed of the craft. As it clicked over the -rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead. Sam, standing up in the bow, poised -his arm to hurl the harpoon. Then, as though alarmed by the approach -of the boat, and probably mistrusting the throbbing of the engine, the -whale "sounded." - -With a turn of its massive flukes, it sunk downward into the depths -whence it had emerged but a few minutes before to breathe. - -"He's gone!" exclaimed Bob. - -"Quiet!" cautioned Sam. "That's nothing." He was speaking in a whisper. -"Got to expect that. We'll land him yet. Put her a little further out, -skipper, and stand ready to go astern when I give the word." - -Slowing down the engine, Jerry steered the boat in obedience to motions -from Sam's hand. The old man kept his eye fixed on the water, as though -he could see into the depths, and watch the whale coursing forward. - -Whether he could or not his instinct seemed to tell him about where the -creature would rise. The _Dartaway_ had been sailing along not more -than ten minutes when again came that curious boiling and bubbling of -the water. - -This time it was off to the left, about a quarter of a mile away. There -was no need to tell Jerry in which direction to steer. He increased the -speed of the engine, and was darting toward the spot, when once more -the whale spouted. - -"There she blows!" cried Bob, unable to withhold his enthusiasm. - -"Easy now," cautioned Sam. "We don't want to frighten him again. Put me -close, skipper." - -Jerry slowed down the motor, so as to make less noise and threw the -wheel over. Nearer and nearer the craft approached the big creature, -that was resting easily on the surface of the ocean. - -But again they were doomed to disappointment. They were within a short -distance of the monster, but not close enough to enable Sam to throw -the harpoon, when the whale, with a mighty blow of its flukes, which -raised a wave that careened the _Dartaway_, sank into the depths. - -"We'll never get him!" cried Ned. - -"Leave it to Salt Water Sam," was the old man's reply. - -Once more he scanned the water with his keen eye. Again Jerry, obeying -the motions of his hand, sent the boat forward. The boys were now quite -a distance from shore, and there was no other craft near them. The -flotilla of boats was two miles away, still cruising around where the -whale had first been seen, and the occupants looking for the monster -were too far off to see what those in the _Dartaway_ were about. - -"Get ready!" came the old sailor's voice, and, once more the boys' -hearts beat violently. Sam motioned for Jerry to steer the boat to the -right. Hardly had the direction been changed than again there was that -curious bubbling, and the whale spouted for the third time. - -"He must be hurt!" said Sam, in a low tone. "Or else he wouldn't come -up so often to breathe. I think I can land him this time. Easy now! -Right for him, skipper!" - -Jerry was calmer now. He held the wheel steadily, and his hands did not -tremble as he shoved the levers over. Old Sam gave a last look at the -coils of line in the tub to see that they were free. - -Closer and closer to the monster the boat approached. The boys could -see the black sides glistening in the sun. It seemed that the whale was -a thousand feet long, though as Sam told them afterward, it was only -one of the smallest species. But to the boys it was large enough. - -At a signal from the old man, Jerry shut off the engine, almost -completely, giving it just enough gasolene to keep it from being -stalled. His hand was on the reverse lever, ready to throw in the -clutch, and then to start the motor at full speed astern. - -The _Dartaway_ was merely under enough power to give her steerage way. -Sam, by a nod of his head, indicated to Jerry to approach the whale -broadside on, as they were now coming up to the monster's tail. One -blow from the mighty flukes, and there would be no boat left. - -Nearer and nearer to the creature the _Dartaway_ was sent. Now it was -within one hundred feet. Now it was seventy-five. Still the whale -had not taken fright. The boys could hardly breathe from the fierce -beating of their hearts. - -As for Sam, he was as cool as though he was about to pull in a small -fish which he had hooked. He stood rigid in the bow, the terrible -harpoon poised over his shoulder. - -Suddenly his arm shot forward. There was a whistling sound, a hissing -through the air. Something flew from the boat, and struck the whale. - -The next instant the boys saw, sticking up from the whale's back, a -straight shaft. It was the handle of the harpoon. The iron had entered -deep into the flesh. - -"Hard astern!" yelled Sam. "Astern for your lives!" - -Jerry never moved more quickly than he did to throw the reverse gear -in, and send the gasolene and sparking levers over. With a splutter and -roar the motor got into action, and the _Dartaway_ began to back. - -And only just in time, for the whale fairly leaped out of the water -from the pain of the iron. Then it brought its great flukes down on the -surface, sending up a shower of spray that soaked the occupants of the -boat. - -The line began to run from the tub and over an improvised roller Sam -had fastened in the bow. So rapidly did it spin out that the bearings -began to smoke, and the old sailor dipped up water in a tin can and -began pouring it over the wood, to prevent it from catching fire. - -"Struck good and deep!" he cried. "Old Sam is some good yet." - -The engine was still running on the reverse, but, in a few minutes the -boys noticed that they were going forward. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ned. - -At that the last of the line was out of the tub, but before then it had -been quickly caught around a cleat, by Sam. - -"We're being towed out to sea," the old sailor said. "Don't be afraid. -It's what I expected." - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE WHALE ESCAPES - - -"Towed out to sea?" inquired Ned. - -The words had a sort of terror in them. The boys looked at one another. - -"Land love you, yes," went on the old whaler, who seemed as happy as a -lad at a picnic. "It isn't the first time I've been towed by a whale. -That's the way they do, sometimes. But they soon tire of it, and then -we'll have another chance at him." - -"But isn't it dangerous?" asked Jerry, who did not exactly like the -idea. - -"Not a bit," replied Sam. "That is, if you cut the line in time, in -case the whale sounds." - -"What do you mean?" asked Ned. - -"Why, sometimes they'll take a notion to go down before you know it. -Then, if you don't cut the line in time, they're liable to swamp the -boat." - -"Maybe we'd better cut it now," suggested Bob. - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed Sam. "Why it's only just begun. There's no danger -yet. I remember once we was towed nearly a day with a whale in the -North Sea. I was mate of the _Dogstar_ then, as fine a craft as I ever -saw. But she was wrecked on an iceberg and I was the only one saved. -That was a voyage!" and the old man's eye sparkled in remembrance. - -"How far will he take us?" asked Jerry, not a little anxious on his -mother's account. - -"No telling," replied Sam. "Twenty or thirty miles, maybe. But you have -one advantage we didn't have in the old whale boats. You can keep the -engine going at reverse, and make a drag that will soon tire him out. -That's a good thing." - -In spite of the fact that the motor was revolving the screw backward, -the whale seemed to have no difficulty in pulling the _Dartaway_ after -him. He fairly made the craft fly through the water. - -Right out to sea, the motor boat was headed. The beach had long since -been left astern, and the other boats could only be dimly seen. - -There was nothing to do but to sit and wait for the whale to tire -itself out. Sam seemed to accept this as a matter of course. He -had brought a lance along, in addition to his harpoon, and was now -sharpening this keen weapon, in anticipation of making a death thrust. - -As for the boys, they viewed with alarm the ever increasing distance -from shore. The beach was now but an indistinct hazy line. - -"Maybe we'd better give it up," suggested Bob. - -"Why, are you getting hungry, Chunky?" asked Jerry. - -Ned's laugh at this sally seemed to relieve their feelings somewhat, -and, when Sam told them he would only hold on a little while longer, in -case they were still alarmed, they felt better. - -"We can't come to any harm," the old sailor said. "No matter how far we -go we can get back, and we'll not have to row, either, the way we did -in the old days." - -"But it's a good distance to go to sea in a small boat," objected Bob. - -"This is big enough to cross the Atlantic in," said the sailor. "All -you want is plenty to eat." - -"Oh, we've got that," Bob replied, brightening up, somewhat at the -remembrance of the well filled lockers. - -"Then don't worry," advised Salt Water Sam. "It's a fine day and no -sign of a storm." - -Then the boys decided to accept the situation. They knew they could -make good time back, in their craft, and Jerry did not believe his -mother would worry. Besides she had no idea that they had gone -whaling. If she had, she might have been alarmed. - -Then, too, there was something fascinating in the idea of being -attached to a monster of the deep. The boys realized it was an -experience they might never have again, though, for that matter, it is -doubtful if they ever wanted it. - -So, for an hour longer they sat in the boat and watched the waves -rushing past them. As the reversing of the engine seemed to have no -slackening effect on the whale's progress, Jerry decided to shut the -motor off, and so save gasolene. - -Now and then Sam would stand up in the bow and take an observation. The -boys could see nothing but the long, thin line extending from the craft -and disappearing beneath the water. - -"He's still there," said the old sailor, as if there could be any doubt -of it with the way the boat was speeding through the water. "I can see -him, almost on the surface. He's going a lively clip." - -Bob got up from where he had been seated and began rummaging about in -the locker. - -"What's the matter?" asked Ned. - -"I'm hungry," announced Chunky. "Got to have something to eat." - -"That's not a bad idea," Sam put in. "I didn't have much dinner -myself, and salt air always makes me have an appetite." - -Thus finding an ally, Bob proceeded to get out the victuals. He lighted -the gasolene stove and made coffee, which with some sandwiches and -canned stuff, provided a meal that made up in zest what it lacked in -quality. - -"I'll bet it's the first time this whale ever towed a dinner party," -said Jerry between bites. - -"I hope it'll be the last," murmured Sam. "I want to get my lance into -him. There's a pot of money in it, even if he isn't a spermer. We can -land him on the beach and charge ten cents admission to see him, though -it's not in my line." - -It was about ten minutes later when Jerry, glancing at the line, -noticed it was slack. He called Sam's attention to it. - -"He's up to some trick," the old sailor remarked, as he peered -anxiously forward. "Going to sound, or maybe he's headed this way." - -The boys looked at each other. Here was a new complication. It was one -thing to chase a whale. It was altogether another to have the process -reversed and the monster turn pursuer. - -"What shall we do?" asked Ned. - -"We'll have to wait and see what he's up to," Sam replied. - -"Suppose he comes for us?" - -"Then we'll have to run. That's the only safe rule," and Sam smiled -grimly. - -The _Dartaway_ was now rocking easily on the waves. The sea remained -calm, and, as the sailor remarked, was like a "mill pond on a summer -day." The line from the bow lay slack on the water. - -"He's sulking," muttered Sam, as he stood up, trying to catch a glimpse -of the monster. - -An instant later it seemed as if a big wave was coming toward the boat. -There was a roll of green water, advancing nearer and nearer. - -"He's headed for us!" cried Sam. "Quick! Start the engine and get away!" - -Bob dropped his sandwich and sprang to the fly wheel. He cranked it, -praying silently that the explosion might come quickly. - -Jerry had thrown the forward gear in, and turned on the gasolene and -spark. There sounded a welcome "chug," and an instant later the engine -was working at rapid speed. - -Jerry put the wheel over, and headed the boat away from the on-coming -whale. The line, fast to the bow, swung over the stern, lengthwise of -the craft, nearly carrying Ned overboard in the rapid change it made. - -The _Dartaway_ was off like an arrow from the bow, piling up a line of -foam at the cut-water. The big wave at the back was nearer now. It was -caused by the water gathering in front of the whale's blunt, massive -head. - -"Can we get away?" cried Bob. - -"We've got to try!" shouted Sam. "Put a little more speed on, skipper!" - -The boat forged ahead faster than before. Sam stood up, peering aft -to see if the whale gained. There was no doubt that the monster -was nearer, in spite of the fast whirling propellor. For once the -_Dartaway_ had met her match in a speed contest. - -"Can't you get any more out of her?" called the sailor in an anxious -voice. - -"No," said Jerry, his heart sinking. - -"He'll ram us and sink us!" cried Bob. - -"Veer off a bit!" yelled Sam. "Maybe he'll rush past us, and we can -slip away." - -Jerry shifted the wheel, to allow the whale to pass on the left, if -it would, in its maddened rush. The sailor armed himself with a small -hatchet and his lance. - -As the boat swung around the line passed from the stern to the bow. -It had been slack, but now it grew taut again, and the old sailor, -watching it, sought for an explanation. - -It was easily found. The whale had ceased its rush at the boat, and, -passing to one side, was moving forward again. Then, as though trying -a last resort to rid itself of the harpoon, it suddenly sank. Down and -down into the ocean depths it went. - -The bow of the _Dartaway_ began to be depressed. Lower and lower it -went into the water, until the screw was revolving in the air. - -"He'll pull us down with him!" yelled Jerry. - -"No, he won't!" cried Sam. - -There was a sharp sound, a snap as though a whip had cracked and the -end of the line flew up in the air. Sam had cut it with his hatchet, -and the whale had escaped its enemies. The bow of the boat righted, and -the craft floated on an even keel, moving forward at a fast pace. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -ADRIFT ON THE OCEAN - - -"That's the end of Mr. Whale," remarked Sam, in somewhat sorrowful -tones, as he looked at the trailing end of the severed rope. "There -goes the best line I ever had, and a harpoon I wouldn't have lost for a -lot of money." - -"Maybe the whale will die from the wound," said Jerry. "Anyway, he came -near making an end of us." - -"So he did," replied Sam, brightening up. "It was the only thing to do. -Maybe I got the iron in deep enough, but I didn't see any blood and -that's the way to tell." - -"Shall we put back now?" asked Jerry. - -"I s'pose we might as well. Can't do anything more here. Where's your -compass? and I'll lay a course for you. It's getting so hazy, and we've -twisted and turned so I can't tell where the beach is." - -"Get out the compass, Bob," called Jerry. - -"Compass? I haven't got the thing," Bob replied. - -"Course you have. I gave it to you the other day, when we were fixing -up the boat, and you told me you put it in the locker." - -"I don't remember," Bob replied. - -"I saw you have it," Ned said. "It was the new one, in a round metal -case." - -"Oh, that!" exclaimed Chunky. "Was that the compass! I thought it was a -can of peas or something like that." - -"Well, never mind what you thought it was, hand it over," Jerry said. - -"Why, I didn't put it in the locker," Bob answered. - -"You didn't put it in!" exclaimed Ned. "What in the world did you do -with it?" - -"Why, I thought we had enough canned peas on board, and I left it in -the boathouse until our supply would run low. It's there now, on a -shelf. I thought it was something to eat." - -"Well, you are the limit, Chunky!" exclaimed Jerry. "I always knew your -eating habits would make trouble and now they have, sure enough." - -"I couldn't help it," Bob said trying to think of some defense. "Why -didn't you tell me it wasn't anything to eat?" - -"Hereafter I'll label everything I hand you," spoke Jerry -sarcastically. "You're not safe aboard a boat!" - -"No compass, eh?" questioned the old sailor. "Well, maybe one of you -have one for a watch charm, that would answer?" - -But none of the boys had. The old sailor cast his eye toward the -clouds, that were beginning to gather, and looked across the waste of -waters. The haze was thickening. - -"Are we in any danger?" asked Bob, his voice showing how anxious he -felt. - -"Well, not right away," replied Sam. "Still it's going to be a risk -to go in any direction. We may hit the shore and we may not. We may -go farther out to sea than would be safe, and we might run up on the -rocks. It's a ticklish position to be in. I remember one like it when -I was second mate on the _Rolling Porpoise_. We were cruising around -three days, without a drop to drink or anything to eat, before we found -the ship that was hidden by the fog." - -"We've got plenty to eat and lots of water to drink," said Bob. "That's -one comfort." - -"And a mighty good one it is, when you're lost at sea," put in Sam. - -"You wouldn't call us lost, would you?" asked Ned. - -"I don't know what else it is," the sailor replied. "We don't know -which way to go, and that's as near lost as I want to be." - -"It's your fault, Bob," said Jerry. - -"Needn't rub it in, though," came from Chunky, in aggrieved tones. - -"We'll do the best we can," spoke Sam. "You trust to me and I'll bring -you out of this if possible." - -But, though Sam made light of the plight they were in, it was not one -to be easily passed over. The party was in a good boat, a craft that -had been tried on the open sea, and which had proven its stability. The -_Dartaway_ was indeed a craft of which to be proud. But the boys were -farther out on the deep than they had been during the squall. Though it -was now calm, there was no telling how long it would remain so, and the -increasing haze seemed to promise a spell of bad weather. - -"Let's make everything snug," suggested Sam. "That's the first thing to -do. How about lights? We'll have to show 'em after dark, to avoid being -run down." - -"We have them," said Jerry. "Why, are we in any danger of collision?" - -"Well, we're not exactly in the path of steamers that go up and down -the coast," the sailor replied, "but there's no telling when one will -come along. Best to prepare for 'em." - -Under his direction the boys made fast all loose gear. Jerry looked to -the engine, found there was plenty of gasolene in the tank, and saw -that the awning posts were well secured. The covering was up, but the -side curtains had not yet been let down. Then the red and green lights -were set aglow, as, though it would not be dark for some time, Sam said -they ought to do as much as possible by daylight. There was no carbide -for the search light, but they did not think they would need it. - -It was almost dark when all their preparations had been completed, -and Sam took a long look around to see if he could, through the haze, -make out anything that would serve for a mark to steer by. But it was -impossible. - -"Maybe I can get a glimpse of the stars," he said. "Once I get my eye -on the dipper I'm all right." - -"I thought it was the north star that sailors steered by," spoke Ned. - -"So it is, son, but there are two stars in the bowl of the dipper, -called the pointers, that are right in line with the north star. Get -your eye on them pointers, and you can tell where the north star is -easier than if you don't see the big ladle," and Sam began tightening -anew some ropes which did not just suit him. - -But even the stars were blotted out by the curtain of mist and Sam's -hopes were blighted. However, he made the best of it. - -"I'll risk it by the wind," he said. - -"How's that?" asked Jerry. - -"It's generally blowing off shore at this time of night. If we keep the -breeze in our faces we may strike the beach." - -Accordingly the _Dartaway_ was headed into the teeth of the wind, and -the engine regulated to moderate speed. Through the darkness the craft -sped over the waters. It was now night, and though the boys tried not -to show their nervousness, they did not succeed very well. - -It was one thing to be out in their boat all night on a lake or river. -They knew in a case like that they were in no immediate danger. But -out on the ocean after dark, in a small craft, and not knowing their -position, was a more serious proposition. Besides, there seemed to be -something "scary" in the mere thought of the vastness of the sea, the -great depths, the monsters that inhabited it, and the great waves that -the wind could raise in a short time. - -"Let's put down the curtains," suggested the sailor. "We want all the -shelter we can get, for it will be chilly by morning." - -"Do you think we'll be out here all night?" asked Ned. - -"Likely to. We came a good ways behind Mr. Whale, and we haven't gone -back very far." - -With the curtains down, and a couple of lanterns lighted inside, the -_Dartaway's_ interior was a cosy enough place. Bob insisted on getting -another meal, in spite of the fact that one had been served not so long -ago. - -"That wasn't a regular supper," he declared. "This is," and he started -the gasolene stove. - -"We must set a watch," said Sam. "Have to take turns steering. There -are four of us, and we'd better make it in two shifts. Jerry and I will -take the first one." - -Ned and Bob declared they didn't feel like taking the time to sleep -before their watch was called, as the novelty of the night at sea was -too much for them. So they reclined on the bunks, talking, while Sam -went to the wheel, and Jerry looked after the engine. - -A little wind had sprung up and the sea was heaving more than at any -time since the strange cruise began. Still the _Dartaway_ was not in -trouble. She slid over the waves like a duck, and made good time, -though it was guess work steering her. - -They had been cruising in the teeth of the wind for about an hour, and -Ned and Bob were beginning to get a little sleep, in spite of their -desire to remain awake, when there came a curious sound from the engine. - -It was a combined cough, wheeze and squeak, and Jerry who had been -leaning back, jumped up to look at the motor. As he did so it came to a -stop. - -"What's the trouble?" called Sam, from the wheel. - -"Motor's stuck, that's all. I'll fix it," Jerry replied. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -ALMOST RUN DOWN - - -With vigorous motions Jerry sent the flywheel spinning around. It went -fast enough, but there was no answering chug-chug. He adjusted the -spark and gasolene levers a few notches forward and tried again, but -without results. - -"Maybe the gasolene is out," suggested Bob. - -"There was plenty a while ago," answered Jerry. - -Still, he was aware that sometimes a tank will spring a leak most -unexpectedly. He tried the reservoir, and found there was enough of the -liquid to last a long time. He was sure then the trouble must be in the -motor. - -In quick succession Jerry tried all the means known to him of locating -the difficulty. He knew it must be something slight, as there was good -compression. Then he tried the batteries and they gave a "fat" green -spark. Clearly there was electricity enough. - -"I say," called back Sam, "got to do something pretty soon. We're -losing steerage way, and we'll be in the trough in a few minutes." - -With Ned and Bob to help and offer suggestions, Jerry went all over the -engine to locate the trouble. It might be in one of a dozen places, for -a gasolene motor is a delicate machine and can get more kinds of things -the matter with it than can a baby. - -"How about the carburettor?" asked Bob, referring to the apparatus -where the gasolene is mixed with air so it will explode in the -cylinders. - -"I don't want to monkey with that," Jerry replied. "It never has given -any trouble, and I'm afraid to take it apart now." - -Just then the _Dartaway_ gave a violent lurch to one side, and the -boys, who were stooping down, were nearly thrown off their balance. - -"Did we hit something?" called Jerry. - -"No, a wave hit us," Sam replied. "Can't you get the engine fixed?" - -"Doesn't seem so." - -"Then I've got to do something. She won't answer the rudder any more, -and is getting down in the hollows." - -"What can you do?" - -"I'll show you. I haven't been to sea forty years for nothing, sonny. -I'll do the same thing I did when I was shipwrecked in the Indian -Ocean once, and had to live three days on a raft." - -Sam did not waste any more time in words. He came from the bow, since -it was no longer any use to try to steer the _Dartaway_, and made his -way astern. With him he brought the tub in which the whale line had -been coiled. - -"The boat isn't leaking," said Bob, thinking the sailor was about to -begin bailing operations. - -"I know it, you just watch me." - -Sam fastened a piece of rope to each of the two handles of the tub. -These strands he tied together, and at the place of joining he attached -another rope. - -Seeing that all of the knots were secure he climbed out on the -overhanging stern of the boat, and made the end of the long rope fast -to a cleat. Then he dropped the tub overboard, and it fell with a -splash into the water. - -"He's lost it!" cried Bob. - -"Not a bit of it," Sam said. "That's what I wanted to do. That's what -we call a drag, sonny. It will keep the boat head on to the waves, and -that's the most important thing now." - -In the meanwhile the craft had been pitching and rolling about in -rather an alarming fashion. The boys had all they could do to stand -upright, but Sam crawled and walked about like the old salt that he -was. - -No sooner had the tub been dropped astern than an improvement was -apparent. The rolling and pitching ceased, and, though it was still -rough riding compared to being on a lake or river, the _Dartaway_ stood -up well, and was on a more even keel. - -"That drag has something of the same effect as if we were moving by -means of the engine," explained Sam. "It keeps the stern in the right -place. The wind on the awning gives us a little headway and I think -we'll do very well for a while. Lucky the whale didn't take the tub -with him." - -Now that they were temporarily in a little better shape, Jerry renewed -his efforts to get the engine to work. It was anything but an easy task -at best. Even in daylight and on still water he had often found his -ingenuity taxed to the utmost to discover some slight defect and remedy -it. Now, in a boat that had an uneven motion, and amid a darkness -that the lights seemed to but increase, it was about as ticklish a -proposition as the youth had ever undertaken. - -"I'll go for'ard," spoke the sailor. "I can't do anything here, and -I'll be on the lookout." - -The boys tried everything they could bring to mind. They had been in -similar trouble before, though not under such serious circumstances. - -"I think after all I'll have to take the carburettor out," Jerry -remarked with something like a sigh, for it was a hard and difficult -task. - -"I say!" called Sam. "Do you suppose any of the pipes is stopped up?" - -"What do you mean?" - -"Well, we had some trouble once, when I was aboard the _Double Dog -Fish_, and it was on account of stopped-up pipes." - -"Was that a motor boat?" asked Bob. - -"Say, that was before we ever thought of motor boats. It was away back -in 1849. It was this way. There was a barrel of molasses aboard, and -we used to be allowed to help ourselves. It come in mighty good for -sweetening your tea. Well, one day we opened the spigot and none come -out. First we thought the cook had shut down on us. Then we thought -maybe the molasses had given out. But it wasn't either one." - -"What was it?" asked Jerry, glad of something to take his mind off the -trouble of the engine. - -"Why the spigot was stopped up. One of the sailors had dropped his -ball of rope yarn, with which he was mending sails, into the barrel one -day, and there it was inside plumb up against the spigot." - -"How'd you get it out?" asked Ned. - -"I run my hand down in the barrel, rolling up my sleeve of course, and -got the ball out. Then the molasses run just the same as before. There -was some kicking though, account of me licking the molasses off my arm. -The men claimed I got more than my share." - -In spite of their anxiety the boys could not help laughing at the -sailor's story. - -"I thought maybe some pipe or other got stopped up, and the molasses or -whatever it is you run that engine with, might not be flowing." - -"I never thought of that," Jerry said. "Wait until I take a look." - -"How can you look in the gasolene tank?" came from Bob. - -"Well then, feel, if it suits you better." - -Jerry moved forward and was about to remove the cover from the tank, -when a cry from Sam stopped him. - -"Here comes a big steamer!" the sailor yelled. "It's bearing right down -on us, and we can't move out of her course!" - -"Blow the whistle!" cried Ned. - -Instinctively Jerry pulled the cord. He forgot the engine was not -working, and that there was no compressed air to send out a blast. In -the midst of his terror, he resolved to have a storage tank installed -for air for the whistle if ever they came safely out of their trouble. - -"Ship ahoy!" yelled Sam, with lungs that had done their duty in all -sorts of weather. "On board the steamer!" - -The sailor and Jerry peering between the curtains at the bow, and Ned -and Bob, looking forth from the side awnings, saw a big vessel bearing -right down on them. They could distinguish the towering bow and the -twinkling lights. - -"Ship ahoy! You'll run us down!" hailed Sam. - -The boys joined their voices to his, and a chorus of shouts went up. -But the wind had freshened and was blowing quite strongly. Even had the -night been still it is doubtful if the pilot could have heard, shut -up in the bridge house. - -As for the lookout aloft, he was too far up, and the wind, doubtless, -made such a noise through the rigging that it would have taken a -megaphone to have aroused him. - -"Veer off! Veer off!" shouted the sailor. - -"Can't they see our lights!" cried Jerry. "Oh, if only the search light -was going!" - -"We're too low down, lad. I'm afraid we're done for. If we could only -forge ahead a bit! If the engine was only running!" - -It seemed there was no escape. Nearer and nearer came the big ship. -It seemed like a monster about to crush the little boat in its path. -Once it struck it there would be nothing left of the _Dartaway_, and -the shock to the steamer would be so slight those on board would never -notice it. - -"If I only had a horn, or something to make a louder noise with!" said -Sam, with something like a groan. - -"A noise!" almost yelled Bob. "Quick, Jerry! The cannon!" - -Jerry made a jump for the brass ordnance. He seized the string. There -was a charge in the cannon, put there the day after the races. The boy -yanked the lanyard. - -Bang! - -An explosion roared through the night and echoed over the dark waters. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -NODDY NIXON TURNS UP - - -Would those on the steamer hear it? Would they change the course in -time? Could they, at the rate the ship was going? - -These were questions which surged through the minds of those on the -_Dartaway_. How anxiously they waited to see how they would be answered! - -"If she hits us jump for your lives!" cried Sam, climbing through the -awning curtains out on the gunwale. "It's the only chance we've got!" - -But there was some excitement on the steamer. Lights flashed out on -the bow. Then a big glaring beam from a search lantern cut through the -gloom. There were confused shouts, a jingle of bells. Evidently the -cannon had been heard. - -"She's veering off! She's veering off!" yelled the sailor. "Look out -for the wash as she passes us!" - -Indeed, the great steamer could be seen to be changing her course. The -immense bow seemed to glide away from the motor boat. As the boys held -their breaths the vessel loomed up almost in front of them, but safely -away. They had just escaped being run down. - -With inquiring toots from her big whistles the steamer surged past the -_Dartaway_. As she glided by the boys could see, leaning over the rail, -a group of men. Doubtless they wondered what venturesome mariners these -were, out so far at sea in a little craft. - -"Hold hard!" cried Sam. - -He spoke only just in time, for the _Dartaway_ began to rock violently -from the wash of the steamer's propellors. The boys clung to the awning -stanchions or they might have been flung overboard. - -Then, as the steamer, in her changed course, showed her stern lights to -those on the motor boat, there came a feeling of thanksgiving at their -providential escape from almost certain death. - -"Lucky you had that cannon!" commented Sam. "It was better than a horn -or whistle." - -For a few minutes the boys could not reply, they were so unnerved. But -the old sailor seemed to take it as a matter of course. - -"It isn't the first time I've been nearly cut in two by a steamer," he -said. "That often happens on the fishing banks." - -Jerry made his way back to the cockpit and sat down on a bunk. He was -trembling from the excitement. - -"Brace up!" spoke Sam, noticing the boy's condition. "Have another try -at the engine. See if the pipe is stopped up." - -That put Jerry's mind on another subject, and relieved him of the -strain he was under. He waited until the commotion of the water had -somewhat subsided, and then went forward again to the gasolene tank. - -Baring his arm to the shoulder, and lying flat out on the bow, in order -to get to the bottom of the receptacle, he felt around in it. For a few -moments there was an anxious wait. Then he cried: - -"I've got it!" - -He pulled out a bunch of cotton waste, used to clean the engine with. -How it got in the tank was a mystery, but it had effectually stopped -the flow of gasolene. - -"Now for another try!" exclaimed Bob. "I'll bet the _Dartaway_ will -prove equal to her name." - -Anxiously the boys went back to the engine. The fly wheel was spun -around. This time there was an answering chug-chug, and, a moment later -the motor was humming away in a fashion that thrilled the hearts of -all. - -"We're off!" shouted Bob. - -"Wait until I get my tub!" exclaimed Sam. "It's all I've got left of my -outfit." - -He scrambled aft, and hauled aboard the improvised drag. Then Jerry -threw in the clutch and the _Dartaway_ shot ahead. - -"Which way shall I steer?" asked Jerry, who had gone to the wheel. - -"Well, we're as bad off as ever in that regard," the sailor replied. -"Wait a minute though. That steamer was cutting right across our bows. -We ought to keep straight on I guess, to fetch up on the coast, as the -vessel was going down along it. I think I know where we are." - -For a few minutes the boat went along, riding more evenly, now that it -had better headway. Suddenly there flashed on it a glaring light. It -was steady for a second, and then turned red. It flashed the ruby glow -twice, and then disappeared. - -"What was that?" cried Bob. - -"The lighthouse!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Sure enough," came from Sam. "It's all right. I know where I am now. -Better let me take the wheel." - -With the sureness of one who knows his way, even in the darkest night, -the old sailor turned the craft into the proper channel. Forward it -went, like a frightened hare scudding back to the shelter of the -burrow. - -"Rocky Point Light;--the South Light," murmured Salt Water Sam. "I'm -right at home now. We must have been behind the upper headland or we'd -seen it before. It's all right. We're on our way back." - -So it proved. Through the darkness, illuminated only by the red and -green side lamps, the _Dartaway_ sped, steered by a sure hand. On and -on she went toward the harbor. - -The boys did not learn until afterward that they had been towed nearly -twenty miles by the whale. Had the weather not remained calm they would -have been in dire peril, but fortune favored them, even in the matter -of escaping from the steamer. Had they been taken straight out to sea -they would have had more trouble, but the big monster, in his blind -rage, had taken a diagonal course up the coast. - -"My, but I am sleepy," remarked Jerry, stretching himself. - -"So am I," added Ned. - -"You boys better take a nap," Sam said. "I'll call you about eight -bells and take forty winks myself. We'll get in about daylight." And -then he began to sing: - - "Oh it's Ho! for a sailor's life for me; - When stormy winds do blow! - And waves run high; - Up to the sky; - With mermaids down below!" - -"You're quite a poet," said Jerry. - -"I didn't make that up," replied the sailor. "It was a feller with two -eyes. I was mate and he was second mate on the _Tumbling Turtle_." - -The boys felt tired enough to take Sam's advice. They covered up -with blankets on the bunks in the little cabin, and, in spite of the -excitement of the day and night, dozed off. - -It was daylight when Sam awoke them, and they were just entering the -harbor of Harmon Beach. - -"I thought you were going to call us at eight bells," said Bob. - -"Four o'clock in the morning's no time for boys to be getting up," said -Sam. "I hated to disturb you. I'm used to staying up." - -"I must hurry up and let mother know we're all right," said Jerry as -the boat swung up to the dock. "She'll be worried." - -The boys found a crowd awaiting their return, though it was but seven -o'clock. The rumor of their disappearance in the hunt for the whale had -spread all through the summer colony. - -"Salt Water Sam was along," the sailor remarked proudly to some of the -questioners. "We knew what we were about." He did not mention how near -they had come to being run down. - -"Did you get the whale?" asked a man of the sailor, as the boys hurried -ashore and ran to the Hopkins cottage. - -"We did and we didn't," replied the old salt. - -"Well, you killed him, anyway." - -"What's that?" - -"He came ashore, dead, down the beach, a little while ago." - -"Are you joking?" - -"Not a bit of it. Word to that effect just came." - -"Whoop!" yelled Sam. "I'll get my old harpoon back. I must tell the -boys. So I haven't forgot how to throw the iron! Whoop! Shiver my -timbers! I've killed my last whale! Hold me down, somebody!" - -Salt Water Sam was dancing about in great excitement. - -"Where's the whale?" he inquired. - -"About three miles south, on the beach." - -"I'm going right down and see it. I must get the boys. This'll be great -news for them." - -Sam made the boat fast to the dock and hurried to the cottage where -the chums had gone. They had just succeeded in telling Mrs. Hopkins -all about their trip. She had been somewhat worried, but she felt that -Jerry and his companions could take care of themselves. They had been -away too many nights before, and had gone through too many adventures, -for her to do much worrying, unless she had good cause. - -"Good news, boys!" cried Sam, coming in unannounced. - -"What is it?" - -"We've got our whale! Come on!" He rapidly explained. - -Mrs. Hopkins wanted them to at least stay for breakfast, but they would -not hear of it. - -"I'm going to lay claim to the creature," the sailor exclaimed. "It has -my harpoon in it. That proves property. Can't lose any time." - -The boys hurried back to the dock and got into the boat, and started -down the coast. As they neared a little cove, on which was located -another summer colony, they could see a big crowd collected. - -"That's where it is," Sam remarked. "Put in there." - -When they landed they saw a big shapeless body stranded on the beach. -It resembled an immense log of black wood. - -"There's my whale!" cried Sam, proudly. - -The creature looked vastly different from the monster that had towed -the boys in their boat out to sea. They went closer to the crowd, which -surrounded the bulk of flesh and bone. As they made their way through -the fringe of people they heard some one saying: - -"Now you've all got to get away. This is my whale. I discovered it. I'm -going to put a tent over it and charge twenty-five cents admission. -Stand back, I say!" - -Something about the tones struck the boys as being familiar. They went -closer. - -"Here, no more can come here!" exclaimed a youth, who began shoving the -motor boys back. "This is my whale." - -There, confronting our three heroes, was Noddy Nixon. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -A BATH HOUSE MYSTERY - - -For a few seconds it would have been hard to tell who was the more -surprised, Noddy or the three boys. They stood confronting each other, -while the crowd surged this way and that. Then Noddy spoke again: - -"I want to know what you fellows mean, coming here trying to take my -whale?" he asked. - -"Your whale, Noddy Nixon?" inquired Jerry. - -"Yes, my whale. Didn't I discover it ashore early this morning? I put a -paper with my name on it. I claim it under the law." - -Salt Water Sam thrust himself forward. His one eye gleamed with an -angry light. - -"Who's this young whipper-snapper that claims my whale?" he asked. "Let -me get at him!" - -"Don't you touch me!" cried Noddy, as the sailor confronted him. "I'll -have you arrested if you put your hands on me; that's what I will!" - -"I'll not touch you unless there's an occasion for it. How did you get -this whale?" - -"I was walking along the beach, and I saw it come in. I ran out and put -my card on it. I got my feet wet, too, and I'm going to get paid for -all my trouble. Now all you people get away. I'm going to have a tent -put up, and charge admission." - -The crowd gathered closer about the boys, the sailor, Noddy and the -whale. The big creature lay in a little hollow scooped in the sand by -the action of the waves. It had been stranded at high tide. - -"If I thought you knew better I'd spank you, sonny," spoke Sam, in -quiet but determined tones. "I guess you'd better run along home to -your mother now." - -This made Noddy furious. He drew back his hand as though to strike the -sailor. The latter, however, only laughed. He thrust the angry youth to -one side, and, striding to the whale, placed his hand on the harpoon -handle and exclaimed: - -"Friends, this is the whale I and the three boys here killed yesterday. -We made fast to him, and he towed us quite a ways out, before we had -to cut loose. My harpoon killed the whale and it's mine. There's my -initials on the handle, and there's the notches to show how many other -creatures my iron has gone into." - -"What's all the trouble?" asked a tall, bronzed man, pushing his way -into the crowd. - -"Hello, Captain Trembly!" cried Sam, recognizing the master of a -near-by life saving station. "Here's a whale of mine that's come -ashore, and this young man lays claim to it because he saw it first." - -"Nonsense!" spoke the captain. "It's your property, of course, Sam. -Only I wouldn't advise you to let it stay here very long. This isn't -good keeping weather for dead whales." - -"Couple of days will do me," the sailor said with a laugh. "There, now, -sonny," turning to Noddy. "Maybe you'll believe the captain." - -Seeing that the game had gone against him, Noddy made his way out of -the crowd without speaking. But the looks he cast at the sailor and the -three chums were anything but kind. - -"Wonder how he got here?" asked Jerry. - -"Seems as if he followed us," spoke Ned. - -They learned afterward that Noddy's father had, at his son's urging, -taken a cottage at Glen Cove, the next summer resort on the coast below -Harmon Beach. - -"Now, friends," went on Sam to the crowd, "you're welcome to look at -this whale as long as you like, until I get a tent over it. Then it'll -be ten cents to see it. Part of the money I'm going to give to the -hospital here." - -Sam's spirit, so different from Noddy's mean and selfish one, met with -quick response on the part of the assemblage. - -"We'll all come and see it when you've got it under a tent," one man -called out, and there was a chorus of assents. - -Sam got some sailor friends to help him, and with a couple of horses, -hauled the whale higher up on the beach. Then he put a tent over the -big creature and did a thriving business, exhibiting the monster. -The three chums assisted him, and acted as lecturers to the curious, -telling over and over again their part in the capture and harpooning. - -As for the sailor, he was in his glory. He related the incidents of the -chase with great minuteness, not omitting the one about the steamer. He -even sold small slivers from the handle of his harpoon. - -"Sure I can easy make another handle," he confided to the boys, "but -it's not every day I can sell a bit of wood for twenty-five cents. I -must make money while the whale lasts." - -It only lasted three days, however, and the final one the patronage -visibly fell off. Even the boys did not seem very keen about going to -the tent. - -"If it was ambergris in that whale, it would be all right," Jerry -remarked, as he held a perfumed handkerchief to his nose. "But it isn't -and that's the fault of it." - -The others agreed with him, and that night a gang of men dug a big hole -in the beach and tumbled the whale into it. But Sam made a goodly sum, -which he wanted to share with the boys. They would take none of his -money, however, so the sailor made a liberal donation to charity. - -"Seen anything more of Noddy?" asked Jerry of his chums one morning, -when they were out in their boat, cruising about the harbor. - -"No, and I don't want to," replied Bob. "Noddy wouldn't be so bad, if -we could know when he's coming so as to avoid him, but combined with -Bill Berry the two are the limit." - -"That reminds me of something," put in Ned. "I heard Bill Berry had a -job down here somewhere." - -"How'd you hear it?" Jerry asked. - -"Got a letter from Andy Rush. He said he was talking with old Pete -Bumps, and Pete told him Bill had a job at some lighthouse along -the coast. Andy said he thought it was in this neighborhood, and he -went on to say that Pete wanted us to try and get him a job also. -Andy suggested perhaps Pete thought the work was as easy as the name -suggested. Andy says he may come down for a week or so a little later." - -"Queer Andy, with his rapid-fire talk," remarked Ned. "I'd like to see -him. Wonder if it's true about Bill? He might be at the lighthouse we -saw the other night." - -"We'll have to find out," spoke Jerry. "Now let's talk about something -pleasant. What do you say to running ashore and having a bath? There's -a nice place just ahead." - -The boys voted it would be a good plan, and the boat was steered -for the beach, where there were a number of bathing pavilions. The -_Dartaway_ was made fast to a dock and soon the boys were putting on -suits which they hired. - -They remained in the water about an hour, enjoying the gentle surf, and -floating lazily beyond the line of breakers. - -"This is something like life," remarked Bob, as he let the waves carry -him toward shore. - -"Surprised you're satisfied without a sandwich while you're floating," -came from Jerry. - -With a rapid motion of his hand, Bob splashed a small wave into Jerry's -face, causing him to cough and splutter. - -"That's enough!" cried the joker. "I'll quit." - -"Speaking of sandwiches reminds me it's nearly dinner time," remarked -Ned. "I'm going ashore." - -The others followed his example, and were soon in the booths, dressing. -Jerry had nearly completed his toilet, when he heard quite a commotion -in the compartment next to him. He knew it could not be caused by Ned -or Bob, as they were farther down the line. Some one was pounding on -the thin wooden walls and shouting: - -"Help! Help! I've been robbed!" - -"What is it?" cried Jerry. - -"Some one has taken my diamond ring!" was the reply, and, as Jerry -peered from the door of his room, he saw a man, partly dressed, rush -from the one next him, crying at the top of his voice: - -"I've been robbed! I've been robbed!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -LOOKING FOR BILL - - -Jerry turned toward the rear wall of his compartment to get his -necktie, which was hanging on a nail. As he did so he happened to -glance out of the crescent shaped ventilating opening at the rear and -saw a man running over the sand, looking back every now and then. - -Something about the figure seemed strangely familiar to Jerry, though -as he could not get a front view, he was puzzled for a moment. - -"I know him! It's Bill Berry!" he exclaimed. - -Without pausing to adjust his collar and tie, Jerry ran out. He was -joined by his chums, and several men who had been alarmed by the cries. - -"What is it?" asked half a dozen. - -"I've been robbed! My diamond ring, worth five hundred dollars, is -missing!" shouted the half-dressed man. - -"Where did you leave it?" asked an attendant. - -"I hid it in my shoe." - -"You should have left it at the office. The management can not be -responsible for jewelry taken from the bath houses." - -"They can't, eh? Well, we'll see about that!" spluttered the excited -man. "I've been robbed and some one has got to settle with me for it." - -Jerry came close to the man who was raising such a disturbance and gave -a start. - -"Why, Professor Snodgrass!" he ejaculated. "Is it really you?" - -"Jerry Hopkins!" cried the man and shook hands. "I am delighted to meet -you!" And Uriah Snodgrass beamed on the boy. "How came you here? Do you -think I can find any valuable bugs or butterflies in this neighborhood?" - -"Don't know about butterflies and bugs," answered Jerry, with a grin, -for he well remembered the failings of the old collector, who had -accompanied the motor boys on their trip to Mexico and across the -plains. "But what is this about your diamond ring?" - -"Somebody has stolen it. And what is more, they have taken something -even more valuable--a case full of choice specimens of mosquitoes!" And -Uriah Snodgrass shook his head in despair. - -"Mosquitoes!" snorted an attendant, in disgust. - -"Ah! a rare collection, worth a thousand dollars or more!" - -"I wouldn't give you ten cents for a bushel of mosquitoes." - -"Well, I want them back--and I want my diamond ring," said the -professor. - -"How did it happen?" asked Jerry. - -"I don't know exactly. I had been in the water about an hour. When I -came out I dressed, and when I came to put my shoes on, before I put on -my coat, vest and collar, I happened to think I had left my ring in the -toe of my left shoe. I looked for it, and it was gone." - -"Was your door forced?" - -"Didn't appear to be." - -"Let's have a look at your room," suggested the attendant, and he led -the way to it, followed by a throng. - -There was no evidence that the door had been tampered with. The lock -was not sprung, and there were no marks on the jamb, which would have -been the case had the door been forced open with a jimmy. - -While Uriah Snodgrass, the attendant, and those gathered out of -curiosity were standing outside the bath house, Jerry went inside. As -he stepped on the floor he noticed that one of the boards was loose. -He stooped down, and found he could lift the plank up. - -"There's how the thief got in!" he exclaimed. "See there is a space -beneath the floor, and a man could crawl under from in back." - -"That's so, these houses set on piles driven into the sand," the -attendant stated. "There's a space of about two feet between the floor -and the beach." - -"Then I'll sue the management!" declared the professor. "The idea of -leaving things so a burglar could push up a board, reach his hand in, -and take whatever he wanted!" - -"You should have left your ring at the office," insisted the man who -looked after the pavilions. "What sort of a ring was it?" - -"It was a big diamond set in the head of a snake with two rubies for -eyes," Professor Snodgrass replied. "It's all right enough to talk -about leaving it at the office. Lock the stable door after the horse is -stolen is a good motto, also, but it doesn't give me back my ring. I'll -sue some one." - -While the professor was muttering to himself, and finishing dressing, -Jerry motioned to his chums who had come up to speak to Uriah -Snodgrass, to follow him. He led them a safe distance away and said: - -"Guess who I saw." - -"Noddy Nixon!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Bill Berry," replied Jerry, and he told what he had observed. - -"What do you suppose he was running away for?" asked Bob. "Are you sure -it was Bill?" - -"Positive. As to what he was doing I believe he stole that ring." - -"Let's go tell the professor," suggested Bob. - -"It wouldn't do any good," came from Jerry. "We haven't any proof, and -we might get unpleasantly mixed up in the thing." - -"What would you suggest?" - -"What do you say to trying to locate Bill?" Jerry went on. "If he's -working at a lighthouse near here we can easily find him. There are -not so many. There's one up the coast about five miles, and one down -from here, about the same distance. We can take a couple of days at it -cruising around, and combine business with pleasure, though it's not -very nice business hunting for Bill. What do you say?" - -"Fine!" exclaimed Ned. - -"It will be a regular picnic!" from Bob. - -"Oh, of course it will if Chunky goes along," put in Ned. "Always -thinking of something to eat. Don't take the compass for a can of peas -next time!" - -Bob aimed a blow at his tormentor, but Ned cleverly dodged it. - -"Let him alone," suggested Jerry. "He was punished enough. Well, -if you're agreed, let's get ready to make the trip. We can start -to-morrow." - -The boys talked the robbery over with Uriah Snodgrass in a general way -but did not mention Bill Berry, not wishing to excite the professor too -much. They learned that their old friend was only down to the shore -for the day and must go back to the city to deliver a lecture at eight -o'clock that evening. - -"I shall sue somebody," said Uriah Snodgrass, "if I don't get my ring -and my box of mosquitoes back." - -"Perhaps they will turn up some day," answered Bob; and then the motor -boys and Uriah Snodgrass separated. - -The boys spent the afternoon cleaning the engine and getting the boat -in shape for the proposed trip. They made sure they had a compass -along this time, and Bob was only allowed to supervise what was -strictly eatable. - -"Shall we try the upper or the lower lighthouse?" asked Jerry. - -"The upper one," suggested Bob. "We've seen the lower one, at least the -light of it from a distance, but never the upper." - -So it was arranged. Early the next morning the boys were at the dock. -As they unlocked the boathouse they heard a voice singing, as the owner -trudged along the beach: - - "It was on the isle of Nankum, - Near the land of Timbuctoo - That poor old Sam fell overboard one night. - There was a great commotion - In the middle of the ocean, - Sure he gave the sharks and whales a terrible fright." - -"Salt Water Sam!" exclaimed Ned. - -"Avast and belay my hearties!" shouted the sailor, who was nothing if -not good natured. "Whither away this bright, beautiful morning?" - -"Up the coast," replied Jerry. "We're going to take a look at the other -lighthouse." - -"Just the thing!" cried Sam. "I know lighthouses like I do the sea. -It's part of my business. I'll go along, and we'll combine business -with pleasure." - -"How's that, by catching another whale and exhibiting it?" asked Bob. - -"It'll be sharks this time," the sailor went on. "Wait till I get my -tackle and I'll be with you." - -"He doesn't wait to be asked," commented Jerry with a laugh. - -"Oh, let him come along," put in Ned. "He's good fun, and he helped us -a lot. Besides, he may know the lighthouse keeper." - -"And it will be sport to fish for sharks," added Bob. - -"Oh I'm willing," came from Jerry. - -Sam soon returned from the shack where he lived with two good sized -hooks, some short lengths of chain, and a coil of thin rope. He also -carried some salt pork in a paper. - -"If we land a couple of big ones we can take in almost as much as we -did on the whale," he added. "Course the sharks around here aren't the -great big fellows, but eight feet is no slouch of a fish, and I've seen -plenty that size." - -They started off, sailing across the harbor toward the mouth, and, -passing through the narrow strait, laid their course up the coast. The -sea was calm, and the day a fine one for a sail. - -"How do you fish for sharks?" asked Bob. - -"Just bait the hook and throw it overboard," replied Sam. "But we'll -wait until we're on our way back. Don't want to tow a shark up to the -lighthouse." - -About two hours' run brought the boat in sight of the upper point, on -which the warning beacon was built. It stood in bold relief against the -sky, a tall white object, like a big round chimney. - -"Will they let us go in it?" asked Bob. - -"Sure, I know the keeper," replied Sam. "He's an old friend of mine." - -There was a little dock near the foot of the lighthouse and to this the -boat was made fast. As the boys scrambled up the rocks that led to a -little level plateau on which the house was built, they kept their eyes -open for a sight of Bill Berry. - -The only person they saw, however, was a little girl. She had light -flaxen hair which streamed all about her head in the stiff wind that -was blowing. - -"Hello lassie; is your papa in?" asked Sam. - -"Yes, sir, he's filling the lamps." - -"Tell him Robinson Crusoe and his three men, Friday, Saturday and -Sunday would like to see him." - -"Are you really and truly Robinson Crusoe?" demanded the child, her -eyes big with wonder. - -"Well I was shipwrecked often enough to be," was Sam's answer, as -he smiled. "Jack Stilkins will know who's here when he gets that -message," he added, and the little girl went into the lower part of the -lighthouse. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -LANDING A SHARK - - -"Hello, Sam! Up to some of your jokes again, eh?" asked a hearty voice, -and a short, stout man, with blue eyes, which contrasted strangely with -the bronze of his face, came from the tower. "I knew it must be you, -when the lassie came in, all excited, at having seen Robinson. How are -you? Where you going? Who are the lads with you? How've you been?" - -"I'll give you my log book and let you take a look at it if that's the -way you're going to go at me," answered Sam. "The fact of the matter -is the boys, here, want to see a lighthouse. They're landlubbers, you -know." - -There was no use of resenting the way in which Sam spoke. He meant no -offense, and the boys, realizing his character, took none. - -"Landlubbers, eh?" commented Mr. Stilkins. "Well, it's too bad, but I -s'pose it's not their fault." - -"No," replied Sam gravely, as though it was a very important matter. -"They was born so," and then the two men had a hearty laugh, in which -the boys joined. - -"Well, I can show you the lighthouse, but there isn't much to see," -the keeper went on. "We just keep the light going at night. That's all -there is to it. This is a flashing light. That is, it shows two red -flashes at intervals of ten seconds each." - -"The one below has a white flash and two red ones," commented Jerry. - -"Yes, that's the difference, and it's a big one for sailors. You see -it's safe to come in right close to shore here. In fact that's the -only channel. If they stand too far out they'll fetch up on the rocks -or a sand bar. But they've got to do just the opposite in regard to -the other light. They must keep at least two miles out, or they'll get -spitted on the rocks. So you see when they observe two red flashes only -they know it's time to stand in, and when they see a white flash and -two red ones, it's time to stay out. Easy, when you once know how; eh, -Sam," and the keeper clapped the sailor on the shoulder. - -"That's what, messmate. Can you show the boys the machinery?" - -The three chums were much interested in the mechanism that revolved -the lenses of the light, at the top of the tower. - -"Do you have any help?" asked Jerry, thinking of the object of their -trip. - -"Oh, yes, I've got a man who shares the trick with me." - -"Same one you had?" asked Sam, saving Jerry the trouble of putting a -question. - -"No, this is a new feller came the other day." - -Jerry hardly looked at the other boys. He felt he was on the right -track. - -"Who is he?" Sam went on. - -"Name's Bill--Bill--pshaw! I've clean forgotten it." - -Jerry felt the keeper must notice his confusion. - -"There he is now," went on Mr. Stilkins, pointing to a man coming -toward the lighthouse. Jerry and his chums turned expecting to see Bill -Berry confronting them. The shock, when they saw that the keeper's -assistant was a little fat man, about as broad as he was tall, and -crosseyed; (as different as possible from Bill Berry), almost made -Jerry gasp. - -"Hi, Bill!" called the keeper. "What's your last name?" - -"Smith," was the answer. - -"Must have been a terrible strain on your mind to remember that," -commented Sam. "Well, have you boys seen enough?" - -The chums felt that they had, considering that the man they sought was -not at this lighthouse. They silently made up their minds they would -have to try the next one. - -As the little party boarded the _Dartaway_ the keeper called them an -invitation to come and see him at any time. He promised to show them -the light when it was in operation, and the boys resolved to take -advantage of the offer. - -"Now for a little try at the sharks," spoke Sam, as the boat got -underway and swung out into the channel. "I think we'll stand out a -bit." - -"We might run on the rocks, they're out a ways," said Bob. - -"Not with what this craft draws," replied the sailor. "You haven't got -over three feet, and the rocks are a fathom below the surface at low -tide." - -Sam prepared his shark lines. He had two of them, each one with six -feet of chain nearest the hook, for the big fish would bite through -the hempen strands in an instant. The hooks were of good size, and Sam -baited each one with a bit of the fat salt pork. Then he fastened the -lines to the stern of the boat, and taking up his position where he -could feel to see if there was a bite, he tossed the bait overboard. - -"Send her slow and easy," he said to Ned, who was at the wheel. "We'll -soon be on their feeding ground." - -With the motor running on first speed the boat, which had been put some -distance out from shore, went down along the coast. It was a calm day, -and so clear that objects could be seen for a long distance. - -"Well," remarked Jerry in a low voice to his two chums, who were in the -bow, "we didn't land him that time." - -"Got to try the next lighthouse," said Bob. "What are we going to do -when we find Bill?" - -That was a phase of the question that had not occurred to any of them -up to this point. - -"Make him give up the ring," suggested Ned. - -"We'd better go slow, where Bill Berry is concerned," Bob said. "I -think it would be better to tell the professor what we know." - -"Let's find Bill first," counseled Jerry. "Be careful not to let any -one know we're looking for him." - -Sam, who had been sitting quietly in the stern, with his hands resting -lightly on the lines, suddenly jumped up and began pulling on one. - -"Did you hook him?" cried Bob. - -"He got away," the sailor said in a disgusted tone. "He was only -nibbling at the bait. But we're amongst 'em now. Be on the watch." - -Jerry and Bob went back to join Sam, while Ned stayed to run the engine -and steer. But the first bite was not at once followed by any others. -The boat went along for a mile or more before Sam gave any evidence of -feeling the hooks touched. Then he uttered a yell: - -"I've got one now!" - -He began to haul in on the line, calling to the two boys to help him. -The lads yanked with all their strength, as did the sailor, but they -had met their match. Something at the other end of the line was pulling -against them, and they could not budge it. - -"Speed up the boat a bit!" called Sam. "We'll tire him out and try -again!" - -Ned put the motor to second speed, and the craft churned through the -water. Sam waited a few minutes and then tried the line again, the boys -helping him. - -"He's a little easier now," the sailor remarked. "That pulling on his -jaw weakened him." - -In fact they were able to get in some slack now. They pulled and -pulled, until it seemed that they must have gotten up enough line to -reach to the bottom of the ocean. Still nothing showed. But there was -always that dead weight at the end of the small cable. - -"Look out for trouble when he gets near the surface," panted Sam. "Ned, -can't you lash the wheel and come back here with the hatchet? We'll -need you." - -Ned fastened the wheel so as to keep the boat in a straight course, -and, wondering what part he was going to play, picked up a long-handled -hatchet Sam had brought along and went to the stern. - -His chums and the sailor were still hauling on the line, their hands -and arms aching from the strain. Foot after foot was pulled aboard -until Sam exclaimed: - -"We'll have him up in a few seconds!" - -Hardly had he spoken when there was a commotion near the surface of the -ocean, about ten feet from the stern of the boat. The water was lashed -into foam, and in the midst of the swirling eddies could be seen the -tip of a big tail, and the triangular shaped, dorsal fin of the shark. - -"There he is!" yelled Sam. "He's a big one!" - -It seemed as though they had hooked on to a small whirlwind beneath -the water, or a miniature torpedo that was in full flight around in a -circle. The big fish, in its efforts to get rid of the hook, and escape -that relentless pulling, was fighting with all its savage strength. -With fins and tail it sought to get away. - -"Pull! Pull!" cried Sam. "Ned, stand ready with the hatchet, and clip -him on the head when you get a show!" - -Closer and closer to the boat they pulled the shark. They could almost -grasp the chain part of the line now. Then, above the water, was thrust -the ugly head of the fish. While it was not a man-eater, or as large as -the shark of the tropical seas, being in fact only an immense dog fish, -the creature was so ugly and horrible, with its under-shot mouth, and -unblinking eyes, that Jerry and Bob were almost inclined to let go. - -"Hold on!" cautioned Sam, taking a turn of the rope about a cleat. - -Then the fish lashed out more furiously than ever with its tail. The -water was white with foam. The big jaws snapped ominously close to the -boat. The craft rocked and pitched with the violence of the fish's -efforts. - -"Quick, Ned, or he'll upset us!" called Sam. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE ABANDONED VESSEL - - -"I can't reach him!" cried Ned, leaning as far over as he could, -hatchet in hand. - -"Have to pull him closer," panted Sam. "Altogether now, boys!" - -The three grasped the chain and hauled. Nearer and nearer, came the -fighting shark. The jaws never ceased snapping in an endeavor to bite -through the chain. - -"Quick, Ned!" cried Jerry. - -Ned raised the keen little axe. Resting one hand on the gunwale he -leaned forward, and, with all his strength sent the blade into the head -of the big fish. It was buried almost to the handle. - -There was one wild, convulsive lashing of the tail, one final -tremendous effort on the part of the shark to break away. Then, with a -quiver, which almost shook loose the hold of Sam and the boys, the big -fish was helpless. - -"There!" remarked the sailor, with a sigh of relief, "that was a fine -catch, and a bigger one than I counted on. He put up a good fight." - -"How big is he?" asked Jerry, as he wrapped his handkerchief around his -hand where the rope had cut it. - -"Seven feet if he's an inch," replied Sam. "Folks'll pay money to see -him." - -"Looks as if some were coming now," put in Bob. - -They all glanced toward shore, as they were now opposite Harmon Beach, -and from the summer resort a number of boats were putting off, headed -for the _Dartaway_. - -"Wonder what's up?" said Jerry. - -Sam was engaged in putting a line about the shark's tail, by means of -a boat hook, in order to secure his prize, as the barb might pull from -the jaw. On his direction the boys also put a cable about the fish's -gills, and the two lines were fastened to a cleat at the stern of the -craft. - -"Now we'll head for shore," said the sailor. - -By this time several motor boats were within hailing distance of the -boys' craft. - -"What's the matter? Are you sinking? Do you want any help?" were some -of the cries. - -"No, we're just shark-hunting," replied Jerry. - -"It looked, from shore, as though you were trying to keep the boat -from sinking," said a young fellow in the nearest craft. "There was a -general alarm, and we all started out for you." - -"Much obliged," Jerry replied. "But we're all right." - -The other boats crowded around, the occupants looking in wonder at the -big fish, which was being towed close to the surface. The shark was -taken safely ashore and Sam, showing his prize under canvas, reaped -another harvest, only not so large as in the case of the whale. - -"What will you boys do next?" asked Mrs. Hopkins with something like -despair in her tones, when she heard of the latest adventure of her son -and his chums. "Jerry, I'm afraid to have you go out in that boat." - -"Why, there's no danger, mother. We can all swim." - -"But suppose a shark, like the one you caught, should come after you?" - -"Those aren't the kind that eat people," put in Ned, anxious to -reassure Mrs. Hopkins. - -"I'll never go bathing again unless it's in the tank," said the widow. -"I'll always be thinking of sharks." - -"We haven't begun to exhaust the possibilities of this place," put in -Jerry. - -"Now do be careful, please," begged Mrs. Hopkins, and the boys promised -faithfully. - -The boys remembered this promise about three days. In that time -they turned down a request of Sam's that they go off on another -shark-hunting expedition, and also one to take a long cruise to the -southern part of the coast after another whale, he said he had heard -was sighted. - -"We'd like to help you, Sam," said Jerry. "But it's too much risk." - -"Well I'll bet you boys will take bigger ones when I'm not with you," -the sailor said. "Never mind, I've made more money this summer than I -ever did in a season before, thanks to you. Any time you want Sam's -help, just come to him," and he strolled off singing: - - "I caught a shark, I caught a whale, - I caught a lobster by the tail. - I caught a skate, I caught its mate, - All hands on deck and don't be late!" - -"It's about time we made a trip to the other lighthouse to see if we -can spot Bill Berry," remarked Ned one afternoon. - -"Shall we ask Sam to go along?" came from Jerry. - -"Well, he seems to know the ropes, and he's lots of fun. Besides we -sort of turned him down the last time he asked us to go out." - -It was agreed that they would take the old sailor, but when they sought -him they learned he had gone off for a couple of days on a fishing -trip. They decided they would await his return. In the meanwhile they -made short trips up and down the beach, going ashore to have lunch, -which was served from the boat's pantry. Mrs. Hopkins was a guest on -one or two occasions. - -One morning the boys were awakened at the cottage by a loud pounding -at the kitchen door. None of the servants was up and Jerry, poking his -head from his bed room window, which overlooked the rear entrance, -called out: - -"Who's there?" - -"It's me! Sam! Hurry up boys!" - -"What's the matter? Is the place on fire?" - -"No, but there's a big vessel gone on the reef down the coast." - -"A wreck?" - -"Yes, and she's abandoned." - -"Anybody killed?" - -"No, the life-savers got every one off. But there's a chance to pick -up some cargo, and make money. She's pounding to pieces fast. Hurry, -'fore the other boats get ahead of us. All hands on deck!" - -"What's the matter?" inquired Mrs. Hopkins, who was awakened by Sam's -excited voice. - -"Oh, he wants us to go out and see a wreck," spoke her son. - -"Now, Jerry, be careful." - -"I will, mother. There's no danger. Hi! Ned and Bob! Going to sleep all -day?" - -His chums got up in a hurry at the hail and, while they were dressing, -Jerry told them what Sam had said. - -"He's always around when there's a chance to make money," commented Ned. - -"It'll be worth while to see a wreck," Bob remarked. "I'm glad the crew -and passengers were saved." - -The boys made a hurried breakfast and then went down to the dock where -the _Dartaway_ was tied. They found Sam before them, getting things -ready for the trip. He had a number of boat-hooks and several coils of -rope. - -"Might as well go at this thing scientific," he said. "We ought to be -able to pick up a good bit of the floating cargo." - -"How did it happen?" asked Ned. - -"Made a mistake in the lights, I hear," the sailor replied. "Thought -they were further up the coast. It was thick last night, and they went -on the reef. Valuable cargo, too, and they threw a lot overboard, -trying to lighten the ship, before they found it was hopeless." - -In a little while the _Dartaway_ was speeding out of the harbor, and -down the coast toward the wrecked vessel. The haze of the night before -had lifted and the air was clear. The sea was calm, though Sam seemed a -little surprised as he glanced at the barometer. - -"She's falling," he muttered. - -"What does that mean?" asked Bob. - -"Well, it generally indicates a storm," the sailor replied. "But I -guess we'll be back long before it comes. There's no sign of it now." - -The boat was speeding along at good speed. The coast line opened up as -they forged ahead, and soon they had a good view of a broad expanse of -water. - -"There she is!" cried Sam, pointing ahead. - -"What?" inquired the boys all at once. - -"The wreck." - -"I can't see anything," objected Ned. - -"See that little black speck, just below where that gull is hovering?" - -"Yes." - -"That's it." - -"Must be quite a way out," commented Jerry. - -"Seven miles," the sailor replied. "But that's nothing. The whale took -us farther." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -ABOARD THE WRECK - - -The motor boat made good time, and about an hour later was almost at -the wreck, which, as the boys could see, was that of quite a good -sized steamer. She had run well up on a rocky reef, and when the tide -fell, the strain had "broken her back" so that the bow and stern were -separated. The stern was low in the water, and gradually settling. - -"Good thing it's calm," Sam remarked, "we can get close up, and, -perhaps go aboard." - -"Will they let us?" asked Jerry. - -"There's nobody to stop us," replied the sailor. "The ship is -abandoned. True, we can't take anything away, but we can pick up -anything we see floating, and claim salvage on it, and, by the looks -there's a lot of cargo gone overboard." - -By this time they were quite close to the wreck. On one side the waves -were breaking against the steamer in a way that made it dangerous to -approach. The motor boat was sent around, however, and Sam saw a place -protected enough to allow the _Dartaway_ to go up close. - -It required a nice bit of seamanship to get aboard, but here was where -Sam's long years of service served him and the boys in good stead. -They made their boat fast to some dangling ropes, and soon were on the -sloping deck of the after part of the wrecked steamer. - -All about were evidences of the haste with which the crew and -passengers had departed. On the deck were scattered articles of -clothing; boxes and trunks had been broken open and the most valuable -things taken. - -The boys ventured to the edge of the deck, where it had been almost -completely separated from the forward part. They could look down -through the various holds and into the engine room. - -"Pity to see all this gone to waste," remarked Jerry. "Can't they save -any of it?" - -"Don't look so," replied the sailor. "It's about as bad a wreck as I -ever saw. They'll have hard work lightering the cargo off here. Maybe -it's well insured." - -It was a new and novel experience for the boys to be aboard a big -wrecked steamer. They went below, though it was anything but easy, -considering the condition of the companionways which were at all -angles. They went through the cabins, into some of the staterooms, and -saw many valuable articles, but Sam advised them not to touch any. - -"I'm not clear on the law," he said. "I know it's all right to pick -stuff out of the sea, but it may be piracy or worse to take it off a -vessel so near shore. We'll get enough as it is. I see the stuff is -fairly tumbling from the hold in the forward part of the ship." - -"Hark! What's that noise?" asked Jerry suddenly, holding up his hand -for silence. - -Above the splash of the waves against the side there sounded a long, -drawn-out cry. - -"It's a baby! Some one has forgotten their baby!" cried Sam. "The life -savers took everybody off, and left the baby behind!" - -Once more the cry came. It was a regular wail. - -"That's a cat!" declared Bob. - -"I tell you it's a baby!" the sailor insisted. - -This time there came an unmistakable "mew!" - -"Where is it?" inquired Jerry. - -They listened and the cry was repeated several times. They finally -traced it to an open hatchway, and, looking down could dimly make out -the form of a cat on some boxes. - -"Come on up, pussy," called Ned. - -"Mew! Mew!" cried the feline, as though asking for help. - -"Guess it can't get out," Sam said. "Things are all topsy-turvy down -there." - -"Will we have to leave the poor thing here to drown?" Ned asked. He was -very fond of animals. - -"I guess not," the sailor replied. "Salt Water Sam ain't that kind. I -wish it was a baby though, I'm terrible fond of babies." - -"How are you going to get it?" asked Bob. - -"I'll show you," and the sailor began looking about for a means of -rescuing the kitten. - -He soon found what he wanted. It was a long rope, and before the boys -had fathomed his intention he rove one end of it through a pulley on -the end of a boom that projected from a mast, and which had been used -to hoist cargo from the hold. - -"Now if you boys will lower me down I'll get the pussy and you can haul -us both up," Sam said, as he fastened the rope about his waist. The -chums did as he requested, and soon Sam's head disappeared into the -depths of the vessel. The boys could hear him calling: - -"Here, pussy! Here, pussy! Sam'll take care of you! Must be hungry, -poor little kittie!" - -They felt the rope slacken, indicating that the sailor had landed on -the pile of boxes. Then it shook, showing that Sam was after the cat. A -little later they heard him calling: - -"Haul away! I've got her!" - -Just as the boys began to pull on the rope that was to hoist the sailor -from the hold there came a sudden jar to the wreck. The deck, that was -tilted at a sharp angle, assumed a more decided one. At the same time -there was a grinding, crashing sound. - -"Hurry!" yelled Sam. "She's breaking up!" - -There was a sickening lurch to the after part of the ship. The boys -could hardly keep their feet. - -"Pull! Pull!" cried Sam, from the depths of the hold, where the cargo -could be heard shifting about. - -"All together!" sang out Jerry, and the boys put all their strength to -the rope. Sam came up "on the run" and was landed on deck. He held the -cat in his arms, the frightened creature clinging closely to him. - -"No time to lose, boys!" cried the sailor, as he loosened the rope from -his waist. "She's sliding off into deep water. We must leave her!" - -They made a rush for the side, climbed over the bulwarks and slid down -the rope into the _Dartaway_. The cat still clung to Sam. The boys -could see the wreck moving off the reef which had hitherto held it in -place. It was slipping into the deep water astern. - -"Start the engine!" cried Jerry as he sprang to the wheel. Ned turned -the fly wheel over. The chug-chug sounded at once, and with a splutter -the boat was off, darting away from the wreck. - -"Get well out! Well out!" cried Sam, "or we'll be sucked under!" - -Jerry speeded up the motor. The boys looked back. Faster and faster the -stern of the wreck was slipping into the sea. The waters seemed to be -reaching up to swallow it. - -Then, with a sound like a great sigh half the steamer disappeared from -sight beneath the waves. There was a boiling and bubbling in the water, -and a giant whirlpool formed. But the _Dartaway_ was beyond the reach -of it. The force of the sucking currents tossed the small craft about, -but Jerry kept the engine going at full speed, and soon they were in -calmer water. - -"That was a narrow squeak," observed Sam. "But we saved the cat, -anyhow," and he patted the animal. - -The sea, all about them, was dotted with bales and boxes from the -ships. More were constantly coming to the surface as they were -released from the sunken wreck. - -"Better make hay while the sea is calm," observed Sam. "There'll be a -lot more boats out here in a little while, and we want to get our share -of the wreckage." - -Then with the boat-hooks they had brought the boys and the sailor began -pulling in what they could reach. Some of the boxes seemed to be very -light. - -"I wonder if there's anything in 'em?" Bob asked. - -"They're labeled," spoke Ned. - -"Cinchona bark," read Jerry. "Why, that's the stuff they make quinine -from. This is valuable." - -"I thought we'd make something on this deal," said Sam, much pleased. -"You stick to Salt Water Sam and you'll be rich." - -"It begins to look so," admitted Ned, with a laugh. - -"Here come some more boats," called Jerry, and he pointed to where -several power craft, and some big dories could be seen approaching. - -The occupants were bent on the same work as were the boys, and they -picked up all the floating wreckage they could. - -"Better not overload the craft," Sam cautioned, after half an hour's -work. - -"Why, it's calm, and we only have a short run to shore," objected -Jerry, who wanted to get all of the valuable bark he could. Some of the -boxes and bales were too heavy to be taken into the _Dartaway_. - -"Well, I don't like the looks of the weather," Sam answered. "There's -no immediate danger, but you never can tell what a gasolene engine will -do. Remember our one experience." - -"Then you think we'd better start back?" asked Ned. - -"Well, say in an hour," was the sailor's reply. - -"Why, it's two o'clock," exclaimed Bob, as he looked at his watch. "Two -hours past dinner time. I'm starved!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -ADRIFT IN THE STORM - - -"I guess it wouldn't be a bad plan to eat, and then point for home," -Sam observed. "Have we got any grub aboard?" - -"Plenty, trust Chunky for that," came from Ned. "Set it out, Bob." - -Bob went to the locker where the food was kept. As he opened it he gave -a start. - -"What's the matter?" asked Jerry. - -"There's not much left," the fleshy youth replied. "I forgot to fill -up the lockers last night, and we've been having several picnics this -week." - -"I guess there's enough until we get home to supper," Ned put in, -taking a look. "Of course there is, Chunky. You must be especially -hungry." - -"I am," sighed the fat lad. "But I'll have to stand it, I suppose." - -There was just enough food and water for one meal, but no one worried. -They were only seven miles from shore, and there was a number of boats -around them. - -They ate their meal leisurely, and, when they had finished there was a -can of sardines and a few crackers left. - -"Hello! Where are all the other boats?" exclaimed Jerry as he looked -about. None was in sight. - -The sea was deserted, besides their own craft, only the forward part of -the wreck was to be seen. The waves were still covered with floating -debris. - -"I guess it's time we scooted," remarked the sailor. "The storm's going -to break sooner than I expected. The glass is falling rapidly. Put for -shore, boys." - -Jerry went forward to start the engine, which had been stopped. He -turned the gasolene and spark levers, and Bob threw over the wheel. -There was no answering explosion. - -"Once more," Jerry said. - -Again Bob turned. The wheel spun around under his efforts, but there -was no chug-chug. - -"Queer," muttered Jerry. "What's the trouble? She never acts like this -unless something's the matter. Ned, see if we have plenty of gasolene." - -Ned sounded the tank in the bow. - -"Well?" inquired Jerry, as Ned seemed to be at the operation longer -than was necessary. - -"There isn't any." - -"Isn't any?" - -"Not a drop! See!" and he held up the sounding stick. It was as dry as -a bone, only the odor of the fluid clinging to it. - -"Why, it was full when we started! How could it get out?" - -"Well, it _is_ out," Ned replied. - -Jerry made an examination. As much of the tank as he could see did not -appear to be damaged. He was at a loss to account for the disappearance -of the gasolene. He looked over the side and uttered an exclamation. - -"There's what did it!" - -"What?" asked Bob. - -Jerry pointed to a small iron rod which had pierced the bow of the -_Dartaway_ from the outside. It had penetrated through the galvanized -iron gasolene tank, and the fluid had run out into the ocean. There was -enough space around the iron, which was still in place, to allow the -fluid to get out, but, as the rod had entered in an upward, slanting -direction the hole did not admit any sea water, so the boat did not -leak. - -"How in the world did that get there?" asked Jerry, as he gradually -worked the rod out. - -"Must have stuck into us when we were at the wreck," put in Sam. -"That's just how it happened. Good thing it was no bigger." - -"Lucky the gasolene didn't all leak out until we got away from being -sucked down in the whirlpool," remarked Ned. "The rocking of the boat -helped it run out." - -"Well, what are you going to do?" inquired Jerry. - -"Hoist some sort of a signal," advised Ned. "Otherwise we'll be here -all night." - -"All night!" exclaimed Bob. "And no grub! Oh, it makes me hungry to -think of it!" - -"Chunky, I would think for once you might let up on your everlasting -appetite," came from Jerry a little sternly. "We are just as badly off -as you are." - -"I can't help it, Jerry. Just think of it, only one can of sardines -among four of us! Let's see, there are ten sardines in a can, that's -two and a half each! Why, I've often eaten two whole boxes myself." - -"You'll be lucky if you ever eat again, sonny," said Sam, with an -anxious look at the sky. - -"Are we in any danger?" - -"Well, of course we may come out all right, but shiver my timbers, I -don't like the looks of that bank of clouds over in the east. It's -coming on to blow, or I'm mistaken, and that's something which doesn't -often happen to Salt Water Sam." - -"What had we better do?" asked Jerry. - -"It might be a good plan to hoist a signal. After that we can get -things ship-shape, and wait. That's all." - -The _Dartaway's_ flag, upside down, a signal of distress, was fastened -to a boat-hook, that being the tallest pole they had, and fastened in -the bow. Then, under Sam's direction they fastened the awning well -down, and, with a bit of tarpaulin rigged up a small sail, by means of -some boat-hooks. - -"We'll need steerage way," said the sailor, "and we haven't a drag this -time." - -"Had we better throw overboard some of this cargo?" asked Ned. - -"No, it's not heavy enough to do any harm, and it will make the boat a -little steadier," said the sailor. - -It was getting quite hazy by this time, and there was a curious calm to -the air, as though the storm was just waiting for the word to break in -all its fury. The water had a strange oily look, and the waves rolled -without the least bit of foam flying from their crests. - -The _Dartaway_ was the only craft in sight, save where a dull blot -showed that part of the wreck still clung to the rocks that had broken -her back. The other boats had long ago scudded for shelter. The shore -could not be discerned, and even the lighthouse, which was usually -visible for a long distance, was wiped out. - -There was nothing more to be done. Anxiously the boys scanned the ocean -for a sight of some craft that might tow them in. They had no means of -moving, as there was no wind, as yet, and they had some time ago gotten -into the habit of leaving out a pair of oars with which most motor -boats are provided to use in case of emergency. They had seldom needed -them, and they would have been of small service, anyway, as the craft -was too heavy to be propelled in that fashion at sea. - -"Well, we're as ready for it as we'll ever be," remarked Sam, when he -had seen for a second time to all the fastenings. "Let her come and get -it over with." - -"Do you think we'd better eat now, or--or afterward?" came from Bob. - -"Chunky, if you mention grub again until we're safe ashore I'll throw -you overboard!" cried Jerry. He had seldom spoken so sharply, and it -told of the strain he was under. - -"There now," came soothingly from Sam. "Don't worry. If worst comes -to worst we can live for several days on ten sardines. I was on a raft -once, afloat ten days, and all I had was a pair of boots, and one shoe -lace. That was hard lines! And we might eat the cat!" - -"Never!" cried the boys. - -An hour or more passed, with the _Dartaway_ drifting aimlessly on -the ocean, which was beginning to heave as if from the influence of -some hidden power. It grew much darker, though it was only about five -o'clock. - -"Do you s'pose the life-savers will see us?" asked Ned. "They have a -station near here, where they came out from to rescue those from the -wreck." - -"No chance of them seeing us this far out," said Sam. "They could see -where the wreck was in the mist, as it sent up signal lights. But we -haven't any." - -"I'll always carry them after this," spoke Jerry. - -The inverted pennant of the boat fluttered a little in the breeze. The -haze seemed to grow thicker. The sailor stood up and looked on all -sides. Then he tightened the ropes holding the improvised sail, and -made it smaller in area, not by reefing it, for there was no way of -doing that, but by setting it lower on the rigged "jury" mast. He also -took down the ensign. - -"No need of losing that," he said, "and it's sure to go when the blow -comes. It can't be seen a quarter of a mile away now." - -Now, over the waters, came a strange, weird sound, as though some one -had blown on a big conch shell, miles away. It grew in volume until it -filled all the air. The boys looked about in wonder. - -"It's the wind! Here comes the storm!" cried Sam. - -An instant later the blast came. It flattened down the heaving waves -for a few seconds, and then blew off their tops in a spray of foam. - -The motor boat heeled over, as though it would capsize. Then the small -sail filled out. All at once the wind seemed to die away. But, a few -seconds later it came with increased fury. - -"It's shifted!" cried Sam. "We're being blown out to sea!" - -The _Dartaway_ spun around like a top, and scudded through the waves. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -NODDY'S COMPANION - - -Now the storm had broken in all its power. How the wind whistled over -the boat, almost tearing the awning loose! But Sam had seen to the -fastenings, and the old sailor well knew the awful force of a gale. The -sail, too, held, though it needed all the strength of the ropes Sam had -carefully placed here and there to brace it. - -"Take the wheel!" roared Sam to Jerry. "I'll look after things here!" - -Making his way as best he could along the rolling and pitching boat, -Jerry grasped the steering apparatus. It was all he could do to hold -the helm, so violently was the rudder twisted from side to side. - -Well for those aboard the _Dartaway_ that she was a stanch craft, -well that she had been built with a view to hard service. For now her -stoutness was called upon, and now was her stability likely to be -tested to the utmost. - -Once the first fury of the blast was over the boys did not seem to -mind it so much. It did not appear to blow so hard when they were -scudding along with the wind. The sea was soon a rolling mass of -billows, but the _Dartaway_ with her watertight compartments, rode -over the waves like a duck. True, she was tossed here and there, but -her covered bow and stern did not allow any water to enter, while the -spray, except now and then in a violent gust, was prevented from coming -aboard by the stout awning. - -The red and green side lights had been set aglow some time before, -though it is doubtful if they could be seen ten feet away, because of -the tossing waves. - -"Let's start the search-light," said Ned. "It will show us where we are -going and prevent us being run down." - -Sam said it would be a good plan, and the beacon was soon ignited, -sending out its glaring pencil of light over the dark and angry waters. - -"She'll stand to come in a bit," called Sam to Jerry. "Hold as close -to the wind as you can, and we'll try and scud along the coast. We may -fetch up somewhere on a point if we're not too far out." - -Jerry shifted the wheel, and the _Dartaway_, answering well to her new -power, changed her course. Suddenly it began to rain, a downpour so -violent that it served in a measure to flatten down the crests of the -waves. - -Though the rain served this good turn, it was unwelcome on another -account. Tight as the awning was, much water now came in through the -flaps that would blow open a bit, in spite of Sam's efforts. In a -little while there was scarcely a dry spot aboard the boat, and the -occupants were wet through. - -But, in spite of their terror (and the boys were not ashamed to admit -they were frightened); in spite of their plight which was about as bad -as could be, there was a certain feeling of pride in their boat. It was -a gallant craft, and the lads, more than ever, felt the _Dartaway_ was -a friend indeed. - -On and on the wind drove her. It was impossible to tell where they -were. The searchlight showed a waste of heaving waters and a downpour -of rain, that fell on the top of the canopy as though it would beat it -down about the heads of the occupants of the craft. The wind blew more -steadily now. - -"We're all right," spoke Sam, encouragingly. "We'll weather the gale." - -A small acetylene lamp inside the awnings gave light and by its -glow Ned made some coffee on the gasolene stove. It took the last -of their slender supply of water, but Sam said they had better keep -their strength up through the storm, as they would probably get help -by morning. Then, with the ten sardines and the crackers they made a -midnight lunch which, in spite of the surrounding, was much enjoyed. - -Through the whole of the night they were driven by the storm. How he -steered Jerry never knew. It was going it blind, in the dark. But the -_Dartaway_ carried them safe, and, when morning dawned, the rain had -ceased, the sun came up and the wind had become merely a fresh breeze. -It had shifted its direction again, at which Sam, after a glance at the -compass, uttered a joyful cry. - -"Couldn't be better," he announced. "It'll take us right back home -again. Say, you boys are certainly lucky!" - -They opened the awnings and let the boat dry out. Then, with the wind -at their backs, filling the sail, which had been made as large as -possible, they headed for home. - -"No breakfast!" sighed Chunky, but to himself. He did not want the -others to overhear. - -No one except the fleshy youth seemed to mind the lack of food, -however, though all were very thirsty, and there was not a drop of -water aboard. - -"We ought to make land by noon, at this rate," Sam said. - -Chunky said nothing, but he pulled his belt a little tighter across his -stomach. He seemed to feel better, when he had thus reduced the "size -of his hunger." - -It was about ten o'clock that morning when Sam, who was steering, cried: - -"There's the lighthouse, boys! We'll put in there for repairs." - -There, looming up in the sun was the big white tower that stood on a -rocky point which jutted out from the main land. It was still several -miles away, but their present course was taking them straight toward -it. It was the lower or South light, as it was called, the one the boys -had intended to visit, but which they had not as yet. - -"I hope he's got gasolene there," said Jerry. "I can mend the tank, and -we can soon be home." - -"I guess Peter Hardack, the keeper, can fix you up," spoke Sam. "He -keeps a lot of supplies on hand." - -An hour later they were at the lighthouse. The keeper saw them coming -and was down to his small dock to meet them. When he saw Sam the -keeper exclaimed: - -"If it isn't my old friend! What have you done, turned motor pirate?" - -The sailor briefly explained their plight. - -"Come right in!" exclaimed the hospitable Mr. Hardack. "I'll get you -some breakfast and you can dry your clothes." - -"Have you any gasolene, and can we send a message to Harmon Beach?" -asked Jerry anxiously. - -"Both, sonny. Come right in." - -The boat was made fast to the dock, and the little party of mariners -were escorted into the living rooms of the lighthouse, which were in a -small apartment built around the base of the tower. - -"Here Jessica!" called Mr. Hardack. "Jessica! Where are you?" - -"Coming, uncle," called a voice, and a tall pretty girl entered the -room, stopping in confusion at the sight of the strangers. - -"Here are some almost-shipwrecked people," the keeper went on with a -smile. "They want some hot coffee, and anything else you have." - -"Don't go to any trouble," said Ned, and Bob glared at his chum. - -"Oh it's no trouble. My niece will see to things. And take care of the -cat, too." - -While breakfast was being prepared Jerry telephoned to a hotel near his -mother's house and asked that a message be sent to relieve her worry. -Then, having borrowed some old clothes of the keeper, the boys and Sam -dried their own. - -After breakfast Jerry mended the leak in the gasolene tank, and, buying -some of the fluid from the keeper, soon had the _Dartaway_ in shape -for another voyage. They bade their new friends good-bye, receiving an -invitation to come again, and soon they were back at Harmon Beach. They -took the cat with them and Mrs. Hopkins made a pet of it. - -They found there was some excitement over their absence all night, but -Mrs. Hopkins had come to regard the boys' escapades with a sort of -philosophy. She believed the lads would turn up all right somehow. - -Sam attended to the matter of the salvaged cargo. An agent for the -steamer came to the beach, and took charge of all the stuff that had -been saved from the sea. The sailor and the boys received a goodly sum -for the valuable bark they had saved. - -It was about a week after this that the three lads had gone in their -boat to a small summer resort about three miles down the coast, where -there were varied amusement features. They took in several of them, -and, as they were strolling along the boardwalk, getting ready to come -home, Jerry nudged Ned. - -"Who's that just ahead of us?" he asked. - -Ned looked. At that moment a girl and a youth just in advance of the -three boys came under an electric light. - -"Why, it's Noddy Nixon!" exclaimed Ned in a whisper. - -"And who's with him?" - -"The girl from the lighthouse! Jessica!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -A RACE WITH NODDY - - -For a few moments the boys were too surprised to know what to say. They -trailed along after Noddy and the girl, noting that the two seemed to -be enjoying themselves. As the couple entered an ice cream store Jerry -remarked: - -"Well, it's a free country. He can take out any girl he likes, I -suppose, and we haven't anything to do with her." - -"It makes me mad to see a nice girl like that out with such a fellow as -Noddy," exclaimed Ned. - -"Ah, I guess Ned's lost his heart," spoke Bob. - -"Lost nothing!" sputtered Ned. "But you know what sort of a chap Noddy -Nixon is. Would you want him to go out with any girl you knew?" - -"But you don't know this one," said Jerry. - -"I've been introduced to her," replied Ned. "But I suppose it's none of -our business. Come on, let's go home." - -"I guess Ned is rather smitten with Jessica," remarked Jerry in a low -voice to Bob, as they started for Harmon Beach. - -"Don't blame him," came from Bob. "She's a fine girl." - -On the way home the chums talked over Noddy's sudden reappearance. They -agreed he was not a pleasant acquaintance to have, but decided as long -as he did not interfere with them they could do nothing. - -"I wonder if Bill Berry is still around," said Ned. "Haven't heard -anything from him lately." - -"That's one thing I forgot when we were at the lighthouse," spoke -Jerry. "I meant to ask Mr. Hardack if he had a helper, but it slipped -my mind." - -"Perhaps you were too busy looking at Jessica," came from Bob. - -"Not exactly," replied his chum. "But I must admit I had a strange -feeling when I heard the keeper call her Jessica. I thought of the man -in the wreck." - -"She can't be the same one," argued Ned. "He was an old man, and his -daughter must be quite a woman by this time. Jessica is only a girl. -Besides, her name is different." - -"Jess and Jessica might be the same," put in Bob. - -"There are lots of things that might happen," Jerry commented. "We'll -have to wait and see what turns up." - -"Are you going to the lighthouse again?" asked Ned. - -"We might," Jerry replied. "I want to ask about Bill Berry. But you -needn't come along." - -"I guess I've got as good a right there as you have." - -"Oh, of course, but I thought you might not like to see Jessica, seeing -that she had such bad taste as to go out with Noddy Nixon." - -"She doesn't know him as well as we do," said Ned hotly. - -"Never mind, I was only joking," Jerry added. "We'll all go to the -lighthouse, and see what we can learn." - -When the boys got home that night they found Sam awaiting them. He -was in the dining room and was telling Mrs. Hopkins some of his sea -stories. Jerry's mother was much interested in the old sailor. - -"Want to go blue fishing to-morrow?" Sam asked, when the boys had begun -eating a little lunch the cook sent in, probably in honor of Bob. - -"Sure!" was the cry in a chorus. - -"They're running fine," the sailor replied. "Old Pete Scud went out -to-day and got forty-five." - -They arranged to go the next day, and started early in the morning. -They had excellent sport, and the boys landed several beauties. - -"What will we do with them all?" asked Jerry as he looked at the pile -of fish in the big basket in the boat. - -"We can sell most of 'em," replied the sailor. "The rest you can give -to your friends." - -"Can I have a couple of the big ones?" asked Ned. - -"Sure," answered Jerry. "What do you want 'em for?" - -"I'm going to make a present of them." - -Sam was given the larger part of the catch, the boys keeping enough for -the cottage, while Ned took two of the finest ones. - -"What are you going to do with them?" asked Jerry, as they got back to -the dock about noon. - -"Well if you must know I thought I'd take them to Mr. Hardack at the -lighthouse. He probably likes fish." - -"Probably Jessica does, also," put in Bob, with a grin that caused Ned -to make a sudden lunge at his chum. - -"We'll go with you," said Jerry. "Take the fish along, Ned. It will be -a sort of love offering," and he laughed, while Ned blushed. - -That afternoon the three boys in their boat started for the South -Light, as it was called to distinguished it from the next one above, -or the North. The fish had been packed in ice to keep them fresh, Ned -attending to this item with much care. - -The day was a fine one, and as the _Dartaway_ sped out of the harbor -and round the point, preparatory to going down the coast, the boys -chanted one of Salt Water Sam's odd songs. - -"This is glorious!" cried Bob. "I wish it would last forever. A life on -the ocean wave for me all right." - -"Except when we run out of grub," put in Ned, with a grin. - -As they swung down along the coast, the boat making good speed, their -attention was attracted to the puffing of a craft just behind them. -They looked and saw another motor boat coming along at a lively clip. -In it were two figures. - -"Don't let them pass us," called Jerry to Ned, who was at the wheel. - -"Don't worry. It'll have to be a pretty good boat to pass the -_Dartaway_." - -The newcomer seemed inclined to race. He was getting his engine up -to top speed, and the pile of water in front of the bow of his craft -showed he meant business. - -The boys began to sit up and take notice. They saw that the other boat -was a swift one, and, as it was a trifle smaller than theirs, and -narrower, it stood a better chance. But they were not going to give up -so easily. - -Jerry and Bob began oiling the motor while Ned settled down to -business. He shoved the levers over, and, for a while ran the -_Dartaway_ on second speed. By this time the other boat was about -opposite them. - -"Can you see who's in it?" asked Jerry of Ned. - -"No. Seems to be a fellow and a girl. He has a cap on, and I can't see -his face. Her hair blows about her so I can't make out who she is." - -The occupant of the other boat evidently had accepted the race, and was -doing his best to win. He was steering a straight course, and the two -craft were not more than a hundred yards apart. - -They kept it up for a couple of miles, the engines exploding away like -a battery of Gatling guns in full action. Gradually the _Dartaway_ -began to draw ahead. Inch by inch she left her opponent behind, until -he was hopelessly out of the race. - -"Better slow down now," cautioned Jerry. "We're close to the -lighthouse." - -Ned shut off some power, and, a few minutes later, steered the boat up -to the small dock at the base of the lighthouse. - -"Glad to see you!" called a voice, and the keeper came down the stone -steps to welcome them. "Haven't been out in any more storms, have you?" - -"Not lately," replied Jerry. "How are you?" - -"Oh, things are always the same here. Come in and have a bite to eat. -My niece is away but I'm pretty good at setting the table." - -Ned's face showed the disappointment he felt. - -"Here are some fish we caught," he said, offering them to Mr. Hardack. - -"Well now! Say, that's kind of you. I was just wishing for some blues, -and I haven't time to get any. I told my helper to get some, but he's -not as spry as he might be." - -"What's his name," asked Jerry, thinking this a good opening to find -out what he wanted to know. - -"Merry--no, it ain't Merry, it's Cherry--no, it ain't Cherry -either--land I am forgetful. It's some name like that. Berry--that's -it--William Berry. I've only had him a few weeks. My other man took -sick and I had to get one in a hurry." - -The boys looked at each other. None of them dared to make a remark, but -Jerry seemed much excited. - -"Come on in," went on Mr. Hardack. "Well I declare, there's another -boat coming. That must be Jessica. She went out for a cruise with a -young chap she met at an entertainment or something the other night." - -The boys looked and saw the craft they had lately raced with coming to -the dock. In a little while it was so close they could make out the -features of those in the motor boat. - -The girl was Jessica, and the youth was Noddy Nixon. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII - -OVERHEARING A PLOT - - -Noddy was so much engaged in making a landing at the dock that he did -not observe the three boys until he had come up alongside the string -piece. Then, as he glanced up, he muttered an exclamation below his -breath. - -"Oh, uncle, I had a lovely ride!" exclaimed Jessica, as she got out. -"It was glorious! Oh, there are the boys who were almost shipwrecked -the other night," and she bowed to the motor lads. - -"Well, now you must all come in and have a glass of milk and some -cake," said Mr. Hardack. "Jessica bakes fine cake." - -"That's the way uncle flatters me!" exclaimed the girl with a laugh. -"But come in, all of you; please do." - -The motor boys were in a quandary. They wanted to see the workings of -the lighthouse, which they had been told were quite novel. Ned had -to admit he wanted to see Jessica, and Jerry was anxious to get more -information about Bill Berry. As for Noddy, he did not seem to know -what to do. He was fumbling at the painter of the boat he was in. - -"Aren't you coming in, Mr. Nixon?" asked Jessica. - -"I forgot--I have an engagement," muttered Noddy. He bent over the -engine and was cranking it up. "I'll see you again, Miss Jessica," he -called, and with a bow, he steered his boat away from the dock. - -"Well, you three boys come in," insisted the keeper. "We have very -little company here, and we must make the most of it. See the fine blue -fish they brought me, Jessica." - -"They're lovely," the girl said, though she looked a little troubled. -Ned wondered if she regretted Noddy's departure. - -Over the simple lunch which was soon set out the boys grew better -acquainted with the keeper and his niece. She mentioned that she had -met Noddy at a sociable where a girl companion had introduced her to -him. - -"He's very nice to me," Jessica confided to Ned. "He is going to take -me for a long ride in the boat some day. It's very fast, even if you -did beat us to-day. His engine wasn't working right, or he'd have come -in first." - -Ned tried to turn the conversation. He did not want to talk about Noddy -behind his back. - -"There's my assistant," spoke Mr. Hardack, as he pointed out of the -window. Jerry and his chums looked. Though they said nothing they had -no difficulty in recognizing Bill Berry. He was filling some lanterns -at an oil box in the yard. - -"I don't much fancy him," the keeper went on. "He's too silent. This is -a lonesome place, and I like persons who can talk. I hope you boys will -come again." - -"We'll be glad to," Jerry replied. - -Mr. Hardack showed them all over the lighthouse. They inspected the -machinery, which, by means of weights, revolved the frame containing -the powerful lenses. - -"We flash one white light and two red lights at intervals," explained -the keeper. - -"And if anything should interfere with the proper workings of the -machinery, I suppose there would be danger," said Bob. - -"Well, I guess so! The sailors depend on seeing a white flash and two -red ones when they get here. It means keep out. Why we even have an -emergency apparatus, so that if the automatic one breaks we can turn -the lenses by hand. The government doesn't want any failure of the -light." - -The boys were shown through the store room, near the kitchen, where the -oil and other supplies were kept. The lighthouse was some distance from -any settlement, and in stormy weather it was hard to get food and other -necessities. So a goodly supply was kept in stock. - -"I think we'd better be going," remarked Jerry, as he looked at his -watch and noted it was four o'clock. He wanted to get off with his -chums and talk over matters. - -"Don't be in a hurry," spoke Mr. Hardack. "We don't get enough company -as it is, do we Jessica?" - -"No, indeed, uncle." - -"Did you ask if there was any mail?" asked the keeper, of his niece. - -"Yes, I stopped at the post-office when I was out with Mr. Nixon, but -there were no letters." - -"Strange; we ought to hear pretty soon now," and the keeper seemed -worried about something. - -"I'm sure we're much obliged for showing us the place," put in Ned, and -then he started out, followed by his chums. Mr. Hardack went down to -the dock with them. On the way Jerry tried to get a look at Bill Berry, -who was still busy filling lamps, but the man kept his back turned. - -"Now don't forget to come again," Mr. Hardack went on, as the boys got -in their boat. "You see my niece is sort of lonesome. That's the reason -I let her go off with that Nixon fellow once in a while, though I don't -exactly like him. She wants cheering up." - -"Is anything the matter?" inquired Ned. - -"Yes, you see her father, he--" - -But the rest of what Mr. Hardack would have said was lost as, just -then, Bob started the motor, and it made such a noise until Jerry -slowed it down, that the keeper's words were inaudible. When the noise -had ceased the boat was some distance from the dock, and Mr. Hardack -was waving them a farewell. Ned thought he saw a handkerchief shaken -from a window in the lighthouse, but was not sure. - -"I wonder what he was going to say about her father," Jerry said, when -they had headed the boat for home. - -"He's dead, probably," Ned spoke. "She dresses in black, you notice." - -"I didn't notice particularly, but it seems you did." - -"I've got eyes," was all Ned replied. - -"Queer Noddy should be sporting around there in a motor boat," said -Bob. "I wonder where he got it?" - -"Bought it, same as we did," came from Jerry, "or hired it. His father -keeps him supplied with money, in spite of his escapades." - -The boys paid several other visits to the lighthouse, and each time -received a warm welcome. They found Jessica home only once; the other -occasions she was out riding with Noddy Nixon, her uncle said. - -"He's getting altogether too thick around here," the keeper complained. -"I don't want to say anything, as Jess needs cheering up, and I guess -he isn't such a bad sort. One thing I don't like though, he and that -helper of mine, seem to have some sort of a secret between them." - -"How's that?" asked Jerry, trying to speak as though he did not much -care. - -"Well, I was surprised to notice that a rich young chap, such as this -Nixon boy seems to be, would know a fellow like Bill Berry. Bill's a -good enough worker, but he's a sort of shiftless man, and I don't know -much about him. He's tramped around considerable, he tells me, and I -reckon there's lots he hasn't told me. But one day I saw him and young -Nixon talking as though they had known each other all their lives. Now -wouldn't that strike you as being sort of queer?" - -"Oh, well, maybe it's all right," spoke Jerry, warning his chums, with -a look, to say nothing. - -"But that's not all. The other day I saw young Nixon pass Bill a note, -and when he saw I was watching, he got red, as though it was something -to be ashamed of. I don't like it, and I'm going to be on the watch." - -On their way home that afternoon, from the lighthouse, the boys talked -over what Mr. Hardack had said. - -"What do you make of it?" asked Bob. - -"It's hard to say," replied Jerry. "Maybe they're up to some of their -old tricks, trying to get us into trouble." - -"Yes, and maybe they're trying to get Mr. Hardack and Jessica into -trouble," put in Ned. - -"Jealous, eh?" asked Jerry. - -"Well I guess you don't like to see Noddy Nixon paying attention to -Jessica, or to any other nice girl for that matter, any more than I do. -I don't know as that's jealousy." - -"No, you're right," came from Jerry, who spoke in a serious tone. "Of -course we have nothing to go by, but I think there's something in the -wind. I am almost certain Bill Berry stole that diamond ring from the -bath house, and I'm going to tell Professor Snodgrass what I know about -it. I shall also inform him where Bill is, and he can do as he pleases -about having him arrested." - -"What about Noddy?" asked Ned. - -"We'll see what develops. Maybe Noddy is mixed up in it, though I don't -really believe he'd steal." - -That night the boys, in their boat, went to the amusement resort, where -they had first seen Noddy walking with Jessica. There was a minstrel -performance scheduled, for the benefit of the local hospital. As they -tied the craft to the dock, among a score of other boats, Ned remarked: - -"I guess I'll stay here, fellows. I don't much feel like taking in the -show." - -"Want to sit and think of Jessica," said Jerry, with a laugh. "Well you -are certainly getting moony, old chap. You'd better take some liver -medicine. Come on, Bob, we'll see the fun." - -"Yes, and get something to eat, too. Better come, Ned." - -"No thanks, I'll stay here." - -It was really nothing more than a whim on his part to remain behind -in the boat. Ned was really getting quite fond of the girl at the -lighthouse, but he did not admit it, even to himself. He had a vague -feeling that he would like to be alone and think. - -He stretched out on some cushions in the bottom of the craft, and was -star-gazing to his heart's content. Next to the _Dartaway_ was a large -sailing sloop, which was there when the boys made fast to the dock. The -high sides threw a deep shadow over the motor craft. Ned was disturbed -from his reveries by the sound of some one walking along the dock. It -had been silent for some time, save for the distant sound of the music, -and at first he believed the boys were coming back. Then he heard -voices he knew were not those of his chums. - -"Is this the sloop?" asked a man. - -"Yes," was the answer. "Get aboard where we can talk without being -overheard, though I guess there's no one around." - -Ned could hear the men going aboard the sailing craft. They went into -the cabin, and then some one opened a port just above the boy's head, -as he was stretched out in the motor boat. - -"It's beastly hot in here," some one said. - -"Yes, been shut up all day. Now, how much have you got done?" - -"Well, I've found the steamer's due here in a few days now, and it's -got a valuable cargo aboard. Stuff that will float easily. We ought to -be able to pick up a lot of it." - -"How about the lights?" - -"That's all arranged. Bill has a job at the place and he is going to be -in charge that night. It's Hardack's time off, and Bill will fix the -lights so's to fool the pilot of the steamer." - -"How's he going to do it?" - -"Just cover the one flash, and make only two flashes just like the -North light gives." - -"Is there any one else likely to give trouble?" - -"There's only the girl, and we can easily get her out of the way. Oh, -it's going to be easy. We'll be there to help Bill if he needs it. -Now--what's that?" - -The voices suddenly ceased. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII - -THE MOTOR BOAT MISSING - - -In his eagerness to listen to what the men were saying Ned had gotten -up on his knees. In doing so he had knocked down a monkey wrench from a -seat, and the tool fell with a clatter to the bottom of the _Dartaway_. - -"Some one is listening!" he heard one of the men in the sloop exclaim. - -"Nonsense," the other replied. "It was only an oar banging against the -side of the boat." - -"Some one was listening I tell you! I'm going out to take a look." - -Ned decided it would not be wise for him to be found in the boat. -While the man was ascending to the deck of the sloop the boy crawled -noiselessly over the side of the _Dartaway_ and hid behind a box on the -wharf. From there Ned watched the man leap from the sailing boat to the -dock, and take a careful look around, including making an inspection of -the _Dartaway_. - -"See anything?" asked the one who had remained in the cabin. - -"No one around. I guess you were right." - -"Course I was. Come aboard and we'll finish our plans." - -With a rapidly beating heart Ned watched the man until he had -disappeared into the cabin. Then without making any noise, for he wore -rubber soled shoes, he hurried up the dock to the pavilion where the -minstrel performance was going on. He wanted to tell his chums and -decide on a plan of action. - -"They're plotting to wreck a vessel," thought Ned. "They're going to do -something to the lighthouse light. We must stop them." - -There was such a big crowd at the show that the boy had some difficulty -in locating his companions. When he did find them it was in the middle -of a chorus, and Ned did not wish to disturb the audience in going to -them, as the two lads were seated well up front. When he did reach them -he whispered: - -"Come out! I've got something important to tell you!" - -"Leave us alone," spoke Bob. "Go back and dream about Jessica if you -want to. This is fine, and we haven't eaten yet." - -"Oh, hang you and your eating!" exclaimed Ned in such a loud whisper -that he attracted the attention of several around him. - -His manner showed his chums there was something up, and without waiting -for the show to be over they went with Ned. When he was outside he -quickly told them what he had heard. - -"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" asked Jerry, half inclined to -doubt what Ned had related. - -"Come on, and I'll show you the sloop." - -The boys went down on the end of the dock where their own, as well as -the sailing vessel had been fastened. Ned was leading the way. As he -reached the place where the _Dartaway_ had been he stopped and rubbed -his eyes. - -"Why--why--I wonder if I'm on the wrong dock?" he said, staring about -him. - -"What's up?" inquired Jerry. - -"Isn't this where we left our boat?" - -"Sure, there's only one dock near here. Why?" - -"Well, it's gone." - -"What, the boat or the dock?" asked Bob. "Come on, tell us, I want to -get back and have something to eat." - -"The _Dartaway_ is gone!" exclaimed Ned. "So is the sloop! They've -stolen our boat! They must suspect something!" - -At first Jerry and Bob could not believe it. Then Ned went over again -all that he had heard, telling how he had slipped away to inform them -of how matters stood. - -"They must have known it was our boat," said Jerry. "Was Bill Berry one -of the men?" - -"I couldn't see them plainly," Ned replied. "Their voices didn't either -one of them sound like Bill's though. What's to be done?" - -"We'd better give notice of our boat being stolen," said Jerry, "and -think of some scheme to get home. After that we'll have to turn -detectives and get the _Dartaway_." - -The minstrel show was over when the boys went back to the pavilion, and -the crowd was coming away. The dock was thronged with persons seeking -their boats to make the run for home. - -"Hello boys!" called a voice, and they saw Captain Jenkinson, of -the _Three Bells_ coming toward them. "You look as if something had -happened." - -"Something has," spoke Jerry. "Our boat's been stolen." - -"Stolen! You don't mean it. How?" - -Ned related how it had happened, saying nothing however of the -conversation he had overheard. - -"We'll tell the manager of the place, and he'll send out a general -alarm," said the skipper of the _Three Bells_. "It isn't the first time -boats have been stolen from the docks around here. I believe there's an -organized gang. If we had a decent police force here it wouldn't happen -so often." - -The manager of the pavilion and amusement resort, who was also a sort -of deputy sheriff, promised the boys to do what he could to recover -their craft. He said he would have notices of the theft posted at his -dock and all the other wharves along the coast. - -"How you boys going to get home?" asked Captain Jenkinson. - -"Walk I guess," replied Jerry with a laugh. "It's only about five miles -by the shore road." - -"Well I guess you'll not walk while there's gasolene in the _Three -Bells_," was the hearty answer. "Get aboard. We'll cruise around a bit, -and maybe we'll get sight of those rascals on the sloop. They probably -sailed out to sea, towing your boat, and they'll be likely to hide it -in some cove until the affair blows over." - -Captain Jenkinson had a party of friends aboard his boat, but there -was plenty of room for the boys. There was much sympathy expressed for -them, and every one volunteered to be on the lookout for the _Dartaway_. - -In the powerful boat quite an area of the bay in the vicinity of the -dock was covered, in a search for a sight of the sloop. It was a fairly -light night, and a sailing vessel could be made out some distance away. - -There were several false alarms, and once the _Three Bells_ gave chase -to a sloop that seemed trying to get away. But when they got up to her -they found it was only a fishing boat getting a start for early morning -work, and there was no sign of the boys' craft. - -"Too bad!" remarked Captain Jenkinson, as he landed the boys at their -dock. "But it's sure to turn up sooner or later. They'll not dare to -sell her, and can only keep her hidden. There are not many places where -a boat the size of yours can be tucked away." - -It was kindly and well meant consolation, but the boys never felt in -lower spirits than they did that night. Mrs. Hopkins tried to cheer -them up, but it was hard work. She even suggested they hire another -boat and make a search of the nearby harbors, for the missing one. - -"I guess that's a good plan," said Jerry to his chums. "We'll do it -to-morrow." - -"What ought we to do about warning Mr. Hardack?" asked Ned, as they got -ready to retire. - -"Oh, I almost forgot about that," came from Jerry. "I guess there will -be time in the morning. Besides, we want to think it over a little -more." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV - -THE SECRET OF THE COVE - - -The boys made inquiries the next morning and found it would be -impossible to hire another motor boat. The season was at its height and -all the craft were engaged. Several of their newly-made friends offered -them the use of their boats for a part of each day, but the boys did -not want to take them on this condition. Besides, they wanted to be -away by themselves, as they had much to talk about. - -"Hadn't we better warn Mr. Hardack?" asked Ned, when they had exhausted -the possibilities of hiring a boat. - -"I've been thinking of it," Jerry said, "and I don't see what -particular good it would do. We only know half the story. Besides, -those fellows might only have been talking to hear themselves talk. -It's a mighty risky thing to wreck a vessel and tamper with a -lighthouse. They wouldn't dare do it." - -"But it wouldn't do any harm to tell the keeper what we know," Ned -insisted. - -"Only to get laughed at for our pains, in case nothing happened. -Besides, how are we going to get to the lighthouse without a boat?" - -"We can walk around by the shore, it's not more than ten miles," went -on Ned. - -"Love will find a way," sang Bob, and he had to jump back to escape a -playful blow Ned aimed at him. - -"I suppose we could," remarked Jerry. "Maybe it wouldn't do any harm to -go around there and see how the land lays. We can sort of give him a -hint, and warn him to be on the lookout for Bill Berry." - -"That will be a good plan," agreed Ned. "When can we start? The sooner -the better." - -"Not until after dinner, I vote," from Bob. "I can't walk on an empty -stomach." - -"I don't believe you ever tried," Jerry said. - -The boys inquired the best way to get to the lighthouse by going along -the shore, and learned it was about eight miles. They started after -lunch, and hard enough walking they found it, as most of the way lay -through deep sand. - -"This is awful," groaned Bob as he toiled along. - -"Dry up, Chunky," from Ned. "It will do you good. Besides, think of -what a service you may be doing." - -"I'm thinking about my chances for supper." - -The boys had gone about half the distance and were going along a series -of high sand dunes, covered with a growth of tall, rank grass, when -they were suddenly halted by a voice calling to them: - -"Where you fellows going?" - -They looked up, to see a roughly dressed man barring the path. - -"I don't know's it's any of your business," Jerry replied hotly, for he -resented the man's tone. "This is a free country." - -"That's all right, my young friend," the man said with a sneer, "but -this is private property, and we don't allow any trespassing on it. So -you'd better be off if you know what's good for you." - -"Can't we go along the beach?" asked Ned. - -"No, sir, you can't go anywhere along here. We own for two miles back, -and if you try to pass here you'll get into trouble. So be off!" - -The boys hesitated. There was no way of proving that what the man said -was not so, and they did not want to get into trouble. To get past -meant walking two miles back in shore. As they stood there, wondering -what to do, another man came from somewhere in the tall grass and said -to the first: - -"The boat's in the cove. Floated in at high tide." - -"That'll do!" was the quick retort, as though the first man feared his -companion would say too much. "I'm warning these chaps off our land." - -"Yes, and they'd better go if they know what's good for them," said the -other. - -"Oh, we'll go," came from Jerry. "We don't care about walking on your -property. I guess we can manage without doing so." - -The three lads turned and began to walk inland, across the waste of -sand, which was hot with the afternoon sun. The coast at this point was -rather high, there being a series of bluffs, which sloped abruptly down -to the beach. - -"What shall we do?" asked Jerry when they were out of earshot of the -men. - -"Nothing to do but to go around their place," said Ned. "It will mean -about four miles more." - -Bob groaned. - -"It'll get some of that fat off you, Chunky," Jerry remarked with a -laugh. - -"It's all right enough for you to joke," growled the fleshy youth. "But -I can't help it." - -"I wonder what he meant by saying the boat was in the cove?" came from -Ned. - -"I was thinking about that myself," Jerry put in. "I didn't know there -was a cove along here." - -"Let's take a look," suggested Ned. - -"How can we, without going back and meeting the men?" - -"Easy enough," came from Jerry. "We'll walk along for a mile or so, -then cut down along parallel to the coast and walk back toward the -beach. We ought to come out right back of the cove, if there is one, or -very near to it." - -This was voted a good plan to follow, and, with no further objections -from Bob, the boys trudged along. It was hot and hard work, but they -were very anxious to find out the secret of the cove, as they believed -the men had some object in not allowing them to pass. - -The locality was a deserted one. It was half way between two summer -resorts, and there was not a house in sight. It was about as lonesome a -place as one could find in the midst of civilization. Nothing was to be -seen but sand and rank grass. - -"Do you s'pose these men had anything to do with stealing our boat and -with the lighthouse plot?" asked Bob, as he and his chums walked along. - -"I'm not good at riddles," returned Jerry. "First we'll see what the -cove holds." - -They kept on for an hour and began to work their way in toward the -shore again. They kept a careful watch for the men but saw no one. -They came to a place where the weeds and grass were quite high. It was -tangled together by the wind and they had to struggle to get through -it. Jerry, who was in the lead, emerged on a clear, sandy place. He -gave one look down and uttered a low cry. - -"What is it?" called Ned. - -"The secret of the cove!" exclaimed Jerry. - -He pointed to a small body of water below them as they stood on a high -sand bank. As the boys looked they saw a sailing vessel and another -craft floating near a small dock. - -"There's the sloop!" cried Bob. - -"And there's our boat!" exclaimed Ned. "We have found her again!" - -"Easy!" whispered Jerry as he sank down, pulling his companions to the -earth. "There are the men!" - -As he spoke three roughly dressed men came from a small shack near the -dock, and walked to where the sloop was moored. They were carrying -boxes and bales aboard. - -"Looks like the stuff we picked up from the broken-backed steamer," -whispered Ned. - -"I guess they're wreckers, who gather stuff that floats ashore," came -from Jerry. - -"And I'll bet they're the men I heard plotting about the lighthouse," -said Ned. "We are on their track!" - -"But how did they get their boat in here, and how did they float the -_Dartaway_ in?" asked Jerry. "This looks like a little lake." - -"Isn't that a sort of creek over there?" asked Bob, pointing to an -opening in the midst of the rushes that surrounded the cove. - -"So it is. That's what he meant about high tide. They can only get -in the cove when the tide is up, and makes an entrance by way of the -creek." - -"And, for the same reason, we can't get our boat out until high tide, -and that will not be until late to-night," said Bob. "We'll have to -wait until then." - -"Lucky we have the chance," came from Ned. "I hope the coast will be -clear." - -"We'll get our boat, anyhow!" exclaimed Jerry. "I'd like to see those -men keep her." - -"We'll wait until there's water enough in the creek to float her out, -and then we'll sneak down there, get in and start off before they know -what's happened," spoke Ned. "I hope she's in running order." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV - -AT THE LIGHTHOUSE - - -The boys remained concealed in the high grass for some time. They -watched the men moving about on the sloop and near the hut, but the -thieves seemed to pay little attention to the motor boat. - -"I wonder if they're getting ready for a trip?" said Bob. "That will -make it easier. If they leave we can go down there and get something to -eat." - -"Oh, Chunky!" exclaimed Ned. "You--" but he could think of nothing -appropriate to say, and so stopped short. - -"They're all boarding the sloop," Jerry remarked, as he saw four men -come from the shack and go on the sailing vessel. "Going out of the -cove maybe." - -"Can't, with the water as low as it is." - -"I only hope they go to sleep in the shack," Ned remarked. "It will be -easier for us then." - -Through the long afternoon the boys waited. The little camp on the -shore of the hidden cove seemed deserted. None of the men was to be -seen. Toward evening there arose a thin column of smoke from the galley -of the sloop. - -"They're getting supper," remarked Bob, with a sorrowful note in his -voice. - -"Never mind, Chunky, you'll get yours sooner or later," said Jerry as -comfortingly as he could. - -As it grew darker the boys noticed that the water in the cove was -agitated. The sloop, and the motor boat rocked at their anchorages. - -"The tide's coming in," said Jerry. "It will soon be time to act. I -hope we can get to the _Dartaway_ without being seen." - -"We've got to," spoke Ned. "If they see us it means we'll have a lot of -trouble. We must crawl along until we get close to her. Then we'll get -in. I'll crank up, you can steer, and Bob can use a boat-hook to fend -us out from the shore." - -"Lucky she's headed the right way to get out of the cove," Jerry -remarked. "It will save time by not having to turn her." - -Thus it was arranged, and the boys, tired and hungry, remained hidden -in the grass until it was dark enough to put their plan in operation. - -They watched the sloop closely. After their supper aboard, the men came -on deck and stood conversing a while. The boys could just make out -their forms in the dusk. One seemed to be doing the most talking, and -he frequently motioned off toward the sea. - -"Acts as if he was trying to get them to go somewhere," spoke Bob -softly. - -But in the end the men went ashore, and after looking to the fastening -of the motor boat and a small rowing craft tied near it, they went into -the shack. Presently lights shone from it, and Jerry said: - -"I guess we can sneak down now. Go easy, everybody." - -Cautiously the boys left their hiding places and began to descend the -slope that led from the bluff to the shore of the cove. Every now -and then they paused to listen. They could hear the men laughing and -talking in the hut. - -Foot by foot they crept nearer. There was a path leading from the top -of the sand dune to the hut, but the boys did not take this, fearing -they would be seen. Instead they crawled on their hands and knees -through the grass. The process was a painful and slow one, for their -arms and legs came in contact with sand burrs, while innumerable -insects attacked them. But they suffered in silence. - -"Easy now, we're almost there," came from Jerry. - -At that moment the door of the hut opened, and a man looked out. The -boys, with wildly beating hearts, crouched down. They feared they had -been discovered. - -"See anything?" called some one from inside the hut. - -"No," was the answer, "I thought I heard some one at the boats, but -I guess it was the tide swinging the sloop. Looks like a storm. Hope -we'll get one by to-morrow night. It'll be just what we need," and the -man re-entering the hut, closed the door. - -For a few seconds after this the boys remained silent in the grass. - -"Lucky escape, that," murmured Bob. "Five seconds more and he'd caught -us." - -Cautiously they resumed the progress toward the boat. Nearer and nearer -they came until Jerry, who was in the lead, was able to step over the -side into it. Ned and Bob followed. The latter grasped a boat-hook and -stood ready to fend off when the start was made. Ned and Jerry cut the -bow and stern lines with which the _Dartaway_ was made fast to the -little dock. They worked quickly and silently. - -Jerry turned on the gasolene, and waited a few seconds to allow it to -fill the carburettor, as the boat had not been run in several hours. -Then he switched on the spark. - -"Turn her over!" he whispered to Ned, who was in the engine cockpit. - -The big flywheel went around under the impulse of Ned's sturdy arm. -There was a sort of cough from the engine. Then came a chug, followed -by a splutter, and the motor got into action. - -"Fend her off! She's headed into the bank, and I can't steer her out -quick enough!" cried Jerry to Bob. - -Chunky pushed with all his strength, on the pole, against the bank. -Slowly the nose of the boat came out from the shore. The screw was -churning the water into foam. Jerry spun the wheel around, and headed -the craft for the channel, the opening of which he could just make out. - -At that instant the door of the hut flew open, and in the light which -streamed forth several men could be seen running toward the shore. - -"Hi there! Stop! Bring that boat back!" they called. - -"Guess not! She's ours!" Ned called back. - -"We're off!" exclaimed Jerry in a low tone. "She's running like a -charm. They'll never catch us!" - -There was the sound of feet on the dock. Then came a squeaking of a -pulley block, the creak of ropes and the rattle of the boom on the mast. - -"What's the use going after them in the sloop?" they heard some one -cry. "There's no wind. Take the rowboat!" - -The thud of men jumping into the small craft tied near the sail boat -could be heard. There was the rattle of oars, and then the splash of -them in the water. - -"They'll never get out of the channel," the boys heard one of the men -say. "We'll catch 'em before they strike open water." - -"You will, eh?" thought Jerry. "We'll see about that." - -The engine was speeded up. Jerry was beginning to distinguish things -better as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness on the water. The -channel was a narrow and winding one, but the incoming tide had made it -plenty deep enough. - -The boys could hear the men frantically rowing after them, but it was -a hopeless race. The _Dartaway_ was speeding ahead. It kept Jerry busy -steering to avoid running into the bank, but presently the channel -widened and he had no more difficulty. On sped the craft until the -little creek emerged into a small bay, which, in turn, opened into the -ocean. - -"We're safe now!" cried Jerry. "Let's light the lamps, and put for -home." - -The men in pursuit had been left far behind. While Jerry held the boat -on her course up the beach Ned and Bob kindled the red and green side -lights and the search lantern. In about two hours the _Dartaway_ was -safe at her dock, and the boys were telling their story to a number of -their friends. - -"We must notify the police and get after those thieves," said Captain -Jenkinson. "They're dangerous men to have around. It's a good thing you -discovered that cove. They probably have been hiding there a long time." - -But the primitive police system of the shore summer resort could not be -gotten in readiness for a raid that night, and when some constables did -go to the cove the next morning they found the sloop gone and the hut -seemingly deserted. - -The boys found their boat had suffered little damage at the hands of -the thieves. Some tools had been removed as had a few of the cooking -utensils, but these were easily replaced. - -"Now I guess we'd better make a trip to the lighthouse," remarked Ned, -the next afternoon, when the _Dartaway_ had been put in shape. "We -ought to warn Mr. Hardack." - -"And, incidentally, I suppose, Jessica," added Bob. - -"I think they'll give the whole plan up, now they see we are after -them," Jerry added. "I believe they've cleared out for good." - -"It'll do no harm to go over and see Mr. Hardack," Ned insisted. "If we -find out there's no likelihood of the thing coming off, we needn't say -anything." - -They got to the lighthouse about five o'clock. Mr. Hardack greeted them -warmly. - -"Come right in," he said. "Sorry Jessica is not home. She was just -wishing some visitors would come, and about an hour ago that Nixon chap -came along in his boat and took her for a ride." - -Ned seemed less happy than when the start had been made. - -"But come in," the lighthouse keeper went on. "I've got some fresh milk -and Jessica baked some cookies this morning." - -Bob was the only one who looked pleased. - -As the boys were getting out of their boat they saw a man coming down -toward where the oil lamps were usually filled. At first they thought -it was Bill Berry, but a second look showed them it was not. - -"Got a new helper?" asked Jerry, trying to speak calmly. - -"Yes, my other one skipped off yesterday. This chap came along and I -hired him. Had to have some one in a hurry." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI - -HELD PRISONERS - - -The boys glanced at each other. This was something they had not counted -on. Evidently Bill's companions had told him what had happened, the -night the motor boat was stolen, and he had fled, for some reason. It -looked as if the scheme of the plotters had fallen through. - -"Did Bill--er--did your other helper say where he was going?" asked Ned. - -"Not a word. He was filling the lamps--let's see--it was yesterday -morning--come to think of it. A boat pulled up at my dock, and a man -got out and spoke to Bill. I had to go up in the tower, then. When I -came down Bill was gone and so was the man in the boat." - -"Rather strange," commented Jerry. - -"So it struck me," Mr. Hardack went on. "But then you know these chaps -are sort of tramps. They're here to-day and gone to-morrow. Always -roving around. Of course in the winter I have a regular assistant the -government provides, but in the summer time, just as at the life -saving stations, they take things a bit easier. However, this other man -came along, and he seems a lot nicer than Bill Cherry or whatever his -name was." - -The keeper led the way up the steps to the house, the boys following. - -"Guess it's just as well not to say anything," spoke Ned in a low -voice. "They've given up the plot. We'd only be laughed at if we -mentioned it." - -His companions agreed with him, glad enough to feel there was going to -be no attempt to wreck a ship by means of false lights. The keeper set -out a big pitcher of cool milk and a plate of cookies, which, as Bob -said, were the best he ever ate, but then Bob was apt to say that about -anything in the culinary line. - -"Yes," Mr. Hardack was saying, "Jessica would have been glad to see -you. Poor girl, she has quite a trouble on her mind. I've been hoping -things would straighten out, but they don't seem to. Her father, he--" - -"Ting-a-ling-ling-ling!" rang the telephone bell. The keeper sprang to -answer it. The boys listened idly to the one-sided conversation. - -"Yes, this is Mr. Hardack." - -"What's that? Kate sick?" - -"Come over? Yes--er--that is--Yes, I can come. I forgot I had a new -helper. I'll be right over. Anything serious?" - -"Can't tell, eh? Well I'll come as fast as I can," and he hung up the -receiver. - -"Any trouble?" inquired Jerry. - -"Looks like it," the keeper said. "My sister is quite sick. Taken -suddenly. They want me." - -"Where does she live?" - -"It's about six miles back in the country. I guess I can make it and -get back here by nine or ten o'clock. I wish I knew whether it would be -safe to leave the new man in charge." - -"Don't the regulations provide for it?" asked Ned. - -"Oh, yes, it's my day and night off, and I have a right to go. But -I sort of hate to leave the light with him. He knows all about it, -however, and he's got a government civil service certificate. He knows -just what to do, for he's been in lighthouses before. I wish I knew -what to do." - -"Let us stay and help him," suggested Ned. - -"Will you?" asked Mr. Hardack eagerly. - -"Sure," chorused Jerry and Bob. - -"Then I'll do it. I want to see my sister. Her health is not very -good, and the doctor said she might die in one of her spells. I'd feel -safe to go if I knew you boys would stay here and help the new man if -necessary." - -"We'll see to things," exclaimed Jerry. "It will be jolly fun to be -partly in charge of the lighthouse." - -"Whatever happens, don't forget two things," cautioned Mr. Hardack. - -"What are they?" - -"The light must be lit at sunset, and it must be kept burning all -night. It must revolve regularly, even if it has to be done by hand, -and there must be a white flash and two red ones, at proper intervals. -But, you needn't worry about that. The machinery is in perfect order. -The man will light the lamp, and start it going. It only has to be -trimmed once in a while. I'll be back before ten o'clock. When Jessica -comes, she'll get supper for you." - -Ned said nothing, but he looked as if that would be the best part of it -all, while Chunky's eyes lighted up at the mention of another meal. - -Mr. Hardack was soon ready to go. He had to walk the entire distance, -as there was no conveyance handy, but he said he did not mind that. - -"I'll introduce you to the new man," he said, calling his helper from -where he was still busy filling the lamps. "His name is John Elkwood." - -The assistant did not seem a very good natured chap. He only nodded to -the boys, when Mr. Hardack introduced them, and, as he went back to his -work, Jerry heard him muttering to himself. - -"Well, I guess I'll get under way," said the keeper as he started off. - -"I say," called Elkwood after him. - -"What is it?" - -"I don't need those boys here. I can get along without 'em. They'll be -in the way." - -"I want 'em to stay," was Mr. Hardack's answer, at which the boys heard -the new man muttering again. - -"Not very friendly," commented Jerry. "Still we can get along I guess." - -The boys spent an hour going over the lighthouse, with which they were -now rather familiar. In the meanwhile Elkwood was busy filling lamps, -there being a number used in the big tower. He attended to the light in -the big glass lantern and spent some time oiling the machinery. - -"I wonder what time Jessica is coming back?" said Bob, as they sat down -in the sitting room. - -"Was that one thought for her and two for the supper?" inquired Jerry. - -"It's about time she should be back, I think," came from Ned. - -"He's only thinking of her, you see, Chunky," Jerry went on. - -"No, but it seems to be getting foggy," added Ned, "and Noddy isn't any -too good a hand at managing a boat. I wish she hadn't gone out with -him." - -"Oh, she'll be all right," commented Bob. "Tell you what's let's do. -We'll get supper and have it all ready when she comes. I guess we can -find the things to eat." - -"Trust Chunky for that even if he doesn't have any dishes on the -table," Jerry remarked. "Well, we'll get the meal and invite Noddy to -it." - -"Not a bit of it!" exclaimed Ned. "When he sees us here he'll go back -where he came from, fast enough." - -The boys found a well-stocked pantry, and, because of their camping -experiences had little difficulty in getting a meal ready. By this -time it was nearly seven o'clock. Ned kept rather anxious watch of the -hours. - -"Let's go down to the dock and see if we can get sight of her," he -suggested. - -"Who?" asked Bob. - -"Why Jessica. It's time she was back." - -Though he did not say so, Jerry was also a little anxious. The weather -looked anything but promising, and he had small respect for Noddy's -ability to manage a motor boat in a calm, let alone a storm. Still -there seemed to be no cause for alarm. - -The craft might have been stalled, but he did not believe Noddy would -venture far from shore, and, in the event of a breakdown, he could -signal to other boats, as there were several about the harbor. - -It was still quite light, and would not be dark for another hour. It -was no use worrying, Jerry thought, until there was something to get -excited over. - -They all went down to the dock, however, and scanned the sea for a -sight of the boat containing the girl and Noddy. Though there were -several craft in sight the boys did not notice Noddy's, which they had -come to know from seeing it several times. It was one with a blue hull, -distinguishable for some distance. - -"I vote we eat," said Bob, as he turned to go back to the house. - -"It wouldn't be polite," suggested Ned. "We're only visitors." - -As they walked up the stone steps leading to the house, the boys were -met by Elkwood. The man had a scowl on his face. - -"It's time you chaps were moving," he said in surly tones. "I don't -want you hanging around here." - -"Why, Mr. Hardack asked us to stay," put in Jerry. - -"I don't care whether he did or not. I'm in charge here. This is -government property and I'm the boss. I tell you to go, and don't lose -any time over it, either." - -"I guess we'll stay," said Jerry coolly. "We told Mr. Hardack we would, -and we're going to." - -"And I say you're not. I order you off. It's against the regulations -for you to be here after dark." - -"It isn't dark yet," spoke Ned. - -"None of your lip!" exclaimed Elkwood. "Are you going to leave?" - -"Not until Mr. Hardack comes back!" - -"Then you can take the consequences!" - -Elkwood put his fingers to his lips and blew a shrill whistle. At the -signal three men sprang out from behind some rocks that bordered the -stairway. They rushed at the boys, who were too surprised to stir. One -of the men was Bill Berry. - -"We've got you this time!" their old enemy cried. - -The next instant the boys were struggling with the men, who endeavored -to throw bags over their heads. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII - -TRYING TO ESCAPE - - -The struggle was a sharp but short one. The boys were no match for the -husky men, and though the lads kicked and punched with all their might, -they could not save themselves. In a few minutes they were securely -bound, and with the bags tight over their heads, were picked up by the -men. - -"Where you going to put 'em?" they heard Elkwood ask. - -"The storehouse is a good place," Bill Berry replied. "They can yell -there all night and never be heard. Take 'em to the storeroom!" - -The boys felt themselves being carried up the steps. Then they could -tell, by the muffled footfalls, that they were being taken into some -dungeon-like place. - -"Shall we leave the bags on?" one of the men asked. - -"No, I don't want to smother 'em," Bill replied. "They can't make -themselves heard in here, no matter how they yell. Besides, there's -nobody around. We've got Hardack out of the way and he'll not be back -until morning." - -"You forget the girl. She may be back any minute." - -"I guess not. Noddy has charge of her. He'll detain her some way or -other. Those motor boats have a habit of breaking down, you know." - -Then the bags were taken from the boys' heads, but their bonds were -not removed, and they were laid down on the cold stone floor of the -storeroom. With sinking hearts they heard the men withdraw and lock the -door, leaving them prisoners in total darkness. - -For a few seconds none of the boys spoke. They were so surprised and -shocked at the suddenness of it all they did not know what to say. At -length Jerry's voice broke the silence: - -"Are either of you hurt?" - -"Only scratched and bruised," replied Ned. - -"My wrists are cut by the rope, and my legs hurt," said Bob. "I'm hun--" - -"Let up on that!" exclaimed Jerry with a violence he seldom used. "This -is no time to think of eating. Boys, it's a mighty serious matter. -These men are going to wreck the ship!" - -"Do you think so?" inquired Bob. - -"Of course; what else is it? They have carried their plot into effect, -but they did it differently than I expected. Bill Berry's going away -was only a blind, and it fooled us. This new man, of course, is in the -game. He came along as soon as Bill left, so no one else would be hired -for the place." - -"Do you think they got Mr. Hardack away by a false message?" asked Ned. - -"Of course they did. It was all in the game. Noddy is helping them." - -"If I ever get hold of him I'll make him wish he'd never had a hand -in it," and Ned spoke so sincerely that his companions knew he would -keep his word. They thought of Jessica out alone with the bully, who, -possibly had purposely disabled the engine to keep her from getting -back to the lighthouse. - -"Oh, if we could only do something," exclaimed Ned. - -"We've got to!" cried Jerry. "We can't let the ship be wrecked by them -changing the light." - -"But how we going to stop 'em?" asked Ned. - -"We must try and get loose," Jerry replied. "They tied us in such a -hurry maybe some of the knots will slip. That's our only plan. There's -no use calling for help. It's just as Bill said, no one would hear us. -Try and work your hands free." - -They all tried but to little purpose. The ropes were firmly tied. -Strain as they did they could not loosen the fastenings, and at last -they had to stop, as the cords cut into their flesh. - -"Well, they certainly got us into a trap!" exclaimed Jerry as, once -more, he tugged at his bonds. - -Suddenly Bob uttered an exclamation. - -"Are you hurt?" cried Ned. - -"Something cut my wrist!" - -"What is it?" - -"A piece of glass, I think." - -"Glass! Good!" came from Jerry. "Can you get it in your hands?" - -"I have it." - -"Roll over towards me, and bring it with you." - -Bob did so. He came close to where Jerry was still tugging away at the -ropes. - -"How did you find it, Bob?" - -"I was trying to get the knot loose and something sharp touched my -wrist. I felt around until I found the glass." - -"What's your plan, Jerry?" sung out Ned. - -"I'm going to get Bob to hold the glass and I'm going to saw through -the ropes on my hands. Then I'll set you all free!" - -"Can you do it?" - -"I'm going to make a big try." - -Then in the darkness they began their efforts to escape. Bob stretched -out on his face, holding the jagged piece of glass from a broken bottle -between his bound hands. By careful feeling Jerry edged his way over -to him, until he could bring his wrists close to Bob's. Then both boys -turned on their side, back to back, and Jerry began sawing at the cords -that bound him. - -It was hard work, and more than once they had to stop because their -arms ached. Several times Jerry's hands slipped and the glass cut him, -but he did not mind. Back and forth he drew the rope over the keen edge -until he could feel the strands giving way. - -"It's almost loose," he said. - -In another minute he gave a triumphant cry. - -"I'm free!" - -"Now to loosen us!" called Ned. - -Jerry reached into his pocket for his knife. Luckily the men had not -searched them, or taken anything away from the boys. With his hands -free Jerry soon had the ropes from his legs. Then he cut the bonds of -Ned and Bob. Their limbs were stiff, from being tied so long, but -vigorous rubbing soon restored the circulation. - -"Now to escape!" exclaimed Jerry. "We must find a way out of this, and -stop the rascals from setting the false lights!" - -They stumbled about in the darkness. The storehouse was filled with -boxes and barrels, over which they fell as they felt around, seeking -for some door or window. At last Ned cried out: - -"Here's a door!" - -The other boys made their way toward the sound of his voice. - -"It's locked!" said Jerry, as he pushed against the portal. - -"Can't we batter it down with a box or a barrel!" Bob said. - -They searched around in the gloom for something to use, but could find -nothing. Everything was too heavy. - -"Maybe we can cut around the lock with our knives," suggested Ned. - -In the darkness and silence they toiled. They could hear nothing from -the men they knew must be in the lighthouse, working to cause the -destruction of the steamer. They felt as if they were imprisoned in a -vault. - -"I wonder if we can get out and be in time?" said Ned. "It must be -quite late." - -"Don't talk! Work!" came from Jerry. - -They redoubled their efforts to cut around the lock. But the door to -the storeroom was thick and strong, and the lock was a heavy one. - -"It's no use," declared Bob after an hour's hacking away at the tough -wood. "We'll have to stay here until they let us out." - -"Don't give up," Ned spoke. - -"Hark! What's that?" asked Jerry. - -The others listened. - -"They've started the machinery!" cried Bob. "The lenses are turning." - -"Yes, and they are the wrong ones! They will get the ship on the -rocks!" cried Jerry. "We must escape!" - -Terror struck to the boys' hearts. They had tried every means and -failed. The plotters had outwitted them. They could do nothing. They -beat upon the door with their fists as though by their feeble efforts -they could break it down. - -Ned stumbled aimlessly in the darkness, seeking for something with -which to batter down the door. As he passed by a pile of boxes and -barrels he uttered a cry. - -"Have you found anything?" asked Jerry. - -"Something, yes! A window in the wall! An open window!" - -Bob and Jerry hurried to where they heard Ned's voice. As they did so -he had climbed up on a box. He pressed his face close against the wall. -A cool wind fanned his cheek. - -"There is an opening!" he exclaimed. "But it is too small for us to get -out of. It's only a ventilating window. But wait! Someone is coming!" - -The boys almost held their breaths. Then Ned called in a loud whisper: - -"Jess! Jess! Here we are! Let us out! Some bad men are in charge of the -place and are going to change the lights! They are going to wreck a -steamer!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII - -JESS TO THE RESCUE - - -"Who are you talking to?" asked Jerry. - -"Jess, of course," replied Ned, greatly excited. "She's outside. Jess! -Jess!" he called again. "We are locked in the storeroom!" - -The boys waited anxiously. Then, from without, came a whisper that -sounded loudly through the darkened room. - -"What has happened? Where is my uncle? Who are you?" - -"It's me; Ned," was the reply, whispered from the prison. "They -captured us! Have you a key? Can you let us out? How did you get away -from Noddy?" - -"Oh, this is terrible!" cried Jess. "How did it happen?" - -She was standing under the small slit in the masonry that served to let -air into the storeroom. The light from a lamp in the kitchen of the -place streamed out from a window full on her, so Ned could see the girl -plainly, though of course she could not see him. - -"Why you are all wet!" cried Ned. "Did you fall in the water?" - -"No, I jumped," came the tense whisper. "What shall I do to let you -out?" - -"Can you get the key to this place?" asked Ned. "If you can, sneak into -the house, and open the door, let us out and we'll call help, and try -to prevent the men from changing the light." - -"Where is my uncle?" - -"He was called away, by a false telephone message, we believe, to see -his sick sister! The men put up a game to get him away! Quick Jess, or -it will be too late!" - -Ned saw the girl step back out of the path of illumination and gaze -upward. As she did so she uttered a half suppressed scream. - -"They are changing the light!" she uttered in a shrill whisper. "And -there's a storm about to break! What shall I do?" - -As she spoke there came a low rumble of thunder off to the west and a -flash of lightning. - -"Let us out if possible!" whispered Ned. "They are so busy with the -light they may not notice you. Get the keys and let us out!" - -"I will! I will!" exclaimed Jess. "If I can only succeed!" - -Ned saw her dart around the corner of the house. Then she was out of -his line of vision. They could only wait developments now. - -"Do you think she can do it?" asked Jerry. - -"She will if it's possible," replied Ned. "Only there is not much time. -My! But it's going to storm fierce!" - -A loud crash of thunder sounded, making the stout lighthouse vibrate. -The flashes of lightning showed through the ventilating window, -illuminating the small apartment with a weird glow. The wind was -howling about the place. - -"There'll be a heavy sea on," said Jerry. "The ship will get upon the -rocks and go to pieces. Then these scoundrels will go out and pick up -the cargo." - -"There may be many lives lost," exclaimed Bob. "The life saving station -is short-handed. They all are in the summer time." - -"If Jess can only get the keys!" Ned murmured. - -It seemed like an hour before there sounded a tapping on the storeroom -door. Ned sprang to answer it. - -"Are you still there, boys?" they heard Jess ask. - -"Yes! Yes!" whispered Jerry. "Have you the keys?" - -"No, the men must have taken them." - -"Then get an axe and see if you can't break the lock." - -"It is too strong. Besides they might hear the blows." - -"Where are the men?" - -"In the lantern tower," the girl replied. "Wait a minute, let me think -of a plan." - -Outside the storm was raging. Locked in the storeroom the boys felt -like beating at the door with their fists to break it down, so they -might get out, change the light, and save the steamer. - -"I have it!" Jess whispered through the big keyhole. "I will burn the -lock out." - -"How?" asked Ned. - -"With a hot poker. I'll heat it in the kitchen stove. I'll burn a lot -of little holes all around the lock, and then I can knock the piece of -door out! The men can't hear that!" - -"Good!" cried Ned. "Hurry Jess!" - -They could hear the girl moving about the kitchen. The rattle of iron -on iron came to their ears. Presently there was the smell of burning -wood. It grew stronger. Then a dull red point pierced the door, and -came through into the storeroom. - -"That's the first hole!" whispered Jess. "I'll burn them as fast as I -can." - -To the boys it seemed as if there was half an hour between each -reappearance of the glowing point of the poker, but it was only a few -minutes. There were seven holes burned, when they heard Jess hurry away. - -Then resounded the tramp of feet in the lower part of the lighthouse. A -few seconds later the boys heard voices. - -"Is it working all right?" a man asked. - -"You bet," was the reply. "Now you and Bill had better put off in the -sloop. She'll strike pretty soon, and you may pick up passengers with a -lot of valuables." - -"It's blowing pretty hard to go out in the sloop," one of the crowd -objected. - -"Oh, don't get chicken-hearted," was the sneering response. "You and -Bill have got to go. Me and Jim will stay here and work the light. We -can tell when the rockets go up that she's struck, and then we'll skip. -We'll meet at the cove." - -The voices died away, as though the men had left. The sound of the -storm increased. Anxiously the boys waited for Jess to come back. It -was several minutes before she did so. Then she whispered through the -keyhole: - -"I had to run and hide when I heard the men coming from the tower. Two -of them have gone out, and the others have gone back to the light. We -must hurry!" - -Once more came the smell of burning wood, and once more the dull red -point of the poker began to show. But it was slow work, for the door -was thick, and of hard material. Then too, the poker would get cool -carrying it from the stove to the portal. - -But Jess worked like an Amazon. Back and forth she went with the hot -iron, burning herself several times when it slipped. But she gave small -heed to this. She wanted to save the ship and the honor of her uncle, -who might be blamed for losing control of the lighthouse. - -Hole after hole was burned. Now Ned began trying to knock out the piece -of door containing the lock. He found a small stone and hammered on the -weakened wood. But it was still too strong for the feeble instrument he -had. - -"Ten more holes and I think it will come out," the girl whispered. - -Out on the deep, struggling through the storm which had suddenly -broken, was a large steamer, laden with a rich cargo. There were not -many passengers, as it was from a South American port, but these few, -as well as the crew, had no warning of the danger that threatened them. - -In the bow stood the lookout, scanning the expanse of angry water for -a sight of lighthouses and headlands that would indicate the channel -up the dangerous coast. Suddenly off to his left there shot out two -brilliant red flashes. - -"North light two points off the port bow!" he called to the pilot. - -"Lookout?" called the pilot. - -"Aye, aye, sir." - -"Are you sure that's the North light?" - -"Aye, aye, sir. The south light shows a white flash and two red ones. -These were only two red. There they are again, sir." - -"Yes, I see them," as once more the false lights flashed across the -sea. "We must have passed the South light while the weather was -thicker. I'll have to put her in a bit." - -Then the pilot, deceived by the light, steered the vessel over toward -the ledge of dangerous rocks, instead of keeping out, as he would have -done, had the two red flashes been preceded by a white one. - -But in the lighthouse three brave boys and as brave a girl, were -striving to aid the ill-fated steamer. Would they be in time? - -Jess made hole after hole, though her arms ached, her eyes smarted with -the smoke, and her hands were burned in a number of places. - -Again and again Ned beat with his stone on the wood around the lock. -The circle of holes was complete at last. - -"It's giving away! It's loosening!" cried the boy. He struck with all -his force. The stone flew from his hand, and fell through the opening -that suddenly appeared. The lock had been burned away, and the heavy -door swung inward. The boys were free. - -"Now to change the lights!" cried Jerry, as, followed by his chums he -dashed toward the winding stairs that led to where the big lantern -lenses revolved. - -At that instant the door of the kitchen flew open and Mr. Hardack -entered, wild and disheveled, dripping water from the storm which was -now raging at its height. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX - -THE RIGHT LIGHTS - - -"What has happened!" cried the keeper. "The light is flashing wrong! -There is a steamer outside the bar! It will be wrecked! Who did it? -Where is my assistant? There's been foul work here! I was waylaid on my -way back when I found my sister was not ill. I just managed to get away -from the men. Speak, some of you! Quick!" - -The keeper was panting from his exertions and from the excitement. His -face was drawn and pale, and his eyes were wild, while his hair, matted -by the rain, for he had lost his hat, straggled about his forehead. - -"The scoundrels are in possession of the tower!" cried Jerry. "We must -attack them and set the right light!" - -"Come on!" cried the keeper, seizing the poker Jess had used to burn -the door. "Come on! I'll give 'em battle!" - -His eyes glared, in the fierceness of his righteous anger, at those -who would do so dastardly a deed. - -"Come on!" cried Ned, seizing a heavy billet of wood. - -"I'll call the police on the telephone!" exclaimed Bob, springing for -the instrument. "We'll need help!" - -"I'll not wait for the police!" fairly shouted the keeper. "I'll tackle -'em single handed if need be!" - -Bob rang up central, and, not waiting to be connected with the distant -police station, told the operator what the trouble was, imploring that -aid be sent promptly. Then he ran to join his companions. Jess was -crying in one corner of the room. - -Mr. Hardack led the way to the stairs which extended up inside the -tower to the lantern. He fairly ran up the stone steps, followed by the -boys. He was shouting challenges to the men as he ran. - -"Let me get at you!" he yelled. "I'll show you how an old man can -fight!" - -Suddenly from above them a door slammed shut. There was the clicking of -a lock. Then, as they came to the heavy portal, which gave access to -the room where the lantern was, a voice cried: - -"You're too late this time, old man!" - -Too late! The men had shut themselves up in the top of the tower, and -could control the working of the light to suit their evil purposes. The -keeper could not get in. - -Mr. Hardack beat upon the door with the poker. Ned hammered it with the -block of wood. - -"Let me in!" cried the aged man. "Let me in! Do you want to send the -ship to the bottom?" - -"That's just what we do!" was the mocking response. - -"Get an axe and chop the door down!" cried Jerry. - -"It would take too long," replied the keeper, in a strangely calm -voice. "It is bound with iron, and is double thick. There is no help -for it. The steamer will be lost!" - -Footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. - -"Maybe help is at hand," said the keeper hopefully. - -Then Jess came into view. In her hand she held something which she -extended to Mr. Hardack. - -"Here is your old horse pistol, uncle!" she exclaimed. "It is loaded -with a heavy charge. Fire it through the lock and shatter it! I heard -you pounding on the door and knew they had locked it!" - -"Hurrah for you, Jess!" called Ned, and the girl blushed through her -tears. - -Mr. Hardack placed the muzzle of the ancient weapon against the big -keyhole. He hesitated a moment, listening to the roar of the storm -without, and the steady whirr of the machinery in the tower, as it -revolved the false lenses. - -_Bang!_ - -It sounded as though a cannon had been fired, so loudly did the report -of the pistol echo in the narrow tower. There was a splitting and -rending of wood, a snap as of broken springs and a clatter as pieces of -the lock fell on the stone steps. - -"Come on, boys!" cried the old man, as he threw all his weight against -the door. The shattered lock gave, and they rushed through the smoke on -up the steps. - -"Go back! Go back!" cried two men standing on the top landing. Behind -them glowed the big light. It almost blinded the boys. They hesitated a -second or two. - -"Scoundrels!" cried the keeper. - -He raised the poker threateningly and leaped forward. - -"Come on! All together!" yelled Ned. "We can handle 'em! Come on, Jerry -and Bob!" - -Forward they went, the boys and the aged keeper, straight at the two -men. The fellows held big wrenches in their hands. Jerry saw one aim -a blow at Mr. Hardack. It struck the old man on the side of the head, -but, though he staggered, he did not fall. Then he raised his poker and -brought it down on the arm of the man who had hit him. The wrecker gave -a cry and the wrench fell from his nerveless fingers. - -Ned sprang at the assailant of the keeper. The fellow stepped back. He -had lost the use of one arm from the blow of the poker. Ned grabbed his -other hand and bore him to the stone floor. There was a hard struggle, -but Ned held on. Mr. Hardack, recovering from the blow on his head, -came to the boy's aid. - -In the meanwhile Jerry and Bob had attacked the other man. He kept -them at bay for a little while by waving the big wrench back and forth -in front of him. The boys tried to dodge in but could not. Then Jerry -suddenly fell to the floor. Before the man knew what was up the boy had -reached forward, under the swinging tool, and grabbed the man by the -legs. He gave a strong yank, and the wrecker went down in a heap. Bob -threw himself on top of him. - -For several seconds there was a hard struggle. Both scoundrels tried -to break away, but the boys and the keeper were too much for them. At -last they were quiet. - -"The light! The light!" cried Mr. Hardack. "We must set the right -light!" - -"I'll do it, uncle!" exclaimed Jess, running into the room. She had -been hiding on the stairs, waiting the outcome of the struggle. "I'll -set the right light!" - -She leaped over the prostrate body of the man her uncle and Ned were -holding down. Into the lantern room she went. - -It was the work of but an instant to rip from the big white lens, the -black piece of paper the men had pasted over it to conceal the flashes. -She threw it on the floor. - -Then out through the storm, over the tempestuous sea, there flashed the -right signal,--a white glow, followed by two red ones. - -"Oh, that it may be in time to save the ship!" the girl prayed. - -Out on the deep the big steamer pitched and tossed in the grip of the -waves. The lookout was scanning the blackness for the sight of the next -lighthouse. Suddenly there flashed across his eyes a white shaft of -illumination, followed by two red ones. The pilot saw them at the same -time. - -"Something's wrong!" the steersman exclaimed. "There is the South light -now! We have been standing in! We are almost on the rocks! Some one -changed the lights!" - -There were frantic signals to the engine room. The pilot spun the steam -steering gear around so fast he almost broke the rudder chains. Slowly -the great steamer changed her course and stood out to sea. - -Yet so near had she been to the rocks and sand bars that five minutes -more and she would have been lost. The passengers asleep in their -staterooms never knew how close they were to death. - -Back in the lighthouse there were anxious hearts, hearts that beat high -lest soon might be heard the booming guns of a ship in distress, or -soon might be seen the flaring rockets that told a steamer had gone on -the rocks. - -Suddenly from below, at the foot of the tower, above the roar of the -storm, a voice called: - -"What's wrong here? Where are you, Hardack? What's the matter with the -light?" - -"It's Salt Water Sam!" shouted Jerry. "Help Sam! Come up and bring -ropes with you!" - -There was the welcome sound of feet ascending the stone stairway. Into -the room came the old sailor and Captain Jenkinson. They took in the -situation at a glance. In a few minutes the two scoundrels had been -securely tied. - -"Is the light all right?" was Sam's first question, for he knew what -that meant on such a night. - -"Thanks to Jess, it is," replied Ned, and the girl ran away to escape -the admiring eyes. - -"How did you get here?" asked Jerry of Sam. - -"Why some of us happened to be out fishing just before the storm broke, -and we noticed the light wasn't flashing right. I hurried ashore and -met Captain Jenkinson. He had noticed the same thing, so we decided -to investigate. We came over in his boat, the _Three Bells_. What has -happened here?" - - - - -CHAPTER XXX - -JESSICA'S FATHER--CONCLUSION - - -"The scoundrels tried to change the light and wreck a steamer coming up -the coast," replied Mr. Hardack. "If it hadn't been for the boys here -they would have succeeded." - -"If it hadn't been for Jess we could have done nothing," put in Jerry. -"They had us locked up." - -"Let's have the whole yarn," suggested Sam. - -Ned related what he had heard of the plot that night he had hidden in -the _Dartaway_, and told how he and the boys on reaching the lighthouse -had been left in charge with the new assistant while Mr. Hardack went -to see his sick sister. - -"And that message was all a fake," said the keeper. "My sister wasn't -sick at all. I couldn't find out who sent it, but I thought something -was wrong, and I hurried back. On the way I was stopped by two men who -wanted to pick a quarrel with me. They tried to take me off to a lonely -hut, but I broke away and came on through the storm. You can imagine -my feelings when I got here and saw the light flashing wrong." - -Then the boys told the rest of the tale, including the successful -efforts of Jess to burn the lock from the door. - -"But we haven't heard how she happened to arrive at just the right -time," said Bob. "Call her." - -The girl came into the kitchen where they all were, the two prisoners -having been placed in the storeroom. - -"What happened to you, Jess?" asked her uncle. - -"I jumped overboard and swam ashore," said the girl. - -"You jumped overboard?" - -"Yes, that Nixon fellow took me for a ride in his boat. Then the engine -got out of order, or he pretended it did, and we couldn't get back. I -wanted him to signal to some other boat but he wouldn't. Then I got -mad. He kept me out there quite a way from shore, saying all the while -the engine would soon be fixed. But when I saw him taking some screws -out I knew he wasn't trying to fix the machinery, but was playing a -trick to detain me. Then I jumped into the water and swam. I didn't -have much trouble. I'm a good swimmer, and it wasn't so very far." - -"You're a brave girl!" exclaimed Sam warmly, and Jess tried to run away -again, but they would not let her. - -The police whom Bob had telephoned for soon arrived, and took charge of -the two men. They were eventually sent to prison for long terms. - -Search was made for the others of the gang, but they, including Bill -Berry, had escaped in the sloop. As for Noddy Nixon, he left the summer -resort that night, disappearing soon after he brought in his boat -from which Jess had escaped. At the hut near the cove, later, among -Bill's belongings, was found the diamond ring and the case of specimen -mosquitoes stolen from Uriah Snodgrass. - -"Well, this will delight the professor!" cried Jerry, when he heard of -the find. "I'll wager he'll think more of the mosquitoes than of the -diamond ring." It may be added that the professor was delighted over -the recovery of his property and when he heard of what the boys had -accomplished he praised them highly. - -It was learned afterward that Noddy had no idea of the serious plot the -men had planned. Bill Berry had enlisted the youth's aid in getting -Jess out of the way, on the pretense that only a harmless trick was to -be played on the keeper. Noddy's previous acquaintance with the girl -made this easy. But Noddy, after Jess left him so suddenly, thought it -best to make himself scarce. Bill, it seems, had written to him early -in the season to come to the summer resort near the lighthouse. - -It was the next afternoon when the boys were again on a visit to the -lighthouse that they learned how near the steamer had been to the -dangerous rocks. Some men of the life saving station had seen her -approach, and then veer out again suddenly as the light was changed. - -"I declare I don't know how to thank you boys," said Mr. Hardack. "You -certainly are wonders." - -"Jess had us all beaten," spoke Ned, wondering where she was. - -"Oh, yes, poor Jessica. I wish I could help her out of her trouble as -she and you helped me." - -"What trouble?" asked Ned. - -"Didn't I ever tell you? I started to several times, but it must have -slipped my mind. Her father has been missing for several months, and -I've not been able to locate him. He's my only brother, quite an old -man, with white hair, whiter than mine." - -The boys looked at each other. They all had the same thought,--of the -man in the railroad wreck. - -"He was a miner out west," Mr. Hardack went on. "He went there several -years ago and left his daughter with me, because it was a wild country -he was in. I got word a few months ago that he had started east, having -made quite some money. He was to come here but he never arrived. We've -been waiting for him since, and Jess is quite worried. I wrote to the -persons who used to know him, but they said he had left the mining -camp, and they did not know where he was. I wish I could locate him." - -Ned felt a lump coming up in his throat. The other lads seemed -strangely affected. It was Jerry who spoke first. - -"Mr. Hardack," he said. "I don't want to raise any false hopes, but I -think we can put you on the track of Jessica's father." - -"Where is he? Tell me! Oh, I must go to him if he is in trouble!" - -"If he is the man I think him to be, he is in the hospital at -Cresville. We saved a man from a railroad wreck, who, in his delirium, -murmured something about 'Jess' and the 'great light.' I think he -must have meant your niece, and the 'great light' referred to the -lighthouse." - -"Oh, I only hope so!" exclaimed Mr. Hardack. "The loss of her father -has almost broken Jessica's heart. She is in mourning for her dead -mother. How can we find out if the man of the wreck is my brother?" - -"I can telephone to Dr. Bounce," replied Jerry. "The man may have -recovered by now." - -It took some time to get the long-distance connection on the telephone -from the lighthouse to Dr. Bounce. While it was being made Jess came -into the room. - -"Jess--dear--Jessica," stammered her uncle. "Would you mind getting -dinner?" She left the room, a little surprised at the serious looks on -the faces of the boys and her uncle. "I didn't want her to hear until -we know if it's true," said the uncle in a whisper. - -At last Jerry was able to converse with Dr. Bounce. The boy's voice -trembled as he inquired about the man of the wreck. The others could -only hear one side of the conversation, but they guessed the rest. - -"You say he's getting better, doctor? That's good. Has he been able to -give his name? He has? What is it? Tell me quick! A lot depends on it! -Pack? Oh! Hardack! Are you sure? Walter Hardack!" - -"It's him! It's him! That's my brother's name!" exclaimed the keeper, -jumping up and down in his excitement. "Oh! Jess! Your father's found! -The boys did it! Oh! Jess! Praise the good Lord!" - -Jess came running into the room, wondering what was up. She looked at -her uncle. There were tears in the old man's eyes. - -"Your father's found! Your father's found!" was all he could say, as he -hugged the now weeping girl to him. - -"Come on," said Ned softly. "We can return later." And the chums -withdrew. - -Mr. Hardack soon called them back, and made them tell every detail of -the wreck. They surmised that Jessica's father had been on his way to -the lighthouse when he was injured. His appeal to the boys to find his -daughter had been no more than the raving of delirium, caused by the -injury to his head, but it had worked itself out in an unexpected way. - -The next day, with Ned as her guide, Jess started for Cresville, -and a few hours later was clasped in her father's arms. He had come -successfully through a serious operation and was now on the road to -recovery. - -"Well," remarked Jerry to Bob, when Ned had gone away, "we certainly -had plenty of excitement the last few days. Ned is right in it to the -last. Guess Jessica likes him. Well, she's a mighty nice girl." - -"Right you are," replied Bob. "Say, it wasn't any mistake to come here -for a vacation. I hope we will have as much fun next year." - -"I hope so," Jerry added. "I wonder if Ned will come back for the rest -of the season?" - -"Bet he'll stay in Cresville now that Jess is there." - -"Well the summer is almost over," said Bob a little sorrowfully. "Of -course we can't expect to foil a gang of wreckers again, but I hope -there'll be something just as lively." - -There was, and the boys had what they considered even better fun than -centred around the lighthouse. Their further doings will be told of in -the next volume, to be called, "The Motor Boys in Strange Waters; or, -Lost in a Floating Forest." - -"Come on," said Bob, after a pause. "Let's go out in the boat for a -spin. It's a fine day." - -"A little lonesome without Ned, though." - -"Well, we'll see him again, soon." - -They went down to the dock, where they found Salt Water Sam gazing -contemplatively into the water. He was softly singing to himself: - - "The Mary Jane, she was a ship - As fine as one could wish. - I used to sail the seas in her, - And sometimes I would fish. - One day when I was sailing - I chanced to catch a shark. - I put him on exhibit - In a little seaside park!" - -"Well, well, boys, I didn't hear you coming," the sailor went on. "I -was just thinking of the fun we had." - -"Come on for a sail," invited Jerry. - -Then the two boys and the old man got into the _Dartaway_ and put off -toward the mouth of the harbor. And here, for a while, we will take -leave of them. - - -THE END - - - - -THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES - -By _Clarence Young_ - - -[Illustration] - -_12mo. illustrated_ - -_Price per volume, 50 cents._ - -_Postage, extra, 10 cents._ - -_Bright up-to-date stories, full of information as well as of -adventure. Read the first volume and you will want all the others -written by Mr. Young._ - - 1. THE MOTOR BOYS - _or Chums through Thick and Thin_ - - 2. THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND - _or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ - - 3. THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO - _or The Secret of the Buried City_ - - 4. THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS - _or The Hermit of Lost Lake_ - - 5. THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT - _or The Cruise of the Dartaway_ - - 6. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC - _or The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ - - 7. THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS - _or Lost in a Floating Forest_ - - 8. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC - _or The Young Derelict Hunters_ - - 9. THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS - _or A Trip for Fame and Fortune_ - - 10. THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES - _or A Mystery of the Air_ - - 11. THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN - _or A Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air_ - - 12. THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING - _or Seeking the Airship Treasure_ - - CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York - - - - - Transcriber's Notes: - - --Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in - bold by "equal" signs (=bold=). - - --Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently - corrected. - - --Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved. - - --Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys on the Atlantic, by Clarence Young - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC *** - -***** This file should be named 44846.txt or 44846.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/4/44846/ - -Produced by Donald Cummings and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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