he switchboard scarcely daring to look while Arnold came crowding up the companion-way his face blanched

" queried Arnold

on't seem to be sunk yet, though. Maybe it was just

ed out to his companions on deck. "Di

er right in two!" declared Tom. "I was sure I saw the s

. Despite his efforts a groan escaped him. Arnold sprang toward

ack? Are you hurt?" h

uck. The shudder that ran through the Fortuna told me only too plainly that we had hit something more tha

comforted Arnold. "Did you hear anyone cr

then we struck the boat. I guess it's all right and we'd better get the Fortuna with

as Tom and Harry returned to the shelter of the pilot house dripping from the sheets

piece of weather! I'm glad I'm on top and not sloshing around in

ned Harry. "You mus

to eat a raw dog. And speaking of dogs," he continued pointing at the white bulldog

thing he doesn't l

adway under the impetus of the engines. Flat on deck he fell and crawling to the rail peered eagerly over the side. His friends saw him turn an agonized and pleading gla

Tom, but Harry mot

ht on Jack's feet enabled the captain to lean far over the rail and grasp the wrists of a clinging fig

agerness to be of help nearly lost his

ck. "Slow and stead

he figure to a level with the rail and the

scued person on deck, but he was so chill

"Arnold has some hot coffee already cooking and that'll help him a

tor who had boarded their vessel so strangely and all unannounced down the companion-way into the c

lot house while Arnold took up his i

new lad," directed Tom as he prepared to go again to the pilot h

boat up like that but I guess we can all take a knot out of our neckties today. Wasn

d Tom. "I'm glad we rescued him from his awful predicament a

ay and into the pilot house joining Ha

ven spare clothes belonging to the boys and looked little the worse for his rough experience of only a short time before. His eyes were black and piercing and might have been pleasant were i

is instant distrust of the other. "I'm sorry we ran you down and ruined your boat,

stranger at first drew back, then as if thinking better of his resolve, he thrust

me, may I ask?"

was the lad's almost surly response. "I live at Pass Chris

a moment to regain his composure, for the fellow's manner

for a vacation and pleasure trip. We're sorry we smashed your boat, but if you'll

d Carlos. "You ough

mpanions to eat he introduced them to Carlos as they entere

llables. At last the boys in despair gave up the effort of entertainment and fell to discussing their situation amongst themselves. They recounted the incidents of their trip down the

silence, but keenly alert to every word that was said. Finally

you here f

be joined later by the father of the boy at the wheel and then we expect to go

replied Carl

d Arnold, "we'll fo

o his feet saying that he would go and reli

rom Jack who was holding the wheel with one hand and Rowdy w

with Rowdy?" questi

et down into the cabin like all possessed ever since dinne

ike the rest of us human beings," ventur

friend, then he launched himself against the door leading

near talking, J

ection nodded his head once or twice. Securing a length of small line Jack made Rowdy f

had met and shortly gave over trying to be pleasant. Making a hurried meal he again hast

Carlos to inspect the Fortuna from the in

sel. I suppose you'd call it the forecastle, but we have the fuel tanks, chain locker and lazarette here. On occasion we can us

ne?" asked Carlos dis

e center of the pilot house so the stairways are on each side of the engines. In the next compartment aft are more berths. Then still further aft, you see are the kitchenette on one side an

?" inquired Carlos

e after cabin and make yourself comfortab

pilot house and reported to them the res

waves plunging through the thick fog. An

onderingly. Rowdy tugged at the rope that confined him and growled savagely. Jack's

engines came t