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A YEAR IN A YAVL

(

A YEAR IN A YAWL

f
I

v.-

*■

- ■

A YEAR IN A

YAWL

A TRUE TALE OF THE

1 ■

ADVENTURES OF FOUR BOYS

IN A THIRTY-FOOT YAWL

RUSSELL DOUBLEDAY

FROM THE LOG OF

CAPT. RANSOM

■''

^b^

~;j^H|^^

NEW YORK

GROaSRT & DUNLAP

PUBUSHERS

k i i

79G193

CormGHT, 1901, tr
DOUBLEDAT, PAGE ft Oa

OCTOSBKt X9M*

CONTENTS

OHAPTm FAMi

I. Ths Launching of the Sohkhe • • • 1

II. The liAUNCHiNa of thb Boat • • • 11

III. OuTWABD Bound 26

lY. An Adybntubb in St. Louis • • • 43

y. A Perilous Situation 62

VI. An Arctic Adventure 83

yn. Sailing with Frozen Rigging . • • 108

VIII. An Igt Storm off "Sunnt" Baton Rouge . 131

IX. On Salt Water at Last • • • .144

X. Riding a Monster Turtle • • • .164

XI. Lost on Captive Island • • • • 186

XII. Fighting a Man-eating Shark • • • 307

Xin. A Thrilling Fourth of Jult Celebration 327

XIV. A Race with a Gale • . • . . 345

XV. Captured by "Liberty*' • • • • 363

XVI. From New York to Albany . • . 380

CKAPTSB PAOa

XYII. Along thk "Baginq Canal" • . . ^8

XVIII. In thb Grip of Iron and Stonk . • . 817

XIX. A Stobut Night on a Sinking Pile-Dbiyib 884

XX. HomwASD Bound. • • • . 864

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

" We are Under Way at Last " . Pr(mtupUc9

• PACING PAGB

**. . . THE Boat was Launched" . . . .22

Taking Soundings.—" . . . Frank Shouted,
* Three Fathoms I' " 145

John Gomez's Cabin. — " A Cottage Thatched
with Palm Branches " 204

" The Tall, Straight Shaft of the Cape Fear
Light" 253

Chesapeake Bay . 270

On the " Raging Canal."—" * Step Lively '
Once More Got Going" .... 300

** Looking for Port Stanley " . . . .330

J
J

NOTE,

AektutwUdgmmit art du* U Mr, Thct, A. Hin*^ Mr,
Clinton P. Townttnd^ and Miu KaHurint R, Canstani
/9r thtuuoftkt fhotografht ^nitd in this bcoik.

)

A YEAE IN A YAWL

CHAPTER I

THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME

In the shadow of a big apple tree four boys
lay on the grass studying a map of the United
States. One of the group was talking vehe-
mently and pointing out a route of some sort-'
with a stnbby carpenter's pencil; the other thre^
were watching with eager interest.

" That sounds aU right," said one of the fonr
as he rose to lean on his elbow, " but you can't
do it with a little boat like yours. I doo't believe
you could do it anyway, Ken."

" Well, I couldn't do it in a steam yacht,'* the
boy with the pencil returned, " for obvioiB rea-
sons. But I can and will make that trip."

" I admire your pluck, Ken," the third boy ex-
claimed. " It took conaiderable gumption to
plan and build a craft like yours alone; but I

A YEAR IN A YAWL

feet on the water-line^ nine feet wide^ and three
feet draught with her centre-board up. His idea
was to make her yawl-rigged and as strong and
staunch as good material and careful workman-
ship could ensure.

For a workshop he had to be content with a
woodshed at the back of his father's house, a
good three-fourths of a mile from the Lake shore
of St. Joseph, Michigan.

Fortunately, he was able to get some extra
fine white oak, well seasoned, from a nearby
mill; and though it was tough and tried the tem-
per of his home-made tools, this very toughness
and hardness stood the young ship-builder and
his crew in good stead later.

He built a steaming-box to bend the ribs and
planking of his boat out of rough lumber, and
made an old stove, with a section of big pipe
plugged up at both ends, serve as a boiler to make
the steam. Thus equipped, he began the work
ujiaided of building a thirty-foot yacht in which
to cruise around on Lake Michigan and the
waters tributary to it. With great labor and
care the keel was steamed, bent, and laid on the
blocks; then one by one the ribs were put in
place. It was slow work, but it was extremely
interesting to this young naval architect and ship-
builder, and as his boat grew his ideas enlarged.

THE LAUNCBIXt

■ OF THE SCHEME

To be a naval architect had been his ambition
ever since he had left high schooh To become
a designer and builder of ahipe was his aim in
life, and ae he worked alone at hia little ship, he
wondered how he was going to get the experience
that would be needed to design vessels for various
uses and differing conditions. About lake craft
he knew something, but of ocean and river vea-
sela he was entirely ignorant. He made np hia
mind that he must see and study the different
Hnd of craft in their native waters.

One day, as he was working on the planking
of hia boat, the inspiration came to him. He
had pulled the plank out of the long steam-box,
hot, damp, and more or less pliable, and with
great labor made it fast to the cut-water with a
hand vise. As he bent the plank from rib to rib y
he secured it until it was in place and followed
the designed curve. He stood a minute facing
the bow to see if the curve was true. It really
began to look like a boat and les.^ like a skeleton.

" This is going to be a pretty smart craft,"
he said to himself as he eyed hia work lovingly.
"She'll be strong and handy, roomy and sea-
worthy, and fit to go most anywhere."

" By Jove I " he said aloud, slapping his knee
by way of emphaaia, and sitting down suddenly.

"Why not? " The idea was ao bold that he

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

he had had a particularly hard tussle with a
plank that had to be both bent and twisted into
position. "This is almost too much for me
alone; and I can't sail around to the Atlantic by
myself. Whom shall I get to go with me? ''

He leaned up against the workbench to think.
The yawl, almost fully planked, now stood up
higher than the builder's head. The newly
placed timber still steamed and gave out an
odor dear to the wood-worker. There was no
sound except the hiss of steam in Ifhe steam-box.
Suddenly the door of the shed opened and three
heads appeared.

"Hello, Ken, what are you doing? Holy
smoke! look at that; isn't she a beauty? " Frank
Chauvet didn't even stop to take breath between
his sentences.

" Hullo, you chaps. Come in," returned Ken,
making a place for them on the bench. " The
very fellows I want to see," he said to himself.
"What do you think of my boat? Look out,
Arthur, you'll sit on that adze if you don't be
careful. You've got to look before you sit in this
shop."

The third boy was meanwhile walking around
the boat, inspecting her critically, feeling the
wood, measuring the thickness of the timbers,
and eying the shape with an approving glance.

THE LAVNCBING OF THE SCHEME

" Say, Ken, where are you going to take her?
[ Arctic regions? Slie's built strong enough to go
f around the Horn." Clyde Morrow looked up at
I his friend inquiringly. " Ken, did you do all
thia yourself? She's great, simply greatl "
■' Yep — sure — you knew I was building a
Lhoat. Why didn't you come around before?"
E Then, before they had time to answer, he went
" Clyde, you said she was strong enough
to go around the Horn; she's got to be strong
enough to make a journey almost as long and
quite as trying." He paiiaed a minute and
eyed his friends one after the other. Frank and
Arthur were sitting side by side on the work-
bench. Clyde was leaning against the boat.
Ransom himself faced them, half leaning, half
sitting on a large block of iron that served as an /■
anvil, '

"What do you think about cruising to the
Atlantic and back in that boat? " Kenne&
, pointed to the yawl, " Circumnavigating the
Eastern half of the United States, in other
' words."

"What!" cried Arthur and the other two
[ boys. "You're crazy! " Clyde added,

" No, I'm not; it can be done and I'm going
[ to try to do it." Kenneth spoke confidently and
I with a smile at his friends' incredulity.

1 YEAR IN A YAWL

^^Wake up, old man/' said Frank with a
laugb; '^ that's a nice dreamy but you're likely to
fall out of bed."

" Listen; I've studied this thing out and it can
be done. "Wait a minute," he interrupted him-
self to say as Clyde opened his mouth to speak.
" You know what I want to be and what I want
to do, and there is no way of seeing all kinds of
boats and experiencing all kinds of weather and
conditions of water and climate except by seeing
and experiencing them." He laughed at the
lame finish of his sentence. ^* The best and most
thorough way of doing it, it seems to me, is to go
in a small boat that you have built yourself and
see everything at first-hand. What a cruise it
will be! I wish I could go to-morrow."

"What! do you really mean to go?" said
Frank. " Why, you're clean daft. Ken."
* "Not on your life," answered Ransom
sturdily. " Look here."

I He reached down a well-thumbed atlas from a
sh^lf and led the way out of doors and under the
apple tree. Then spreading it out, he began to
explain what was in his mind.

CHAPTEE n

THE LAUNCHING 01' THE BOAT

" You shall be my mate, Arthur," said Ken-
[ neth, who from that time his friends were apt
I to call Cap. " You spoke first, but to show
I that there is no partiality, Frank shall be navi-
f gator and Clyde chief-quartermaster."

" No, I'd rather be the crew," Frank pro-
tested; "that would be more exclusive and leas

" I'll vote to be cook; then I'll have you ail in
I :iny power," and Clyde pointed exultingly at the
I other three.

" "Well, none of you can be anything for ai,
I good while yet. Come and look at the boat.''
I All four started toward the shop. " I tell yoii
I -what, you can all be ship-carpenters, shvp-
I wrighte, riggers, fitters, caulkers, and generally
I lard hustlers for a couple of months before ''we
I graduate to our high positions," and Bansom led
on to their " Argo."

After going over the plans of the boat to-
I gether, and talking of all the pleasures and dan-
11

A TEAR IN A YAWL

gers in prospect, the four separated; Frank,
Arthur, and Clyde going to tell their people
and ask their permission to join the expedition,
an ordeal which they dreaded with all their
hearts. Kenneth lingered a while to think over
the happy outcome of his afternoon's talk, and
to plan anew his building, for from now on he
had efficient assistants. He felt for the first time
that his would be a great responsibility.; for if
anything happened to any of his friends he would
be to blame.

The thoughtful mood soon wore off, however,
and when he locked up the shop, and went into
the house, he was radiant with pleasure. *

" Father! Arthur, Clyde, and Frank said that
they would go with me." Kenneth burst into
the room with his news.

^^ That's good," was his father's reply. " If
the Morrows and Chauvets will let their sons go,
t^at is, of course "

" But you will speak a good word for me, won't
you, father?" Kenneth smiled at him confi-
dently.

*lTe-e-es, if you think you must go." The
eldtiir Bansom looked at his son rather sadly.

** Why, of course. I thought that it was all
settled. Is anything the matter? What is it? "
Kenneth was excited and worried; the possibility

t
\

THE LACNCHINa OF THE BOAT

P of a final refusal from hia father had never oc-
curred to him.

" Wait a minute, son." Mr. Eansom pulled

his boy down on the arm of his big leather easy

chair. " The fact is, your mother and I have

been talking over this projected cruise of yours,

and — though you may not realize it — it ia hard

for US to have you, our youngest and last, go

away upon so long and dangerous a trip." He

stopped for a moment and looked into the boy's

fast saddening face. " We promised that you

should go, and go you shall, if you insist, but you

fiae pretty young to undertake such a journey,

rand your mother and I thought that you might

jgive it up for a while. We knew that you would

3 disappointed "—the father held up his hand

■io check the words which were juat ready to

»ur out of the boy's mouth — " and so we ■

it that we would try to make it up to you
1 some other way. If you will be willing to

■ give up your project for a while, at least, your
tmother and I have decided to deed over this

■ house and place to you, and your assigns, for-
f aver," and he.Bmiled at the legal phrase.

" Give me the house and grounds if I don't
f go? Father, what ran I say? I thank you aw-
fully, but I would like to think it over a bit be-
\ fore I answer. It is rather sudden." Thd boy
18

A YEAR IN A YAWL

grabbed his father's hand, and then went upetalra
to his own room.

He was touched, and very grateful, but griev-
ously disappointed. He had set his heart on the
trip, had persuaded his friends to go with him,
and now he must give it all up. "What seemed
hardest of all, was that he would have to tell his
companions that the whole thing was off. The
photographs of boats that lined the walls of the
room, and the plan of his own boat, laid out on
the table, seemed a mockery to him. " "Well, I
won't take the house any way," he said to him-
self. *^ If they want me to stay as badly as that,
I won't go, of course; but "

A minute or two later he came into the room
where his father and mother were sitting read-
ing.

*^I'll stay,'' he said, standing before them.
^ I didn't know you wanted me to, so much; but
I can't take the house; I don't want to be paid to
stay — ^but you're terribly good to me."

It was hard to give up gracefully, and he
dropped rather dejectedly into a chair.

^^By George, mother! " Mr. Hansom said to
his wife, " that boy is the right sort, and I think
that we ought not to spoil his chance. I vote we
let him go."

Kenneth looked eagerly at his mother. She

TBE LAnNCHINB OF THE BOAT

said nothing, but he read plainly in her face that
though she feared to let him take the voyage,
she would not refuae bis wish.

He could not say a word; but he had to go
out, unlock the door o£ hie shop, and tell his boat
confidentially what bricks big father and mother
were. He just had to tell something.

The nest morning the other three boys came
with long faces and disgruntled tempers. Their
parents, one and all, were against the trip, and
declared that Kenneth's father and mother were
crazy to let him go on such a journey.

Kenneth said nothing of his experience of the
night before, but felt absolutely sure now of hia
parents' backing and encouragement.

" Don't you give up like that, fellows," he
said cheerfully, slapping his roate-to-be on /'
his shoulder, to stir him up. " If you don't have
confidence yourself, how can you expect other
people to believe in you and the success of the
trip? "

" But — " began Frank.

" Bear a hand with this stick, will you ? " Ken-
neth interrupted.

"Arthur, open that trap at the end of the
eteara-box, please. That's it — in she goea! "
"With a will, Frank and Kenneth pushed th^long
plank into the box, ^

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

*' A few more of those, and the body of the
boat will be complete. But there's a lot more
to be done, and we've got to keep at it." Ran-
som stopped, went to a far comer, and poked
among some old boards; he finally picked out
one, and showed it to the boys.

" I move that we make this our motto. All
those in favor will signify as much by saying
' aye.' "

Four " aye's " rang out vigorously.

"Contrary minded will signify by saying
' no.'

" It is moved and carried, that this shall be our
motto, and we'll nail our colors to the — ^the —
wood-shed."

" Hear! Hear! " laughed the three at the end
of Ken's speech; but when he nailed up the
board bearing this motto in clear letters:

KEEPING EVERLASTINGLY AT IT
BRINGS SUCCESS,

there was a cheer that cleared the air amazingly,
and chased away the gloom that had bid fair to
settle over the company.

" I believe that my father will be able to con-

TBB LAVNCEING OF THE BOAT

vince joTir people that our trip '\s feasible," said
Kenneth from his place on top of a ladder.
" Anyhow, let's get to work. For ' keeping ever-
lastingly at it brings success.' " Soon all the
noiae3 the young sliipbuildera made seemed to
Toice that motto.

It was a long time before the three got permis-
aion to go, but their evident determination, and
their continual "keeping at it," aided by Mr.
Kansom'a support, finally brought success. All
this time the four worked like beavers. The
planting was completed, the cabin laid out and
built, the deck laid, and the cockpit floored.

" Well, I'll be jiggered I " Kenneth exclaimed
one day. " I never thought — how are we going
to get her down to the water? "

Immediately the noise of hammer and saw, ,•
the dull clap of wood, and the sharp ring of iron '
ceased, and all four stood open-mouthed, speech-

" Why, it's a good three-quarters of a mile to
the nearest water," gasped Frank.

" And think of that hill down to the ravine
between," added Clyde.

" She must weigh three tons," wailed Arthur.

" Oh, I guess Johnson, the house mover, will
do it," Kenneth suggested. " Let's go and see
him." But Johnson wanted a prohibitive, price

a 17

A TEAR JN i TAWL

for moTing tbe boat to the launching waya, so tEa
crew decided to tackle the job themaelvea.

Then the trouble began. The sidea of the
shop had to come down to allow the yawl to be
moved out, and a track had to be built that
would safely bear the great weight.

Deapite all, however, the boat was finally
loaded, and under the eyea of all the towna-
people who could get away from their work, the
first atage of their journey began.

All went well for a time. A sturdy team was
hitched to the wheeled truck, and the progress
over the first part of the smooth, level road was
easy. Passera-by were apt to quote passages
about " sailing the raging meadows," and about
young tara who preferred to do their sailing
ashore. But Ransom and his friends were good-
natured and too busy to heed anything but the
overland trip of their precious craft.

"When the brink of the hill leading down to
the ravine was reached, the team was stopped
and a consultation waa held. The alope was al-
most thirty degrees, and a bridge at the bottom
had to be paased slowly, or the great weight
might go through the planking.

" Make her fast to that tree," suggested
Arthur, "with a block and fall, and pay out
gradually till she geta to the bottom; then re-

^tSE LAUNCHINO OF THE BOAT

T^^me operation and make fast In front, liitcH
the team to the line and haul up."

" Great head, Art! We'll do it." And Ken
started back to the shop for the block and fall.

The road curved just before descending to the
ravine, and a big tree grew in the bend. A line
made fast to it would lead straight down. It

s most adavantageously placed. A aling waa
' pnt around the tree, and another waa run about
the boat herself just below the rail. To each of
these a block was attached. The captain went
over each rope carefully to see that all was right,
tight, and strong. Frank drove the horses,
which were to back with all their might; Clyde
L*watched the boat herself; while Kenneth and
LTthur tended the line, and stood prepared to
lay out slowly.

"Let her go; slowly now, e-e-e-asy!" yelled
lansom to Frank with the team.

Kenneth and Arthur took in the slack, and
4>raced against the strain. The horses began to
move slowly and fihe truck slid gradually over
flhe creat of the hill; the line tightened and the
blocks clucked sleepily under the strain.

" Go e-e-e-asy! " yelled Hansom.

The truck was going faster; he and Arthur
Muld hardly hold it back.

"Easy tihere; pull up, Frank," The hoiaea

/■

A YEAR IN A YAWL

were straining back with all their might, but the
weight of the boat was pushing them on faster
than they wanted to go.

" Stop, Frank! She's running away! "

But there was no stopping her from before —
the horses were fairly off their feet. The run-
ning Une was beginning to bum Kenneth's and
Arthur's hands. She was running away, sure
enough, and to certain destruction^ «he was not
stopped at once.

Frank's face was pale and anxious as he
shouted and strained back on the reins, trying
to stop his team; Clyde, utterly impotent, ran
from side to side, looking in vain for a stick or
log with which to check the wheels. Kenneth
and Arthur clung desperately to the line, which,
in spite of all, they could not control.

The speed of the boat was certainly growing
faster and faster every second. The work of
months and the means of a glorious trip was
going to destruction.

" Here, Arthur, quick! I'll try to hold, while
you take a double turn round that other tree —
quick — quick! " cried Kenneth, his anxiety al-
most taking away his voice for the moment.

Arthur turned to obey. "Quick — ^for the
love of Moses, quick! "

Just in time, Arthur got the turns round the

'r ■-

THE LAUNCHIXO OF THE BOAT

I tree, for Kenneth could not stand the strain on
his hands longer and he dropped the rope. Hia
weight off the restraining line, the truck almost
pushed the horses over on their heads. But the
slack was taken up in a minute, and though the
line creaked ominously under the strain, and
stood as taut as a harp Btring, it held; the truck
slackened speed.

" Kick me round the block, will you, Arthur,
for a. chump," Ransom said as he came up to his
friend, bandaging hia blistered hands with hia
handkerchief as he spoke. " To let a weight
like that go without taking a turn, was about the
most foolish thing that I ever did. Let her go,
easy, now."

The other three boys said nothing for a while,
hut when the bottom of the hill was reached all '
were rather limp.

To drag the boat out of the valley was about
as difficult as letting her down into it, and it con-
sumed the balance of the daylight. The close
of the second day saw the boat resting on the
launching ways, and tlie hoys were triumphant.

" If the rest of our journey is as slow as this,"
Arthur remarked as he put on hia coat td go
home, " we'll be ancient mariners beforft we j
cover the 6,000 miles." ',

The following day the boat was launcheiij and I
21

A YEAR IN A YAWL

as she nodded her acknowledgments to the
pretty girl who had just named her " Gazelle,"
it was evident to all that the title fitted her like
the coat of white paint that glistened on her
sides.

The hearts of Captain Kenneth and his friends
glowed within them when they saw the boat at
which they had labored so isteadily floating in her
natural element as gracefully and daintily as if
she had been bom in it.

When their friends had gone, the four sat in
the cosey cabin and congratulated each other by
looks and handclasps rather than words. They
felt that they were fairly started, now that their
craft was afloat; but it was two good long months
before she was ready to take her trial trip; and
) two weeks beyond that before all was ready to
-.start in earnest. Eigging and final finishing
took much time, and the placing of the necessary
eiores seemed an endless job.

v" Well, boys," Eansom said, as the other three
cdine aboard on the morning of October 27,
18i^8, " this is the day that we say good-by to old
Sti,Joe."

* Grab my bag, will you. Ken? " came by way
of answer from Arthur. "Look out! If you
dump the buttons from my sewing kit, Fll have
jov3^ heart's blood."

THE LAUXCniNO OF THE BOAT

" Don't you worry. Ill be careful enc

I "Was Kanaom'3 answer, " I'll have
F torrow before long."

And 80 they laughed and chatted, and put on
a brave front in order to conceal the alight un-
easiness that lingered persistently in the back-
L, ground of all their thoughts.

It was three o'clock before complete arrange-
ments were made, and all hands were right glad
that there was so much to do. Home waa inex-
pressibly dear to those four boys, and though
they looked forward to their trip with real en-
thusiasm, when the parting really came they
found it a good deal of a wrench.

The wind was coming out of the north in a
Plusin ess-like way, and the sea it banked up was
■iBot of the sort to tempt the fair-weather sailor.

"All ready, boys?" sang out Captain Ran-

Biwm from his place at the tiller.

" All ready! " was the answer,

* Arthur, stand by to tend the jib sheet;

frank, stand at the halliards; Clyde, go forward,

k. up the mud-hook and cat it. I'll tend the

The boys jumped to do his bidding. The
indlass creaked and the yawl began to eat up
lilie anchor cable.

" She's broke I " came the cry from forward as
38

A TEAR IN A 7AWL

for moving the boat to the kuncliing ways, 80 tlie
crew decided to tackle the job themselves.

Then the trouble began. The eidea of the
shop had to come down to allow the yawl to be
moved out, and a truck had to be built that
would safely bear the great weight.

Despite all, however, the boat was finally
loaded, and under the eyes of all the towns-
people who could get away from their work, the
first stage of their journey began.

All went well for a time. A sturdy team was
hitched to the wheeled truck, and the progress
over the first part of the smooth, level road was
easy, Pasaera-by were apt to quote passages
about " sailing the raging meadows," and about
young tars who preferred to do their sailing
ashore. But Ransom and hia friends were good-
natured and too busy to heed anything but the
overland trip of their precious craft,

"^Tien the brink of the hill leading do^vn to
the ravine was reached, the team was stopped
and a consultation was held. The slope was al-
most thirty degrees, and a bridge at the bottom
bad to be passed slowly, or the great weight
might go through the planking.

"Make her fast to that tree," suggested
Arthur, "with a block and fall, and pay out
gradually till ^e gets to the bottom; then re-

TBE LA.UNGHINO OF TBE BOAT

verse the operation and make fast in front, bitch'
the tfiam to the line and haul up."

" Great head, Art! We'll do it." And Ken
started back to the shop for the block and fall.

The road curved just before descending to the
ravine, and a big tree grew in the bend. A line
made fast to it would lead straight down. It
was most adavantageously placed, A sling was
put around the tree, and another was run about
the boat herself just below the rail. To each of
these a block was attached. The captain went
over each rope carefully to see that all was right,
tight, and strong. Frank drove the horses,
which were to back with all their might; Clyde
watched the boat herself; while Kenneth and
Arthur tended the line, and stood prepared to
pay out slowly.

"Let her go; slowly now, e-e-e-asyl " yelled
Ransom to Frank with the team.

Kenneth and Arthur took in the slack, and
braced against the strain. The horses began to
move slowly and the truck slid gradually over
the crest of the hill; the line tightened and die
blocks chicked sleepily under the strain.

"Go e-e-e-asy! " yelled Ransom.

The truck was going faster; he and Arthur
could hardly hold it back.

"Easy (here; pull up, Frank," The horsea

CHAPTER ni

OUTWARD BOXnO)

It was a quiet group of boys that stood in the
cockpit of the " Gazelle," and watched the shores
of their native town fade from view. They had
persevered in their scheme in spite of discour-
agement from their elders and ridicule from
their companions. They had undertaken a seem-
ingly impossible thing. What would the out-
come be?

It was well that the young adventurers could
not foresee what the future had in store for
them, for stouter hearts even than theirs might
have hesitated at the prospect.

As it was, none of them had forgotten that
" Keeping Everlastingly at it Brings Success,"
and all four meant to follow that motto to the
end.

" Clyde! " Ransom suddenly interrupted the
reverie into which they had fallen. " I think I
once heard you say that you would like to be

2«

OVTWARD BOmo

vjk. Now's jour chance. Go ahead and be

" My, what a memory you have! " the other
answered, with a wry face. " But wait until
yoii try some of my cooking, then the aniile will
travel my way. I'm sorry for you." And Clyde
disappeared down the companionway.

The storm Which had just passed left the sur-
face of the Lake very imeasy, and the little yacht
was tossed from the crest of one huge wave
to another like a chip; but she bore the rough
usage splendidly, and hardly shipped water at all ;
the spray which her sharp spoon how dashed up
as she flew into the white caps was all the wetting
her deck showed.

" Say," came a muffled voice from below, " I'll
mutiny if some one doesn't come down and hold
the things on the stove. The coffee-pot is trying
to jump into the saucepan's lap. Hello! On
deck there! Come down and sit on the — "
The owner of the voice showed a very red and
wrathful face at the foot of the ladder. Frank
went below at once, and soon the sound of voices
mingled with that of clattering tins and chinking
pottery. Then the odor of steaming coffee and
frying bacon came through the half-closed com-
panionway. Kenneth and hia mate began to
lose interest in the set of the sails, the curre of

A TEAR IN A YAWL

the rail, and the angiy look of Ibe water. Fre-
quent glances, thrown at the opening from which
such satisfying aromas penetrated, betrayed the
direction in which their thoughts had strayed.

*'A11 hands below to supper," was the wel-
come cry. " Except the skipper, who will stay
on deck and steer, I suppose."

So the cook got even.

■ The table, hinged to either side of the centre-
board trunk, bore a goodly store of " shore grub."
The ship's stove was steaming away in the galley,
way forward almost under the deck. On either
side of the cabin the bunks were ranged; good,
wide bunks with generous cushions. They
served as beds by night and couches by day, the
bedding being rolled up under the deck and con-
cealed by curtains. Under each bunk was a
wide chest or locker, and, besides, a row of
drawers was built forward, so that each mem-
ber of the crew had ample room wherein to
stow his belongings. A man-of-warsman would
be at a loss to know what to do with so much
space.

The cabin was fourteen feet long, nine feet
wide at the widest part, and six feet high. Any
member of the crew could stand upright without
fear of his upper story.

The skipper saw all this in his mind's eye as

OUTWARD BOUND

Ke fondled the tiller (a boat's most sensitive, sym-
pathetic spot) and watched the sails pufQng to the
breath of the breeze. He grew hungrier every
minute, but every minute the wind grew
stronger and the waves higher, so that his in-
terest in the behavior of his boat returned and
' increased, until he forgot about the complainings
I of his stomach altogether. The " Gazelle "
I seemed to know that her maker's eye was upon
her, for she showed off in brave style. Sbe rose
on the waves aa lightly as a cork, and swept along
L at a surprising rate of speed.

Frank and Arthur soon came climbing up on

I deck, and then Ransom had his turn below. In

I spite of Clyde's protestations, he was no mean

L cook, and if " the proof of the pudding lies in the

eating," the crew were certainly satisfied with

iJbeir first meal aboard.

" How are we going to work this thing? " said
Arthur, as Ransom's head appeared above the
hatch coaming. " We certainly won't get in to
Chicago before morning."

" We'll divide up the night into regular
Irwatches, Four on, four off. See?" explained
f Kenneth.

"But who's who?" queried Clyde, from the
f foot of the companionway ladder.

" Artbur and I will be the starboard watch,

A TEAR IN A YAWL

you fend Frank will be the port. That satisfac-
tory? ''

^^ Sure/' the other three responded.

^ Well, suppose the port watch goes on duty
for the second dog watch — from six to eight —
while the starboard watch does the dishes? ''

" I never heard of a starboard watch washing
dishes," said Frank. " But I think they could
not be better employed."

Kenneth and Arthur went below and began
to " wrestle " pots and dishes, while Frank and
Clyde sailed the boat.

The yacht rolled a good deal, and the amateur
dishwashers found it difficult to keep the water in
the dish pan. But if the yawl pitched, it was
not unduly, and she always recovered herself
easily. Her poise was well-night perfect.

Though the off-and-on plan was carried out,
there was little sleep for either watch — ^the ex-
• perience was too new — ^and when Chicago was
^, reached late the next morning, all hands were
glad to lay up for a while and rest. They con-
sidered that the trip had now fairly begun, inas-
much as people had predicted that the "Gazelle '*
would never cross even the Lake in safety. The
boys took advantage of city prices and bought all
sorts of things and stowed them aboard the yacht.
. There was enough stuff aboard to stock it small

OUTWA.RD BOUND

store for a year, yet the yawl did not seem to be
overburdened,

■' Hear ye'r goin' through to ther canal? " It
was the evening of the second day when a burly,
bearded chap shouted this in a fog-horn voice to
Arthur. " Want a tow through, Cap? "

" Here, Ken, is a fellow who wants to tow ub
C the canal," Arthur shouted down the open
I batch to Bansom.

They did want a tow, and the agreement was
soon made, so the tugboat man departed con-
tent.

The following afternoon a little tubby, snub-
nosed, pointless tug steamed up, and the boys
recognized their tugboat man in the pilot house.

" Hello, Capl " was his greeting. " Ready? "

"Hello, Captain I "Ransom responded. " "All
ready. Give ua a line." ,-'

The hawser was hauled aboard and made fast
to the capstan bitts forward, and soon the yacht
was on her way once more.

All of the boys had seen the Chicago River
before, but never had any of them come so close
to the shipping. There were whalehacks for
freight, and whalebacks for passengers, steam-
boats, Great Lake, grain, and passenger steamers,
little tugs towing barges ten times their size;
sailing craft of all kinds. It was bewildering,

A YEAR IN A YAWL

and how the little tug ever found a way through
the labyrinth was a marvel. All went well,
however, though the boys held their breaths
whenever there was a particularly close shave,
and so were almost continually in a state of sus-
pended animation.

It seemed as if miles of craft of various kinds
had been passed, when they came up to an enor-
mous grain steamer which was fast aground. She
was surrounded by a mob of puffing tugs, which
had been working since the day before to get her
oflF. The steamer and her escorts took up most
of the stream, but a narrow lane remained open
at one side just wide enough to allow the tug and
the " Gazelle " to pass through. There was
barely room between the towering sides of the
great-freighter and the heavily-timbered side of
the river-bulkhead, but there seemed to be no

'•^danger that the great vessel would get off and
3^1 up the narrow passageway. The boys, there-
fore, told their tug to go on.

. 'The tug entered the open lane and puffed
steadily ahead, the yacht following a hundred
feet behind. The towboat passed on, and the
" Gazelle " came abreast of the freighter's stem.
It overshadowed the small craft just as a tall
office building would dwarf a news-stand beside
it. The four boys gazed at her gj^eat iron sides

onrn^ARu bound

in admiration and wonder; they could almoat
touch it

"I wonder will they ever get her o£E! " ex-
claimed Arthur. " She looks as if she was built
on to the bottom."

" Say, Ken, look! " It was Frank who
grabbed Ransom's arm and pointed to the great
ship's counter. " Isn't she moving now? "

She certainly was. The freighter's stern was
swinging round; slowly at first, but gaining in
speed every moment. The tug was going ahead,
and the iron sides were closing down on the little
yacht irresistibly. It was a horrible trap which
the tug, by reason of the long towline, had es-
caped. The boys realized their danger, and
shouted to the captain of the tug. He imme-
diately rang for full speed ahead. It was a grim
race to escape destruction.

Faster the tug churned on, but nearer and^
nearer came that terrible iron wall, until
bumped against the yawl's white aides. Eotn
yachtpnd freighter were edged in to the spilesof
the bulkhead until there was but three feet of
open water between. Men on the freighterj.,1
ashore, and on near-by vessels saw the <"
They shouted words of encouragement and warn* ■,
ing; but even as they did it, they knew that it-j
was of no avail. Nearer and nearer the feai

1 YEAR IN A YAWL

iron wall approached, inexorably. The boys
saw that the boat was doomed to certain destruc-
tion, and perhaps death lay in wait for them, but
they could do nothing.

They were being drawn into the very jaws of
the trap, and the crew looked at the smooth sides
of the freighter for a foothold or a hanging rope
that they might cling to, and then to the slimy
bulkhead. Each had picked out a place for him-
self to spring for when the time should come.
Suddenly the movement of the great ship's stem
stopped. She quivered a moment and was still.
She had grounded just in time, and the " Ga-
zelle " slipped through with not three feet to
spare.

The shout that went up from the onlookers
was like the sudden escape of long pent-up steam
— ^it was a glad cry of relief, and the boys echoed
it in spirit, but could do nothing but wave their
ipaps in answer.

It had been a narrow escape, and the crew of
the " Gazelle " were thankful enough to come
out of it alive. To the shouts of the onlookers,
however, they waved their caps airily, as if it was
an e very-day matter to escape from the jaws of
death.

After this all went well. The tug and its
light tow made such good time that the entrance

OVTWABD BOVXD

lock to the Illinois and Michigan Canal was
reached by nine o'clock. All hands turned in
except Ransom, who was to take the first four-
hour watch. But, from time to time during the
night, various members of the crew waked
with a feeling that there waa a house crushing
them. "Whether this was caused by the experi-
ence with the ship, or the pancakes which Clyde
constructed for supper, this chronicler does not
pretend to state.

Early the following morning, the boys paid
their canal fees, and passed through the lock.

" How long is this canal, Ken? " Frank asked,
after they had tied up in the basin.

"Ninety-8L\ or seven milea,~'I think," he an-
swered.

" Walking good ? " was Clyde's question. "I .
don't see a crowd oi tug men crying like hack- /
men at a depot, ' Tug, sir.' ' Tow, sir.' ' Tak^
you through quick, sir! ' " ;'

" You're right," said Kenneth, with a smile.'
"It's pretty late for shippuig, I hear; but pai-
haps that steam freighter that we heard was co^^
ing through will give us a lift. Let's waitjl
while and see."

They did, and the freighter good-naturedlyj
gave them a tow all the afternoon. But gooc
things, like everything else, have an ending, ■
35

A. TEAR IN A YAWL

and the following morning found thiem tow-
less.

A good half of this ninety-six mile canal the
boys towed their boat by hand — they were their
own mules, as Arthur expressed it. Two towed,
and two stayed aboard, steered, and tended ship.
The starboard and port watches took turns.

The hunting along the way was good, and
many a plump duck tried the carving abilities of
the cook and tickled the palate of the passengers.

Seven days of towing by hand, and friendly
helps from passing steamers, brought them to La
Salle, the end of the canal and the Illinois River.

Letters from home reached them here, and
gladdened their hearts mightily. It was one of
the consolations of this trip that every few days
they received word from home, and were able
\^ to send messages to the anxious ones who were
\leit behind.
* Though the boys were somewhat footsore from
their unaccustomed walking and their amphib-
ious journeying, they were gaining weight
steadily, and would have made splendid " after "
pictures for a tonic advertisement.

The night on which they reached La Salle
was cold, and, after getting their letters, the four
friends made all ship-shape on deck, and then
went below, closing the hatch behind 'them.

OUTWARD BOUND

3ter a rousing supper, to which, needless to say,
they did fuU justice, the table was cleared, dishes
put away, and in a twinkling the place was
turned into a reading saloon or a lounging room.
The swinging lamp shed a soft glow on the warm
coloring of the cherry woodwork and cushioned
bunks. The light on the table was ample, and
the boys set out to answer the pile of letters they
had received. It was a great temptation to tell
hair-raising tales of every little happening that
they had met with, but from the first it was
agreed that the pleasant things alone should be
detailed at any length. For a time, the scratch-
ing of pens on paper was the only sound,
other than the comfortable, subdued creak
of the throat of fhe main boom on the mast,
which made itself beard as a passing gust
struck the yawl. Presently, however, one
of the pens stopped scratching, and its owner /
added a new element to the soft sounds — that
of heavy breathing and an unmistakable snorS.
Soon ail but Ransom were stretched out on their
bunks, fully clothed but sound asleep. He still
struggled to write, keeping awake by force of fiat
in eye. He, too, was almost dozing, the gust
had passed, and the boom was quiet, the low hum
of the lamp was the only sound to be lieard.
Thump, thump! The thud of

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

heavy jarred the four out of their doze with a
start. Then a scraping sound followed, and a
couple of thumps at theii^ very feet. It was
startling, and Ransom scrambled to his feet and,
followed by his three companions, who, half
asleep as they were, looked about with dismayed
faces, rushed on deck, expecting to find them-
selves on shore and in imminent danger. But,
instead, they found a comfortable old log, with
some branches clinging to it, that had floated
down stream and had merely knocked oflF some
of the " Gazelle's " white paint in passing.

** That's one on us," laughed Kenneth in a
relieved manner. " Let's turn in."

When the boys got up the next morning, they

f oimd a layer of snow on deck, and a thin skin

of ice on the still water. It was high time to be

, on their way, so they shipped their mast again,

> bent on the sails, and set up the rigging in a

i hurry, and the following day were well on their

'^ay down the river towards the Mississippi.

■ The Illinois Kiver is broad and shallow, and in

Order to keep enough water in the stream to float

lie grain boats down to the great river, enormous

dams are built at inter/als. A lock at each dam

allows the vessels to drop to the lower level.

Leading to each lock is a canal a himdred yards

or so long.

OVTWARU BOUND

The " Gazelle " made good way down ihe
riverj but each dam was approached with much
care. A tack missed, the boat would in all prob-
ability go to her destructiou.

They had but three more dams to pass, and
ware sailing along with a beautiful breeze acroea
stream to their starboard hand. Several hun-
dred yards above the lock, Arthur blew a lusty
blast on the bom to notify the gatekeeper of
their approach. Again he blew, and at last they
saw the man come out of his house and begin to
work the levers that opened the enormous gates.
The '' Gazelle " swept on, straight as an arrow,
for the gate, every stitch drawing, her forefoot
fairly spuming the water, and the small boat —
" His Nibs " — bobbing gaily behind.

The yacht was sailing faster than they real-
ized, and suddenly the boys saw that lihey
would reach the gate before it was opened wide
enough to admit them. There was but one ,
thing to do. With a warning shout of " hard-a- ■
lee," Kenneth bore down on the tiller, the other
boys hauled in the slieeta, and in a minute tbe '
boat was heading out and up the stream. It was
quick work, but for a time all seemed well. Then
the wind slackened and a swift current caught
them. The boat began to drift down stream
, toward the dam. To the alarmed boys the cur-

A TEAR IN A YAWL

rent seemed as swift as a mill race. It was carry-
ing them at a terrific rate straight for the dam
and to what seemed must be certain death. Now
they could see the ugly heads of the logs sticking
out of the water at the brink of the falls, and
jagged stones which turned the stream to foam
in a hundred places.

Still the wind lagged, and the current in-
creased in speed. The boys looked from one to
the other. Each knew that nothing could be
done, but instinctively they hoped that some-
thing would intervene to save them. But what
could save them now? With pallid faces and
hearts that beat fast, they agreed to stick to each
other and the ship.

Still the stream ran on and the breeze lagged.
The line of white that defined the edge of the
falls could now be distinctly seen, and the roar
of the water drowned all other sounds. They
began to give up hope. It seemed as if nothing
could help them — surely nothing could.

Kansom was watching the bit of bunting— the
i fly — at the mainmast head. He saw it straighten
> out and begin to snap.

' '^ Boys! " he exclaimed, " there's a chance yet.
look! "

Even as he spoke, a puff of wind struck them,
the sails rounded out, and the backward speed of

OUTWARD BOUND

the yacht slackened. Inch by inch, she began
to gain on the current. Her crew felt as if they
were pushing her along; their nerves and muscles
were tense. Soon they saw that they were mak-
ing real headway. If the wind held they would
be safe yet. It was a gallant fight that the spruce
" Gazelle '^ made — a fight for her life and the
lives of her crew, and still the wind held strong
and true. She gained.

At last it was safe to come about. " Hard-a-
lee," sang out the steersman cheerfully, as he
headed the boat up into the wind. The " Ga-
zelle " paused a moment in apparent indecision,
her headsails flapping, then around she came and
headed straight for the now widely open gates.

CHAPTER IV

AN ADVENTITBE IN ST. LOUIS

Though the adventure with the dam shook the
young sailors' nerves somewhat, still it served to
give them increased confidence in their boat.
Distinctly, a craft that behaved so well under
such trying circumstances was worth sticking to,
they argued, and not unreasonably.

When the boys saw how little shipping there
was moving, they reaUzed that winter was com-
ing apace, and that if they were to enjoy the
\ balmy South without a spell of Arctic journeying
no time must be lost. A skin of ice on the water
was now a common occurrence, and it took a con-
"^ siderable amount of courage to crawl out from
under the warm blankets and go on deck to wash
/ o' mornings.

Therefore, the stops along the Illinois Kiver
were cut as short as possible, and only the diflScul-
ties of navigating a strange stream prevented
them from sailing at night. As it was, not a few

atW ADVBNTDRE IN ST. LOVIS

lieka that would otherwise have been carefully
avoided were taken in order to gain time.

At Beardstown, Illinois, they came to two fine
bridges across the stream, but built too low to
allow of even the " Gazelle's " short spar passing
underneath.

The yacht was sweeping along at a merry
pace, wind astern, and current aiding. Frank,
who was doing look-out duty forward, caught
sight of the up-stream bridge first, and blew a
long, unmelodious note on the ship's fog horn.

"What do you think of that for nerve?"
shouted Frank to his companions in the cockpit
aft, " Here we are, four chaps in a thirty-foot
toy boat, blowing a horn to make a thousand-ton
bridge make an opening for us."

"Yes, we're little, I know, but oh, my!"
Arthur answered. " Just give thera another
blow. They are fearful slow. Guess they don't
know we're in a hurry."

The yacht sped on at a splendid gait, and the
draw opened none too soon, for the " Gazelle "
slid through before the great span had stopped ■,
BwingiBg round. She made a gallant sight, her J
mainsail and jigger spread out wide wing and I
"wing and rounded out like the cheeks of Boreas, ■
iier round, spoon bow slipped over rather than '..
cut through the water, and the easy lines of her U
4S

)

A ttJAR 12f A YAWL

Stem left but little wake behind. " His Nibs/'
towing behind, made enough fuss, however, to
supply several boats many times its size. It fairly
strutted along in its importance.

The pedestrians on the footpath forgot in their
interest to be impatient at the delay caused by
the opening of the bridge, and watched the yacht
flying along, more like a live creature than a
thing of mere wood and canvas.

A few hundred yards below, another bridge
spanned the stream, and Frank, still forward,
blew another long, open sesame blast. In an-
swer, the draw began to move; so slowly, how-
ever, that the crew were troubled. It seemed as
if it would never open in time to let them
through. But the boys figured that the draw
moved faster than they realized, and that the
space was wider than it seemed. They there-
fore held on their course, and the " Gazelle,"
appearing to understand that she was watched,
fairly outdid herself. Her crew became exhila-
rated, and watched with flushed cheeks and shin-
ing eyes the water as it rushed past. " Great
Scott, look at that! " suddenly Frank shouted.
'^ Come about, for Heaven's sake! " The other
three looked where he pointed, and saw that the
draw had stopped moving and that it would be
impossible to go through the narrow opening.

AH ADTENTURE IN ST. LOUIS

"he men on the bridge, seeing the danger — it
rwaa growing each second so terribly imminent — ■
1 worked desperately to set the machinery which
1 turned the bridge going.

The boat was within seventy-five feet of the
ft low trusses that would undoubtedly shatter its
[ Bpars to kindling wood and tear the sails to rags,
I and still the " Gazelle " flew along, joyously
I careless of all save the buoyancy of the moment.
I She was sailing down the right aide of the river
I in order to follow the motion of the draw, which
i from left to right. The pier which sup-
j ported the middle span was in mid-stream — a
I massive stone structure with a prow like the ram
I of a battleship; planned, in fact, to break up and
eparate the ice.
" Come about, Ken, quick, or you'll carry
I away your stick," Frank waved his arma and
[ pointed frantically to the bridge.

Ransom paused a minute and measured the
distance between hia craft and the bridge,
glanced at the stone pier and hesitated. He was
pale, but outwardly calm. At last he put the
tiller over to port, and the gallant Httle craft ■
swung round on her heel like a dancer — her
pace slackened; but the current and wind still
I carried her onward nearer and nearer the bridge,
I her momentum spinning her round until she was ,
45

A YEAR IN A YAWL

headed straight for the beak of the stone pier,
jutting out wicked and green with river slime.
On she went, her crew watching breathlessly
to see if she would come round and tack into
the wind in time. Yes, she would! No;
no; yes ! Half a dozen times in as many
seconds the chances changed, but still she swept
on.

Suddenly, with a bump that threw all four
boys prone on the deck, she struck the pier, and
as they lay half dazed, she slid up the inclined
stone, greased, as it was, with slime, until the
forward part of her underbody was clear out of
water and her stem deep in. With a jar, the
motion ceased, and then she began to slide back-
ward. Deeper and deeper went her stem, until
it seemed as if she would dive backward. At
last, she slid oflF altogether, and turned round into
the wind by the impact with the pier, and began
to pay oflF on the other tack. Eansom jumped
up and seized the tiller, amazed and delighted
that the boat still held together, and that he and
his companions were uninjured. The draw now
commenced to swing again, and Kansom, watch-
ing it over his shoulder, saw it open wider and
wider till the channel was clear. Then he put
the boat about again, and she sailed calmly
through the gap; Arthur at the main sheet,

AN ADTENTVRE IN ST. LOVIB '

Clyde tending the jib, and Frank forward aa
before.

A prolonged cheer rose from the men on the
draw, and a faint shout came down the wind
from the people on the other bridge.

Cheer on, if the gallant little ship was not
racked to pieces and strained beyond repair.

*' Arthur, get below and aound the pump,"
said Kanaom, anxiously. The mate flew down
the companionway, and the boys on deck aoon
heard the suction of the pump and the swish of
the stream thrown in the centre-board trunk. It
was a time of suspense until the Bucking aound
was heard that betokened that she was dry. The
good Michigan white oak held true, and beyond
L BOme slackened stays and a broken tumbuckle,
1 the yacht was uninjured.

"By George, boys!" exclaimed Arthur, as
I lie came from below, "she's the stuff! Yon
can't hurt her. She's as sound as can be — ^not ,
a seam started."

From here on, the Illinoia was plain sailing. .
"Wafted by favoring winds and a swift current,
the " Gazelle " made fast time and reached tha
Mississippi on Thanksgiving Day,

" Boys," said Ransom, as he came up from
examining the charts, " if we have luck to-day,
■we'll be sailing on the Mississippi."

X YEAR IN A 7AWL

" A mighty good way to celebrate the day,"
suggested the mate.

" I wonder what it looks like/' Clyde specu-
lated.

" Oh! I think it's very broad, and very muddy,
with low banks covered with colored people sing-
ing songs to a banjo." This was Arthur's con-
tribution.

" No, I think that we'll find the banks lined
^tt woodpiles; with here and there a plantation
landing "

"And boats, great flat-bottomed things,"
Frank interrupted Clyde to say; " with tall chim-
neys instead of stacks belching rolls of black
smoke."

" You fellows have been reading Mark Twain,

S and think you know it all," Kenneth remarked

from his place at the tiller. " But where do you

suppose we are now? Look around."

\ The boys had been so busy making up an
> imaginary river, that they did not notice when
(they passed a low point and entered into what
ippeared to be a wider part of the stream.

" Why, you don't know the Mississippi when
you see it. Let's give three cheers for it," cried
the captain.

"Hip-Hip, Hurrah!" The cheers rang out
together, with a will.

AN ADVENTURE IN ST. LOUIS

" Now, three more for the boat."

Again they rang out — -undignified, perhaps,
but fitting, in that they voiced the thanksgiving
which all four of the crew felt, hut could not
express in words.

As the sun aanlc, turning the brown waters of
the mighty river to crimson and gold, the
" Gazelle " dropped her anchor in a little cove
and rested, while her crew partook of mallard
duck, shot during the day — their Thanksgiving
dinner.

" People said we wouldn't he able to cross the
Lake safely, eh? " said Frank, exultingly; " and
here we are anchored to the bottom of the Mis-
isaippi. We're the people,"

" Going to take on a pilot, Ken? " suggested
[ Arthur.

"Surel" returned the captain. ""Who will
give up his berth to bam? "

" Ob, I guess we can get along without one," i
Arthur interposed hastily. " Clyde, give me ■
some more duck."

"This mallard is all right, Clyde," remarked
Kenneth rather thoughtfully. " But I coa*
fess I'd swap it for a home-made pumpkiii
pie."

" Now, drop that, Ken," said Clyde, " I objeoSi
to your invidious compariaona. It isn't a squares
4 49

A YEAR IN A YAWL

Illinois River they passed under the great Eads
Bridge and anchored a little below St. Louis.

"Who's going ashore?" Clyde looked
around from one to the other of his companions.
"I think it is our turn. The starboard watch
ought to have a loaf once in a while, you know."

"Not by a jugful! Hasn't the port watch
been at the helm all day? " Arthur was more
vehement than it was necessary he should be.

" Well, we did all the dirty wo A; cooked the
meals and washed the dishes." Frank was get-
ting interested.

" Here, here, let's quit this squabbling. We
all have worked hard, and we all want to go
ashore, and each has an equal right, but some of
us must stay." Kansom realized that quarrel-
ling would spoil the trip quicker than anything
else.
\ The three stood in an attitude that said as

\ plainly as words: "What are you going to do

(about it? "

) " Leave it to these." Kenneth showed four
ends of rope yam sticking out of his closed hand.
T These yams are of different lengths. The two
that get the shortest will have to stay aboard —
the lucky two who pull the longest can go ashore.
See?"

" Ijfc ^oes," the three answered.

AN ADVENTURE IN ST. LOUIS

The upshot of it was that Clyde and Frank
went ashore, and the other two remained to keep
ship and do chores.

It was late when " the liberty party " returned
with pockets bulging with letters and papers,
with heads full of the things they had seen, and
tongues aching to tell of thorn; and last, but not
least, with able-hodied appetites and stomachs
ready for the meal which the " left-behinders "
had prepared.

It would be hard to tell whether the tongues
or the knives and forks won the race, but cer-
tainly both did valiant service. By way of com-
pensation, the starboarders washed the diahea,
while the port did the heavy looking on. Soon
things were cleared away, and the hinged table
was lined with boys reading letters,

" Look at this," said Kenneth, after a time of
quiet, broken only by the crackle of stiff paper.
" I had hoped that this would show up about this ,
time. We need it in our buainesa."

It was a check for $125, and was expected ;
to last them many weeks. The money that Ken- .
neth had saved for this trip had been left in his '
father's hands, to be forwarded from time to '
time as needed, and almost every cent of the
little hoard had its particular use.

" Well, don't be proud," exclaimed Arthur,

A TEAR IN A YAWL

^ you are not the only one/' and he flourished a
money order.

Frank, too, produced one.

"We are bloated bondholders," the captain
said smiling. " But we won't spend it on riot-
ous living now, or we'll have to eat and drink
Mississippi Kiver water later."

Arthur was imder the weather next day, so
Hansom went ashore alone, taking the precious
check and money orders with him. He rather
despaired of finding any one who would identify
him so that he could cash the check; but as luck
would have it, he met an acquaintance on the
street who made him all right with the bank
officials at once. John Brisbane was a pleasant
fellow and knew the city thoroughly. He towed
Ransom round the town and showed him most
of the sights, and even introduced him to some
Mississippi pilots. They listened to his tale of
what he and the crew had done and intended still
to do with polite incredulity for a while, but
finally concluding that he was telling them a
" tall story," they began to jeer openly.

"That's right," Eansom protested earnestly,
a little vexed but still smiling. " We are plan-
ning to go around the Eastern United States,
and we'll do it, too."

After the river men saw that he was in eam-

AN ADVENTURE IN 8T. LOVIU

' est, and tliat he really intended to put the trip
tijrougli, they began to tell him things about the
liver: where to look for this bar, how to avoid
that eddy, and where deep water ran round the
other bend. Indeed, they gave him ao much
information about the Miaaissippi between St.
Louia and New Orleans that he was bewildered,
and felt as if he were waking up from a dream
wherein aome one was reading a guide-book of
the river, while another called off the soundings
of the charts.

When he finally bid good-by to the pilots
Ransom felt thankful to get away with his
reason intact.

Then John Brisbane showed him the Post
Office, and after bidding him good-bye and good
luck, went off.

Kansom found that he had barely time to cash
his money orders, and feared that when he got
on the end of the long line in the crowded wait-
ing-room the window would be closed before he
got to it.

One by one the people stepped up to the nai^
row window and held what seemed to be long
conversations with the oiRcial behind the glass.
First it was a woman with a baby, which had to
be held by some one else while the motlier signed
her name, the baby meanwhile objecting vigor-

A YEAR IN A YAWL

oudy; then a man with a lot of bundles, which
he was constantly dropping and as often picking
up, delayed the Une; and then one thing and an-
other until Hansom, who watched the hands of
the big clock approach nearer and nearer four
o'clock, fingered his money orders nervously
and grew nearly frantic with apprehension.

At last he reached the window and got his
money just in time. He put it in the inside
pocket of his coat and buttoned it up, but pulled
it open again when he went over to the stamp
window to buy stamps for the crew and for him-
self. The crowd was unaccountably thick, and he
wondered at it, as a man was pushed against him
so heavily that he grunted. The stamps once
bought, he rushed out to buy some greatly
needed supplies for the ship's larder.

" It's lucky I got that money," he said to him-
self, as he opened the door of a grocery shop.
*' We would have about starved to death if it had
not come."

" How much is it? " Ken asked of the grocery
man when the goods had been selected.

" Three forty-eight," was the reply.

Eansom went into his vest pocket, where he
usually carried a small amount of money for
everyday purposes, and pulled up two quarters,
a nickel and two pennies.

AN ADrEXTURB ly ST. LOUIS

" Fifty-seven cents," he laughed, while the
grocery man watched him narrowly.

"Well, it is lucky that check came. What
we should have done without it, I don't know."
He reached for his inside pocket as he spoke.
" But it did, so it's all right. How much did
you "

He stopped in the middle of the sentence —
the pocket was empty I He ran his hand way
down in — ampty. He turned the pocket inside
out — not a thing in it. Then he felt each pocket
in turn rapidly, then carefully — ^no money.
The grocery man began putting away the things
which Kenneth had bought, Kansom did not
notice him, but kept up his frantic search — no
result. He stopped to think. The perspiration
stood in drops on his brow, and a leaden weight
had settled down on his heart as he realized that
he had "heen robbed of over a hundred dollars of
his earnings; every cent of which waa needed to
carry him through. He felt sure that his pocket
had been picked at the Post Office. Then the
thought came to him with crushing force that ha
had lost the money of the other boys, and thaf!
he would have to make it up out of what waa left
of his small hoard at home.

" Perhaps I dropped it," he thoug'ht to him-
, self, and he rushed back to fhe Post OfBce to aee.
57

A YEAR IN A YAWL

He searched the big room desperately, and
was so evidently troubled that the watchman
asked him what he was looking for.

" I lost some money here; have you seen any-
thing of it? I will pay a reward."

The man looked at him incredulously, and
then laughed in his face.

"Found any money? I guess not! Why,
there's been a thousand people in this room to-
day. Foimd any money? Just listen to that! "
He broke into a laugh again, and turned his back
on the distracted boy.

Kenneth wandered aimlessly out into the cor-
ridor, every nerve racking with agony. As he
walked along, he saw among a lot of names, titles
of departments and court rooms, "U. S. Marshal."

"I guess ril ask him; he ought to know if
there are pickpockets aroimd here, and he may
help me," and suiting the action to. the word.
Ransom made for the room.

The assistant marshal, a small, keen-eyed,
albeit kindly man, was just closing the office
when the boy burst in.

"I have lost some money," Hansom began
right away. " Stolen out of my pocket, I
think."

" When?^' — ^the question came out like a pis-
tol shot,

AN ADVENTURE IN ST. LOUIS

" Tliis afternoon, when I "

" Where? " the other interrupted in the same
sharp way. He acted as if he was specially in-
I terested.

" Down-fitairs, in the money order and stamp
room." Kansom was getting even more ex-
cited — the other's manner was catching.

" Describe it."

Eanaom paused to think a minute, and then
began slowly as the denominations of the bills
came to him.

" One twenty, eight tens, four fives, two twos
and a doUar bill — then," and he paused again,
" there was besides two fives and five twos and
three fives."

Aa he spoke, the marshal began fingering the
combination of the safe, his back to Kenneth;
but the boy was so engrossed that he did not
notice what he was doing.

" Well, you've got a, good memory, youngster,
here's the money." As he spoke, the marshal
turned and handed out a bunch of bills and some
letters,

"What!" the boy exclaimed amazed, hia
cheeks flushing, and his breath coming in quick
gasps as he dropped into a ohair. " Oh! "

"Your name is Kenneth, you said?" The
official was smiling, " Well, I am going to

A TEAR IN A 7AWL

name my youngest Kenneth^ so that he will al-
ways come out on top — congratulate you."

He put out his hand^ and Kenneth^ half dazed
with his unexpected good fortune, grasped it with
both his. In his gratitude he felt the useless-
ness of words; and though he tried on all the dif-
ferent ones he could think of that would apply
to the situation, not one of them seemed ade-
quate.

" How did it happen? " his curiosity made him
ask at last.

" Oh, I saw a fellow in a dark comer looking
over something," the marshal explained, "and
I did not just like his looks; he must have been
a green hand to be looking at his graft in the
open like that; so I went up to him and asked
him if he had found something. The fellow
looked up, saw my uniform, and got a case of
cold feet right away. ^Yes,* he said, half
scared, ' I found this by the money order win-
dow.' All the same, he still held onto the wad —
he hated to give it up — ^so I remarked, quiet like,
*I guess you found it in somebody's pocket.'
Well, I got the roll quick enough then, and put
it in the safe; but I never expected the owner
would run it to earth as quickly as you did."

Kenneth thanked him again, and gave him a
bill from the roll which he was holding.

AN ADVENTURE IN 8T. LOUIS

The marshal had to finally cut off his torrent
of thanks with a short, " Young man, this office
closed an hour ago.'*

Ransom from the door shouted an invitation
to visit the yacht, and then went back to the gro-
cery man and made him do up the things he had
ordered before with elaborate care; he paid his
three dollars and forty-eight cents and went off,
the most thankful boy in town.

.1..

}

CHAPTER V

A PEBILOTTS SITUATION

Though Kenneth was elated enough when he
left the centre of the city and started for lihe
river front, his heart sank within him when he
caught sight of the water. The swift current
was carrying great pieces of ice, which gleamed
white against the dark stream. The ice cakes
were close together, and as the boy thought of
the scant three-eighths of an inch thickness of
*' His Nibs's " sides, he despaired of reaching the
yacht anchored on the other ^ore.

"But what shall I do?" he asked himself.
" The boys haven't any boat, and I've got the eat-
ables."

It seemed hard that he should fall from one
nerve-racking experience into another, with
scarcely a breattiing space between times.

For the next five minutes or so he studied the
surface of the water, hoping that a time woidd
come when the ice ran less thick; but he realized
that each minute of waiting was precious day-

A FBRIL0V8 SITUATION

light lost, Eunning down the sloping bank of
the levee, he tumbled hia bundles into the frail
little boat, unmoored her, and pushed out be-
tween two monster river steamboats.

For a minute he paused to pull himself to-
gether, saw that all was snug on hoard, settled
hifl cap more firmly on his head, and prepared
for the struggle to come.

Then out from the shelter of the huge boata
he shot — nerves tense, eyes alert; "His Nibs"
was on its best behavior, and obeyed its master's
slightest touch, as if it understood the desperate
situation. The rowboat was short, and so could
spin around like a top on occasion.

The river seemed bent on destroying the boy
and his little craft. It hurled great chunka of
sharp-edged ice at him in quick succession, but
he always succeeded in dodging them somehow.
Twisting t'hia way and that, now up stream, now
down, he made his way painfully over toward
the "Gazelle," lying so peacefully at anchor in
the little cove near the other shore. A warning i
shout told the three boys that the captain they '
were so anxious about was returning, and they
rushed on deck to greet him. It was well they
did so, for he had hardly strength enough to
throw them " His ITibs's " painter and climb
aboard.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

" Boys," said Kansom, after lie had told of his
adventures, '^ St. Louis is a nice city, but let's get
out It's hoodooed for me."

In spite of Ransom's determination to leave
St. Louis at once, however, it was several days
before the ice permitted them to move from theii*
anchorage. Many friends had been made in the
meantime, and nothing unpleasant occurred, so
that it was with a feeling of regret rather than
of joy that the voyagers finally pulled up the
mud hook and began in earnest the sail down the
Mississippi.

The newspapers had found out that the " Ga-
zelle '* and her crew were in port, and many of
the inhabitants knew about and were interested
in the little craft and her youthful sailors.

The channel followed the city side of the
river, and as the " Gazelle " got under way the
steamboats lining the levee, bow in, stem out,
gave her a rousing salute on whistles of varying
tones. People on deck waved their hands and
shouted '' Good luck! " and " God speed! "

The ice was still very much in evidence, and
kept the steersman busy on the lookout; but Ken-
neth managed in spite of that to enjoy the atten-
tion w'hich they received.

" St. Louis is not so bad a place, after all," he
declared with a change of heart.

A PESILOVS aiTUATIOlf

The ioe gave the youngBters a great deal of
trouble. It was neceaaary to keep on the watch
continually, and to luff or tack every little while
to avoid slamming into a jagged-edged piece.
The channel was very crooked, and crossed con-
tinually from one aide of the stream to the other.
The " Father of Waters " had a decided mind
of his own, and no matter how carefully and
laboriously a straight channel was dredged,
he was quite likely to abandon it and make a
new one.

The boys found the course a continual puzzle,
and fairly gasped when they thought of the
lj200 miles of it atiU before them. But though
the experience was trying, it was valuable, and
especially so to Ransom, who learned just what
a boat can do under numerous and ever varying
eircumatances. It was the most intimate sort of
experience; their very existence depending upon
Hurmounting each difficulty in turn.

The first afternoon's run was thirty-eight
miles, which, considering the many delays on ac-
count of ice, the " crossings " and their imfamili-
arity with the river's peculiarities, the boys
thought very good. It was a rather trying sail,
however, and all hands were glad when a snug
little bend opened up — deep enough to give shel-
ter to the yacht.

J. FEiR IN A YAWL

All four of tlie boya were by this time wefl
seaeoned sailors. They had had aome hard
knocks, had been through many close ahavea,
knew what it was to be cold, hungry, and tired;
but as time went on they had become closer and
closer friends. They learned to put up with
each other's little peculiarities, and shook down
into a harmonious ship's company — a cheerful
atmosphere prevailed that promised final success,
and was not only an inspiration to themaelvea
but to all who saw it. Their solid friendship was
to be sorely tested. Just how solid it was, was
shortly to be proved in a most unexpected man-

Each had his special duties to perform, and
as the voyage grew in length each became more
and more proficient. This was especially true
of the cook, Clyde. Not that he was a poor one
at the start, for he "had shipped with the recom-
mendation that in ten minutes he eould eooV a
meal that the four could not eat in ten days.
This was a little far-fetched, however, for the
" rules and regulations " very plainly stated that
any one who could not satisfy his appetite in five
hours would be obliged to wait until the next
meal. Nevertheless, the cook was very modest,
and explained his improvement by saying that it
was due to his becoming familiar with hia guar-

A- PERILOUS 8ITUA.TI01f

ters. In proof of which, he showed some pan-
cakes which were not only round but also flat.
In the heginning, owing to the listing of the ves-
sel under the pressure of the wind on her sails,
the batter would run to one side of the pan, and
the pancakes were often quite able to stand alone
on end.

ITone of the boys could handle a needle vary
daftly at first, but tbey soon became very good
tera. They even progressed so far in the
I art that they began to openly boast of their skill.
I Fr ank returned one night from a hunting trip
t ashore with a number of ducks and a ahy look
I about him which his companions were at a loss
to account for, until they discovered an unbecom-
ingly big tear in his trousers. After supper he
tackled the gap with a big needle and a couple of
I yards of linen thread. He wanted to have it
I good and strong, he explained.

Frank did not bother to take his trousers off,
but began to sew the rent baaeball-seam fashion,
and though the result was not elegant as regards
3 looks, he certainly accomplished his object,
I and he was justly proud of his achievement.
" Any of you fellows want any sewing done? "
he remarked airily, as he sawed off the end of
the thread. " I am going to paint on the main-
pail, in beautiful, gilt script letters, 'Monsieur
87

A. TEAR IN A 7AWL

Chauvet, Modes,' and rig you fellows up in natty
sailor uniforms to ferry my customers over to
me.^^

" Well, I don't know,'' Arthur remarked (he
had been busy writing while Frank was em-
broidering); "I can sew (lo) a little, myself;
listen."

He dodged a pillow, a spool, a ball of tarred
twine and a book, and then began the following:

G-azellO) Gazelle,

She^ll run pell mell,

With every stitch a-drawing,

O^er waters smooth

And waters rough,

The seas her forefoot spuming.

Gazelle, Gazelle,

She^s quite a swell ;

But yet there^s no denying,

If needs she must

Do it or bust,

She'll be at anchor lying.

Gazelle, Gazelle,

You must do well.

On you depends our winning ;

For 'tis our boast,

From lake to coast.

You'll bring us through a-spinning.

A PERILOUS SITUATION

" For the sake of the song we'll forgive the
Kpim, if you never let it occur again," said Ran-
rsom judicially.

It was late when they turned in that night,
and Ransom was just on the verge of dozing off
when lie heard a great rustling in Frank's bunk
across the cabin. Clyde and Arthur were
asleep, so Ransom whispered, " What's the mat-
ter, old man? "

" Oh, Ken, I'm in trouble," There was a
I tnd of gurgle in his voice that stilled the
[captain's anxiety. "If ever I get toploft-
■ jeal, you just pipe up a aong about a fellow
• "that sewed his outer clothes to his under-
clothes." Then followed a savage, ripping
sound, which bespoke a tragedy, and all was
still again.

In spite of their best efforts, it seemed as if the

elements were against tlie young voyagers. One

day a heavy mist fell, and made the following of

t the channel nothing more nor less than a game

f of blindman's liuff, with the fun excluded, and

' a few sand bars, rocks and snags thrown in to

make it interesting. Another day the snow fell

80 heavily that they had to tie up, the channel

marks teing obscured. Here they went ashore

and visited the town of Herculaneura, a mining

Tillage, where Arthur and Kenneth took in the

A. TEAR /.V A YAWL

lead-fimelting fumaces, wliile Frank and Clyde
stayed aboard.

Just before dark some river steamerB passed
and showed them the channel, and the boys
gladly took advantage of their lead. The gov-
ernment dredges afforded Kenneth and liia
friends an opportunity to get acquainted with a
new kind of craft, which the young ship designer
was especially glad of. The government's
dredging and snag-pulling boats are among the
largest and moat expensive in the world. It
takes an endless amount of money and effort to
harness the JJjssissippi, and the government is
making a great fight to keep the river free of
obstructions.

At Wittenberg, Missouri, where the boys tied
up for a night, they got some much appreciated
information from the usually taciturn river men
about the Grand Tower Whirlpool. It was a
spot which they had heard of way back in the
Illinois Eiver towns, as one of the moat danger-
ous places on the old Mississippi.

It is the graveyard of many a fine river packet,
and it can hardly be wondered at that our cruisers
dreaded it greatly. A eharp bend in the river
makes an eddy that has terrible suction power.
To the left the water shoals rapidly, the bottom
ia covered with rocks, and is the resting place of

A PBRILQVH SITUATION

Bnags, logs and all the debris that menace naviga-
tion. Between this " Scylla and Charybdis " is

■ the narrow channel. It is a spot to make even
the experienced steamboat man think of his acci-
dent insurance policy, and it seemed almost
madness for the young sailors, aided by the

jvrind alone, to attempt to run the dangerous

■place.

The next morning dawned bright and clear,

I'Half a gale was blowing straight down stream

P- — that is, straight down stream when the river
happened to flow north and south. Little white-
caps were puffed up from the brown flood, and
streaks of ripples showed where the wind got a
favorable slant. It looked squally, and it re-
quired all the resolution that the boys possessed
to make the trial, the outcome of which would

Umean success or destruction. But they knew

■that indecision went hand in hand with failure,

I and they took their courage in both hands inan-

[fuUy and prepared for the ordeal.

" You can keep her going with a wind like thia

I back of you," a new-found friend shouted aa he
t off the line. " You'll have plenty of steer-

r Hge way. PoUow the marks, and you're O. K."
The last words grew fainter and fainter aa the
* Gazelle " fled away before the wind like a bird.

_ Ser motion was so swift, so sure, that the sailors
71

A TEAR IN A YAWL

she bore took heart and watched eagerly for the
marks that would tell of their approach to the
dread spot

"There's the beacon," shouted Frank, who
was on lookout duty forward.

£enneth shifted the helm a little and bore
nearer to shore.

" There's the other one,'' yelled Frank, " off
our port bow."

Again the tiller was moved, this time a trifle
to starboard.

The wind was blowing dead aft, almost a
gale, and the "Gazelle" fled before it like a
frightened thing. The speed of the current,
too, increased. They were going like a race
horse. Floating cakes of ice were left behind
in a trice; the trees on shore flashed past like
spectres. It was a terrible pace. They passed
a point, and there in the curve of the bend the
whirlpool seethed — a veritable cauldron of tum-
bling, foaming, riotous water. To the left the
water wjw broken and frothy. The tough roots
of uprooted trees reached out of the worried
stream, and black rocks protruded like ugly
teeth.

Between the two places of destruction ran a
smooth, swift, straight channel, and for this the
" Gazelle " headed like a well-aimed arrow. In

A PERILOUS SITUATION

an infltant she was speeding tlirough. To the
right the whirlpool twisted and tossed — on the
other side gaped the rock-toothed shoal.
Straight on flew the boat, swifter and swifter,
her crew quiet and steady, ready for whatever
might come.

In a moment it was over, and the yacht waa
Bailing smoothly on the comparatively still waters
' beyond.

"Good work, old girl! " Kenneth exclaimed
half aloud. With each trial the boys had gained
confidence in the boat until they had come to
have an affection for her that made them wish
there was some personal way of showing her
their trust and regard.

The channel beyond Grand Tower waa
straight, deep and broad. The " Guzelle "
hounded along, the breeze astern, at such a swift
pace that she covered the twelve good miles to
Devil's Island in one hour.

The crew were in high glee now, and enjoyed
every minute to the full; but, after all, they
merely served to prove the truth of the proverb:
" Pride goeth before a fall."

The water shoaled rapidly, and all at once,

without warning of any Idnd, the yacht stopped

as if some giant's hand had grasped her keel and

suddenly stayed her flight. Why it did not

•v

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

shake the masts off from her, the crew could
jiever understand.

" Pull up the board, Clyde! '^ Kenneth shout-
ed to that member of the company, who was
below when the shock came. The boy picked
himself up, and pulled at the line which ran
through a pulley made fast to the deck beams,
and through a corresponding block on the centre-
board. He tugged and tugged, but the weight
of the wind on the sails jammed the board in its
trunk, and he could not move it.

The canvas was lowered and then the board
came up. Arthur took " His Nibs " and an an-
chor which he intended to drop overboard some
distance from the yacht, when it would serve as a
kedge to pull her over the obstruction, but be-
fore the mate got far enough to drop the hook,
the sails, which had been raised meantime, caught
the strong wind and hurried the yacht over the
', bar.

> The " Gazelle " bounded forward.
"^ "Heave over the anchor, Art!" Kenneth
; shouted, as he jumped to the tiller. But the
'. iron was so heavy and the speed of the yacht so
/ great that the slack was taken in before the mate
could obey the command. In an instant " His
Nibs " was capsized and the mate was swim-
ming round iu the cold water in company with

-1 PEBILOVa 8ITVXT10N

the cakes of ice. He soon found that the water
only reached to hia waist, however, and he waded
qniekly to " His Nibs," tailed the boat out, and
paddled over to the " Gazelle," which had mean-
time come up into the wind and was fast to the
anchor dropped when the small boat capsized.

" Well," said Arthur, as he scrambled aboard,
" maybe I got excited, but I kept cool all right,"
He chuckled at his wit, though his teeth chat-
tered suggestively, and he had a blue look which
hia friends did not like to see. A sharp rub
down, a change of clothing, and a cup of hot cof-
fee brought him around in short order.

After this experience luck seemed to be with
the boys. They sailed down the wide river,
crossing from side to side as the channel dictated,
but with favoring winds and bright skies. The
great stream was never monotonous, especially
to the crew of a sailing craft. It is full of
surprises and interests; its channel turns and
L. twiffta many times in a mile and changes every
t day.

But woe betide the vessel that depended on
a misplaced beacon. It was this that nearly, i
very nearly, ended the career of the " Gazelle "
and her crew. At Goose Island, on the Missouri
side, they ran aground, having laid their course
according to a misplaced light.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

It was a very serious situation which these
youngsters had to face. The boat was caught
hard and fast in a stream running from four to
five miles an hour, carrying great chunks of ice
that struck all obstacles with the force of bat-
tering rams. The bar was aknost in midstream,
too far away from shore to hail. A small boat
of " His Nibs's '' strength would not live in the
ice ten minutes. It was about as grim a predica-
ment as could be imagined. All the sails were
spread, the board raised, and the crew, with the
exception of the man at the helm, shoved with
oars for hours j but the " Gazelle " did not budge
an inch.

Then they tried to take an anchor out, but
*' His Nibs '' was no sooner put overboard than a
big cake of ice came along and gave the light
little craft such a terrific thump that the boys
pulled her in hurriedly — ^they could not afford
to run any risks with the only means they had of
reaching shore.

Hour by hour the cold increased, until it got
close to the zero mark, and as the weather became
colder the streams supplying the Mississippi
froze up, and the water of the great stream grew
less and less.

The boys worked with desperation — stayed up
late at night and rose at daybreak, hoping for a

A PERILOUS SITUATION

rise of water or a favorable slant of wind. The

increased cold made it necessary to keep the oil
Btove burning, and the fuel began to get low.
While sailing along the river, whose banks were
lined with towns, the hoys did not laj in a great
stock of provisions; they thonght it better to get
them in fresh as frequently as possible.

" Well, Ken," Clyde remarked the third day
of their Imprisonment on the bar, " we will have
to live on raw potatoes and river water pretty
soon. My oil is about gone, and everything
else is almost eaten up."

" There is one more thing to do," the captain
said at length. " Throw out our pig iron ballast.
I hate to loee it, but it is the only thing left to
do."

All of the boys showed the effects of tremen-
dously hard work, of the fight with cold and ice,
with wind and water, but Kenneth was particu-
larly worn. On him fell the responsibility.
The others were in bis care, and if anything hap-
pened to them he knew he would be held ac-
countable. The constant strain, the lack of '
sleep — he was up all hours of the night — and his
anxiety, told on even his rugged health. He
grew perceptibly thinner in three days, dart
rings showed under his eyes, and little things
vexed him unwarrantably. They were all irri-
77

A TEAR IN A YAWL

table, and it speaks well for their closely knit
friendship that no words arose betw^een them.

"Well, boys," Kenneth said,- cheerfully
enough, " let's play our last card. Let's turn to
and throw over the ballast."

It was hard work lugging the heavy sash
weights that made up the ballast from below and
throwing them over the side. There was at least
half a ton to be discarded, and by the time the
last of it was overboard the boys thought that
there must have been tons.

Guess, then, how their hearts leaped with joy
when at last, after three weary days, the " Ga-
zelle " floated over the bar and into deeper water.
But it was a short-Uved triumph, for they speedi-
ly found that there was another bar across the
channel — the low water almost bared it, and they
realized that they were trapped in a little basin
a half-mile from shore, with absolutely no pro-
tection from the ice, which was running heavier
") and heavier.

To anchor and wait, trusting to Providence,
was all that they could do. So two anchors were
dropped, and the boys faced the situation. The
weather continued piercing cold. The oil gave
out altogether, and then the crew had to live on
cold things and exist as best they could in the
cold cabin.

A PERILOUS SITUATION

The strain was even harder to bear than the
cold and hunger. Great chunks of ice came
sailing down on them continually, and the boys
wondered each time if the " Gazelle " would be
able to stand another such hard knock.

The bar beyond caught the majority of tho
larger chunks, and soon an ice gorge was formed
that honrly grew bigger until the " Gazelle's "
stern was not twenty yards from it. Each new
cake added to the heap, and formed new teeth,
which were ever moving in the rushing current
— ^teeth which would grind up any living thing
in a very few moments.

The second night after the " Gazelle " got
afloat the boys were in the cabin, and all but
Kenneth had fallen asleep from sheer exhaus-
tion — the recurring bumps of drifting cakes of
ice not disturbing them in the least. But Ran-
som could not sleep. He could not forget the
horrible danger which they were in, nor could
he shut his ears to the sound of crunching ice
just behind the yacht.

Of a sudden there came a jar with a new qual-
ity in it. Eanaom rushed up the companion-
way, grabbing his woollen cap as he ran, then for-
ward over the icy deck. He found the ragged,
frayed end of the anchor cable hanging over-
board. The constant rubbing of the ice had
79

A 7EAB IN A YAWL

weakened it, and the extra heavy floe had com-
pletely sundered it. There was but one anchor
now to depend on; if that should fail them, it
would mean instant destruction to the yacht and
certain deal^ for her crew.

It was too great a risk to run — ^that other an-
chor must be found somehow^ and its holding
power made good again.

Kealizing that his companions would tiy to
deter him from the desperate undertaking which
he had in mind, Eansom did not call his friends,
but quietly launched " His Nibs " from the stem,
in spite of the current and the remorseless ice,
and drawing her forward by the painter he got
in at the bow and prepared to feel for the parted
anchor cable with a boat hook. He pulled hand
over hand on the cable of the other anchor, and
finally gained a point where he thought he might
begin to reach for the sunken line. It was well
past midnight, and so dark that everything had
to be done by sense of touch only. Intensely
cold, the oars, the line he was holding, and the
boat hook — everything, in fact, was coated with
a slippery skin of ioe.

Holding on by one hand to the anchor cable
and the boat hook with the other, Kenneth be-
gan to grope for the other lina His right arm
ached with the exertion of feeling on the bot-

A PERILOUS SITVATIOK

torn with a heavy boat hook, While his left
wrist seemed about to break with the strain put
upon it; the cold nipped at his exposed face
and wet, mittened hands. But still he perse-
vered, At last he felt the touch of the line at
the end of his pole; he began to haul in slowly —
holding with his elbow the pole as he took a fresh
hold further up. Suddenly a huge floe struck
the little boat, dragging the anchor line out of
his grasp, and pulled him backwards into the bot-
tom of the boat. The current swept him back
past the " Gazelle " and on toward the gnashing
teeth of the gorge.
6

CHAPTEE VI

AN ABCTIO ADVENTUBB

**Arthur^— Clyde — ^Frank! 0-o-o-oh boys! "
It was a despairing cry that rang over those
dismal, freezing waters. " Helpl '*

It was too late — ^no help from the " Gazelle "
could save the boy in his frail craft. The cur-
rent had swept him beyond the reach of any one
on board, even if a soul had been awake to hear
his call for help.

The grinding, crushing, gnashing sound of the
crumbling ice on the gorge grew nearer and
nearer.

Kenneth scrambled to a sitting posture, and
searched with groping hands in the darkness for
the oars. At last he found them. No — only
one — a misplaced brace deceived him. Again
he searched, with desperate haste. He could
hear the lap of the water on the piled-up floes
now. The other oar was not there; he dimly re-
membered now that he dropped it when he fell
backward.

AN ARCTIC ADVENTURE

Putting out bis one oar he began to acull with
it, but tbe boat had drifted round broadside to
the current, and he could not head it away from
the inexorable wall of ice now so close. At last
he gave the struggle up and trusted to Provi-
dence. He comprehended how puny and futile
hia own strength was compared to the power of
these mighty odds. The boat drifted nearer and
nearer to what seemed certain destruction.
Ransom crouched low, prepared to spring to any
cake that might bear his weight — it was his only
chance. He grasped the painter of the boat in
Ilia hand, and as soon as he felt the first bump of
the broken ice against " His Nibs'a " side, he
Sprang at a white surface that showed dimly be-
fore him. By some lucky chance, or rather
owing to a merciful God, it was a large floe,
which, though it tottered and tipped dangerous-
ly, did not capsize. It bore the boy's weight
bravely. For a minute Kenneth paused for
breath, then 'he noticed that "His Nibs" was
being battered and ground by the constant action
of the ice. He peered into the darkness to see
how large his floating island was, and stepped
cautiously this way and that to test its stability.
It swayed frightfully, but the boy determined to
risk adding the extra weight of the small boat.
Inch by inch he drew it over the slippery surface,

A YEAR Iff A YAWL

and deeper and deeper sank the ice island (
that side until it was submerged a half a foot or
so. Kenneth stood on the sharply inclined slip-
pery ice in imminent danger of sliding ofE.
Though it was zero weather, the perspiration
stood out on his forehead in beads, and ran into
his eyes till it blinded him. Gradually " HLa
Niba " was hauled up till it rested beside him,
for the time, at least, secure.

For a space he rested his aching limbs and
hraiBed back. The white shape of the " Ga-
zelle " could be faintly made out through the
gloom, so near and yet absolutely unattainable.
Never before had the boy— the designer, builder
and owner of the craft — so yearned for her.
She was cold, cheerless, and in extreme peril her-
self, but she seemed a very haven of rest and
eecnrity to the castaway.

Kenneth knew that he must fight for his own
life and that no aid would be forthcoming from
the yacht, and be began to study the situation.
Grim enough he foimd it. A strong current
bore down on the gorge, carrying ice and debris
of every kind, grinding away at the edge of Han-
som's floe. It was evident that it would break
up eventually, and the boy prayed that it would
last till be should find some other refuge. He
noticed that bite of wood and fragments of loe

^.V ARCTIC ADVENTURE

floated off to the right after colliding with the
obatruction. This set him to thinking. There
muat be some break through, that caused the cur-
I rent to swerve. He looked long and intently to
[ the right, but could make out nothing in the
I darkness. He felt aure, however, that there
I muat be a channel somewhere, and he deter-
L mined to find it. With great and laborious care
he launched the boat and sprang into it. Fend-
ing off from the teeth of the gorge vrith hia oar,
he worked his way gradually to the right. Twice
he had to jump to a floe and haul hia boat out
from between two grinding cakea. But in apite
of the labor, of darkness, of weary limbs, and
hands numbed with cold, he gained, until at last
he reached the gap and waa carried through.
He floated nearly a mile before he could make
his way to shore. It was bleak enough, but he
uttered a fervent " Thank God " as he set foot
on solid ground. The river bordered a cornfield
at this point, and many of tlie rotting stacks were
Btill standing. Kenneth made for one of these
and burrowing into it, sank down to rest. He
was desperately weary and almost unbearably
cold, but thankful to his heart's core for hia
I escape.

" If I could only rest here till morning," ha
f^ thought It was a sheltered spot, and he began

A TEAR IN A YAWL

to feel the reaction followmg his tremendous ex-
ertions. He was languid and drowsy, and his
fast stiffening muscles cried out for rest. It was
a temptation the sorely tried boy found Lard to
resist; but tlie thought of his friends aboard the
yacht, their state of mind when they discovered
his absence, and the loss of their only means of
reaching shore, urged him on and gave him no
peace. His imagination pictured the hazardous
things the boys might do if he was not there to
calm them. Aa he lay curled up on the frozen
ground, under the atiflingly dusty stalks, visions
rose of the boys jumping overboard and attempt-
ing to swim ashore; of their setting the "Ga-
zelle " adrift in the hope that she would reach
the bank. Many other waking dreams disturbed
him, most of them absolutely impracticable, but
to his overtired and excited imagination pain-
fully real, and his anxiety finally drove him out
of his nest into the biting cold again.

Then Kenneth stopped to think, to plan, a
minute. He had but one oar — he could not row
against the strong current and floating ice — he
could not drag the boat through the water, the
shore was too uneven and fringed, moreover,
with ice. Bare fields and brown waters sur-
rounded him, there was no sign of human habi-
tation, there was no help to be had, and he must

AN ARCTIC ADVENTURE

reach the yacht that night — but how? He stud-
ied hard, and could think of but one way — to
drag the boat overland till he was above the
' Gazelle's " anchorage, then launch it and drift
down with the current-
How great the distance was he did not know,
but he realized that it waa a long way and that
the journey could only he made by the hardest
kind of work, under the most trying of circum-
etancea.

His very body revolted at the cruelly hard ex-
ertions, every nerve and muscle crying for rest;
but hia will was strong, and he forced his aching
body to do his bidding.

" Hia Niba " weighed but seventy-five pounds
with her entire equipment, but what the boat
lacked in avoirdupois it gained twofold in
bulkiness. There waa some anow on the ground,
and this helped somewhat to slide the small craft
along on its strange overland journey.

So began the hardest experience Kanaom had
ever yet encountered. Facing the stiff wind and
zero temperature, he slowly dragged the dead
weight over the thinly frosted ground. Oh, so
slowly he crawled along; now going round an
obstruction, now climbing over a stump — for-
ever hauling the reluctant boat along. Every
hundred yards the nearly exhausted lad

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

stopped to catch his breath and rest under a heap
of cornstalks or a mound of rubbish, burrowing
like an animal. His hands and feet ached with
cold, several times his ears lost their sense of
feeling and had to be rubbed back to life with
snow.

He grew dizzy with f aintness, for it will be
remembered that he, with the other boys, had
had insufficient food for days, and he had not
eaten a morsel since six o'clock. His back
ached, his legs ached, his head ached, he was
utterly exhausted; but still he kept on doggedly.
At last he reached a point on a line with the
** Gazelle; " he could lust make her out silhouet-
«d .gau.;. tl.. »„b™ Ay. He W hi. jo,^
ney was nearly at an end, and he went forward
with a last desperate gathering together of his
powers. At length, judging that he was far
enough up stream to launch, he shoved *^His
STibs's " stem into the water with fear and trem-
bling, for the little craft had passed through a
trying ordeal, scraping over rough ground,
stones and sticks. Hansom could not see if the
frail craft leaked, but it certainly floated. He
jumped in and pushed off, still anxious but hope-
ful, feeling that he was homeward bound. The
** Gazelle '^ was still afloat — the thought cheered
him.

AN ARCTIC ADVENTURE

With the single oar ia hand he sat in the Btom
fiheets, and using it as both a rudder and a pro-
peller, he avoided aome floes and lessened the
ehock of contact with others.

At last the " Gazelle " loomed up ahead,
I serene and steady — the dearest spot on earth to
the castaway.

" All right, boys," Kenneth shouted huskily
as he drew near, " I'm O. K."

There was no response.

"His Nibs" awept alongside and Kenneth,
grasping at the shrouds, stopped himself and
clambered stiffly aboard. AU was quiet. His
imagination pictured all sorts of horrible mishaps
to the crew, and he ran aft, stopping only to
secure " His Nibs." Yanking open the frosted
hatch, he pulled open the door and rushed
I below.

A chorus of snores greeted him. Not one of
them knew he had been gone four hours.

Kenneth did not disturb them; but after haul-
ing the small boat on deck out of harm's way he
crawled into his bunk and fell into the stupor
of utter exhaustion.

Early next morning all hands were wakened

. by the bump and crash of ice, and another day

of anxiety began. The morning after, however,

L found an improvement in the conditions — the

A YEAR IN A YAWL

ice had almost stopped running and the weather
moderated. ^ His Mbs " was launched and the
bottom was sounded for half a mile in every
direction, in hopes that a channel might be found
to shore, or down the river to a more Aeltered
spot But bars obstructed everywhere. There
was no water deep enough to float the yacht at
her present draft, except in the basin in which
she rested.

" Well, here goes the rest of our ballast," said
Bansom, after the last soundings had been taken;
and all hands began with what strength they had
left to heave over the iron. By taking down the
rigging and tying it together, it was found that
a line could be made fast to shore. The sturdy
little anchor was raised and the "Gazelle,'^
working her windlass, was drawn to the bank.
In her lightened condition she floated over the
bars. Once more they were safe, and the boys
felt that God had been good to them to bring
them through so many perils.

Frank, the nimrod of the party, went ashore
and shot a rabbit; a fire was built, and soon all
hands were feasting on hot, nourishing food —
the first for many days. How good it tasted
only those who have been nearly starved can
realize.

The sleep which the four voyagers put in the

A.V ARCTIC ADVMTVBE

nigbt of the IStli o£ December, 1898, was like
that of hibernating beara, and fully as reatful.

Kenneth and Arthur drew the long strands of
yam this time, and set off to find Commerce,
Missouri, ten miles across country.

It was a long walk, but the two boys enjoyed
it hugely — indeed, it was a relief to be able to
walk straight ahead without having to stop to
turn at the end of a cockpit or the butt of a bow-
sprit.

For the first few miles the talk was continuous,
and many were the jokes about the mockery of
the phrase " The Sunny South " when the mer-
cury lingered about the zero mark. Bnt as they
neared the end of their journey they talked less,
and put more of their strength into the unaccus-
tomed exercise of waiting.

Reaching the town, they telegraphed home
that all was well — a message which they knew
would relieve much anxiety. They also wrote
to the postmasters along the line to send mail to
the crew at Commerce. Then, for the first time
in two months, they slept in a bed — a luxury
they felt they fully deserved. The boarding-
house at which they had put up was a clean,
pleasant place, and the bed — the feather variety
— seemed veritably heaven to them.

Two pleasant girls were also staying at this

A 7EAR IN A YAWL

house; and the boys had the added pleasure of
feminine socie^. They talked to the interested
maidens of their adventures until the girls' faces
flushed and their eyes brightened — ^yes, and
moistened even — ^with sympathy when they were
told of an especially trying experience.

They had had many interested listeners all
along the line, but the hero-wortfhipping look in
lie eyes of the two girls was particularly sweet
to the boys.

" Say, Ken,'' Arthur said comfortably, as he
tumbled into bed, " let's stay a week."

" Yes, this bed is immense, isn't it? "

"Oh, hang the bed!" Arthur growled.
" You're the most material duffer; there is some-
thing besides creature comforts in this world,
after all, you know,"

" No, I am not. I appreciate a pretty audi-
ence as much as" — ^Ransom interrupted him-
self with a yawn — "you do, but whaz-zer use
of discussing "

Another yawn stopped his speech, and at the
end of it he was sound asleep.

" H'm ! " grunted Arthur in disgust, and he
turned his back upon him.

The purchases the two made the next day
weighted their backs but lightened their pockets,
and Bansom had to telegraph for more money.

AN ARCTIC ADTENTUKE

It took considerable resolution to break away
from the pleasant society at the boarding-house
and trudge the long milea to the yawl carrying a
heavy pack. But they summoned up courage,
and with a pleasant good-bye and a grateful
" Come again " ringing in their ears, they once
more started out on their adventures.

At the end of three days they were back again,
Kenneth to receive his money order, which was
due by that time, and the mate to help carry more
supplies. That night they told more thrilling
tales and took part in a candy-pull. The next
day Arthur had to return alone. Kenneth's
money order had not come, so he had to wait
for it.

" Why didn't I work the money order
racket? " said Arthur, as he reluctantly shoul-
dered his pack. " Ransom's in luck this time,"

For a week Kenneth waited for word from
home; then he began to get nervous; he did not
know if all was well or not. Letters came for
the other boys, but none for him. He got more
than nervous; he became ahsolutely anxious.
Moreover, he wanted to get under way again.
The little town of Commerce, with ita 1,600 peo-
ple, he had explored thoroughly; made excup- '
eions into the woods and had some good shooting;
but in spite of unaccustomed pleasures he was

A TEAR JN A 7AWL

restless. He wanted to be moving down the
river again. Whether it was the lack of news
from home or some other cause, he could not tell,
but he had a foreboding of some impending dis-
aster. At the end of the sixth day of his stay in
the little Missouri town Frank appeared. An
anxious look was on his face.

"My! Fm glad to see you, Ken," said he.
*' We wondered what had become of you, so I
traipsed over to see."

Keimeth explained the difficulty. "Every-
thing all right aboard the ^ Gazelle *? " he asked.

" Well, no," Frank said reluctantly. " When
are you coming back? "

" To-morrow, I hope. But what's the matter
aboard! " Kenneth remembered his forebod-
ings. " Don't keep me waiting; what is it? "

" The fact is, Arthur's sick, and neither Clyde
nor I know what to do for him."

" What's the matter with him? "

" I don't know. He has a bad cold and some
fever, I guess, and he seems kinder flig'hty."
Frank began to reveal his anxiety. " When he
showed up the other day after walking from here
he talked sort of queer about the game you
played on him, the girls you met, and about a
feather bed — ^got 'em all mixed up. Had a ter-
rible cough, too. He's in bed now."

AN ARCTIC ADTENTVBE

" I msh I could go back with you, but I will
have to wait for that money — I need it,"

Frank returned alone after taking a good rest,
and Ransom waited for news from home.

Late in the afternoon of the next day it came.
Cheerful, helpful letters from the dear onea in
Michigan. The money order came too.

Kenneth bought his supplies, and, after bid-
ding hia friends good-hye, started out on the long
journey. During his stay in Commerce the
weather had softened, the frost had come out of
the ground, and thick, sticky mud made walking
difficult. The boy stepped out in lively fa^ion,
in spite of the eighty-five pound pack he carried
and the heavy rubber boots he wore. He for-
got the weight and discomfort in his anxiety to
get to the yacht and the sick friend aboard of
her.

It was four o'clock when he started, and he
had not been on his way much over an hour be-
fore the darkness fell, and ho had to pick his way
warily. Of necessity he moved slowly, and the ;
pack grew heavier with every stride. The '
sticky mud held on to his rubber boots so that
his heels slipped up and down inside until they
began to chafe and grow tender. An hour later
he was still walking — more and more slowly un-
der the weight of the pack, which seemed to have
BO

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

acquired the weight of a house. Blisters had
formed on his heels and were rapidly wearing off
to raw flesh.

When he hailed the " Gazelle '* at seven
o'clock, after three hours of most agonizing
trudging, he was very nearly exhausted and his
heels were bleeding. The absolute necessity of
reaching Arthur soon and of applying the Kttle
knowledge he had of medicines, had kept him
from going under, and had given him courage to
go on his way.

"Thank God, you've come!" was Clyde's
greeting when he came to ferry Kenneth over.

" How's Arthur? " was the skipper's first in-
quiry.

" Crazy; clean crazy, and awful sick." Clyde
was clearly greatly worried.

" Oh! I guess he'll come out all right." Ran-
som saw that it was his play to put on a cheerful
front and conceal the anxiety, the physical weari-
ness and pain he felt. " You can't kill a Mor-
row, you know."

They stepped aboard, and the first thing the
captain heard was his friend's incoherent mut-
tering.

Arthur lay tossing on his bunk in the chilly,
musty cabin, half clothed and in very evident
discomfort. His eyes were open, and it cut Ken-

AK ARCTIC ADVENTURE

nett to the quick to see that there was not a sign
,of recognition in them.

AH weariness and pain were forgotten in the
work which followed to make the aick boy more
comfortahle. Hot soups were prepared and fed
to him. Ransom had luckily provided a medi-
cine chest for just such an emergency, and now
he drew on it6 resources wisely.

It was midnight before Arthur was quieted
and asleep. During the entire evening the
three boys were as busy as they could be, cook-
ing, heating water, cleaning up and setting
things to rights. Then only could a council be
held and the situation discussed in all its bear-
ings.

" "Well, Doc," said Frank, smiling wanly,
" what do you think is the matter with Art? "

" I wish I was an M. D." No wish was more
fervently spoken. " Oh ! Arthur has a bad cold,
I think," Ransom began his diagnosis, " and
his nerves are used up. Too much ice pounding
and threatening, and not enough sleep."

" What shall we do? " Clyde asked. " These
are pretty small quarters to care for a sick man."

" We'll spoil his rest cluttering round," sug-
gested Frank.

" Well, I think that if we put him ashore in a
hospital he would miss us and the familiar things
7 97

A IMAM a A YAWL

mwDd; he wouid here notbing to tldnk of but
ktniBel^ and he vonld worry \mnatM woEBe,"
'Sjeanedi ezprened hii eonTietioiis with em-
phttUL

^Bnt he would get better care,'' Frank ob-
jeeted

^Ohy I think we ean look oat tar him all
the skipper interposed, ^ and I honestly
that if he came to himflRlf in a hospital
with strange people round, nnrses and thingSy he
wonld think that he was terribly sick, and the
thought of it might really do him up. If we
keep him aboard — and I promise yon that I will
norse him with all-fired care — (Kenneth spoke
so earnestly that his friends were touched and
reached forth hands of fellowship) — ^I think that
when he comes to and finds himself with us and
on the old ^Gazelle/ he will pull himself to-
gether in great shape and brace up. As long as
Arthur has his nerve with him, he's all right
We have had a tough time of it, and he has lost
his grip a bit; but I am dead sure that if we stick
by him he will pull through all ri^t''

" It's all right, old man," Clyde said heartily.
^ We are with you. Ain't we, Frank? "

Frank said nothing, but got up and crossing
the cabin took the skipper's right hand while
Clyde took the left. The three gripped hard for

AJf ARCTIC ADVENTURE

[ a second in Bilence. It was a compact to stand
[ together through the trials that they knew were
I coming.

It was a etrange scene: the little cabin, dimly
I lighted by the ewinging lamp; the sick boy ia
the corner bunk forward on the starboard side
lay breathing heavily, hia flushed face in deep
shadow. The three boys aa£ on Kanaom's bunk
in a row on the opposite side, the soft light
ehining on their anxioua faces, their hands still
I clasped. Outside the great river rushed, and
\ the " Q-azelle " tugged at her moorings, the rud-
' der slatted, the booms creaked against the maats
and the rigging bummed an answer to each pass-
ing gust.

It was a time to try the temper of the young
, Toyagers, and bravely they stood the test,

"Well, what's the matter with turning in!"
It was Kenneth's voice that broke the stillness.

Not till Frank and Clyde had begun to snore
had Kansom time to care for his aching heela.
To pull off his boots was trying, but when he
L came to take off his stockings he could hardly
I anppresa a. cry of agony. The blood had clotted
and stuck to the raw spot, and it felt as if he was
pulling the nerves out by the roots. It was a
long time before the burning pain allowed him to

A TEAR IN A YAWL

At the first opportunity the voyage was oon-
iinued; and it was with a feeling of relief almost
amounting to hilarity that the line ashore was
cast off, and the " Gazelle," her bowsprit point-
ing down stream, got under way again. That
treacherous place, fraught with so many perils,
such weariness, pain, and amdety, was behind
them at la^t.

They were headed for the land of promise, the
real " Sunny South."

Even Arthur seemed to be less fretful, less
exacting. Perhaps the swish of the water along
the yacht's smooth sides was soothing, or maybe
the heave of the little craft as she felt the pres-
sure of the wind, comforted the sick boy. Cer-
tainly, it had that effect on his more fortunate
companions.

When the " Gazelle " flew past the mouth of
the Ohio River and anchored just below, the
\ crew felt that they were really getting there.
They visited Cairo, and though they were im-
pressed with the advantage of its superior loca-
tion at the junction of the two great rivers, they
were glad that they did not live in its low-lying
streets.

At Columbus, Kentucky, the crew made the
acquaintance of a physician and dentist, who
travelled about the South in a private car.

100

AN ARCTIC AbVENTtlRE

Though Kenneth felt that his diagnosis of Ai^
thur'a case was correct, he was mighty glad to
have a physician confirm it. Arthur improved
slowly — too slowly. He had a genuine case of
nervous prostration. At times he was delirious,
and then be lived over again all the horror of the
yacht's long imprisonment in the drifting ice.
The poor boy's malady made him esasperatingly
irritable and hard to please, so that the cabin of
the " Gazelle " was hy no means the cheery home
it bad been.

But the captain's cheerful fortitude and deter-
mination to see the thing through in spite of
hostile elements, scant means, sickness and utter
ignorance of the stream, inspired the husy mem-
bers of the crew so that they worked together in
beautiful harmony.

On the afternoon of Christmas Day the " Ga-
zelle " drew abreast the front of Columbus, Ken-
tucky, and while Frank and Clyde went ashore
for mail, Kenneth stayeci aboard to look after
the invalid mate and cook the Christmas dinner.
As the fragrant odor of broiling game and steam-
ing coffee rose, Kenneth thought of the far-away
Michigan home; of Lis father, mother and rela-
tives gathered round the ample, homely table;
of the snatches of cheerful talk and gentle raU-
leryj of the warmth and comfort and love.
101

■ ■ ■ ■ m^^mm^t^mmmam

A YEAH IN A VAWL

" Say, Ken/* sounded a plaintive voice from
the other side of the cabin, ^^ where are the bojst
What are we waiting here for? Give me a
drink, will you? '*

It was a painful awakening, but Bansom sat-
isfied Arthur's wants, soothed him, and braced
himself with the determination that win he must
and win he would in spite of all obstacles.

lOd

CHAPTER Vn

BAILINO WITH FKOZEN KIGQING

From Columbus, Kentucky, to Memphis, Ten-
nessee, as the crow flies ia, approximately, but
one hundred and twenty-five miles, but by river
it is two hundred and twenty-eight tortuous, puz-
zling miles. This distance the " Gazelle " made
in nine days, including delays caused by fog, ad-
verse winds and extra careful sailing on account
of the sick boy.

The " Tather of Waters " the party found to
be an absorbingly interesting stream. At every
turn (and on an average there was a turn about
every other minute, it seenied to them) they saw
something new, something strange and interest-
ing. As they cruised along, people told them of I
river towns which the Mississippi had now left '
far inland as it had gradually formed a new chan-
nel and straightened its course. Others told of
farms which had contributed a third or even
foiir-fif tha of their acreage in a single year to the
midermining current of the stream; the land not

A YMAR tlf A tAWL

infrequently being added to another farm not
far below. The changes in the stream played
all sorts of pranks with the boundaries of States.
A man living in Missouri might in a single night
find his property switched over into Kentucky or
Tennessee, the boundary line, the Mississippi
having carved for itself a new channel and cut
its way through a bend.

After leaving Columbus, Kentucky, the ^ Ga-
zelle " found herself on a straight piece of water
with a strong wind on the starboard quarter.
Eansom claimed that every point of sailing was
the " Gazelle's '' best — running, reaching and
beating to windward, all best — but, at any rate,
she skimmed along this day like a bird. Ken-
neth was at the stick, while Frank held the Mis-
sissippi guide to watch out for beacons and chan-
nel marks. For once all was clear, the channel
straight and no dangerous shoals marked. It
was a relief to strike such a good piece of river.
The air was bracingly cold, and all three of the
boys felt exhilarated.

"How is it down below. Art?" Frank in-
quired cheerfully. " How is it with the ' land-
lubber lying down below, below '? "

" I'm below, all right." The voice was weak
but vehement. " Still, I object to being called
a land-lubber. I'll show you fellows one of

104

SAILING WITH FROZEN RIGGIKQ

these days that I'm as good a sailor as any of
you."

" Art is getting touchy," said KennetH.
" He'll be all right soon, I am willing to bet."

"Will you look at that! " exclaimed Clyde,
who had been gazing forward for some time,
" Just wait until I get my gun."

He pointed to a black object that was bobbing
np and down in the brown flood. It looked like
an animal swimming against the strong current.
While Clyde went below. Hansom shifted his
helm in order to get nearer, and before he
realized it they were bearing down on the
object at terrific speed. The yacht, going
with the current, was making almost ten miles
an hour.

" Sheer off, for heaven's sake, Ken! " sang out
Prank. "Quick! " Then as the yacht yawed
to starboard she passed the black thing which had
excited Clyde's hunting instincts.

"Gee! you ought to know a 'sawyer' when
you see it, by this tiVne." Frank's tone was full
of superior disgust.

" How did you find out what a sawyer was,
ITr. Smarty? " Clyde was trying to conceal his
gun behind him, and he looked foolish. " What
is it, any way? I bet you don't know."

"Don't I, Just! It's a piece of timber, one

A TEAR IN A YAWL

end of whichy water-logged, sinks to the bottom
and is partly buried; the current overcomes the
buoyancy of the wood from time to time and
causes the upper end to sink; this makes the
motion like a man sawing wood — ^hence the
name/'

"Thanks, Professor." Clyde made a mock
bow. " But all the samee, the captain himself
didn't know what it was, and pretty near punched
the boat's bottom full of holes."

As they went southward the character of the
country changed. The high, heavily timbered
bluffs, often bold with jutting rocks, so character-
istic of the upper river, began to give way to
more easy slopes. The stream broadened and
the level rose higher each day. Often, as the
" Gazelle " sped along, a river steamer was met
ploughing along up the great stream. Her long
gangways raised up before her like horns (long
gangways made necessary by the gently sloping
banks and absence of docks); her tall stacks, side
by side, running athwartships, bore between
them the insignia of the line, an anchor or a
wheel. The stacks ended in a fancy top,
which Kansom said reminded him of pictures of
the trimming the little girls of long ago wore
round the end of their pantalettes. The river
boats are very shallow, and very wide for their

toe

BAILIVQ WITH FROZEN RIGOINQ

length, but in apite of tlieir unboatUke appear-
ance and their great thrasbing wheels, they make
good time. Sometimea a speed of fifteen milea
an hour against the current, and twenty-five with
the stream, is attained.

Kenneth congratulated himself repeatedly
that he had started on this trip, for he realized
that in no other way could he have gained so
much information about shipping.

They stopped several days at Memphis, partly
to give Arthur a quiet rest, partly because the
weather conditions were against them.

At the levee a mmiber of boats were nosing
the bank, their long gangplanks outstretched be-
fore them hke great arms. A constant stream of
roustabouts trundling bales of cotton, rolling bar-
rels, lugging boxes, went up the gangways. The
mate stood near at hand, in a conspicuous spot,
where he could see and be seen, and so belabored
the toiling men with torrents of words, that it
seemed as if he was the motive power of the en-
tire procession. The negroes seemed not to no-
tice him at all, but moved along at a steady,
rhythmical gait.

Frank and Clyde stood watching. They mar-
velled at the amount of stuff carried ahoard. " I
bet they work the same racket that the spec-
tacular shows employ," Clyde said after a while.
107

A YMR Ilf A YAWL

'* If you look aft there somewhere, you would
see the same niggers carrying the same bundles
and things ashore again."

" Oh, come oflf ! " exclaimed the other.

" Yes, sure; they form an endless chain."

Frank vouchsafed him no further reply, but
suggested that they try to get on board and see
for themselves.

" Can we come aboard? " Frank shouted to the
mate when he stopped to take breath.

" I reckon you can," was the answer. " Look
out, you yellow-livered son of a bale of cotton!
Do you want to knock the young gentlemen over-
board?"

The two boys got on deck and out of range of
the mate*s rapid fire of invective as soon as they
could. As luck would have it, they ran up
against a pilot the first thing, to whom they told
something of their trip. This the boys f oimd, as
usual, to be an open sesame, and their newly dis-
covered friend showed them over the steamboat,
and pumped them for stories about their trip.
From the hold, which was har(Jly seven feet
deep, to the hurricane deck and the pilot house
they went. The wheel house reached, the pilot
was in his own domain, and he made them sit
down while he pumped them dry. He marvelled
that a boat of the "Gazelle's" draught could

108

8A.TUS0 WITH FROZEN RIGGING

come through at this stage of the water, with
only sails for motive power.

Prom the great brass-bound steering wheel
to the tall boilers, which could not find room in
the hold, and showed half their circumference
above the first deck, the boat was full of interest
to the young voyagers.

" Jiminy! what a lot she carries," Clyde ex-
elairaed, as he noticed the pile of cotton bales,
boxes and barrels which was rapidly growing,
till it seemed as if it would fill the boat from her
bhmt bow to stem post.

" She'll carry a thousand tons without turning
a hair," said the pilot calmly, as he shook their
hands. " Tell your captain to come aboard if he
cares to."

Kansom did " care to," and he went over the
craft from keel to flagstaff; noticed her construc-
tion, and marvelled at her shallownesa — it was
part of his business as well as his pleasure, and
he wondered how the steamboat mate's talk
would sound if the oaths were left out. Ho im-
agined it would simply be intermittent silence.

In describing it afterwards, he said that the
mate's language was like a rapid-fire gun with a
plentiful supply of blank ammunition.

Arthur improved rapidly, and by the time
they had explored Memphis — visited its fine

ime i
old\.

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

Southern mansions, the busy cotton market, and
hobnobbed with the steamboat people — ^he
seemed much more like his old self, though his
painful thinness and weakness showed how seri-
ously ill he had been.

After staying at Memphis for ten days, the
" Gazelle '' spread her sails, and slipped down the
river on her way to the sea.

At Peters, Arkansas, the boys spied a cabin
boat tied up in a little cove, and there was a big
" 26 '' painted on its side.

" Well, this is luck! " said Kenneth. " There
are the chaps we saw above Philadelphia Point.
Hail them, Frank."

^'Hulloo, twenty-six!" Frank's shout rang
out in the frosty air. " Is the boss in? "

A head appeared at the door of the cabin.
" The boss is in, who wants to see him? " it said.

The " Gazelle " rounded to, and tied up to the
bank a little below the cabin boat. As soon as
the sails were furled, and everything made ship-
shape, all four boys visited their friends, and
for the greater part of a week spent most of their
time aboard the roomy, warm house boat. Ar-
thur improved wonderfully, and all hands began
to gain weight and grow fat on the game which
they shot.

The crew of the " Gazelle " were almost won

110

SAJLINO WITS FROZEN EIOGINQ

over from the more atrenuous life of sailing, to
the free and easy cabin-boat life, which is the
nearest approach to tramping that a dweller on
the water can come to. All along the river the
I boys saw cabin boats drifting alowly along down
I stream, or tied up in the shelter of little coves
near some town. Boats of varying degreea of re-
spectability composed this fleet. Boats well
tuilt, clean and always brightly painted, homes
of fairly proaperoua families, whose head worked
on shore while the home was afloat, in such man-
ner saving rent and taxes. Boats built of bits
of timber, boards, and rusty tin, shanties afloat,
the temporary homes of the lowest order of river
people. Theatres, dance halls, dives of various
sorts, churches, stores — all had their representa-
tives on the mighty stream. A great host of no-
madic people that followed the heat to lower
river in winter, and ran up stream from it in sum-
mer.

Hany of the river people were like the dwell-
ers of No. 26, merely temporary members of the
river community, who took this method of seeing
the river, and resting from the stress of business.
It was with a feeling of regret that the boys
at last took leave of their hosts and went aboard
their thoroughly cleaned and freshened yacht.
AH hoped that the " good-by " they shouted

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

over the fast widening strip of water would prove
after all to be only " au revoir."

*' There's no use talking, boys," the skipper
said gravely, " we've just got to hump ourselves
and get south, where it's warm, so that we won't
have to bum so much oil. It's simply ruinous."

" All right; if you keep healthy, Art, and we
don't run aground, and the boat don't get holes
punched in her with the ice," Clyde remarked,
" we may see New Orleans before the glorious
Fourth."

*' It's no joke, Clyde," said Ransom. " I'm al-
most busted, and I won't have enough to carry
me through the Gulf if we don't hurry."

'' like the old coon who hurried up to finish
his job before his whitewash gave out," laughed
Frank.

But in spite of good resolutions and ardent
hopes, progress was slow. Head winds sprang up,
dense fog shut down, obscuring channel marks,
even snow fell — the weather was certainly
against them.

" The ^ Sunny South,' " Ransom quoted scorn-
fully one morning when he put his head out of
the companionway and got a block of snow down
his neck. " They have a funny brand of sun
down here." Yet as he looked shoreward, his
eye rested on an old Southern mansion. Fluted

113

SAILING WITH FROZEN RlQQlSa

colunina supported its double portico, wide-
Bpreading trees from which hung in festoons the
(to Northern eyes) weird Spanish moss, clustered
thickly around it; beyond were cotton fields, the
■whitenes3 of the blossoms riyalling the freshly
fallen snow.

" Say, fellows, pinch me, will you? " Kenneth
shouted down to his friends. " I've got a bad
dream, I guess, AU bands on deck to shovel
snow." Kenneth's shout was very fierce. Frank
appeared with a broom, Clyde with a dual pan,
and Arthur brought a scrubbing brush.

"Pipe sweepers, mate," commanded the cap-
tain.

Arthur's whistle was a failure, for the simple
reason that one cannot pucker the mouth to
■whistle and laugh at the same time, but the crew
understood, and all hands turned to and swept
the decks free of snow,

"Pipe breakfast," was the next order. This
was not necessary, however; all four boys tried to
get through the two-foot mde companionway at
once, and all four stuck wliile the tantalizing odor
of steaming coffee filled their nostrils. Clyde
fell out of the bunch to the cabin floor, which re-
lieved the jam, and gave the others a chance.

At Vickaburg the boys tied up for four days,
, and visited the hone of contention between the
8 113

A IBAB IS A YAWL

North and the South so many years ago. They
found many reminderB of the great siege — earth-
works still plainly visible, the old stone bouse
where Grant and Pemberton met to arrange for
the surrender of the town. Most impressive of
all was the great national cemetery-— a great city
of the dead. Then the boys realized as they
never could by any other means the terrible
struggle, the bravery shown on both sides, and
the despair of the besieged as they were hemmed
in more and more closely by the Union lines,
while their ammunition gave out and the food
grew scarce. The travellers found that the war
was still the chief topic of conversation in tbe
South, and they got a point of view new to them.
Events were still dated on the " time of the war,"
so it seemed as if tbe great conflict had taken
place but a few years ago. There was a new
topic, however, that the Northern boys could talk
about without the least danger of giving offence.
In the war with Spain, the sons of the Union and
the Confederate soldier fought side by side, and
the people on both sides of Mason and Dixon's
line were equally proud of their achievements.
As the " Gazelle " got under way and sailed
down stream, tbe boys looked back at the heights,
while their thoughts carried them back to the
time when Porter's fleets lay at anchor iu about

SAILING WITH FROZEN BiaOfSG

le same position and waited for l^e etorm of iron
from the guns mounted there to ceaae. But the
wind was blowing half a gale, and their attention
was called back with a jar from the past to the
very practiftal present. The stream was now very
full, and there was little danger of nmning
aground, so Kenneth determined to sail in spite
of the freshening wind and the steady drizzle
that froze as it fell. It was Arthur's turn at the
fltick, but it was just the kind of weather to hurt
one weakened by illness, so Kenneth took his
place, and sailed the boat. The wind a little
abaft the beam (another of the best points of sail-
ing, according to Ransom), the little boat sped
on, racing, seemingly, with the billows the gale
kicked up.

The other three boys stayed below in comfort,
while the captain, wrapped in a big ulster and
crowned with a yellow sou'weeter, keld the tiller,
and looked the part of the weather-beaten mar-
iner down to the ground.

The wind waa steady and very strong, so that
the yacht keeled over before it, and almost buried
her lee rail under; the sails rounded out to the
blast, and as the rain froze on them, the rigging,
the spars and the deck, she looked like a great
candied boat, such as the confectioners like to
display in their store windows. It was exhila-
115

A. TEAR IN A YAWL

rating, this flying along in the wintry air, but the
frozen rigging and stiffened sheets made sailing
difficult and dangerous. It would be impossible
to reef, and difficult to lower the canvas under
these conditions. #.

With eyes alert, and ready hand on tiller, Ken-
neth watched for snags, for reefs or for sand
bars, while the cold rain dashed into his face in
spite of the close-drawn sou'wester. Mile after
mile the good craft sped on — swift, sure and
steady. Past islands low lying and gray in the
mist, past forests of cypress, white and glistening
with frost, the gray moss hanging from the
branches sleet covered and crackling in the wind.
It was a run to remember, a run that stimulated,
yet at the same time left the steersman surpris-
ingly tired, as Kansom found when he tried to
work his stiffened limbs and help furl the can-
vas.

" I wish that this sail had a few hinges," Frank
complained, as he thumped it in a vain endeavor
to roll it up compactly. ^^ Might as well try to
roll up a piece of plank."

It took over an hour to get things stowed prop-
erly that under ordinary circimistances could
have been disposed of in fifteen minutes; and
though the captain firmly intended to write up
his log that night, it was only by the exercise of

116

HAILIlfO WITH FROZE}' RIQOI^<t

\a good deal of will power that he kept awake

Itill supper was over.

The following day the " Gazelle " lay close to

Itbe levees of Natchez, having covered the dis-

I tance of ninety-three miles in less than a day and
Hhalf.
Thia old town the boys thought the most beau-

t tiful that they had seen. The stately old man-

L Bona were surrounded by gardens, and trees grew

I Bveiywliere.

The town crowned the last of the heights of

^the Mississippi, and the view from the bluff ia

' one of the finest anywhere along the river. Be-
fore starting on the cruise the boys had read
about the places they were likely to visit, and
they recalled that Natchez was one of the earliest
settlements on the river. They remembered, too,
that the Natchez Indians, perhaps the most in-
telligent of their race, were one of the ten first
tribes to run foul of the white man's civilization.
Swift and sure pacification, by means of the
sword, was their lot.

" Natchez under the hill," aa the cluster of

^ bouses occupying the narrow strip of land be-
tween the river and the steep slope is called, was
as unattractive and foul as Natchez proper waa
beautiful and wholesome. Not many years ago

[ it bore the reputation of being one of the hardest

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

their ears. The hum of the rigging, the slap of
the waves against the sides, the quick snap-snap
of the tight drawn halliards against the masts —
all contributed to the mighty chorus in honor of
the gale.

Of a sudden there was a heavy thud and then
a sliding sound — a sound different from all the
other voices of the storm.

"What was that?'' It was hard to tell
whether it was one voice or four that uttered the
words. The boys sprang to their feet, and stood
for a brief moment listening.

190

CHAPTER Vin

TI0T8T0EMOFF "STJSNT" BATON EOUGB

On tlie alert but motionless, tiie four boya
waited for a repetition of the strange noise, won-
dering what it meant. The wind still shrieked;
all the pandemonium of sound continued, but the
queer sound was not repeated, neither was the
unusual jar,

Kenneth was the first to move. He jumped
to the conipanionway, and pushed at the hinged
doors leading on deck, but they did not move.
Glued with the frost, they refused to open. He
put hia shoulder against them, and pushed with
all his might. The expected happened — the
doors opened suddenly, and Kenneth found him-
self sprawling on the floor of the cockpit. He
skinned his shin on the brass-bound step of the
companionway ladder, and his funny bone '
tingled from a blow it got on the deck. The
boy tried to rise to his feet, but a sudden swing of ■
the boat made him slip on the icy boards and fall ,
swiftly down again. From his prone position, he
HI

A TEAM tW A YAWL

It^ked xrfmoA kim. The I^ir ccRniiig vp
throti^ tKe open compmiociwaj gleazned jellow
tm, the ice<!oated7 ^[«eniiig bocKzi^ and the foiled
waSL propped up in the cioteh. As Sansom^s ejes
heeame acca^oined to the dadneas, he saw what
it wad that had ^artled them aH "^ His ^Nlbe,"
haaled up on the narrow strip of deck aft of the
mdder poet, had slipped when the ** Gazelle"
had made a sodden plunge, and sliding on the icj
rail had thumped into the cockpit. Perfectly
safe, but ludicrously out of place, the little boat
looked like a big St. Bernard in a lady's lap.

^Look! '' the prostrate captain called to his
friends. " * His Xibs ' was getting lonesome and
was coming down into the cabin for the sake of
sociability/'

The other three crawled on deck, having
learned caution through the skipper's mishap,
and crouched in the wet, slippery cockpit while
they looked aroimd.

The gale, still increasing rather than abating,
was raising tremendous seas. The " Gazelle "
rolled, her rails under at times, and her bowsprit
jabbed the white-capped waves.

'^ 1 am going forward to see if the anchors are
O. K/' Kenneth spoke loudly enough, but the
wind Hiiatched tlie words from his mouth and the
boys did not hear what he said.

Ay tC'St STORM OFP *'StJNNT*' BATON ROVO^

Kansom managed to get on his feet, and,
grasping the beading of the cabin, he pulled him-
self erect. A quick lurch almost threw him
overboard, but he reached up and grabbed the
boom overhead just in time. Holding on to this
with both arms, he slowly worked himself for-
ward.

The other boys, crouching in the cockpit, won-
dered what he was up to. They watched his
dim figure crawling painfully along, a^d once
their hearts came into their throats as, his feet
sKpping from under him, he hung for an instant
from the icy boom almost directly over the rag-
ing river. The Kght streaming from the cabin
shone into their strained, anxious faces and
blinded them so that they could hardly see the
figure of " Ken," on whom they had learned to
rely. At last he disappeared altogether behind
the mast and was swallowed up in the blackness.

"Ken! Comeback! Comeback!" Arthur,
who was still weak, could not stand the strain; he
could not bear to think of what might happen to
his friend.

The wind shrieked in derision — so, at least, it
seemed to the anxious boy — ^the elements com-
bined to drown his voice. The gale howled on;
the rain froze as it fell, and the waves dashed at
the boys like fierce dogs foaming at the mouth.

133

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

Frank, at last feeling that he must know what
had become of Bansom, sprang up, and grasping
the icy spar, crept forward. Many times he lost
his foothold, but always managed somehow to
catch himself in time. Slipping and sliding,
fighting the gale, he reached the mast. The
journey was one of only twenty feet, but the gale
was so fierce and the exertion of keeping his foot-
ing so great that he arrived at the end of it out
of breath and almost e^austed. It was inky
black, and only with difficulty could he distin-
guish the familiar objects on the forecastle — ^the
bitts, and the two rigid anchor cables leading
from it. Lying across them was Kenneth,
gripping one, while the yacht's bow rose and
fell, dashing the spray clear over his prostrate
figure.

"What's the matter, Ken?" Frank shouted,
so as to be heard above the wind. " Are you
hurt? Brace up, old man! ''

The other did not speak for a minute; then he
answered in a strained voice: " Give me a hand,
old chap, will you? Fve hurt my foot —
wrenched it, I guess; pains like blazes."

That he was pretty badly hurt, Frank guessed
by the way in which he drew in his breath, as he
shifted his position.

" Got a go<5d hold there, Frank? Grab those

124

lis" lOY STORM OFF -SUNNY" BATON ROVGE

iliards. It's terrible slippery — Oucbl Easy,
:now."

It was a difficult job tbat Frank had in hand.
The ice-covered decks could not be depended
on at ail; if the boys began to slide, they would
slip right off the sloping cabin roof into the
water; the boat was jumping on the choppy seas
like a bucking horse, and the wind blew with
turricane force. Kenneth could help himself
iardly at all, and Frank struggled with him till
the sweat stood out on his brow in great beads.
At last botb got over the entangling anchor
cables, and breathing hard, hugged the stick as
if their lives depended on it, which came very
near being the ease.

" You — had — better — leave — me — - here —
old^ — - chap," panted Kenneth. " My — ankle —
hurts — Hke — tbe — old — Harry. Can't—
travel — much."

" What did you do to it? "

" Got — caught — - under — - cleat — on — the
; — of — tbe — bowsprit."
Gee I that's tough! " sympathized Frank.

" Gave it a terrible wrench. Regular monkey
wrench." It was a grim situation to joke
about.

"Leave you here? " said Frank, coming back

to Ken's suggestion. "I guess not! What do

135

X TEAR IN A 7AWL

you take me for, anyway? I know how to work
it, all right. You hang on to the mast a min-
ute."

Releasing his grip on Ransom, Chauvet
picked up the end of the peak halliard coiled at
his feet, and with great difficulty straightened
out its frozen turns, for he had but one free
hand — ^he could not release his hold on the sail-
hoop that he grasped for an instant. Taking the
stiff Une, he passed it around his body and then
around the boom. Holding on by his legs
to the mast, he worked away at the frozen line
imtil he had knotted the end to the main part —
made a bowline. The loop was around his
waist and the boom.

"Now, Ken, we're all right — ^I have lashed
myself to this spar, and my hands are free. I'll
yell to Clyde," and suiting the action to the word
he shouted aft.

Ransom hung on to the line about Frank's
waist, while Frank half held, haK supported him.
Slowly they moved along, stumbling, often
swinging with the boat, till the rope cut into
Chauvet's body cruelly. It was exhausting work.

Soon Clyde came stumbling, slipping and
fighting forward against the gale, and in a min-
ute was helping Frank to support the gritty cap-
tain.

AN IC7 STORM OFF "SVyNY" BATON SOUGB

It was a tiankful group that dropped into tlie
warm, bright cabin- — dripping wet and numbed
with cold, out of breath, well-nigh exhausted,
but thankful to the heart's core.

Arthur cut the shoe from Ransom's Bwelling
ankle, and then bound it tightly with a cloth
saturated with witch hazel.

" Chasing anchors on atormj nights seems to
be fatal for me," Kenneth remarked, aa he lay
on his bunk regarding his bandaged foot. " I'll
give you fellows a chance next time — I don't
■want to he piggish about it."

Presently the cabin light was turned down and
all hands got into their bertha. Not a tongue
moved, but braina were active; not an eyelid
felt heavy, but the boys reaolutely kept them
closed. The atorm raged on; gust aueceeded
gust, the rain beat down on the thin cabin
roof with increasing fierceness. It was a try-
ing night, and each of the four boys was glad
enough to see the gray light come stealing in
through the frosted port lights. They had
all thought that they would never see day-
light again, though each had kept his fears to J
himself.

The wind still roared and the rain poured }
down, t)nt the yacht tossed and rolled less vio-
lently; her movements were slower and sluggish,

A YEAR IN A YAWL

qidte unlike those of the usually sprightly, light
" Gazelle."

"Sea must have gone down," commented
Clyde, in a casual way, as he noted that the others
were awake. " Queer, wind's blowing great
guns, too."

Kenneth sat up suddenly and bumped his head
on the deck beam above. This made him wince,
and he drew his game foot suddenly against the
boat's side. Kenneth made so wry a face that
his friends could not help laughing outright-—
an honest laugh, in spite of the sympathy they
felt.

"Both ends at once." The captain tried to
rub his head and his ankle at the same moment,
and found it a good deal of a stretch.

" There is a new bar to be charted here." His
finger went gingerly round the bump on his fore-
head.

" Frank, go on deck, will you, and see if things
are moderating. I'd like to get into some cove
or another."

Chauvet made his way to the ladder and
shoved the doors with all his might; but it was
only after repeated blows with a heavy rope fen-
der that tbey opened.

"Great Scott!" he shouted. "Look here.
Ice! Why, there's no boat left — it's all ice!

128

AH ICT STORM OFF "SDyNY" BATON RODGB

Well, I'll be switched — why, we'll have to chop
lier out, or she'll sink with the weight of it —
she'a down by the head now."

Fresh exclamations of amazement followed as
each "head appeared in turn from below. It was
true. The yacht was literally covered with iee,
from one to six inches thick at the bow, where
the apray combined with the rain to add to the
layers of white coating. The sluggiah move-
ment of the vessel was explained — the weight of
the ice burdened her. Here was a pleasing con-
dition of things.

The boys snatched a hasty breakfast, and tak-
ing hatchets, hammers — anything with a sharp
, edge — they attacked the ice. Even Eansom in-
sisted upon taking a hand. The boat was very
beautiful in her glassy coating. The rigging,
fringed with icicles, and the cold, gray light
shining on the polished surface, made it loot like
a dull jewel. The boys, however, saw nothing
of the beautiful side of it. There was a mighty
]ob before them; a cold, hard, dangerous job, and
they went at it as they had done with all the pre-
vious difficulties which they had encountered —
■with courage and energy.

Golder and colder it grew, until the thermome-
ter registered five degrees below zero. The yacht
still rolled and pitched so that the boys found it

A YEAR IN A YAWL

" We can't hold a service aboard," he said to
Ardiur, who appeared on deck about the same
time. " But let's dress ship for a thanksgiving
offering."

AU four agreed with alacrity, and for the next
hour scarcely a word was spoken except as one
fellow sung out, " Where is that swab? " or an-
other, " Who's got the bath-brick? " Hardly a
day passed (except when the boat was in actual
danger) that the " Gazelle " did not get a thor-
ough cleaning — ^brasses shined, decks scrubbed,
cabin scoured, bedding aired, dishes well washed
and even the dishcloth cleaned and spread to dry.
But this was a special day, and the yacht was as
sweet within as soap and water, elbow grease and
determined wills could make her. The crown-
ing of the work came when the " Gazelle " was
decked in her colors; the flags spelling her name
in the international code fluttering in the breeze,
and above all Old Glory — surely a splendid em-
blem of what these youngsters gallantly typified,
American perseverance, pluck and enterprise.
It was a proud crew that lined up on lie bank to
admire their achievement, and their hearts were
filled with gratitude to Providence that they had
been brought through so many dangers safely.

" Kin I hab one of dese yer flags? " Some one
pulled at Kenneth's sleeve, and he looked down

US?

AN 107 STOBM OFF -'iiUliNY" BATON BOVQB

into & small, black, kinky-hair framed face. It
was a little pickaninny, scantily clad and shiver-
ing in the keen air.

" What do you want it for? "

Embarrassment showed on every shining fea-
ture of the little face.

" Fob — fob a crazy quilt," she managed to say
at last.

Kansom could not spare one of hia flags, but be
dug into a locker and pulled out a piece of red
flannel (a token of bis mother's thoughtfulneas)
which pleased the black youngster almost as
much. The visits of the darky population were
frequent that day, and the many requests for
" one of doze flags " suggested the thought that
the first black youngster bad spread the newa
that the ship's company could be worked.

Two days later the ice had almost disappeared
and the " Gazelle " left her snug berth for the
last stretch of her ]*ourney to the Crescent City.
The delay seemed to add to the yacht's eagemesa
to be gone, for she sped on her way like a horse
on its first gallop after a winter in the stable.

On, on she flew, drawing nearer to her goal,
scarred from contact with ice, snags and sand-
bars, but still unhurt, triumphant. Surely the
sun was rewarding their persistence; for he no
longer hid his face from them, but shone out in

all mellowness and geniality. Their worvies fled
at his warm touchy and their hearts sang his
praises.

The " Gazelle " seemed glad as she forged
ahead^ as if to say, " Hurrah ! I have conquered,
I have stood old Mississippi's bumps and jars!
All these are of the past, and now for Old
Ocean! "

Light after light was passed and marked off on
the list, and soon the last one shone out. It had
no name, so as they lustily gave three cheers for
the last of the little beacons which had so long
been their guides and dubbed it " Omega," the
" Gazelle " sped on with only the smoke of the
great cotton market as a guide. New Orleans
was in sight.

The pillars of smoke — the smoke of the city
of their dreams — ^led them on. They could
hardly realize that that dim cloud, that dark
streak in the distance was really the city which
they had striven so hard to reach.

A feeling of great satisfaction came over them
as the " Gazelle " responded to the tiller, which
was thrown hard down, and headed into the wind.
A few flaps of the sails in the evening breeze, the
sudden splash of the anchor forward, followed
by the swir of the cable as it ran through the
chocks, and the creaking pulleys as the sails were

184

A.N IC7 STORM OFF ••SUN};¥" HATON ROVGB

lowered, was the music in honor of the " Ga-
zelle's " successful voyage from far away Michi-
gan to New Orleans.

The trip of one thousand eight hundred milea
had been full of incident and aomo satisfaction,
purchased, however, at the price of severe toil
and many hardships, with a decided preponder-
ance of troubles over pleasures. Sickness had
Tisited the crew at a time when their location
made medical aid impossible; the most severe
! winter recorded, accompanied with the ice packs
and low stages of water, made it seem many times
as if all hands were indeed candidates for admis-
sion into the realms of " Davy Jones's locker."
But all this was now of the past; for here was the
" Gazelle " anchored in a snug cove in the out-
skirts of the Southern metropolis safe and sound,
the captain and crew strong, well, happy, and in
all ways improved by their struggles.

The sun was still two hours high when Ken-
; neth and Frank rowed ashore in " His Niba " and
I scrambled up the steep side of the high levee
which protects the city from inundation.

As they looked back on the " Gazelle " ho
peacefully riding at her anchorage, they felt like
giving three lusty cheers for their floating home.
Beyond the yacht and moored at the docks were
two immense ocean-going steamships, while a

A YEAR IN A tAWL

short distance up the river was a full-rigged ship
with loosened canvas falling in graceful folds
from the yards. The scene was a pleasing one^
and the two hoys drank it in with all their eyes;
they loved the sea, and these monster boats had
a peculiar charm for them. But the " clang,
clang *' of a bell suddenly awakened them from
their reverie, and they started in all haste to get
down town for the maU they knew must be wait-
ing.

The anchorage was at CarroUton, one of the
suburbs of New Orleans, so the boys had a splen-
did opportunity of seeing the city on their long
trolley-car journey to the main Post Office. The
batch of mail that was handed out to them glad-
dened their hearts, and it took considerable reso-
lution to refrain from camping right out on the
Post Office steps and reading their letters. They
remembered, however, their promise to Arthur
and Clyde to bring back with them the where-
withal to make a feast in honor of their safe
arrival in the Crescent City.

" Gee! Fd like to know what's in those let-
ters." Frank gazed at them longingly as they
walked along. "Look at the fatness of that,
will you? "

"I've got a fatness myself," retorted Ken-
neth, holding a thick letter bearing several

186

r
/

i..V IC7 STORM OFF - SUNXT - BATON BOUOE

stamps. "We have just about time enough to
buy some truck and get back. What do you aay
to some oystera? "

" That goes," was Frank's hearty endorse-
ment.

Oysters were cheap, they found, so they
bought a goodly supply, and for want of a better
carrier put them in a stout paper bag.

The two boys started out bravely, with the bag
of oysters between them, each carrying a bundle
of papers and mail under their arms. They saw
many things that interested them — quaint old
buildings with balconies and twisted ironwork,
and Duraberg of picturesque, dark-skinned peo-
ple wearing bright colors wherever it was poa-
fiible.

Frank and Kenneth were so interested in
watching what was going on about them — the
people, the buildinp, and all the hundred and
one things that would interest a Northern boy in
a Southern city — that they forgot all about the
load of oysters till they noticed that the people
who met and passed them were smiling broadly, j

" Have I got a smudge on my nose, Frank? "
asked Kenneth, trying vainly to squint down that
member.

" No. Have I? " Frank's answer and ques-
tion came in the same breath.

i. TEAR IN A YAWL

"Well, what in thunder are these people
grin

There was a soft tearing sound, and then a hol-
low rattle. The boys looked down quickly and
saw that the damp oysters had softened the paper
so that the bag no longer held them, and they
were falling, leaving a generous trail behind
them.

Frank and Kenneth scratched their heads;
there were no shops near at hand, the bag was no
earthly use, they were a long way from the an-
chorage, and the oysters were much too precious
to be abandoned.

" What's the matter with tying up the sleeves
of this old coat and making a bag of it? " Frank's
inventive brain was beginning to work.

" That's all right, if you don't object," was the
reply.

An hour later two boys, one of them in his
shirt sleeves, came stumbling along in the dusk
toward the levee near which the " Gazelle " was
anchored.

" ^ Gazelle ' ahoy! " they hailed. " Have you
got room for a bunch of oysters and a couple of
appetites? "

Evidently there was plenty of room, for " His
Nibs " came rushing across to take all three over,
the " bunch of oysters " and the " two appetites "

199

Ay ICY BTOiCM OFP "SUNNT" BATON ROtJQB

to the yacht, where they found two more appe-
tites eagerly waiting their coming.

Hansom and his friends had planned to stay
but ten days in New Orleans; just time enough to
put in a new mast and refit generally for the long
eea voyage before them. Their good intentions,
however, were balked at every turn. The par-
ents of ail the boys, except Ransom's, besought
them to return; made all sorts of inducements to
persuade them to give up the trip; did every-
thing, in fact, except actually command them, A
death in Clyde's family made it imperative that
he should go back, and it grieved the boys to have
him leave. Clyde was as disappointed as any;
and as he boarded the train to go North lie said
" I'd give a farm to be coming instead of going."

The crew was now reduced to three, and Ran-
som feared that Clyde's return would influence
the others and break up the cniise.

The letters to Prank and Arthur grew more
and more insistent, until one day Chauvet came
to Ransom. " Ken," said he, " this is getting
pretty serious. My people come as near saying
that they'll disown me if I don't come back aa
they can without actually writing the words. I
want to go the rest of the way and play the whole
game, and it would be a low down trick to leave
you stranded here without a crew."

A YEAR ixV A VAWL

"Well," said Kenneth, as he sat down by
Frank's side on the levee in the warm sunshine,
"you'll have to do as you think best, but — ^I
never told you that my father and mother offered
me their house if I would give up the trip, did

Frank opened his eyes at this.

" No, I didn't, biit it's a fact; and when I told
them that I didn't have to be paid to stay and
would not go if they felt so strongly about it,
they came right around and said, ' Go, and God
bless you/ "

Kenneth's eyes moistened a little as he harked
back to the time, and a vivid picture of his far
away Northern home arose before him. " Well,
old chap," he continued, laying his hand on
Frank's knee, " they have been with me heartily
ever since, and I believe that your people would
feel the same about you and be proud of your
pluck, too."
"^ The two looked each other in the eyes a min-

ute — one fair, the other dark — ^utterly dissimilar
in appearance, but both possessed of indomitable
will and courage — ^then Frank's hand slowly
sought that of his friend and gripped it hard.

" Ken, I'm with you."

" Good," was the other's only answer.

Arthur's decision was soon made when he

140

1 iJV WY STORM OFF "SU.VJVr" BATON ROVGB

I iound that Kenneth and Frank had determined
j to put it through. The tliree were knit together
I in a bond of fellowship hard to break.

The equinoctial storms were raging through

I tte Gulf at this period, and the hoys made good

I use of the time to buy, shape, and put in place a.

I new mainmast; to tighten up the rigging and

I repaint the boat's sides, covering up the scars

made ty the inhospitable river. " His Nibs "

■waa also refitted, bo that the staunch little craft

looked like new, and was much admired. The

hoys rambled all over the old city, from the

above-aurface, tomb-like cemetery, to the lively

Creole quarter. Ransom visited many ships in

port and studied the Knea and construction of

ocean-going vessels, river craft and lugger fish-

I ing boats. All sorts of craft congregated at this

ft harbor for all kinds of purposes — for cotton, for

r Bugar, for every sort of commodity, in fact, even

down to mules. Eansom watched them all,

went aboard some and talked with the mates and

engineers. His intelligent questions won him

courteous, thoughtful answers. He took notes,

made sketches, and in every way possible took

advantage of this opportunity to fit himself for

his life's work.

At last, on the first of May, 1899, the stormB
having passed, the " Gazelle " being as fit and

A YEAR IN A YAWL

trim as a boat could be, the crew bade good-by
to the many friends they had made, cast off from
their moorings and started for the salt sea.

For two days they sailed through the delta of
the Mississippi, and then entered that dangerous
short cut to the Gulf, Cubit's Gap — ^a passage
flanked on either side by shoals which even the
" Gazelle " could not sail over. It was lined by
tJie skeletons of wrecked vessels, and made the
boys hesitate a little before taking the risk.
But "nothing venture nothing gained," they
thought, and a successful venture meant almost
a hundred miles gained.

The weather conditions were good and the
vote was unanimous in favor of trying; so, on
reaching the cut, the " Gazelle " turned to port
and entered the dangerous channel.

"Good-by, old Mississippi!" Kenneth said,
half aloud. ^' We are ocean bound at last."

It was all done very quickly, and never a feel-
ing of reluctance came over them as they care-
fully picked their way among the shoals of the
pass.

The run through the sand point, which the
current of the river has forced out into the Gulf,
was some six miles long. By careful sailing the
" Gazelle " ran this distance without mishap; and
then spread out before her was the great Gulf

AX ICT STORSt OFF "SVyNY" BATOH ROUGB

of Mexico! Ahead for several miles was tlio
shallow ahoal. Debris of every kind surrounded
■theni. Everything was so lonesome. Not a sail
in sight or anything to make them feel that the
world was peopled.

A flock of sea birds rose from the water, and,
■with a pecuUar cry, flew far away as if fright-
ened by a sight seldom seen, and for a moment
made it seem as if they were " alone on a wide,
wide sea."

The sea was calm, bo, taking a sounding pole
aboard " His Niba," Frank, with chart before
him, measured the depth. The " Gazelle," under
shortened sail, followed siowly in hia wake, often
luffing quickly to avoid a bar, and surely, though
slowly, winding her way. So intricate did the
path become at times that it was necessary for
them to east anchor and explore ahead for depths
sufficient to float the yacht, but at last, just aa
the sun waa sinking in the distant west, their la-
bora were rewarded by success, for careful sail-
ing and constant sounding were necessary, but at
last the cheery cry of " No bottom," came from
their pilot ahead, and in a few minutes the
staunch "Gazelle" was gliding along on the
long, rolling surface of the open Gulf, afloat at
last on the great salt sea.

J«

CHAPTER IX

Oir SALT WATEB AT LAST

*^ Hurrah for the sea; the blue^ salt sea; the sea
that we strove to reach! '' shouted Kenneth at
the top of his voice.

"Hurrah! " shouted the other two boys, and
all three clasped hands and danced about in glee.

" Isn't this worth working for? " inquired the
captain, as he swept his hand round, tracing the
horizon line.

Off in the distance lay the Bird Islands, and
still further the Breton Islands showed faint and
hazy in the fast deepening dusk. The wind was
a mere caressing zephyr, and the sea rolled in
good-naturedly, soothingly, even.

"What's the matter with this, boys? Let's
anchor here. Heave the lead, Frank, and see
if it's all right."

Frank reached under the cockpit seat and took
from its rack the lead and line. " Aye, aye, sir,"
he answered, in mock servility. Hooking his
left arm round the port stays, he stood on the rail,

144

OjV 3ALT WATEB AT LAST

the long strip of lead dangling from his right
hand; the left hand held the coil of line. For a
minute he stood poised there while the " Ga-
zelle " curtseyed her acknowledgments to the
long swelU, a picturesque figure silhouetted
against the warm glow of the setting sun. Then
he began to swing hia right arm slowly and stead-
ily, the lead just clearing the water. "When it
was swinging well forward he let it go, and as the
line slipped through hia fingers he watched for
the bits of colored cloth that indicated the depth.
Down, down it went, until all but the leather
strips had disappeared in the water. Then the
line slackened, and the leadsman knew that bot-
tom had been reached. Beginning to pull in
the line Prank shouted, " Three fathoms! "

" Stand byl Let go your anchor! " ordered
Kenneth, as soon as Frank had reeled in the lead-
line.

"Let her go! "

There was a splash, then a hum and swish of
ieftvy rope as the anchor cable whipped through
the chocks.

"Let go your mizzen haliiardsl " The creak
of the blocks told that the order had been
obeyed. Arthur let the jigger go at the same
time. For a few minutes not a word was spoken
— all the mouths were full of cotton rope—

145

JL YEAR IN A YAWL

their fishermen friends; spuds, as the boys called
the potatoes; coffee, bread, without butter, and
a treasured pie, rather the worse for wear, but
keenly relished for all that. What was left of
the meal would not have satisfied a bird, and the
diflh-wasliiiig that night was an easy job.

All three of the boys felt that their f im was
really only just beginning. The cruise down
the Mississippi seemed like a nightmare as they
looked back upon it. Cold, unending exertion,
sickness and imminent danger, coupled with a
necessity for great economy, had taken all the
zest out of the enjoyment they might have had.

Something has been said about Kansom's
financial condition; the same thing was true of
the other boys. Clyde and Arthur hoped and
expected to make some money along the way to
help pay expenses, as did Kenneth and Frank;
but fortune was against them and they had to
get along as best they could on the small sums
they possessed. From St. Louis to New Orleans,
taking in all expenses, including extra oil needed
to keep from freezing, medicines and extra
nourishing food for the invalid Arthur, the
total cost per week per boy was a dollar and a
half.

It was no wonder, then, that the three
thought that a happier time wa$ coming. Smil-

149

ON SALT WATER AT LAST

ing, sunny skiea above them, clear, buoyant, salt
water under them, a tried and true ship their
home, and a ship's company that could be abso-
lutely relied upon. What more was to be de-
sired!

The night was divided into four watches of
four hours each, and Kenneth went on deck to
take the first trick from eight to twelve.

And so the young fresh- water sailors passed the
first night on the briny deep, A peaceful, rest-
ful, invigorating night, that marked the begin-
ning of a new series of experiences.

Arthur went on at midnight (eight bells), and
Prank, in turn, relieved Arthur at four o'clock
(eight bells of the morning watch). It was
Frank, then, wlio put his head into the after
hatch and roused " bII hands " at six o'clock,
which Arthur and Kenneth called an unholy
hour.

"I wonder if there are any sharks around!"
said Arthur, as he stood on the dew-wet deck
looking overboard. "Gee! that water looks
tempting. Here goesl " Almost with a single
sweep of his hands he had pulled off his duck
jumper and trousers, and the last words ended in
a gurgle as he hit the water.

" Beat you in," was Frank's only comment to

Kenneth, who came on deck that minute. It

149

A TEAR IN A YAWL

was a dead heat. As for sharks, the thought of
them did not enter the beads of the three boys,
aa they ducked and dove, splashed and swam,
shouted and squealed, with pure delight. It
would have upset the equilibrium of any self-
respecting shark; at any rate, none made their
appearance that day.

It was a very airy costume that the crew wore
that morning while they scrubbed down decks,
coiled down tackle, cleaned out " His Niba," and
put the little ship to rights generally.

Kenneth and Arthur got the " Gazelle " un-
der way, while Frank went below to get break-
fast. The course was shaped for Biloxi, Missis-
sippi, and the yacht settled down to the two days'
run. The wind was fair and true, and the yacht,
spreading out her wings, sped between the
many islands that dotted the waters, and picked
her way through the intricate channels daintily.
They anchored off Barrell Key that night, and
made the acquaintance of two fishermen — Aus-
trians — ^wlioae lugger was anchored close by.
The boys accepted their invitation to fish with
them next morning, and while they did little
more than contribute considerable looking on,
they got a good mess of fish. These Trank
Bpeedily turned into an Appetizing breakfast, the
incense from which was still rising when the

ON SALT WATER AT LAST

boys bid their fishermen friends good-by. In
a very short time the mast of the lugger had
dwindled to a matehstick, and the swift, rakish
little hull disappeared below the horizon.

It was juat dark enough to make it difficult
to distinguish the channel marks when thej
reached Biloxi Harbor, but the " mud hook "
waa dropped in a safe place, and Frank and Ken-
neth went ashore to look for mail and to tele-
graph home the news of their safe arrival. They
had been unable to send word for the better part
of a week, and the loss last year, about the same
time, of the "Paul Jones,'' a large launch, in the
waters through which the " Gazelle " had navi-
gated so serenely, would, the boys knew, make
their parents dread this part of the cruise. It
was partly a feeling of triumph, partly a desire to
relieve anxiety, tliat Kenneth experienced when
he hurried to wire home.

The teredo, that terrible little insect that
turns the bottoms of vessels into sieves, and un-
dermines the woodwork of wharves in Southern
waters, was very much on the mind (metaphori-
cally, of course) of the young captain. He had
no desire to feed the staunch " Gazelle " to the
voracious little borer. Many times he had been
warned to copper paint the bottom of the yacht,
and, though he dreaded the job, the sooner

A TEAR IK A YAWL

it was done the better. A sloping sand beach lay
to one side of Biloxi, and onto this the ^^ Gazelle ''
was hauled at high tide^ her ballast unloaded,
and as the water fell she careened to one side.
The starboard side was exposed firsts and to the
delight and satisfaction of Kenneth and his
friends, there was hardly a scratch in the clear,
hard wood. All hands immediately fell to work
scraping off the marine growth that had formed.
It was a three hours' job, but when it was finished
the boys felt so virtuous that satisfaction stuck
out like the paint on their faces. " Pride Com-
eth before a fall," but the oyster shell cut which
Kenneth's foot received, seemed to him a fall en-
tirely out of proportion to the pride.

Invincible to the terrible teredo, the *^ Ga-
zelle " sailed out of Biloxi Harbor bound for Mo-
bile. She reached her destination the same day,
just as the sunset gun of Fort Morgan boomed
out, and the Stars and Stripes came fluttering
down its staff.

The " Gazelle's " ensign came down at the
same instant. "You see, we are recognized,"
Kenneth remarked airily, as he waved his hand
in the direction of the cloud of gunpowder smoke
that still hovered over the muzzle of the old
smooth-bore.

There was some discussion as to who should

153

Olf SALT WATER AT LAST.

go ashore and inspect the fort — the grassy slope
that led up to the massive, red-gray pile was very
inviting — but eventually the strands of rope
yarn decided for them that Kenneth should not
go. Whereupon he declared that he ought not
to walk on his injured foot, any way. After
rowing close in to the grassy ramparts of the fort-
ress, Frank and Arthur decided that they did not
care to visit it either. Whether Uncle Sam's
soldier, who paced along close to the water and
carried a gun, had anything to do with their sud-
den change of plan, is not for the writer to say,
hut Ransom noticed that the two would-be visi-
tors seemed to be disinclined to talk about the
matter.

The fishing vr&& bo good in Mobile Say that the
boys could literally stand at their hearthstone (if
a boat can be said to have a hearthstone — galley
■hatch would be more correct), and catch their
breakfast. If they could have been satisfied to
live on fish alone, life would have been too easy.

" We will grow scales if we eat much more
£sh," said Kenneth, the last day of their stay in
Mobile Bay.

" That's a good scheme," enthused Arthur (he
of the fertile imagination). " Then we could
make no end of money exhibiting ourselves aa
the only original mermen."

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

Notwithstanding the possibilities o£ this enter-
prise, the throe boja laid in a goodly supply of
plain shore bread, potatoes, even a pickle or two,
and filled the water breakers with fresh water —
it would be two daja before the next town could
be readied.

Bright and early, Arthur, who had the morn-
ing watch, called all hands, and weighing anchor
the " Gazelle's " bowsprit was turned seaward.
The long eand bar leading out from Mobile har-
bor was marked at its outer end by a wliistling
buoy, that sped the parting guest most mourn-
fully and welcomed the coming one with a dirge.
The wave-driven billows produced a most melan-
choly whistle, and the boys were glad when they
had turned to port and were beyond the sound
of it.

Fickle fortune smiled on these 'hard-used voy-
agers at last. Blue skies overhead, the clear
waters below, a delicate light green that reflected
into the white sails, or a deep verdant color that
was restful to the eye, and showed off to advan-
tage the tints of the jewel-like fish that swam in
its depths. The warm aun — too warm at times
— was a joy after the long sunless days on the
Mississippi, though it tanned their skins the color
of the cherry-finished cabin.

Two days out from Mobile they were sailing

ox HALT WATEIt AT LAHT

along in a light breeze, almost dead aft. Frank
held tlie tiller and was having little to do; Ken-
neth lay on his stomach in the cockpit, studying
the chart, with its multiplicity of figures showing
depths of water; Arthur was below putting a
very conspicuous background into a pair of his
duck trousers.

" How's the weather up there, old man? " Ar-
thur shouted to Frank.

" All right, ail right I " came the answer,
drowsily. " Not much wind, but hotter than
blazes."

" But there's going to be trouble, all the
Bamee — 'glass ' shows it."

Kenneth came tumbling down to see, and,
sure enough, the barometer was falling faat. It
did not seem possible that a storm could be com-
ing. The air was bright and clear, the long, easy
Bwells suggested nothing but good treatment, and
the breeze was almost caressing in its softness.
But it was the calm before the storm. Presently
the warmth began to go out of the air, and a
chilliness that made the boys shiver crept into it.
A darkening came up in the southwest which
gradually deepened and spread until the whole
heavens were deep blue-black, against which the
scudding clouds ahowed white and ominous.
From time to time the boys heard a distant rum-

A TEAR IN A YAWL

bling^ and streaks of zigzag lightning flashed
across the gloom. It was the first time the " Ga-
zelle " and her crew had encountered a blow on
the salt water, and they looked to the shore for a
shelter. Vicious little blasts — ^advance pickets
of the squall — ^blew sharply across the sea, and
picked up little puffs of spray which instantly
disappeared in vapor; the " Gazelle " trembled
under these slaps of wind like a spirited horse
under the touch of a nervous driver.

The shore was without a vestige of shelter,
and there was nothing to do but to ride it out.

Kenneth took the tiller, while Arthur and
Frank made haste to reef down. The mainsail
was lowered altogether and furled, the jib was
reefed twice, and the jigger hauled inboard and
reefed also. "His Nibs" was hauled aboard
and lashed down tight. Oil-skin coats and sou'-
westers were " broken out " of the lockers, and
the hatches were shut tight and battened down.
The boat would have to do the rest to bring them
through safely, and all had confidence that she
would be perfectly able to do so.

These preparations were made none too soon.
In an instant the sharp little puffs of wind gave
way to a whooping gale that picked up the sea
and the yacht alike, and swept them like chaff
before it along shore. Then came the rain — a

156

ON SALT WATER AT LAST

deluge, a cataract, that shut down on everything
like night. The sea rose up about them like
moving hills, the wind buffeted them so that the
yacht jarred with the blows, and the rain closed
in on them, a watery stockade. It drenched
the crew crouched in the cockpit through and
through, and dashed into their faces a thonsand
stinging darts.

The squall lasted for an hour without a let up.
The " Gazelle " rode the waves beautifully, and
took the buffetinga of wind and rain like the
Btnrdy craft she was, without a murmur. The
sharp flashes of lightning gave Kenneth momen-
tary glimpses of the shore, by which he managed
to steer. Otherwise they were going it blind.

At length they noticed that the volleys of
thunder seemed less near and the lightning less
frequent and the onslaught of the rain darts not
80 sharp. The squall began to die down as
quickly as it rose; astern, a faint light showed,
while ahead the gloom was as deep as before.
The rain grew less and less, and then passed en-
tirely, the sun cleared bia brow and shone down
amiably through a blue aky, the wind calmed
to a steady breeze, rain-washed and cool. Only
the troubled sea remained as a reminder of the
tempest.

Frank got up and shook himself. " I wish we
157

JL TEAR IN A YAWL

had a wringer aboard/' he said. " Fd like to put
myself through it. Ugh! Fm wet."

As the sun dropped into the sea the " Gazelle '*
ran over the bar and anchored just inside of Pen-
sacola Harbor. The ebb tide prevented them
from going up to the town.

The shelter was slight, and the sharp squall
of the afternoon raised the sea to an uncom-
fortable degree of motion. The " Gazelle "
tossed and rolled, not having the steadying ad-
vantage of spread canvas. The boys were glad
enough when the sun rose and the tide allowed
them to sail up to a sheltered anchorage off the
city itself.

The thing about the city of Pensacola that
seemed principally to attract the boys' interest
was a large ice-manufacturing plant, the mana-
ger of which presented them with a sizable cake.
This to boys who had been drinking luke-warm,
rather brackish water, was a real boon.

After leaving Pensacola Harbor they turned
to port, and found anchored just round the bar
a fleet of vessels flying the yellow quarantine
flag; but the " Gazelle," having a clean bill of
health, gave them a wide berth and sped on.

The rather intricate passage into Santa Kosa
Sound was run without mishap, and then began
one of the most delightful day's sail of the cruise.

158

ox SALT WATER AT LAST

They passed a strip of saud bills twenty miles
long, for the most part covered with tall, waving
grasB, live oaks and palms, but showing glimpses
here and there of tlie white gleaming sand. The
main land along the Sound is a government res-
ervation, and is thickly planted with live oaks,
forming a solid wall of green almost twenty
miles long — a hedge, as it were, with irregular
top, showing where some ambitious tree has
grown above its fellows. Between is a strip of
water five miles wide, smooth and clear, light
green in its shallows, shading into the deep blue
that marked the channel.

Along this path of beauty flew the " Gazelle,"
her white aides and sails gleaming against the
tinted water.

A fleet of fishing boats were sailing ahead
when the " Gazelle " entered the Sound, their
graceful shapes skimming over the water,

Kenneth stood up in his place at the helm and
looked at them. "The 'Gazelle' has proved
herself seaworthy," he said, rather proudly. " I
bet she can beat that bunch of boats ahead."

There were no takers, but all hands watched
the gap of water between the yacht and hindmost
craft eagerly. The wind was astern, and with her
sheets well out, the yawl flew after the fishing
fleet. For an hour there was little change in the

isg

A YEAR IN A YAWL

relative positions of the pursuer and the pur-
sued; then the boys noticed that the distance
was lessening. On they flew up the broad, rib-
bon-like channel, until they were almost able to
read the names on the stems of the working
boats.

^^ We're not so slow," Kenneth cried, as the
" Gazelle " drew alongside, his eyes shining with
pleasure.

** Adios," shouted a swarthy man standing in
the stem sheets of a lugger. " Fine boat, yours;
you want swap? " A set of white teeth shone as
he smiled sunnily.

The three boys took off their caps and waved
a salute. " No, thank you; we're bound up the
Atlantic coast, need deep draft boat," Kenneth
answered.

" Atlantic, that boat? no! " the other said, half
to himself; and the last the boys saw of him he
was still shaking his head emphatically.

" Doesn't know the boat, does he, boys? " Ken-
neth laughed.

The fishing fleet was soon left behind, and the
" Gazelle " was once more sailing alone. The
sun began to sink lower and lower, gaining depth
of color as it dropped, until the whole narrow
path of water blazed and sparkled with opalescent
tints. The boys were almost intoxicated with

160

O.V SALT WA.TES AT LAST

the delight of it, and did not notice how abruptly
the sound was narrowing down. The sunset's
glory waa short-lived, and the crew found them-
aelvea in an intricate, crooked channel, utterly
strange to them. They had almost decided to
anchor, when they noticed a large schooner, a
mere shadow, gliding ahead of them.

" We'll follow her wake," declared Kenneth,
" She knows the channel if we don't."

Like hounds on the trail they followed the
schooner through the deepening dusk, until the
flapping of canvas told them that she had come
into the wind, and the clank of chain cahle
through the hawse pipes betrayed the fact that
she had anchored.

Bright and early the next morning the rollick-
ing three were overboard taking an awakening
bath. After bidding their guides of the night
before good-by, they began to pick their way
among the bars and coral rocks to the open Gulf.
It was trying, careful work, requiring constant
watchfulnesa, frequent sounding and much tack-
ing to and fro; but the " Gazelle " was rid-
ing the long swells of the open sea by eight
o'clock. A long sail was ahead of them, and
they hoped to make the distance to St. Joseph's
Bay by nightfall, a run of about eighty milea.
But alasl the wind forsook them, and hour after

161

1 YEAR Ilf A YAWL

hour they rolled on the long^ oily Bwells under
the brazen sun.

" I am tired of loafing around. I am going to
do something." Arthur got up from his place
on the deck aft and looked round for a sugges-
tion.

Frank and Kenneth started at this sudden dis-
play of energy.

^* What are you going to do? " Kenneth asked.

"Fish," was Arthur's laconic answer, as he
caught sight of a stout line with a big hook bent
on it.

" Going to catch minnows? " Frank suggested
facetiously.

" No, whales."

Arthur went below and dug out of the locker
the end of a piece of pork, then dropping the
tackle and bait into " His Nibs," he pushed off.

Kenneth roused himself. " Say, Arthur," he
called, "better fish from the yacht; we might
catch a breeze and leave you."

" Oh, go away," the mate answered. " There
isn't a breeze within two hundred miles of here."

Arthur rowed off a hundred yards or so, baited
his hook and dropped it overboard.

" Well, if he isn't the greatest freak," Frank
remarked lazily.

For some time the two boys on the yacht

162

ON SALT WATER AT LAST

watched him, then, as nothing happened, they
moved their gaze and half dozed in the warm,
salt air.

Of a sudden there was a cry and a thump as of
wood against wood. They looked quickly, and
saw Arthur hanging on to the line, which
stretched out before him tight as a harp string.
The boat was rocking dangerously, and the oars
banged together.

" What's the matter? " both boys shouted.

" I have caught something,'^ was the answer.

He certainly had caught something; and the
" something *' was carrying him rapidly away
from the " Gazelle *' out to sea.

198

OHAPTEK X

BIDIKa A MONSTEB TUBTLE

Arthur, after rowing away from the yacht,
dropped his baited hook overboard, and for a
time waited eagerly for something to happen;
but as the water remained as before, the sun
shone down with unabated ardor, and the heat
waves danced over the shining sea, he soon lost
interest, and sat drowsily holding the line loosely
in his hand, his white canvas hat drawn over
his eyes.

Suddenly there was a jerk, and the line began
to bum through his fingers; he gripped it hard,
and was nearly pulled overboard. The thing at
the other end, surprised at resistance, stopped an
instant and gave Arthur time to recover him-
self.

^^ Gee! Fve get something," he shouted. He
certainly had, or something had got him; it wag
some time before he could make up his mind
which it was.

The fish began to move. Arthur determined

164

BlDINa A MONSTER TURTLE

he should not, and the consequence waa that they
all moved, the fish, " His Niba " and Arthur,
straight for the open Gulf.

"Here, where are you going?" Kenneth's
voice came faintly over the water to him.

" I don't know," Arthur shouted back, his
lyes on the taut line.

" Cut loose! " The voice from the yacht was
fainter. Arthur thought that he must be mov-
ing away fast, but he determined that he would
not give up. He watched the Hue closely, and
presently noticed that it was taking a longer and
longer slant; evidently the fish was coming to
the surface. " His Nibs " rushed along at a
great rate, its bow low down with Arthur's
"weight and the stress of the towing; its stem was
^ almost out of water. The line rose slowly until
it was almost parallel with the surface. Arthur
watched it excitedly as it cut the water like a
knife and the drops were thrown aside by its
vibrations. At length a sharp fin rose out of
the water, and cut a rippling V in the blue aea.

" By Jove ! it's a shark," said Arthur between
his teeth.

The boys on the yacht evidently saw, too, for
a faint cry reached the ears of the boy in the
boat. "Let him gol " they shouted. "Let
, him go! "

les

A TMAM a A TAWL

Tn be hoffd i£I6ar Anknr did not
hm fafcatk faj y^fcing die wovds alood;
be Beedfid an ids drength CO koU on to the snail
line. Tbe eord cut bk fingasy and the poll
made bia anna adie, but be would not ghre in.
^Tbat bcart mnit get tired dune time,'' be
thonght. Suddenlr the fin tamed, there was a
miniatme wbiiipooi behind it, and Arthnrs aims
were neaify wrenched out as the diark pot hefan
to pcRt and atmck out in a new direction. Ar-
tbnr lodged npv saw that thej were heading
straight for the ^Gazelle,'' and he took cour-
age.

^ If beHl <ml7 go near enon^'^ thong^ the
boy; but the capture was not to be counted on,
as it dashed from side to side and made rushes
this way and that, in a vain endeavor to get away
from the maddening hook. Its general direc-
tion, however, was toward the yacht Arthur
shouted: ^ Soak him, if you get a chance. Fm
nearly done/'

In one of its mad rushes the shark came with-
in ten yards of the yacht, when Frank, making a
lucky cast with the heavy sounding lead, landed
it on the beast's most vulnerable spot, the
nose, and stunned him. Arthur got out an oar
and paddled over to the yawl, iMinded the line
over to Frank and got aboard. Frank made the

166

RIDING A MONSTER TURTLE

line fast to the bitts forward, then cried exult-
ingly : " Go ahead, old tow-horse, and tow away.
Pleased to have you, I'm sure." The shark's
gameness was broken, however, and after a
few heroic struggles to get free, came within
easy sight of Frank, who speedily put a bul-
let into him and ended the tragedy. They
pulled the great j&sh alongside and measured
him.

" A good twelve-footer, I bet," Frank asserted,
after measuring the big tiger of the sea with an
oar. "And look at that jaw! Jonah could
only have got past those teeth in sections."

"Well, you did do something," Kenneth re-
marked, as he glanced at the long, lithe creature
floating alongside. " But I did not expect you
to catch a towboat."

" Suppose — say, I've got a bright idea " — •
Frank looked up from his inspection of Arthur's
catch — "suppose we drop a couple of baited
lines forward, made fast to the bitts, catch a
team of sharks and get towed to our next port, or
why not the whole distance?"

" It might be all right to start, but how the
mischief would we stop? " Arthur rubbed his
muscles, strained in the efforts which he had al-
ready made in that direction.

" Oh, just anchor, hobble our team by the tails

167

and go on about our business. It's as simple
as can be. They could soon be taught port and
starboard."

" Coming down to plain facts, I wish we had
a breeze; even a foot-pump would help us."
Kenneth shielded his eyes from the glare and
looked over the glittering blue waters for a wind
ripple.

" Yes, like that fellow back in Michigan, who
proposed to put a motor in his boat with an air
blower, so that when the wind gave out he could
blow himself along."

Only enough breeze ruffled the smooth waters
of the Gulf to allow them to creep back into
harbor and wait for a new day.

The shark was cast loose, in spite of Arthur's
impractical protest that he wanted to keep it as
a souvenir.

The next morning all hands were up early and
were greeted as they came on deck by a spank-
ing southwest wind. It was more than a breeze ;
it might be ranked as a reefing wind, but the
" Gazelle " was under-canvassed and so hoisted
full sail safely. The whole aspect of the sea had
changed. Deep, blue and rippling under the
steady wind, it had lost the brazen glare of the
day before. The palms along shore waved their
graceful fronds in gentle salutation, and the

168

RIDINO A MONSTER TURTLE

frhite-crested breakers made obeigance at tbeir

"Up ancbor, and away, boys!" Kennetb

shouted, exbilarated by tbe ozone in the air.

Prank and Arthur started to work the small band

' windlasa. " Put your backs to it, toys; we'll be

ff tbe sooner."

In a minute the anchor broke ground, the

L^acbt began to pay off, and was under way in

\ earnest.

"Gee! this is better than your old sbark-tow-

ing scheme," Arthur said, as be and Frank coiled

down the gear and made all snug for the long

, day's run, " There's nothing like a ■wind-jam-

Imer, say I."

" Eight you are, Art," Frank acknowledged.
"My! I am hungry, thougb; my breastbone is
flat against my spine."

" Well, it's up to you, old man," Kenneth
sang out from his place in the cockpit. " Chase
it along; I feel as if I could eat Arthur's shark."
As the day wore on, the waves grew larger,
long, rounded rollers, that at times crested and
were blown into spray by the wind. Huge, tum-
bling, rolling hills they were, like great playfel-
lows, mighty but amiable. The boys felt a kind
of fellowship for them, and enjoyed watching
fhe blue-green slopes that rose and fell, now hid-

A tBAJt I2f A YAWL

determinedly^ and set to work again. A dozeii
lines^ perhaps^ were written, then his eyes were
irresistibly drawn again to the ever-changing
pictures of sea and sky in the oval frames.

" Better give it up, old man," Frank shouted
down the hatch, laughing. " Save your log till
you can't do anything else, or until it's too dark
to see. This is better than a hundred logs. Come
on deck and see it all. You can tell about it
later."

"I can't resist; that's a fact," Kenneth an-
swered, coming on deck. " This beats anything
I ever even heard of. Don't the old boat sail
through, though? Steady as a church — skates
up and down the waves as if she enjoyed it."

The boys went below only to eat. Frank and
Kenneth washed dishes, because Arthur was sail-
ing — ^this was according to the unwritten law,
that iiie one who sailed was excused from house
work, light or otherwise. The cook did not have
to wash dishes, though he was perfectly welcome
to do so if he desired.

The boys saw the sun rise that morning, and
it was shedding its last glowing rays over the rest-
less waters when they made the harbor of St.
Joseph's Bay. " Eighty miles in one day is not
bad going for a thirty-foot boat," said Ransom,
exultingly, after measuring the charts.

172

RIDING A MONHTER TURTLE

" Sure not," cliimed in Arthur. " If we could
I do that every day, the rest of the cruise would
K an easy thing."

" Let's see," said Frank, counting on hia fin-
gers; " eighty miles a day for thirty days would
be 2,400 miles; at that rate wo have only got
about two months' more cruising, including
stopa."

" I liate to obstruct this beautiful two months'

rip, but think of yesterday and add a couple of

■months." Kenneth, in hia usual matter-of-fact

Imanner, was throwing cold water upon these ex-

I "travagant dreamers.

St. Joseph's Bay, a deep indentation in tbe

coast, afforded the young sailors a splendid

anchorage, sheltered and easy o£ access. The

rollers beat steadily on the beach outside, the

L loaring proclaiming the majesty of the sea;

r but within all was calm and atill — gentle rollers

L rocked the yacht just enough to soothe — and the

t three youngsters slept like hibernating bears.

The soft breeze hummed gently through the

rigging, the little waves lapped caressingly

against the boat's sides, fiahes bumped their noses

inquiringly against her bottom. " His Niba,"

made fast by a long painter, went on little excur-

Bions of its own as far as the line would reach,

L;like an inqubitire dog; but the boys slept

J78

A YEAR IN A YAWL

through it, perfectly unconscious of all the in-
teresting nocturnal goings in. It was not until
the warm sun came shining through the port
lights, and upon the open hatch, that they finally
waked up.

" Seven bells, boys; up, all hands — ^rise and
shine — shake a legl " Kenneth shouted, rubbing
his own eyes to pry them open. It was seven
o'clock, and a long day's sail to Appalachicola
was before them. Each boy, as he rolled out of
his bunk, shook off the few clothes he had on and
flopped overboard. In a minute, the sleepy dust
was washed out of their eyes, and the boys
sported about like seals in the clear, warm salt
water.

Frank climbed on deck and dove off, making
a clear arching leap like a hunted fish; but his
feet had hardly disappeared before his head
showed above the surface again.

« my, you couldn't sink in this water if a
mill-stone were hung round your neck," he splut-
tered, shaking the water out of his eyes.

Through St. George's Sound — a piece of water
something like the Santa Eosa, separated as it is
from the Gulf by a narrow strip of sand— they
sailed to Appalachicola, then on along the har-
borless coast to Cedar Keys. It was a piece of sail-
ing that Kenneth dreaded. That long, curving

174

RIDING A MONSTER TURTLE

Btrip of coast without one adequate shelter along
its entire length, was not pleasant to think of in
connection with an onshore gale. Kenneth ex-
amined the charts as the yawl sailed along, and
noticed that the water was very shoal far from
shore.

" How deep do you suppose it is off here ? " he
called up to Frank, who was steering.

"I don't know; it must be pretty deep, for
we are five or six miles from shore," Frank
answered. " But I can see bottom just the
game; look at that seaweed waving as if the
breeze was blowing on it. How deep is it, any
way? "

" Well, you may not believe it " — Kenneth
rolled up the chart and started aft to show the
helmsman — " but it's only seven or eight feet.
Pretty near as flat as a floor; about a foot a mile
drop, I estimate."

" Why didn't we walk? " suggested Arthur,
" aa the Irishman said, when he saw the diver
coming up out of the water at ElHs Island."

They anchored that night about five miles
from shore, in seven feet of water, and the
treacherous old Gulf was afe calm as a park lake
under a summer zephyr.

All the next day, a roaring wind from the
nortlhweat wafted the three along; and night,|pw

A YEAR IN A YAWL

them safely anchored off the mouth of the
Suwanee Eiver.

A star-studded sky hung over them as all three
boys came out on deck after all was snug and
ship shape. Kenneth got out his guitar, and to
the accompaniment of its softly-strummed chords
the boys sang:

((

Way dowD upon the Suwanee Eiver,
Far, far, away."

The spell of the quiet was on them all, and as
the sound of their young voices died away, and
only the hum of the strings, the lap of the rip-
pling water, and the soft whirr of the breeze were
in their ears, a feeling of sadness came over them
as they realized that they were indeed far, far
from home.

Arthur lay flat on his back, gazing up into the
immeasurable sky; Frank lay along the rail, look-
ing into the clear, black, velvety depths of the
ever shifting water; Kenneth, absorbed in his
brown study, watched the bow of the small boat
abstractedly as the sharp stem cleaved the cur-
rent of the tide, making little waves that glowed
with phosphorescence.

' For a while, no word was spoken, then
" Jhew! " snorted Frank. " I knew this was too

176

klDrXCf A MOBSTER WHrLil

good to last. Wliat have we run up against, a
fertilizer factory? "

" I thing do," answered Arthur, holding his

"Dee! did it worde thad a dead rad." Ean-
some had his nostrOa closed also, as his manner
of speech indicated.

The stench drove the three boys into the cabin,
where, with closed doors and hatch, they swel-
tered until a shift of wind made it possible for
them to breathe the outer air again. They
looked in the direction from wliich the odor had
come, and saw the anchor light of a vessel swing-
ing, and then, as their eyes became accustomed
to the darkness, they made out the deeper ^adow
of the vessel heraelf.

Not till morning did they find out that the
fragrance came from a sponge schooner. Though
they hesitated some time, at last their curiosity
overcame their squeamishness, and, after wash-
ing down decks, breakfasting, and cleaning up,
Arthur and Frank (Kenneth having, as usual,
drawn the short yam) took " His N"ibs " and
rowed over to the schooner. Kenneth watclied
hia comrades from the " Gazelle," and saw them
row very gingerly up to the trim vessel until the
small boat's stem almost touched the larger
boat's side, when they half turned to go away,

177

A YEAR IN A YAWL

tut, evidently gathering up their resolution, they
hailed a man on deck and went aboard. Later,
Bansoni; himself, had a chance of investigating
the work. As he climbed the schooner's sides,
he found sponges of many sizes and shapes strung
around the rigging in various degrees of decom-
position. A big West Indian negro explained
to him that they were hung up to rot the animal
matter out of the fibrous substance which made
the home of the multitude of small creatures.
A very imsavory occupation, but one that pays
quite well, the big fellow told Kenneth, and in-
vited him to go sponge-fishing with him. Ran-
som accepted, and, getting into a small boat, they
rowed some distance from the schooner. Putting
a long, slender pine pole with a hook^on one end
into the boy's hands, the negro suggested that he
try his luck. " This is easy," Kenneth said to
himself, as he slipped it into the water and began
to feel about on the bottom. Soon the end struck
something soft, and, with a little thrill that always
comes to the fisherman when he gets booked to
something, he began to haul up, slowly and care-
fully. Under instructions from the negro, he
pulled up inch by inch. The thing he had on
his hook was a dead weight, utterly unlike the
active fish, but he thought that he detected a
tremor in even this inert mass. Slowly, and

178

RIDIXG A MONSTER TURTLE

more slowly, he raised tlie pole until he could
dimly see a yellow-brown substance through the
sunlit water. At last his catch was almost on the
Burfaee, when the negro began to laugh loudly.
" What's the joke? " Kenneth began, then he
stopped, as he caught a clear gKmpse of his treas-
ure trove. An enormous mouth gaped at him,
and two protuberant eyes that shone like jewels
gleamed in the sunlight, a brown, flat body cov-
ered with warts and excrescences of varioua
kinds flopped feebly on the surface. " Holy
smoke, what have I struck?" Kenneth .ex-
claimed, feeling that be had a waking night-
mare. The thing slid off from the hook, and
scaling down through the water was aoon lost to
view.

"Ugh! " said the boy, ahivering in remem-
trance. " What was that? "

" j^gle-fiah, I reckon. Scare yer? " the other
replied.

Though Kenneth tried again, be could not
!baul up a sponge. There was a knack to it that
completely baffled him.

All through this part of the Gulf, the boys
found the sponge fishermen and their crewa —
many of whom were West Indian negroes —
great, hig, strong fellows, who seemed to find the
odoriferous life healthy. The shallow water,

1 YEAR IN A YAWL

smooth and clear^ produced good sponges^ and
the fiffhermen came to reap the harvest from all
directions.

Even in the town of Cedar Keys, the boys
could not get away from the horrid odor. The
town, formerly a great cedar-producing place,
and the site of a large pencil manufactory, had
become the sponge fisherman's port of call.

" For heaven's sake, Ken, let's get our mail,
bur grub, and our water, and clear out of this
place," Arthur said, the afternoon that they en-
tered Cedar Keys Harbor. " It seems to me that
sponge is mixed up with everything I eat, drink,
smell, taste, see, and touch. It's awful! "

^^I'm willing," the skipper answered, "if
Frank votes aye."

"Aye! Aye!" Frank shouted emphatically,
with no loss of time.

Soon after dawn the next day, the mud-hook
was pulled up, and the " Gazelle " stood for the
open Gulf. She sped along as if she, too, was
glad to get away into the free, sweet air of the
Southern sea.

It was a six days' sail to Charlotte Harbor, a
little below Tampa. A sail full of incident; of
friendly races with fishing boats; exhilarating
bouts with sharp little squalls that called for
quick work and unerring judgment; and an en^

180

r
\

niDING A MONSTER TURTLE

I traiicing view of an ever-changing semi-tropical
I coast.

A Bcliooner with which they had been sailing
hour after hour, headed into the harbor which
opened up invitingly before both vessels.

" We might as well go in too," suggested Ran-
Bota. " There's plenty of water, and we might
take a chance at a turtle or two. "What do you
flay?"

So they rounded the lighthouse and sailed up
the channel with their companion ship, like a
team of horses. Together the jibs came down,
and together the anchor chains rattled through
the chocks.

They learned from the lighthouse keeper that
turtles were plentiful at this time of year, and
that they crawled up on the beach at night to lay
their eggs.

All three boys wanted to go, but one had to
stay and keep ship. So after supper they drew
lota.

" Thia yarn-pulling busineaa is getting to be a
sort of one-sided joke," declared Ransom, ag-
grievedly. " I believe the strand I choose gets
shorter when I take it."

" Hard luck, old man," Arthur and Frank
said sympathetically, as they got into the suibII
boat and pushed off.

181

JL YEAR IN A YAWL

Kenneth watched the boat as it skimmed the
placid water, a dim shadow in the deepening
gloom, and listened to the rhythm of the dipping
oars and creaking rowlocks, with a sense of lone-
liness that he found hard to shake off. The boat
finally disappeared in the darkness, and the
sounds faded into the general murmur of the
water. Soon a light showed on the beach and
went swinging along, eclipsed at regular inter^
vals by the legs of the carrier. The boys had
lighted the lantern, and shouldering their guns
were on their way to the turtles' haunts.

Ransom wrote his log and finished some let-
ters; then, taking some pillows on deck, was soon
lulled to sleep by the soft wind and the gentle
swing of the waves.

Loaded down with hatchets, guns, and re-
volvers, Frank and Arthur looked as if they were
on a pirating expedition; they went prepared for
whatever might turn up. Bears are fond of
turtle eggs and coons dote on them; so there was
a reasonable chance of the boys interrupting
somebody's feast.

Side by side they walked, talking in low tones;
both felt the tingling excitement that goes with
hunting adventures day or night.

Once, Frank caught sight of a dark something
flopping in the water just beyond the tiny break-

182

kIDING A ilOliSTBR TVRTLS

era, and, half wild with excitement, he up with
his rifle and shot at it. Arthur raised the lan-
tern, and they saw that it was a small shark
caught in the shoal water.

" One on you, old man," laughed Arthur.
" Think it was a sea serpent? "

After walking an hour or more, they rounded
the point that protected the harbor, and were
Boon treading the sand of the outer beach.

" This must be the place," whispered Arthur.
They walked more cautiously, and looked for the
parallel trenches in the sand that they had been
told marked the passage of the giant turtles.

The damp, salt air blew into their faces, and
made the flame of the lantern flicker, and east
imcouth shadows on the sloping beach.

" There's one! " cried Arthur, giving his com-
panion a grip on tlie arm. "Lookl" And they
both started on a run for the dark object that lay
BO still.

" Oh, come off; don't you know the differenca
between a patch of sand grass and a green turtlal
What about the laugh this time? "

" That's all right; I know a shark when I »e«
it. This lantern flickere— By Jove! look at
that! " Arthur stopped in his tracks and grabbed
I the light out of Frank's hand.

There were two deep tracka in the aand that

A YEAR IN A YAWL

paralleled each other — ^unmistakable sign of a
monster turtle. Both boys followed the trail on
the run^ only to find that Madam Turtle had been
and gone, also that bruin or coon had feasted
royally on the eggs.

A hundred yards further on, they came to an-
other track, and with excitement less strong, but
still with nerves and muscles tense and hearts
throbbing, they followed fast. The moon broke
from the clouds and silvered the crescent sea, the
wind-tossed palms showed black against the sky,
and the beach shone white under the light.
" Hurrah ! " Frank shouted. " Now we can see.^^
The pale gleam showed a dark shape ten yards
from them that moved awkwardly. '^ There she
is. Art. Come on! ^^

In a minute they had come up to a giant tur-
tle, which, on their approach, drew in its head,
then shot it out again, its beaked mouth opening
and closing wickedly.

" Shoot it, Frank! ^' Arthur cried, utterly flus-
tered. ^'Hit him in the eye! Hit him some-
where, quick! ^'

" No; let's get hold of his shell and flop him
over on his back, then we've got him." Taking
hold of the huge creature's shell, just back of the
crooked hind legs, they heaved and strained to
turn her over. It was no use, the beast was too

184

BIDINa A M0N8TER TURTLE

heavy, and the turtle, objecting to this treatment,
started for the water.

" Shoot it, Frank; it'll get away! ''
Frank did as he was bid, but the bullets had
no apparent effect — the great creature waddled
on even faster than before.

"Arthur, almost beside himself with excite-
ment, jumped on to the broad, rounded back, and
yelled like an Indian, swaying to and fro in his
efforts to keep his balance on the living platform.
Then suddenly realizing that he held a hatchet
in his flourishing right hand, he reached forward
and struck it deeply into the snake-like skulL

r
J

185

CHAPTER XI

LOST ON CAPTIVE ISLAIH)

Charlotte Harbor was so flooded with moon-
light that the little wind ripples shone like
frosted silver. The " Gazelle," lying peacefully
at anchor, floated like a shadow on the placid
water. Kenneth lay asleep on the cabin roof,
where he had moved from the more cramped
position in the cockpit. Soundly as a tired man
should, he slept; then, disturbed by dreams of
battles with wind and wave, he stirred, working
his arms and legs like a dog who has visions
of the chase. At first he moved uneasily, but
still lay in the same position, then, still dead
asleep, began to work over to the yacht's rail.
A long, strong roller came in from the Gulf and
rocked the yawl so that the deck sloped sharply;
there was a sudden great splash, and then all was
still, the ripples circling away from the agitated
spot. Suddenly the waters began to show signs
of a struggle below, and an instant later a be-
draggled white figure splashed to the surface and

186

LOST O.V CAFTIFB ISLAND

began spouting and spluttering. Kenneth
coughed and wheezed as he got rid of a large
quantity of warm, salt liquid, and between gasps
called himself all the names his water-soaked
brain could think of. He finallj piiUed him-

I Belf up on deck — rather weakly — and lay down

[ in the cockpit to rest a minute,

"Well, I'll be jiggered, if that wasn't the
greatest fool stunt! I am mighty glad the other
fellows were not around. I should never have
heard the last of it."

He turned to go below, and, as he did so, he
heard the far distant crack of a rifle.

"Must be aomething doing with the turtles,"
be thought.

The rifle shot which Ransom heard was fired
by Frank at the great turtle, which,, in spite of
the hatchet in its skull and the boy on its back,
was making for the sea, determined to escape.
The hatchet, half buried in the thick bone, had
no more apparent effect upon it than the drop-
piog of an oyster shell on it would have had.

" Shoot him again, Frank I " shouted Arthur
from his perch. " We've simply got to stop

The boy took careful aim at the sinister black
eye, the only vulnerable spot visible, and fired.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

With a heave that threw Arthur from his feet,
the great creature made its last struggle for free-
dom, throwing the sand in showers and digging
great holes in the coarse sand, then, folding
its legs and tail beneath its roof-like shell, it
died.

For a minute, the victor gazed at his victim,
and then, wiping away an imaginary tear of re-
gret, went to search for eggs. In a hollow near
the spot where the hunters had found Mrs. Tur-
tle, her eggs were unearthed — several dozen of
them. The boys put them in a canvas bag which
they carried, and went on to hunt for more shell-
backs.

Before long they came again upon the tell-tale
tracks in the sand, and found a turtle at the end
of them; smaller, but one even more active than
the other.

It was with great difficulty that they managed
to get a long piece of driftwood under the shell,
and by the aid of this leverage " end her ovei*."
Frank and Arthur immediately rushed forward
to end her misery, and received a shower of sand
in their faces that nearly blinded them. They
retired out of range in confusion, and dug the
sand out of eyes, ears, and mouths. With
powerful sweep-like strokes, the turtle clawed
the beach in its efforts to right itself, and scooped

188

LOtiT ON CAPTIVE ISL.iXD

the sand until it liad dug boiea for each of its
four legs, BO deep that the coarse grains were
bejond its reach, and it lay helplessly sprawling.
With a single hatchet stroke, turtle number
two was despatched, and the victors sat a minute
beside their game to rest,

" Gracious! I'd like to have these turtles in
Chicago," remarked Prank, with speculative in-
stinct. " Just think of the gallons of green tur-
tle soup they would make; and it coat twenty-
five cents a half-pint platefull Holy smoke,
we would be millionaires in no time."

"But what are we going to do with them
now?" Arthur had a way of coming dowu to
realities with a sickening thud.

As if in answer to the question, the lighthouse
keeper came towards them out of the fast bright-
ening dawn, and showed them how to dismember
the creatures.

Taking two great hama, the two boys slung

them on a pole stretched between them, and

'Started back to the place where they had left

**IIia Nibs." The pieces of turtle meat, the

\ guns, lantern, and bag of eggs made 3uch a heavy

I load that they were glad enough when they

reached the spot where the small boat had been

\ left.

Arthur and Frank looked out over the water
18D

A TEAR IN A YAWL

and saw the ^^ Gazelle " Bwinging at anchor^ glori-
fied in the warm colors of the sunrise.

"What's the matter with Ken?" Frank ex-
claimed, pointing with his gun barrel at the fig-
ure on the yacht's deck, which waved and ges-
tured frantically.

"He is pointing at something. What's the
matter with the chump? He is shouting." Ar-
thur stopped to listen. The faint sound of a
voice came over the harbor, but they could not
make out what it said.

"He is pointing." Arthur was shading his
eyes and looking intently. " What, in the name
of common sense, is — • By George, look at ^ His
Nibs.' " Arthur was pointing now at the little
boat, which, like a mischievous youngster, was
bobbing airily about a short distance from shore.

" Jove! it's well we came along when we did;
that little tub would have been out to sea in a
minute."

As it was, Arthur had to swim for it, and only
caught the truant after a long race. " The next
time I leave you alone," he said, as he pulled
himself over the stern, " I am going to make you
fast to a ten-ton anchor."

It was a merry feast that the reunited three
enjoyed that morning. Turtle steak, which Ken-
neth declared to be equal to porterhouse and

LOST O.V CA-PTIVE ISLAND

much like it in flavor, was the piece de risistancej
but the talk and chaff were the garniBhings that
made the meal worth while.

" You have got to wash dishes, old man," Ken-
neth said to his mate, when every vestige of the
breakfast had disappeared, " while Frank and
I get this old houae-boat under way."

" Gazelle, Grazelle,
She'll run pell-meU
With every stitch a-drawing ;
O'er waters smooth,
And waters rough.
The aeaa her forefoot Bpurning."

He Bang light-heartedly as he went on deck.

Soon Arthur heard the cheep, cheep of the hal-
liard blocks as the mainsail was hoisted, then the
metallic clink of the ratchet on the capstan;
Frank's cry, " She's broke ! " was followed by the
Bwiftwhirrof the jib halliards hauled taut and the
creak of the blocks as the mainsail was sheeted
home. Then the slap, slap of the little waves
against the yacht's sides as she heeled to the
fresh breeze told Arthur that they were under
way again.

" There's no use talking, this beats farming,"
Arthur said to himself. " But, Je-ruaalem, we
had it hard on the Old Mississippi. I don't han-
ker for any more of that."

A TEAR IN A YAWL

After getting under way, the order was: " All
hands and the cook prepare meat." There was
a large amount of turtle meat left that was too
valuable to be wasted. The flesh was cut up into
strips, thoroughly sprinkled with salt, and hung
up in the rigging, where the sun shone full upon
it, to dry. It was not a very appetizing job, nor
did the yacht herself present a very attractive
appearance, but the product turned out all right.
Turtle meat and turtle eggs were on the bill of
fare for some time.

Kenneth made the unsavory remark that if the
meat-preserving experiment proved a failure, the
" Gazelle " would be about as fragrant as a
sponge-fishing boat.

After a four hours' run, Frank, who climbed
up into the port rigging, glass in hand, made out
Captive Island, a low-lying strip of land that just
showed above the surface of the water.

As they drew nearer, they could see that it was
densely wooded — ^palms tossed their feathery
heads; the great live oaks stretched out their
mighty arms sturdily; and here and there a cedar
stood out black in contrast with the lighter
greens.

" I'd like to explore that island," said Arthur.
" What's the matter with laying off there for the
night? "

192

LOST ON CAPTURE ISLAND

" All right; harbor is good and water enough,"
Kenneth admitted, after looking at the charts.

The anchor was let go into three fathoms, off
a sort of rude landing, which they afterward
found waa built by a man who lived on the island
and raised vegetables for the northern market.

After supper, Frank and Arthur went aahore,
but soon returned, driven away by mosquitoes.
Frank declared that he had seen enough of that
place at close quarters, and that if the skipper
and Arthur wanted to explore, he waa satisfied to
fltay and tend ship.

" Why," said he, " except where the fellow has
hia vegetable patch, the whole place ia a. morasa
right down to the water's edge. I guesa there
is a beach on the Gulf side, now I think of it,"

" That's it — that beach! That's what I want
to explore," Arthur waa of an investigating
turn of mind.

It was unnecessary to go through the usual
plan of drawing lots to determine who shoidd go
and who should stay; Frank stuck to his previous
statement that he would not go " chaaing round
in that miserable mud hole." After all the
morning's work was done, the skipper and the
mate got into " His Nibs " and rowed off.

The little landing waa a primitive affair, hard-
ly strong enough, the two boys thought, to allow

1 ttJAR m A liAV^L

of very heavy shipments being made from it; but
it was sufficiently sturdy to bear their weight
without a tremor. From it led a path through
tilled land^ green with the young shoots of a
freshly-planted crop. This road Kenneth and
Arthur followed for some distance. Fields
crowded it closely on either side, then it
branched, and the boys found themselves walk-
ing on a narrow strip of solid ground, hemmed
in on both sides by a morass so deep and uncanny
that they shivered. Tall palmettos grew out of
the slimy ground, and vines twisted and wound
in every direction like thin, green serpents; gray
moss hung from the brancfhes everywhere, like
veils placed to hide some ghastly mystery. The
path was well trod and firm, and the two boys,
feeling that it must lead somewhere, went on
quickly. For an hour, they travelled through
the swamp, the way winding in and out among
the trees wherever the earth was firm.

" I wonder if this is another case of ^ Lost in
the Dismal Swamp,' '' said Arthur, whose looks
belied his cheerful tone.

" N"o; this path is perfectly clear. It will be
easy enough to get back, if we want to," Ken-
neth replied. " Getting cold feet? "

" No, sure not; but I would like to get out into
the open, all the same.''

194

LOST 0.V CAPTIVE tULAXD

Thfl thick trees shut out all the breeze there
■was, and the damp, currentlesa air waa heavy
with the odora of decaying vegetable matter.
Perspiration was running down the boys' faces,
and epots of dampness began to show on the
backs of their white jumpers.

"Hurrah!" shouted Kenneth, "there's the
beach."

A rift in the trees showed the blue sky,
and the invigorating sound of surf reached
their ears. Soon tbcy came upon a stretch of
Band that shone white under the morning sun
— smooth and hard and clean as a newly-swept
floor.

In a minute tlie two were running races up the
beach that stretched before them like a straight-
away track. They ran and frolicked from the
pure joy of living. Tinder the clear aky and
shining sun, they forgot the gloomy forest and
the stagnant marsh. Not till they were all out
of breath, did the rollicking skipper and his un-
dignified mate stop fo rest; then they stretched
at fuU length on the clean sand, and gave them-
selves lip to the joys of doing nothing, when
there was no need to work imder the stress of an
exacting conscience.

Neither of the boys realized how long they

had lain there, supremely comfortable as they

195

A YEAR IN A YAWL

were, until the pang of hunger began to make
itself felt.

" Look at that, Ken,'* Arthur exclaimed, point-
ing to the sun long past the meridian. " Why,
it must be afternoon.''

^^My stomach feels like it,'' the other ad-
mitted. " Better be going back, I guess."

They got themselves up, and began walking
leisurely along the beach, stopping now and then
to pick up a shell or to dip their bare feet in the
up-running waves.

" This is the place. Ken," said Arthur, turn-
ing to two tall palmettos growing on the edge of
the forest.

'•' No, that isn't it," the other replied. " There
was a crooked cedar near the path where we came
out."

" I bet it's the place," Arthur said positively.
" Let me prove it to you."

When they reached the trees mentioned, they
glanced beyond them, and saw the thick black
ooze of the morass. A pale fungus thrust out
of the mud here and there added to the dismal
aspect of the place.

" Ugh! " Arthur shivered.

" I told you so," Kenneth jeered; *^ not a sign
of a path."

They walked on, looking for the crooked

LOST ON CAPTIVE I.HLAND

cedar, but not one could be seen. Everywhere
were palmettos, straight and tail, swaying in the
treeze and beckoning like sirens alluring them to
the destruction that lurked just beyond.

Every little opening that looked aa if a path
might lead from it was searched eagerly, but the
black swamp always stared them in the face
■whenever they looked beyond the first line of
trees. Hour after hour they searched, at first
hopefully, then doggedly, driven on by the feel-
ing that they must do something — that if they
hunted carefully enough and persistently the
way would surely 'be found.

The sun sank lower and lower, and the feather-
like fronds of the trees cast longer and longer
shadows over the beach; still the boys searched
for that mysterious path. Thirst was added to
ravenous hunger that increased every minute.
The long walk through the woods, and later the
almost continuous exposure to the sun, had
brought on a longing for water that was getting
well nigh unbearable.

" What fools we were not to mark the treea
where we came out," Kenneth wailed, as they
dropped down on the sand, worn out, "We
were so glad to get out of the place that we did
not think about getting through again."

" We can't go around," Kenneth said, tliink-

A TEAR llf A TAWL

ing aloud; ^ the swamp comes right down to the
water on all sides of the island but this. I guess
we have got to stick it out all night, old man."
Kenneth laid his hand on his friend's shoulder.

" My, but Fm thirsty! " was the mate's only
comment

With the suddenness peculiar to the tropics,
the sun went down in a blaze of color, and in its
stead came a cloud of mosquitoes, bloodthirsty
and poisonous. Without protection of any kind,
the boys suffered terribly — ^f aces, hands, and feet
were soon covered with the itching little spots,
that spread until their whole bodies were covered
with the bites of the pests. Their thirst in-
creased until their mouths seemed like dry ovens
lined with dust and cracked with heat. Hun-
ger, too, assailed them — ^the hunger of healthy
appetites long unappeased, gnawing, and weak-
ening.

Kenneth gathered some half -green wood from
the edge of the forest, built a fire, and in the
dense smoke they sat as long as they could, or
until they choked.

Then, in order that one, at least, might rest,
they took turns in brushing the invading mos-
quitoes from each other. While one rested, the
other plied a palm branch ; and so they passed the
long night— interminable it seemed.

198

*4
♦

LOUT ON CAPTIVE ISLAND

At length the gray dawn began to steal over
the sea, and the boys, weak with hunger, and al-
most frantic with parching thirst, thanked God
for it. They knew that with the appearance of
the sun the mosquitoes would go, and with the
hope that " springs eternal," longed to begin the
Beareh for the path again.

Soon the heavens were lighted with the glory
of the sunrise, and the waters, tinged with its
colors, heaved and tossed like a great surface of
iridescent molten metal — constantly changing,
showing new shades that ran into one another,
dimpled, flamed, and faded.

Arthur and Kenneth could appreciate the
beauty of the scene in a dull sort of way only,
They suffered terribly; the pangs of hunger and
the tortures of thirst drove all else from their
minds.

A plunge in the cool surf, however, freshened
them up greatly, though it took all their resolu-
tion to resist the temptation to drink the in-
tensely salt water.

As they were about to begin their search
anew, they noticed a little black dog trotting
about near the edge of the woods. The boys
were very much pleased to see the little beast.
He was frisky and well fed — evidently the pet
of some household — and the lost ones were
1Q9

A YEAR IN A YAWL

glad of even this remote connection with civili-
zation.

Kenneth suddenly made an exclamation; he
tried to whistle also^ but his parched Ups would
not admit of it

" IVe got an idea, Art. listen.'^

Arthur stopped trying to make friends with
the little visitor.

" That dog got here somehow; he must have
come along some path, and he will know the way
back. We have got to make him go home, then
we will follow. See? "

Arthur did see, and changed his tactics accord-
ingly. " Go home ! " he shouted. But the dog
suddenly grew very friendly, wagged his tail,
and came trotting across the sand towards them.
It was most exasperating. " Go home ! " both
shouted at once, and waved their arms menacing.
The dog evidently thought it some kind of ,a
game, and he frolicked about as if it was the
greatest fun imaginable. "It wonH do," mut-
tered the older boy, and he stooped as if to pick
up a stone. This was an old game that the dog
fully understood. Many a time had he chased
a stick into the water. He danced about and
barked joyfully.

"There, you miserable little critter, go
home! '' Kenneth threw a pebble that struck

200

LOUT ON CAPTIVE ISLA^SD

just before the dog's nose, and he stopped in
astonishment. Another well-directed stone
changed his doggie joy and confidence to fear,
and, lowering his tail, he began to alink towarda
the woods and the swamp.

The boys' hearts beat high with hope, though
they felt ashamed to treat such a friendly little
beast so unkindly. A well-feigned angry shout
and threatening gestures were enough to make
their involuntary friend turn tail and run for
home. Once started, he ran in earnest, and fear-
ful that they would lose sight of him before he
showed the path, the boys rushed after, panting
and almost fainting with hunger and thirst.
Once they thought that they had lost their guide,
and their hearts sank; but, in a minute or two,
they saw him enter the woods, and they carefully
marked the place, so that they were able to fol-
low without trouble. The entrance was a moat
unlikely place, and they had passed it many
times, but soon they saw clearly a well-beaten
path leading through the maze of tree trunks
and veiling moss.

With hearts full of thankfulness, they fol-
lowed along, faint, dizzy, and well-nigh ex-
hausted, but withal hopeful and happy once
more. At no great distance they came to a com-
fortable plantation house, and there in the front

JL YEAR IV A YAWL

yard — ^bleesed siglit! — ^was a well with tin dipper
hanging on the pump box. The water, cool
and clear, was the most delicious thing that
they ever tasted, and the remembrance of that
draught of plain well water will always linger
with them. As they drank, their canine friend
eyed them from behind the comer of the house,
and thou^ they did their best to show their
gratitude, he mistrusted and would have none
of them.

After thanking the good people of the house,
they went on, and at last reached the landing.
It took nearly all of their remaining strength to
row out to the "Gazelle," and though Frank
pUed them with questions showing the effects of
his long night of worry, they could hardly an-
swer him intelligently, until he had strengthened
them with black coffee and some food.

As soon as the skipper and mate had recovered
their strength, they weighed anchor and sailed
away from the island that had so nearly been the
scene of their death.

Down the coast they sped, nearer and nearer
the long point that divides the Gulf of Mexico
from the Atlantic Ocean. The boys grew more
and more impatient as they drew gradually
nearer to the old ocean. The stops were as brief
as possible; they merely touched to get fresh

202

LOST O-V CAPTIIB ISLAND

water and buy fruit or necessary food. There
were no towns of interest to visit — mere clusters
of fisliermen's huts.

Cape Romano, that point around which the
waters of the Gulf continually froth and rage,
was passed in safety, though the "Gazelle"
tossed about roughly, and had, for a time, a tussle
with the seas that tested her thoroughly.

Now began the trip through that maze of in-
tricate channels of the Ten Thousand Islands,
where many a good vessel has been lost — a place
that was once the refuge of pirates, and even
now retains the flavor o£ bloodthirsty tales. On
one of these islands, or keys, the boys landed in
search of fresh water. After walking a while,
they came to a snug little cove or inlet, aud were
surprised to find a graceful sloop anchored cosily
therein. Prom the cove led a well-boaten path,
which, Frank and Kenneth following, came to a
picturesque cottage thatchedwithpalm branches.
It was weatherbeaten, but looked comfortable.
A young woman was standing in front, and
in answer to their polite questions about water
and the easiest of the many puzzling channels
■to follow, suggested that they ask " John,"
and pointed with her thumb over her shoulder
to the open door of the hut. Needing no second
invitation, their curiosity fully aroused by the

A YEAR Ilf A YAWL

strange remoteness of this little home^ they
stepped on, and looked through the door into the
larger of the two rooms the house contained.
There, prone on the floor, stretched on a gray
rag carpet, lay an old man; his complexion was
brown, dark, and rich in color as century-old
mahogany; his thick, white hair — ^bushy and
plentiful — ^framed a face seamed and lined, but
keen and full of vigor. The old man stirred at
the sound of the boys' step, then rose and went
toward them inquiringly.

" The young lady said that you knew all about
the coast, and could tell us the best way to get
through the islands," Kenneth began.

" Yes, I do know something of the coast," and
the old man smiled, as if at a joke too private to
be told.

He asked the boys about themselves, and was
much interested in their tale of pluck and their
plans for the balance of the cruise. After they
had finished their recital, he, in his turn, began
an account of the channels, harbors, shoals, tides,
and currents, that showed an acquaintance with
the coast along the Gulf that was indeed marvel-
lous. His voice was clear and fuU, and he ges-
tured freely as he talked with the animation of
a young man.

Both of the boys instinctively imderstood that

204

LOST OS CAPTIVE ISLAND

there was something extraordinary about him,
although thev could not tell what it was.

He expressed a wish to see the boat that had
been built so far away from the warm clime she
was now visiting, so the youngsters filled their
breaker at a spring near the cottage and led the
way to the beach where they had landed. It was
quite a long walk, but the old native tramped it
as sturdily as the young men themselves. The
*^ Gazelle" lay swinging idly at her anchor; a
sight to make her owner's heart glad.

The old man seemed much pleased with the
yacht, and complimented her builder. Then he
talked about boats in general, displaying such a
knowledge of vessels of all kinds that Kenneth's
curiosity finally overcame him, and he asked if
their host would not tell him some incident that
they might put down in the log in remembrance
of the visit — ^hoping that he might in some way
reveal his history.

" Well, boys, how old should you say I am? "
He looked quizzically from one to the other.
Frank guessed eighty; Kenneth eighty-five, and
he was afraid he was stretching it

^ Well," said he, ^^ my name is John Gomez,
and if I live till Christmas — as I hope I shall —
m be a hundred and twenty-three."

Frank and Kenneth could do nothing but gaze

it TEAR IN A YAWL

at him open-mouthed. ^ Holy smoke! '' at last
ejaculated Frank.

" Now, there's something to put down in your
log," said John Gomez. " Gk)od luck to you."

He shook the hoys' hands with a hearty grip,
and went off.

^ Well," said Frank, as he and Kenneth got
aboard " His Nibs " and pushed off, " a hundred
and twenty-three, think of it! I bet that old
chap has a history."

And he had.

900

CHAPTER XII

FIGHTIH'G A MAN-EATING SHAKE

It was some time before the boys heard abont
old John Gomez; but the tales that were current
from Mobile to Key West would fill a book. Ac-
cording to one story, he was the only surviving
member of a pirate crew — one of the many that
formerly cruised about in the watera of the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The crew of
this ship had a disagreement about the division
of the spoils, and a great fight followed. All but
Gomez were slain, and though he waa badly
wounded, he hid the great treasure which was in
his hands, and so carefully that no one had ever
been able to learn its whereabouts. The old
man had never alluded to the subject; and it was
feared that his secret might die Avith him. Some
said that the young woman the boys saw with the
old man waa a relative, others declared that she
WB8 merely a guard stationed to secure the secret
should the centenarian by any chance let it drop
unawares, Gomez's genera! appearance did not
«7

A YEAR IN A YAWL

a little to give credence to these stories; his looks
were certainly of the piratical order — a lean, sal-
low face, keen, piercing black eyes, gold rings in
his ears, and a watchfulness that never 3ed,
were characteristics which he had in common
with light-fingered gentlemen of seafaring
tastes.

Over a year later, the boys read a newspaper
clipping describing his death. He was drowned
while sailing alone in his sloop on the open Gulf.
But they never heard that any of the treasure
was ever found.

For several days the voyagers travelled among
the Ten Thousand Islands, winding in and out
through the labyrinthine channels. It was a
journey full of incident. Islands of every size
and shape — ^green islands and islands bare of ver-
dure — crowded the sea.

A whole week passed, and the boys did not
see the least sign of a white man. Every vessel
of sufficient size stood out into the Gulf to avoid
the winding passages. They ran across several
Seminole Indians, tall, splendid fellows, who
considered the coils of bright-colored cloth on
their heads sufficient covering for the whole
body.

At last they sighted Cape Sable, and they
knew that with a favorable wind the ^^ Gazelle ''

208
I

FIGBTIXG- A MAN-EATllfG SHARE

would soon be ploughing tlie watera of tlie At-
lantic Ocean.

Off Cape Sable tlie " Gazelle " ran into a fleet
of fishing boats, and for an hour the boya and the
men of the fishing boata swapped yarns; then
they busied themselves laying in a stock of cocoa-
nuts against future need.

It waa a straight run from Cape Sable to
Grasay Key, one of the long chain of islands
which drip off the end of the Florida peninsula.
At last, only the narrow island lay between the
" Gazelle " and the Atlantic Ocean. The great
body of salt water Kenneth and his crew had so
perseveringly fought to gain was almost in sight,
and the deeper note of its thundering surf could
at tirae3 be plainly heard. What might befall
tliem on the greater tide they knew not,' but with
undaunted courage all were impatient to ven-
ture, and to learn. ■

The " Gazelle " reached her secure anchorage
just as the storm, which had been threatening
several days, broke with terrible fury. Shel-
tered as they were, the joy of the boys at reach-
ing the last obstacle to their way to the Atlantic,
gave place to awe as they heard the roar of the
wind and felt the shock of the beating aurf on
the coral shores outside. Tor three days a heavy
wind prevailed — ^too strong to allow of the " Ga-

309

i YEAR IN A YAWL

zelle " venturing out. In fact, the seaa bad
been swept free of all craft as if by a gigantic
broom. Then the boys were forced to live on
an almost purely vegetable diet of cocoanuts and
oatmeal — a liberal supply of weeviU in the laat
constituting the only foreign element in the
otherwise strictly vegetable nature of the food.
At the end of the three days, the wind subsided
enough to allow the yacht to crawl out of her
hole, and with wings spread wide, she entered
the dangerous passage that led to the almost
limitless waste of waters of the grand old ocean.

It was a proud moment for Kenneth when hia
yacht sailed out on the broad Atlantic — pride in
his boat, pride in the crew, and a pardonable
satisfaction with his oivn good work,
! "All hail to Old Ocean! " shouted the crew
aa the " Gazelle," with a shake that was like the
toss of the head, bounded into the embrace of the
Atlantic's long billows.

" Well, we did it! " cried the mate exultingly.
" Sailed to the ocean."
1 " And we will sail back, too," added Frank.

" But we have a trick or two to turn yet."
Eenneth foresaw experiences before them dur-
ing the long coast-wise trip.

The voyage up the Hawk Channel to Miami,
on Biaeayne Bay, seemed long only because of

FIOBTINO A MAN-EATISO SBARK

their short anpply of food; and when they an-
chored off that southemioost town on fhe main-
land of Florida, they were ready to tackle any-
thing in the shape of eatables except oatmeal and
cocoanuts.

For many, many days the boys had not been
able to send word to tteir people in far off Michi-
gan; nor had they heard from home. At Miami
a big batch of mail awaited them; and they at
once eatiafied a hunger for home news and civi-
lized food. Day by day the boys had added to
their letters, until Uncle Sam received almost as
much mail matter as he had brought.

For two days the Ixtys enjoyed the comfort of
a safe anchorage in a port, and all hands got a
good rest, many good feeds, and a good hair-cut
apiece. When their unkempt shaggy locks were
ahom, the places protected from the aun showed
white in contrast to their tanned skins.

" Arthur, yoti look like Bamom's piebald
'boy," said Frank, pointing a derisive finger at
tim,

" Well, you look as if you needed a good scrub.
You started all right, apparently, but you must
have got tired,"

"Every man his own hair brusTi," said Ran-
som, running liis fingers appreciatively through
his stiff, closely cropped hair. " If I could only

A YEAR IN A YAWL

reach my feet with my head I would always
have a shine."

" That's all right; you can reach mine," and
Arthur put up his foot to prove it.

The fame of the young sailors and their
staunch craft had preceded them, so they made
many friends in the far Southern town, and
spent the days very pleasantly. The place was
a great shipping point for pineapples — crates of
the spiky fruit being shipped by the thousands
to Northern cities; and now, for once in their
lives, the boys had their fill of them — great,
juicy, luscious things ripened in their own warm,
native sun.

In spite of all these enticements, Kenneth and
his crew were eager to begin their long cruise up
the coast, and in spite, also, of many invitations
to stay, they weighed anchor and got under way
the second day after they had entered the famous
harbor. The bay, though large, was full of bars,
and these and great masses of seaweed made it
difficult to keep to the deep water.

A fine breeze was blowing, and the " Gazelle,"
her booms well to port, sailed off handsomely.
Her crew, rested, well fed, and at peace with all,
were in high spirits, and proud of the fine appear-
ance their yacht m'ade. Kenneth at the stick,
Frank tending sheets, Arthur below making all

212

FIOilTlNU A MAA-fATiyo i^'HARK

snug for the coming tussle with old ocean — all
were in high feather. The " Gazelle " waa sail-
ing her best, skimming over the water at good
speed, like a graceful gull, when suddenly she
struck bottom, and stopped with a jar. There
she stuck, all sail spread and everystiteh drawing,
but as hard on the bar as though she had heen
rooted to it. This was too common an experi-
ence to give the boys any uneasiness, hut the de-
lay was vexatious, and they tried every means
t/hat experience suggested to shove her into deep
water. The tide was falHng, and they soon saw
that there was nothing to do but wait until it
changed to flood, and released them. A long
day of waiting waa before them, and since with
the falling water the yacht careened more and
more, there was no comfort in staying aboard of
her.

" What's the matter with a swim! " Frank Bug-

" I'll beat you in," Kenneth responded.

In a trice, all three were overboard.

Farther on the bar was entirely bare, and a
smooth, hard sand beach was left. One side
sloped suddenly into deep water, and made a
splendid diving place.

For an hour, the three swam in the warm salt
sea, and then Ken and Arthur, growing a little

A TEAR /.V ± yilVZ,

weary of the sport, went on shore and lay bask-
ing on the beach. Frank, however, not satisfied,
continued to float about.

Arthur and Kenneth talked comfortably for
some time, then, becoming interested, fell into a
lively discussion, which Arthur suddenly inter-
rupted with, " Why, look at Frank. What in
the world is the matter with Mm? "

" Oh, he's just fooling. Splashing around for
exercise," Kenneth answered indifferently.

It was Frank's peculiar motions that had at-
tracted Arthur's attention. He swam around in
circles, then he stopped and splashed and made
a great to-do. After that, he swam ahead for a
little, only to stop and begin all over again hia
previous absurd tactics.

" He's not fooling. Ken; something ia the mat-
ter with him. Perhaps he has got cramp." Just
as Arthur stopped speaking, Frank seemed to re-
gain his senses, and swam straight ahead in an
entirely rational and dignified, if somewhat
speedy, fashion.

Then, all of a sudden, he began to lash about
with arms and legs anew. Hia feet and hands
flew ahout like flails, and beat the water into
white foamy lather. The two boys watched the
antics of their friend with growing alarm. All
at once they saw something that stirred them to

FiauTixa A HA:i-E4.TiNa hhark

instant action — the sharp triangle of a shark's fin
cutting through the water juat behind Frank's
wildly waving arms.

The water was delightful, and Frank was not
ready to come in when Arthur and Kenneth had
had enough, so he dived over and swam outwhere
the tide was several times over his head. Once
he dived down and tried to reach bottom, and, as
he rose toward the surface, his heart laboring for
air, his face turned up, he saw a sinister shadow
slowly swaying in the yellowish-green water al-
most above him. For an instant his heart sank,
and cold chills ran up and down his spine. Never
had he seen so large a Shark, and for a moment
he almost lost his presence of mind. Then, with
a rush, his courage returned, and working arms
and legs with frantic zeal, he shot up to the sur-
face, and began splashing ahout to frighten the
shark off — a plan that he had heard was some-
times successful. For a while the man-eater, sur-
prised by these tactics, was held at bay, then, as
Frank grew weary of his efforts and stopped to
rest, the monster drew slowly nearer, and began
to turn on his back to allow his long, under-cut
jaw to work.

" He'U have me in a minute," thought Frank.

and he began a new movement — turning sud-

213

A reAB tif A YAWL

denly, he swam straight for the sharky arms and
legs going like miniature paddle-wheels. It was
a bold move, and life or death depended on its
success or failure. Straight at the ugly^ cruel
head he swam, and directly away from shore.
For a moment the shark lay still, its fins slowly
waving, its evil eye watching its enemy; the
curved line of the wicked mouth was partly vis-
ible. Nearer swam the boy. Nearer, till he
could almost feel the current set in motion from
those powerful fins. "I am a goner, sure,"
thought Frank; but he determined to play the
game out to the end, and kept on. Where were
Kenneth and Arthur? Why did they not come
to his rescue? he wondered, with a fearful dread
at his heart.

Surely the shark was backing away from his
onslaught. In spite of aching limbs and labor-
ing lungs, the boy increased his efforts, and fol-
lowed after the retreating tiger of the sea. He
had been struggling for a long time, and his
whole body ached with the exertion; he felt that
he could not keep up much longer. Once, when
his mouth was open, gasping for breath, he had
splashed it full of water, and had had to stop a
minute to cough it out. His heart was beating
like a trip hammer, and each move seemed to
take the last ounce of his strength.

216

FIGHTWa A MAN-EATIXG SHARK

The boy felt that lie must give up, and won-
dered vaguely if a shark made quick work of a
chap, and what his people at home would think of
hia end. Just as he seemed at the very last gasp,
he felt the clutch of Kenneth's hand on his hair,
and the firm grip warm on hia bare arm.

Then, half dead witii fatigue and dazed with
horror, the limp figure was dragged into the
small boat by Kenneth's sturdy anna.

Feebly, the exhausted boy was able to say:
" You came in the nick of time, oM man; I could
not have lasted much longer."

Kenneth answered not a word, but thought
with a shudder of how close he had come to mis-
taking his friend's frantic movements for playful
antics. He reached out his hand and grasjied
the other's fervently — it was a grip of thankful-
ness and affection on both sides.

Though Frank's escape was narrow, the re-
covery of hia high spirits was almost immediate,
and soon the three friends were running races on
the exposed sand bar as if one of them had never
been in peril of his life, let alone a short hour
before.

"With the returning tide, the " Gazelle "
atraightened up, and after a few strong pulls on
the anchor, which had been previously dropped
for that purpose, she slipped off into deep water.

A TEAR IX A YAWL

It was still early afternoon, so with an eased sheet
and light hearts the ^ Gtizelle " and her gallant
crew passed through the channel, out on the open
ocean.

^Look at that old lighthouse; that's a fine
tower, but I don't see any signs of a lantern."
Frank pointed to a tall shaft like a great chimney
that rose from a cluster of palm trees. The yacht
was slipping past the long point that forms one
of the barriers between the ocean and Biscayne
Bay.

" That must be the old Cape Florida light a
fellow in Miami told me about/' said Ransom,
gazing at the tall, graceful tower that pierced
the blue.

" That tower has a story to tell. This place
was full of Indians, I don't know how long ago,
and the lighthouse keeper and his assistant, a
colored man, were in mortal terror of them.
They thought, however, that they had a safe re-
fuge, if worse came to worse, in the tower. One
day a big bunch of the red savages came up and,
after shooting a while at the men in the keeper's
house, set it afire. To save themselves from
being roasted alive, the two men took refuge in
the lighthouse itself and climbed up the long,
winding flights of wooden stairs to the lantern
room on top. For a time it seemed as if they

218

FIGHTING- A MAN EATISG SHARK

were safe, but the ingenious devils soon hit upon
the plan of setting fire to the stairs and platforms
inside the tower. The door open at the bottom
and top, the lighthouse became a veritable chim-
ney, and the flames licked up the dry woodwork
in a flash."

" Gracious! "What happened to the men? "
Prank interrupted Kenneth to aak.

"When it got too hot inside," Ransom con-
tinued, " and when the platf onn they were stand-
ing on inside began to smoke, they climbed out
on that narrow little run-around outside ; you can
see it from here."

The skipper pointed to the tower and the little
balcony running round it near the top.

" Phew I That would be an unpleasant place
to stay with a fire burning in the tower inside and
a lot of savages looking for your gore hanging
'round waiting for you to drop oflt."

" But they didn't drop off," Kenneth went on
to say. " They stuck to the little balcony till
the Indians got tired waiting and began shooting
at them with their bows and arrows. The men
lay fiat on the boards, as close to the bricks as
they could get, but before long the assistant got
an arrow through his heart and the keeper him-
self was shot in the shoulder. The Indiana,
thinking that both were done for, went away,

H 7EjLR m A TAWL

leaving the wounded man with the dead one,
high up on a lonely tower, the only means of
reaching the ground burned away, without food,
and entirely without shelter."

" Did he die up there ? " both of the other boys
inquired at once.

" Almost, but not quite. Some of the settlers
near, fearing trouble, followed the Indians in
force, and a daring chap climbed up the charred
stumps of the supports inside the tower, and low-
ered the body of the negro and the almost lifeless
keeper to the ground."

"What a story!" Frank shuddered as he
looked at the tall shaft.

"But it's true. The place has never been
used since. See, there's no sign of life there."

The boys watched the tower till it sank below
the curve of the earth, and for a long time sat
silent, thinking of the keeper's awful plight.

Kounding Cape Florida, the yacht sailed north
along the treacherous East Coast of Florida. With
scarcely any harbor and a strong sea beatingstead-
ily on shore, the boys watched with dread for the
" glistening calm," when the wind dies out sud-
denly, leaving a heavy sea setting in to shore.
But luck was with th^n, and three days after
leaving Biscayne Bay they had reached St.
Lucie's inlet to Indian Eiver, and were standing

220

FIOHTING A MANEATiya SHARK

off and on before the thundering breakers that
guarded the pass to the calm water beyond.

On the chart, laid out in beautiful lines, clear
figures, and delicate shadings, the course through
those raging billows was plain enough to the
haven beyond; but the real look of the place was
very different.

" WelUboys, shall we do it?" Kenneth's mind
was already made up, but he wanted the con-
firmation of his friends. " It's win out or bust,
you know."

" The chart says that there's water enough. I
am willing to risk it." Pluck was Frank's long
suit, that was sure.

" "Water enough? I should say so." Arthur
gazed at the spouting breakers, which stormed
the beach like ranks of white-plumed warriors.
" I am game, if Ken says so."

For answer, Kenneth shifted the helm and
headed straight for the seething breakers.

Arthur went forward and clung to the rigging
to watch for the channel marks, while Frank lay
aft with the skipper to tend sheets and be handy
for any emergency. The hatches were closed
tight and all movable gear ^shed down.

Like a war horse eager for the fray, the " Ga-
zelle " dashed for the first line of tumbling
watery breastworks. Rising like a gull on the

A TEAR IN A YAWL

uplift of the first wave, she topped it and swung
down into its trough and then up the slope of the
next. Straight as an arrow, steady and sure as
the sweep of a true wind, the yacht slipped over
the white crests of the great waves one after the
other, on through the narrow, troubled waters of
the inlet, to the calmer waters of Indian River,

" Say, that was just great,'^ was Frank's honest
compliment to the boat's performance. "I'd
like to do that again." The faces of all three
were damp from the salt spray and shining with
exhilaration and enthusiasm.

As Kenneth was about to drop his anchor, his
eye caught sight of a queer-looking craft that
was gKding over the smooth water in the rapidly-
deepening dusk.

"Let's travel along with our friend over
there," he said, pointing to the strange vessel.
" She may be able to give us some pointers about
this creek."

The " Gazelle " was the faster sailer, and had
just about come abeam of the stranger, when
they heard her anchor go overboard. The yawl's
mud-hook immediately followed suit. While
Frank was getting the supper, the skipper and
his mate rowed over to what proved to be a broad-
beamed sharpie. After hailing, the boys were
invited to come aboard by the one person visible.

223

FlallTIXG A MAX-EATINO S3ARK

Climbing a ladder thrown over her square sides,
the two found themaelves in a very comfortable
cabin lined with shelves, on which were ranged,
in orderly rows, the stock of a well-appointed
grocery store.

The skipper-proprietor was a jovial fellow,hav-
ing the characteristics of both of his trades — the
trader's Yankee shrewdness and love of gossip,
combined with the open, hearty, yarn-spinning
qualities of the sailor. He gave Ransom and
his friend many useful hints about navigating
Indian Eiver, with every ahoal and indentation
of which he was familiar, and ended by selling
them quite a stock of provisions. " Combining
buflineas with pleasure," he said, as he handed
Arthur the packages — ^flour, salt, sugar, and

Next morning, the two boats travelled along
in company for a time, then, as the sailor-grocery
man stopped to solicit a customer ashore, the
" Gazelle " sped on alone.

Sailing along the queer, elongated, inland bay-
like river was not an unmixed pleasure. A para-
dise for fishermen it was; also the haunt of mos-
quitoes that were provided with bills long and
strong enough to " pierce anything and clinch
on the other side." The crew was compelled
to live in the amoke of turning, half-dried cocoa-

A TEAR IN A YAWL

nut husks at times; but when the captain could
stand this no longer, he resorted to an invention
of his own. Wrapping himself in a blanket up
to his neck, Kenneth stuck his head into a large
tin cracker box which he had pierced full of holes
and draped with cheese cloth. Though it was
like a continuous Turkish bath in the tropical
weather, the skipper declared that it was better
to steam than to be eaten alive.

To compel yachtsmen to make use of their ser-
vices, the watermen were in the habit of destroy-
ing the channel marks, so our sailors spent much
time sounding out the deep water — a task which
the hot sun and the voracious mosquitoes made
far from pleasant.

Mosquito Lagoon is reached from Indian
River by what is called Haul Over Canal, once
in good repair, but when the " Gazelle " nosed
her way to it she found that it was half filled with
sand, and too shallow to allow her to pass
through.

It was a question whether they would retrace
their steps or dredge a deeper channel through
the sixty-foot-wide l^ar to the short cut.

The discovery of the old blade of a cultivator
among the junk of the ballast helped the boys to
decide in favor of dredging a channel. For two
days they worked waist deep in the water, the

FiaBTlS'O A MAN-EATIXG SUARE

hot Bun beating on their backs and necks, the
mosquitoes humming a merry tune in their ears,
and the stinging " aea nettles," or jelly fish, irri-
tating the akin of arms and legs. Added to these
discomforts was the constant danger of being
stung by the " atingaree," whose slightest touch
means a poisoned wound and sometimes feaifiil
suffering and death.

But the " Haul Over " was completed at
length, and the crew shouted themselves hoarse
when the " Gazelle " floated in the deep water
of Mosquito Lagoon.

Game of all sort abounded In the lagoon. The
waters teemed with brilliantly hued fish. Her-
ons and flamingoes were frequently seen Stalking
about at a distance in their ridiculous disjoint-
edly dignified fashion, while pelicans, their huge
pouches distended with fish, were everywhere.

After leaving New Smyrna, which claims to
be the oldest town in the Foiled States, and
proudly shows au old mission to substantiate it,
the yacht reached the outlet to the ocean. An
ugly place, through which the water rushed in
never-ceasing fury. Jagged rocks fretted the
water into foam in every direction; and blocking
the channel at one side, lay the boiler of a
wrecked steamboat; beyond, the breakers roared
as if hungry for their prey.

S35

JL YEAR IN A 7AWL

On the morning of the Fourth of July, the
^ Gazelle " slowly approached the inlet, while
her crew prepared for the struggle. With every-
thing snug, rigging as taut as the nerves of the
skipper and his crew, the gallant little ship swept
to the battle.

*^26

CHAPTER Xin

A THBILLING FOUKTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

With everything drawing, the " Gazelle '
rounded the point which had obscured the view
of the inlet, and then her crew got the first clear
sight of the danger they were so aoon to en-
counter. There flowed the atrip of water con-
necting lagoon with ocean, running out to the
parent sea like a mill race; for the tide was on the
ebb. When the raeing current and the incom-
ing breakers met, there was a crash that could be
heard an incredible distance; spray was hurled
high in air, and the watery foes seemed to dash
each other to vapor! To the left of the channel
was tlie black dome of the boiler of a wrecked
boat, blocking half the passage.

Right through this must the '• Gazelle " go.
Could she get past the huge obstructing cylinder
of iron? Would she live to get through those
terrifying, battling seas? These questions each
boy asked himself as the yacht, answering her
helm, readily pointed her bowsprit straight for

1 YEAR IN 1 YAWL

the opening. With " Old Glory *' flapping at the
peak in honor of Independence Day, she flew
swiftly on. A good breeze was blowing, aind,
aided by the swift ebb tide, the good boat was
soon in the midst of the fray. On they sped,
with wind and tide aiding, the " Gazelle " sim-
ply flying until she was well on her way in the
vortex of the racing chute. Just before loomed
the huge round dome of the boiler, and the
breakers warred beyond. All was going well,
when suddenly the wind failed, and Kenneth,
looking up to note the cause, saw a great sand-
dune that rose a barrier to the friendly breeze.
The yacht, carried by the tide alone, moved on
until she reached the first roller, which struck
her fairly forward, twisting her around so that
she rolled in the trough of the sea.

The boys realized that if help did mot come
immediately, they were doomed to destruction,
either by beingdas-hed to pieces against the boiler,
or by being carried broadside into iJhe breakers
and then being hammered to fragments. With no
wind to give steerage way, they were utterly help-
less. Nearer and nearer the yacht drifted, nearer
to encounter the two perils. The national ensign
hung at the peak limp and dispirited; and Ken-
neth, watching it. to see if some stray breeze
might not straighten out its drooping stripes,

228

^-J TBRlLLim FOCRTB OP JtJLT CELEBRATION

wondered if their luck had failed them at last.
All was done that could be done — the three
youngsters were in the 'hands of Providence; and
the skipper watched " Old Glory," dimly feeling
that it was a sort of talisman that would bring
rescue.

Nearer and nearer they drifted to the great

I iron dome; louder and louder sounded the surf.
Then, a miracle! The flag moved as if stirred
by an invisible band, the outer corner flapped,
the stripes straightened out, and the blue field of
the jack stood flat— the succoring breeze had
eomel It was close work, but the "Gazelle"
might yet be saved. If she could be got about in
time she would just scrape the boiler and take
the breakers head on.

With a warning cry to Arthur, who stood for-
ward, Kenneth threw the helm hard over, and
the mate let go the jib. Swift and light as a

t dancer the good boat spun about, filled, and
streaked off on t!ie other tack. Just clearing the
boiler, ahe headed into the combing waves that
rose high against the blue sky. For an instant
she struggled against the rush of flying spume,
'her canvas drawing bravely; then she forged on,
breasting the hill of water. For another instant
she was enveloped in foam, then shaking herself
free she dashed into the next, and ao on to safety.

H 7EAR IN A VAWL

Though drenohed from ma£(thead down^ she rode
the greai seas to the rolling billows of outer
ocean, and " Old Glory '^ snapped triumphantly
at the peak.

Beyond the breakers all was plain sailing.
The rollers were high and long, but the great
hill-like slopes were gradual, and the " Quzelle "
coasted up and down them with a lightness and
ease that suggested wings.

" Why don't we celebrate ? " said Frank in an
aggrieved tone.

Three rousing cheers and a tiger rang out in
response, and several rounds were fired from the
ship'fi miniature dannon, which made up in fuss
what it lacked in feathers.

It was good to be sailing on the broad Atlantic,
where the sand-bars ceased to trouble and the
mosquito did not exist. The water traversed was
constantly ohanging. Inland sound succeeded
open gulf, and boundless ocean followed inland
waters. There was no danger of monotony, for
the problems of navigation were constantly aris-
ing to the young navigators. Hour after hour
the yacht sailed along, rising and falling on the
swinging sea. The land was a mere irregular
line on the horizon, which disappeared now and
then as a rising hill of water hid it from the

sight of the crew.

230

A TBRILLING FOUBfS OF JULY OELEBRATWS

Aa tlie aun aank over the distant land, the
clouds arose until they formed a black mass that
shut out the light and east a heavy gloom over
all.

" We're in for the usual T"ourth of July storm,
I guess." The captain looked rather anxiously
at the gathering clouds.

" Can we make harbor before it strikes U3? "
Arthur inquired.

" We'll try it," Kenneth answered, and auit-
ing the action to the word, he eased his aheeta
and headed directly for shore.

The force of the wind increased as they drew
nearer the shore; they were flying along in com-
pany with the scraps of water snatched from the
wave crests. The clouds grew bea^'ier and more
, dense, and the light fainter and fainter, until the
, boys could no longer make out the marks leading
I to harbor.

For a few minutes Kenneth held on the same
eouree; then, as the light grew dimmer and dim-
mer, and the wind gathered weight every min-
ute, he wondered whether it would be possible to
make hai'hor.

"We'll be on shore in a minute, and I can

• hardly make out that point now," the skipper said

' aa he looked long into the gloom. " I would

rather be out at sea than near an unknown coast

A TBAJt Ilr A tAWL

with an on-shore gale like this blowing; are you
with me, boys? "

" Sure ! '' Arthur and Frank answered to-
gether in a single breath.

The " Gazelle^s '' helm was put down and she
started in her fight to windward. !N'ot until they
faced the wind did the boys realize how hard
it was blowing; the spray dashed into their faces
cut like knives, and the roaring was almost
deafening. Slowly but steadily the " Gazelle "
thrust her way into the wind and away from the
thundering breakers. Soon heaven's pyrotech-
nics began, and the boys on their wee chip of a
boat, on an ocean dashed to foam, were treated
to an exhibition of fireworks that threw into the
shade all the poor efforts of man to do honor to
the nation's birthday. It was rather terrifying,
but when the thunder ceased and the rain
stopped, the air had such a clean^ washed smell,
that the boys were glad to be out in it, though all
hands were wet to the skin and the yacht's sails
dripped like trees after a heavy rainfall. It was
late when harbor was made, and all hands were
glad enough when things were ship-shape and
they could turn in for the night, declaring, each
one, from captain to cook, that the Fourth had
been fitly celebrated.

A few days later, the " Gazelle " anchored off

A TBRILLIKG FOURTH OF JULY CELEBSATIOK

St. Augustine, that ancient city of tlie Spaniards,
and modem winter resort. Now it was deserted
ty its Northern visitors, but it still hummed
in a subdued sort of way, uuexcited by the
hope of Xorthern dollars. Kenneth and his
frienda found that even in summer the habit
of charging three prices still clung to the
people of the town, so they made liaste to get
away.

Straight out to sea the young mariners went,
planning to make port at Fernandina, nearly on
the line dividing Georgia and Florida. It was a
longer run than the captain had anticipated, and
it was nearly dark when they came near to " the
haven where they would be."

" "What do you say, boys," Kenneth inquired
of his companions; " shall we try for it? "

" It is getting pretty dark," suggested Frank.
"Can't see the buoys marking the channel."

" That's right; look at the glass. Art."

" Going down like thunder/' reported the
mate emphatically,

" let's try for it," said Arthur.

" I'd rather be in harbor if we are going to
have another Fourth of July storm," Frank sug-
gested, changing his ground.

" "Well, I'm sorry to go against the judgment

pi you fellows, but I think that we had better

203

A. TEAR IV A 7 AWL

Btay outride than run up against a lot of shoals
in the dark we know nothing about"

The captain pronounced his opinion with an
air of one who has considered the subject and
bas finally made up his mind.

Though the other two disagreed with Ken-
neth, they had long ago realized that there must
be a head to an expedition like this, and they
were wilUng to abide by the skipper's judgment.

" All right, old man," Frank repUed. " ShaU
I hang out the side lights? "

" Please. Light up the drug store." Frank
winced at this ancient joke, and went below to
fill and trim the red and green lights.

The little thirty-foot yacht, with her precious
freight, continued her course out to sea in spite
of the falling barometer and the almost absolute
surety of a storm to come. It was surely a bold
thing to do — many a skipper of a larger craft
would have hesitated before going out upon the
open ocean in the face of a storm at night, when
harbor was so close at hand. But Kenneth had
absolute confidence in the vessel he had so
thorou^ly tested and in the courage of his tried
and true companions.

Not till midnight did the storm reach its
height; then the " rains descended, and the floods
came." The wind blew a fearful gale, and the

334

A. THSILLINO FOURTH OF JULY CBLEBElTlOti

' pitchy blaeknesa, rent at times by vivid lightning,
closed in around the tossing yacht like a mighty
hand.

Only those who have passed through one of
the sudden storms which arise so frequently in
those waters can form any idea of its vicious
fury. The wind shrieked, the waves increased
in power and volume, until the " Gazelle " sank
out of sight behind them, or was raised to a dizzy
pinnacle from which she coasted down, her bow-
sprit pointing almost directly to the bottom.
The wind-driven rain cut so that it was impoa-
eible to face it; and though the boya were clad in
oilskins, from closely tied sou'weaters to bare
ankles, the wet penetrated the seams, ran down
their necks, and drenched them through and
through. All hands were on watch that night;
the hatches were battened down tight. They
tried their best to keep to windward, but the
tossing of the boat shook them round the narrow
cockpit like dice in a box. Conversation was im-
possible; the wind snatched the words from their
mouths and carried them out of hearing in-
stantly. All was dark except for the fitful flash
of lightning and the dim radiance of the bin-
nacle lamp in Eenneth's face as he swayed over
it to watch his course.

One, two, three hours passed, and the fury of

the Storm increased. It was a terrible strain on
the young mariners, and each wondered in his
inmost heart if they would come out of it alive.
Somehow, they did not quite believe they would.
Battered and bruised, wet, chilled, and utterly
weary of buffeting with wave and wind, they
clinched their teeth and by sheer force of will
kept up their courage.

"What's that?" Kenneth's voice sounded
weak and far off, but the accent was sharp and
anxious for all that, and unmistakable.

There was a sharp crack that the three heard
clearly above the howling wind and snarling sea.
Something had parted, some vital part had given
way. The " Gazelle " sailed less surely, she
staggered up the steep sea slopes more heavily.
Anxiously the three boys looked forward, up-
ward, all around to find the cause; they dared
not stand up to investigate, they could only look
and long for a lightning flash to reveal the
damage.

" There, look! " Frank sliouted, and rose half
way to his feet, only to be dashed violently to the
deck again.

A flash showed that the main gaff had broken
in the middle, and was flapping heavily against
the stout canvas of the mainsail.

The three boys stared at each other question-

286

A THRILLINO FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIOS.

ingly, though only an occasional flash o£ light-
ning revealed their faces. Each knew that some-
thing must be done — that unlesa the mainsail was
lowered very soon it wonld be torn to tatters by
the jagged ends of the broken gaff; or the broken
spar banging around with the awaying of the
yacht might injure some of the standing rigging
and weaken the mainmast stays.

The tempest had not abated in the slightest,
the wind still roared a gale, and the rain came
down in a steady flood; the " sea rose mountains
high."

" Take the stick, Arthur." Kenneth made a
funnel of his hands and roared to the mate. He
had conceived a plan to reach the halliards at the
foot of the mast and lower the broken stick. Haz-
ardous as the plan was, it must he done.

Kenneth tied a stout line around his body,
and, taking a turn round a cleat close to the
companionway, he gave the end to Frank.

" Pay out slowly, but be sure you keep a turn
so that if I should go overboard you'd have me^ — ■
flee? " Kenneth shouted in his friend's ear. The
other answered that he understood, and grasped
the skipper's arm a second, a token of devotion
and confidence that had a world of meaning in it.

Crasping the windward rail that ran round the
[ roof of the cabin, Kenneth, flat on hia face, be-
gs?

A YEAR IN A YAWL

gan the perilous joumey. It was scarcely fifteen
feet, a mere step, but a journey to the North
Pole could have hardly been more dangeroua.
Crawling, creeping, rolling, the boy painfully
made his way along. Frequently he was
drenched with water and had 1 hold on to the
Blender rail with might and main. The wind
beat the rain in hia face; the motion of the yacht
wrenched at bis hands as if trying to make him
let go; the broken gaff slatted and slapped over
hia head, threatening to fall and knock him
senseless. At length the plucky boy reached the
mast, and shouting to Frank to let go the line,
lashed himself securely to it. Arthur brought
the boat up into the wind for a moment, though
there was imminent danger of being swamped,
while Kenneth let go the halliards and the main-
sail came down with a run. Frank sheeted home
the lowered boom, making it solid in its fore and
aft position. Then came the hardest part of aU
— furling the mainsail. How it was done Ken-
neth could scarcely tell. He came within an ace
of being dashed overboard twenty times; but he
escaped at last to reach the cockpit, safe but
utterly exhausted. " The Gazelle," under head
Bails and jigger only, rode out the gale. Dawn
showed the atorm-wom boys the entrance to a
safe harbor, into which they thankfully crept,

i TBEILLING FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

and for half the day they slept the deep, dream-
less sleep of utter weariness.

Six days later the " Gazelle " sailed into the
harbor of Savannah, Kenneth having repaired
the gaff in the meantime. She had little of the
look of a boat that had passed through a storm
which would have been serious for a vessel five
times her size. Her crew, however, showed the
effect of the battle with the elements; their
white working suiis were decidedly dingy, and
the white rubber-soled shoes they wore were
Borely in need of pipe-clay.

The harbor of Savannah was full of veasels of
all sorts and conditions — schoonera, two, three,
and four masters; trim coastwise steamers, and a
migratory " tramp " or two. Kenneth took ad-
vantage of the day to examine as closely as pos-
sible the lines and construction of the boats in
harbor, and so added to the store of information
which he had come so far to find.

The morning of the " Gazelle's " departure for
waters new an English tramp churned out of the
harbor. As she went past the yacht, Kenneth
and Arthur, who were on deck, noticed a man
working far aft, coiling down some lines. Sud-
denly the man dropped his work, leaped the rail,
and, with arms high in air, jumped into the seeth-
ing water. Arthur, who was nearest, jumped in-

A. TEAR IN A YAWL

to " His Nibs," cast loose the painter, and rowed
frantically to the place where the man had dis-
appeared; but before he could reach the spot he
had risen, waved his arms, and sank again. It
was hardly a minute before the sailor came up
once more, but to the anxious boys it seemed
hours. He rose within easy reach of the boat,
and grasped it with a fervor that dispelled the
idea of suicide at once. Arthur helped him in
and rowed him over to the dock, where a burly
policeman arrested him for attempted suicide.
The rescued man looked out across the harbor
and saw his ship steaming off without him, and
seemed glad to be within the clutch of the law.
The Englishman, for so he proved to be, had
been so attracted by the American seaport, that
he had taken the risk of drowning for the sake
of reaching " the land of the brave and the home
of the free."

Full of watermelon and in high glee, the
young sailormen in their trim little ship weighed
anchor, sailed down the Savannah River, and out
on the broad Atlantic on the way to Charleston,
South Carolina.

Two days after leaving Savannah the "Ga-
zelle " dropped anchor off Charleston, and for
forty-eight hours the boys went from place to
place in the fine harbor, visiting the various

240

A THRILLING ^FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

points of interest. Fort Sumter, into which the
first shot of the Civil War was fired, stood peace-
fully on its island — deserted, a mere relic of for-
mer greatness. The yacht took shelter behind it
when a sharp squall came up as she was starting
out on her next run northward.

It was the season of squalls, apparently, for
they had hardly been twenty-four hours out
from Charleston, when Kenneth, observing the
mercury of the barometer dropping rapidly, put
in to the nearest harbor. Bull Bay, to avoid a
Btormy nigh't at sea. Instead of a storm, how-
ever, the wind fell flat, and for two days the
yacht was unable to get out.

The harbor was a beautiful one; but the lack
of wind and a blazing sun made life aboard al-
most unendurable.

" I'd give a farm for an icecream soda," said
Arthur wearily.

Just then Frank came from below. " I heard
you fellows say that it was too hot to eat; it's
lucky you feel so, for the larder is about empty."
Frank had been looking for the wherewithal to
get supper.

" You don't mean to say that you haven't any-
thing to eat? " said Kenneth and the mate al-
most together- — their appetites suddenly return-
ing with lamentable strength.
18 241

A YEAR JS A YAWL

" I've got some beans."

" What's the matter with beans? " Arthur
appeared relieved.

A movable oil stove with a makeshift top was
rigged on deck, in order to give the cabin a
chance to cool, and a pot containing the precious
beans waa set over to cook.

"While the skipper and Frank went a^ore to
explore, Arthur stayed aboard to keep company
■with the beans. The two iound what Frank de-
clared to be bear tracks, and for some distance
thej followed them; but Bruin did not show him-
self. Returning to the jacht, they found Arthur
still brooding over the beans, and since there waa
scarcely anything else to do, the three boys sat
under the awning rigged over the main boom,
and did their best to keep the pot from boiling by
persistent watching.

It wa3 getting near seven o'clock, and the boya
were already wishing that the beans were done,
when they saw a little steamboat coming up the
bay. She looked familiar, and aa she came near,
all three boys watched to see if they knew her.
At length she drew abeam, and they read her
name on the paddle-box. A St, Augustine boat
on her way to Washington. The yacht and the
steamboat had left together, and the yacht had
reached Bull Bay two days ahead. The boat
2^

-1 TBRlLLIXa FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

went on her way, and the boys were congratu-
lating themselves on their good speed, when tlie
awells from the steamboat began to come rolling
in. The " Gazelle " commenced to away. " The
beans," cried Arthur, and reached for the handle
of the pot. Alas, too late! the thing tottered and
fell overboard, and Arthur, thinking of nothing
but the precious food about to be lost, reached
far out after it. A big roller coming in at that
precise instant tipped him over, too, and be went
head firet right into the pot full of beans that
had not yet had time to sink.

Arthur rose to the surface the sorriest looking
creature that a mere human being could ever
manage to be. His hair was plastered with beans,
his face framed with them, and the expression
on his countenance was woebegone in propor-
tion to the unpleasantness of his predicament.
Frank and Kenneth roared with laughter, but
Arthur, probably not having the same sense of
humor under the circumstances, did not see the
joke, and the annoyance on his dismal, bean-
beplastered face added greatly to their mirth.

Supplies must be procured at once, somehow,
Bomewhere, or the crew would be in danger of
starving to dcatJi : so the young sailors took ad-
vantage of the rising wind to get out of Bull
Bay and continue their journey.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

The weather conditions were of the best when
Kenneth and Arthur turned in, so Frank took
the hebn alone. The pale gleam of the starlit
sky served but to emphasize the darkness, and
Frank, steering far out to sea to avoid the long
bar of Oape Remain, found it hard to keep awake.
It was very late at night, and Arthur and Ken-
neth were below, sleeping soundly, when lihey
were both awakened by a loud cry from Frank.

Kenneth rushed on deck just as the "Gazelle'^
rose on the crest of a great breaker.

" Put her about," he shouted. " We^re going
ashore. Quick! "

Frank put the tiller hard over, and the yacht,
responding, spun round, the boom came over
swiftly, and, taking Kenneth unawares, knocked
him overboard.

^^ Arthur! " Frank yelled down the compan-
ionway, " come up; Ken's overboard! ''

944

CHAPTER SIV

A RACE "WTTH A GALE

"Ken, where are jon? " Frank's voice was
almost drowned by the roaring of the breakers.

It waa totally dark, and though both boy^
strained their eyes to the utmost, not a sign could
they see of the skipper, who had vanished in the
twinkling of an eye — knocked out of existence,
seemingly, by the swinging blow of the boom.

Again they shouted, in unison this time.
Surely Kenneth muat hear them, they thought,
if lie waa still alive and above water.

"HuUoa! " The voice was startlingly near.

The two looked about quickly in the direction
from which the sound earae, and beheld the skip-
per hanging on to the end of the boom, far to
leeward; his white nigh-tgown wet and clinging
to his long legs, which were waving frantically
in the effort to help their owner to crawl along
the boom towards the yacht. From time to time,
as the yawl rolled, the clinging figure was dipped
in the sea, and then as suddenly dragged out and
315

A TEAR IN A TAWL

swung about like a wet rag on the end of a
stick.

For a minute Frank and Arthur stood stupe-
fied, then tte humor of the situation dawning on
them they began to laugh.

This Was too much for Kenneth'3 patience,
and he shouted wratlifully:

" Trim in that sheet and help me in, will jou,
you duffers? Do you think I am doing this for
your amusement? "

So they hauled in the boom and the dangling
captain with it, and landed liim safely on deck
without a scratch.

With her head turned away from the shoal, the
" Gazelle " ran off into deeper water. It was a
narrow escape for all hands, but especially so for
Ransom, whose quickness in grasping the spar
as it swung over saved his life. Soon he could
laugh with the boys over his funny appearance.
But he realized, as they could not, bj what a nar-
row margin he escaped.

After rounding Cape Komain, the " Qazelle "
sailed along without a mishap of any kind for
a day; then the barometer indicated that there
was trouble brewing— in fact, the very atmos-
phere had the feeling of suppressed excitement
that almost always precedes a severe storm. Ran-
som decided that it would be wise to get into a
■Si8

± RACE WITH A QALE

slieltered spot, so he steered for the mouth of
Cape Fear River. It was a most difficult place
to get into; but once inside, the yacht was per-
fectly protected from any kind of atorm except,
perhaps, a cyclone.

No sooner had the anchor been dropped than
the wind began to raiae its voice from the soft
,whir-r-r of the summer breeze, to the shrill, high
shriek of the gale.

" For once," said the skipper, " my foresight
was better than mj hindsight."

" Good work, old man. I always knew yon
were a wonder," Frank laughed. " All the same
I'm glad we're inside."

" Mate, put this man in irons. He shall live
on bread and water for ten days, due punishment
for insubordination and disrespect for a superior
officer." Kenneth put on a very grave and ju-
dicial air, but could not quite control a twitch-
ing of the corners of his mouth, which enlarged
to a wide grin when the mate, in obedience to hia
command, tackled the " crew," and in the scuffle
that followed went overboard with his prisoner.

" Never mind the water, mate," Ransom
called when the two dripping boys reached ths
deck. " He has had enough of that, perhaps."

For a week the " Gazelle " lay storm-bound
off the little town of Southport, on the Cape Fear

A YEAR IN A YAWL

River, In spite of the rain which fell almost
continuously, the boys explored every nook and
cranny of the harbor, and pushed up the shallow
creeks, and examined the sand hills that pro-
tected the shipping from the onslaught of the
ocean.

The Frying-pan Shoals, extending out into the
ocean from the mouth of the Cape Fear River,
are responsible for more wrecks than perhaps any
other reef on the Atlantic coast. Kenneth got
chummy with the pilots who make Southport
their headquarters, and they gladly gave him
much lore about the channels, beacons, and the
ins and outs of the intricate passages all along the
coast. The government requires every vessel
above a certain tonnage to Jake on a pilot; or to
be more correct, the vessels are required to pay
the pilot's fee whether his services are accepted
or not. As the channel is very difficult, and the
fee has to be paid in any case, the skippers
usually turned the responsibility of navigating
their vessels into port over to the pilot. The
charges are rated according to the ship's depth
— the more water she draws, the more difficulty
is experienced in sailing her over the bars, and
the pilot's fee is proportionately large.

One day, Kenneth and the mate rowed
against the heavy wind a mile and a half to the

248

A RACE WITH A OALE

outer bar, and tlien went over to the Cape Fear
Light.

The keeper waa inclined to be churlish at £rBt,

but as soon m Ranaom began to tell him a little
about the cruise, his manner changed instantly;
abort answers and bored expression gave way to
lively interest and voluble requests for more
experiences.

" I tell you, Art," Kenneth began in an aside
to the mate, " a short yarn about the cruise is
worth a hundred open sesames."

The keeper led the two boys up the winding
fftair of the lighthouse tower, and as they went
round and round, tbey could hear above the ring
of their feet on the iron steps the howling of the
wind about the shaft. The power and majesty
of it made tliem pause a minute to hsten, and
then they felt the shock of the blast, which made
even that sturdy tower quiver. When the top
was reached, and a clear unobstructed view could
be had, the breath of the youngsters was taken
away by the awful fury of the elements battling
below them; even the lighthouse keeper was
awed by it, and kept silence. From the beach,
a little below the foot of the tower, seaward, as
far as the eye could reach throiigh the mist and
spray, the ocean tossed and rolled. Great hills
of water, green and angry, rose as though pushed

A rfl/fl IS A 7 AWL

Up from below, their cresta Taahed into foam and
then blown into vapor by the gale; wave suc-
ceeded wave, until a mighty host of waters, rank
on rank, impelled by the wind, daahed them-
aelvea to foam on the ever-reaisting shore.

"Oh, this is a fierce place, and no mistake."
The honeet keeper's words took much of the sub-
limity out of the scene for the boys. " And a
terrible place for wrecks," he continued. " The
Frying-pan Shoals run out about twenty-five
miles, and vessels are all the time running afoul
of them,"

"And in weather like this?" Kenneth in-
quired.

The keeper made a significant gesture that
told, without a word, the horrors of shipwreck,
of the despairing efForta of the sailors to work the
vessel off the lee shore when the breakers first
were seen or heard; of the canvas blown to tat-
ters, the dreadful roar and overpowering rush
of the waves driving the vessel on nearer the
shoal, staving the boats and washing the crew
overboard; and, finally, the sickening jar and
shuddering scrape of the ship on the reef. All
this the boys saw as the keeper pointed to ths
seething waters, and to the ribs of a wrecked ship
showing black against the white foam of the
breakers,

± RAGE WITH A GALE

Many, many places he pointed out to them
where good ships rested never to sail again.

Arthur and Kennetii went back to the yacht
with solemn faces and thoughtful minds, and
very thankful that the " Gazelle " lay peacefully
at anchor, safe.

Though the boys had many pleasant times
Bailing about the harbor in one of the small boats
with which the place was filled — clamming, fish-
ing, and swapping stories with the pilot* — -all
hands were glad when the storm abated, and they
were able to weigh anchor and sail out to aea.
The sis-sided lighthouse looked very different
when the boys saw it the second time. The inlet
was little troubled by the heavy rolling seas out-
side and reflected the tall, straight shaft of the
Cape Fear Light.

The wind had fallen to a strong, steady breeze
that kept the "Gazelle" going at a splendid
rate, under all sail reefed once. The sea still
showed the effect of the week-long storm. Great,
long billows rose and fell, but the yacht coasted
gaily over them with many low bows and grace-
ful recoveries.

It was a straightaway sail to Beaufort, North
Carolina, and the 120 milee across the broad
curve in "the land offered, in all its length, not
one good harbor.

901

A YEAR IN A YAWL

The wind held true, and gi*adually the seas
flattened out until cruising became a pleasure.
Old Ocean seemed bent on making the last sail
which the boys should take on its waters as pleas-
ant as possible. The sun sank^ and all the skies
lit up in honor of his departure; then deep black
night succeeded, with none of the uncanny feel-
ing of mystery which so ofttimes comes with
darkness, but softly and peacefully. The boys
felt that the darkness was almost caressing, Hke
a comfortable robe thrown round them, and they
looked f orwurd to a long night's sail with a sense
of security.

The cabin lamp was lighted, and the mellow
glow poured out through the hatch and dead
Hghts; the saiKng Ughts bUnked their red and
green eyes forward, warning other night prowl-
ers of the sea. Arthur handled the tiller, while
Frank and Kenneth lounged easily on either side
of the cockpit. Arthur was sailing by compass,
for not a sign of land could be seen — all was ut-
terly dark, except where a sea crested near
enough to catch the light from one of the lamps.

Steadily the " Gazelle " sailed on, swaying
slowly to the swing of the seas, a veritable cradle
motion. Kenneth and Frank felt its influence
and dozed off; Arthur's duty kept him awake,
but all his resolution was required to keep up.

252

A. RACE WITH A QALE

Suddenly, out of the gloom ahead, loomed a
shape) soft and formless — a huge shadow moving
and bearing iovra on the tiny " Gazelle."

" Great Scott! " exclaimed Arthur.

"What is it?" Kenneth woke instantly.
" Put her over, quick. Hurry."

For the first time since her journeying began,
the yacht seemed to hesitate, while the great
black shadow, which gradually assumed the form
of a vessel, bore swiftly down on her. It seemed
as if minutes had elapsed before the headaaila
began to flap and the yawl turned away from her
impending doom. Still, the great hulk bore
down on them silently, without a light showing,
the swelling canvas of her sails just indicated by
a hghter shade.

"Schooner, ahoy! " Ransom shouted, making
a megaphone of his hands. " You're running ua
down. Bear up quick! "

A lantern showed high above them on the rail
of the schooner, and a woman's shriek rang out,
clear and ahrill — an uncanny sound to hear at
such a time. There was a creak that told of a
shifted helm, and the schooner swimg to port,
and cleared the yacht by a few scant inches.

As the vessel slipped by, silent as a shadow,
two white faces showed over the rail high above
the " Gazelle." Not a word of excuse did they

A TEAR IN A YAWL

utter — ^probably too dazed by the narrow escape
to speak.

" Those people ought to be jailed/' growled
Bansom in his honest indignation. ^^ Sailing
without any light."

" Guess they learned their lesson, look! " Sure
enough, there was the red gleam of the port
light glancing over the waves as it was being
fitted into its box.

The next afternoon the ^ Gazelle " sailed into
Beaufort harbor, and the boys bid good-by to
Old Ocean. For a thousand miles they had
sailed over its rough waters in all sorts of
weathers, in a boat scarcely thirty feet long. It
was an achievement to be proud of. Not many
boys could point to such a record.

^^Ohl we are the people! " said Frank, jus-
tifiably elated. ^^ It's easy from now on; no more
storms, no more breakers, no more broken spars."

^' Don't you get a swelled head," the skipper
warned. « There is always a pin point ready for
every bubble."

The " Gazelle " lay at anchor off Beaufort for
several days, while the boys roamed about the
quaint old town. Situated just a little below
Cape Hatteras, that terrible storm centre, the
little city got full benefit of the stormy on-shore
gales, and there were many signs of the lashings

254

A RACE WITH A OALE

it had received. At one place on Front Street,
facing seaward, were some poplar trees whoae
very name suggests unwavering uprightness, but
these were bent in a semicircle over the houses
— a humble acknowledgment of the power of the
tlast.

The harbor was full of small craft. Boats of
every description flitted here and there, like
graceful white-winged dragon-flies. Kenneth,
for once in his life, saw enough boats, and he got
many ideas that he hoped to turn to good account
later, when he, himself, should become a full-
fledged designer.

The night before the " Gazelle " spread her
■wings to continue her journey, the three boys were
lying about on deck after supper enjoying the
evening breeze. It was just about dusk, and sky
and water were assuming their most beautiful
opalescent tinta. It was a time to encourage sen-
timent, and each of the boys felt a trifle of pleas-
ant sadness as they thought of the far-off homes
and the loved ones there. Off in the distance
some people were singing a familiar college air.
It was all so like some of the evenings the boys
had spent off old St, Joe that the unfamiliar
things about them changed their shapes and posi-
tions till they almost dreamed that they were in-
deed at home. The voices came nearer, and a

A TEAR IN A YAWL

trim white yacht, that carried the singers, rose
out of the dusk and sped swiftly towards them.
When the two boats were within a hundred yards
of each other, the singers changed their tune to
" Michigan, My Michigan."

This completed the spell, and for the first time
the captain and crew had a genuine case of home-
sickness. Neither of the three boys dared to
look the other in the face.

"'Gazelle,' ahoy!"

The hail rang clear and sh^arp over the smooth
water, and its suddenness woke the boys from
their day dreams instantly. It was long since
they had heard fliat hail.

" Aye — ^who goes there? " was the answer.

"A friend!"

" Approach, friend, and let us look at you."

The yacht swooped round the " Gazelle's "
stem and headed up into the wind, her sails flap-
ping. She dropped her anchor, and soon the
yawl's deck and cabin were filled with gay visi-
tors. One of them knew some of Kenneth's
people, which acquaintance both visitors and vis-
ited considered quite sufficient.

The boys hated to weigh anchor next morning
and leave the pleasant place and the friends they
had just made, but the thought of the thousands
of miles yet to be traversed urged them on,

256

A RACE WITH A QALE

" And just think of leaving those watermelons
at two centa each!" The sadness in Arthur's
voice told of his sincere regret.

The first day's sail brought the voyagers to the
end of Core Sound. They were just below Hatte-
ras and inside, but it looked as if the stormy old
cape was not going to allow them to pass without
giving them an experience to remember him by.
The wind was rising rapidly and the massing of
the heavy clouds cast a shadow over all.

" We're in for another blow, I guess," said the
skipper, as he pulled on his sticky oil-akins.
" This old boat is getting tried out pretty well."

As the " Gazelle " flew past the Royal Shoal
light, the keeper and hia family waving good
luck, the gale was blowing its best out of the east,
and, close-hauled, she flew along in a smother of
foam, her lee rail awash, her sails hard as if
moulded tin, her rigging taut and humming like
harp strings.

Just before she reached GuU Shoal light, her
gaff snapped again, and, with reduced canvas,
she hurried along. Frank and Arthur lay for-
ward to look for channel marks, and for whatever
troubles might chance, while Kenneth steered.
The heavy clouds shut down on them like night.
The darkness seemed thick enough to cut, and
not a thing could be seen but the white-capped
17 S57

A TEAR IS A YAWL

waves that daabed madly by them. They were
like a man who, being pursued, nins at full speed
through a perfectly dark passage that is not fa-
miliar to him — he must run on, yet he knows not
at what moment he may dash himself against a
■wall or trip and fall headlong. It was a time of
breathless excitement and constant, unnerving
fear lest the yacht, flying along at almost railroad
speed, should run into one of the numerous
shoals that lay spread like a net for the unwary,
and dash herself to pieces.

The heavy rain obliterated every sign of a
channel mark, and the thick storm clouds shut off
the Bun as completely as a total eclipse. Ken-
neth had to steer by compass only.

Frank and Arthur peered ahead, their hands
raised to shield their eyes from the driving rain.
A long ahoal ran out into the sound, and all hands
were trying to make out the lighthouse that
marked it.

Kansom thought it the hardest blow he had
ever known, and he wondered how long the
sturdy little craft he sailed could stand the
strain. The wind tugged at the canvas, tried all
the stays, but, beyond the makeshift ga£E, appar-
ently, could find nothing vulnerable. It seemed
as if the squall lasted hours, but when the rain
finally stopped and the wind lessened in force,

A RACE WITB A QAhE

the boys saw the dim outlines of the lighthouae
off the port bow, and they knew it could not bars
lasted much over two hours. Aa they passed the
light, the keeper rang his bell in salute, and
I shouted his congratnlations.

" It's the worst short storm I have seen in
' many years," he Shouted. " You're lucky to gat
through safe."

When the mate went below to put on some dry
elothes, he (ooked at the tin clock, and discovered
that the " Gazelle " had covered the distance be-
tween the two lights — sixteen miles — in about
an hour and a quarter.

At Stumpy Bay they stopped to make a new
gaff, and then, after a two days' lay off there,
they went on to Coin Jock, North Carolina.

A fleet of barges, loaded with watermelons,
going through the canal leading through the Dis-
mal Swamp, to Norfolk, offered to give the boys
a tow — an invitation which they hastened to ac-
cept. Not till nine o'clock did the procession
start, with the " Gazelle " at the end of the long
line of boats. It was a dark, lowering night, and
not a thing could the boys see of the country
through which they were passing. The light of
the boat ahead was their only guide.

The yacht was snapped to and fro on the end
pf the long line of boats like the end boy on b,

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

Bnap-the-whip string. About midnight the rain
began to come down in a perfect deluge, and the
word was passed aft to each boat to anchor till
things cleared.

Though the boys could see little but the j'agged
outlines of the trees against the stormy sky, they
voted the surroundings dismal enough to merit
the name.

Just before daylight, the fleet got under way
again, the little " Gazelle " tagging on behind
like a reluctant boy hanging on to his mother's
hand when she takes him shopping.

At Norfolk Kansom and his shipmates found
a goodly company of vessels of all sorts, all rigs,
and every nationality. The red-and-black storm
flag was flying from every signal station along
the coast, and the vessels had hastened to cover
in Hampton Roads and Norfolk harbor.

Returning from the Post Office, where Ken-
neth and the mate found a goodly batch of pre-
cious home letters awaiting them, they had great
difficulty in making headway against the gale
that was already blowing. The anchorage
reached, they realized anew how cosey and com-
fortable the ^^ Gazelle's " cabin was.

" Let's have a watermelon in honor of — ^well —
to celebrate this occasion." It was Arthur, of
course, who suggested this.

260

A. RACE WITH A GALE

" In honor of what occasion? " Frank winked
at the skipper.

" The watermelon and the fellows who gave it
to us."

So each boy, a section of pink fruit in one
hand and a letter in the other, began the absorb-
ing process of eating and reading.

The wind was playing high jinks outside, but
the young tars in their snug cabin heeded it not a
bit.

Not till a stream of pink melon juice squirted
over the written page which he was reading, did
Kenneth look up — his attention distracted. The
darkness of the cabin made him look for the
cause.

To port, flashes of the gray, stormy light were
sifting in through the oval windows when the
yacht rose to the top of a wave; then he turned
to the right and looked out. A great black wall
shut off every particle of light — it was as if the
yacht had been built against a high board fence.

Kenneth jumped up and ran on deck.

" Look oiit, boysl " he shouted down the hatch
after a moment. " The big schooner just to star-
board of us la dragging her anchors and will be
down on us in a minute."

CHAPTER XV

CAPTUKED BY "LIBEBTY"

When Arthur and Frank came on deck in an-
swer to Kenneth's siunmonS; the wind nearly
took their heads off — it blew in their ears and
deafened them. They found it hard to breathe
against it^ and its force nearly took them off their
pins.

" What's the trouble, old ma "

Frank stopped in the middle of the word as he
caught sight of the black bulk of the schooner,
slowly bearing down upon them. Scarcely
twenty feet of worried and wind-swept water
separated the two vessels.

IN'earer and nearer she came, until, to the ex-
cited eyes of the crew, it seemed as if the big
boat would swallow the smaller one whole.

The mate went forward, a big clasp knife in
hand, to cut the cable, if that extreme move be-
came necessary.

Kenneth had shouted to the captain of the
schooner at the outset, and all hands were trying

d62

CAPTURED BY "LIBERTY"

everything to atop her backward progress. There
was no time to raise sails and beat out of the dan-
ger, and it certainly looked as if the " Gazelle "
would be crushed like an egg-ahell, or else cut
adrift to nin the very probable chances of being
dashed against the spiles of the piers.

It was a strange situation. In the harbor, be-
tween two populous cities, Norfolk and Ports-
mouth ; in the midst of a large fleet of seaworthy
boats, humming with life, one great bully of a
vessel was slowly closing down on a smaller one.
Tens of thousands of people almost within call,
yet none could stir hand or foot to help. Nor
could the crew of either craft do aught to pre-
vent imminent peril.

The " Gazelle " tugged at her moorings, as if
she realized the danger, and longed eagerly to be
free.

The crew of the schooner hung over the rail
aft, watching the n-arrowing strip of water.

The suspense was tremendous, and each boy
showed the effects of it according to his tempera-
ment, Kenneth stood with tightly-shut fists and
clinched jaws, but otherwise showed no signs of
the anxiety he felt; Frank could not keep still,
but twitched, rose, and sat down again a hundred
times, while the rain ran down the locks of long
black hair over his face unheeded; Arthur, who

A TEAR IN A TAWL

waa forward, ready to cut the cables if neceasary,
was possessed with the desire to do something;
he found it hard to wait, and appealed to Ken-
neth many times to know if he should aever tie
anchor line.

The movement of the large ship was so gradual
that it seemed aa if the moment of contact would
never arrive. If the end would only come
quickly, or if they could do something to end the
suspense ! Anything would be a relief. They
watched with Btaring eyes the slow approach of
the larger vessel — so slow that the movement waa
scarcely perceptible.

Suddenly, Frank spoke in the startled tone of
one who wakes from a nightmare.

"She isn't moving I The anchor must have
caught at last." The three tried to measure the
distance between the boats to see if Frank's asser-
tion was really true.

" Tou are right, old man," Kenneth said at
last. " Luck is with us again."

It was a mighty narrow escape — the space be-
tween the two boats could almost be covered by
an active jumper.

Later in the day, the schooner which had
threatened to crush the yacht was the means by
which she waa saved from another danger.

It waa growing dark when the captain of the

CAPTURED BY " LIBERTY "

schooner hailed the " Gazelle," and told Kenneth
that he wanted to shift his anchorage. The wind
■was atill blowing a gale, and the waves slapped
viciously at everything that withstood them.

The " Gazelle " was holding fast to the bottom
with two anchors, but when the boys tried to raise
the largest, it stuck, and could not be moved, ao
the end of the cable was buoyed and let go. Im-
mediately the yacht began to drag the anchor
that remained, as if it were but a heavy stone,
and then drifted swiftly toward the bulkheads of
the wharves. Again the possibility of a smaah-
np confronted them.

" On board the achoonerl " Kenneth shouted
against the wind in the direction of the larger
craft. But the wind carried the words back to
him mockingly. Again he shouted: "We're
dragging anchor. Throw us a line; throw us a
line! "

It seemed ages before any one appeared; then
the face of the captain showed itself. He im-
mediately grasped the situation, and in the nick
of time threw a long line to them. Arthur
caught it and made it fast, while the captain did
likewise on the schooner. Once more the " Ga-
zelle " was saved; she swung on the end of the
long rope like the cork on a fiah line.

For a week the storm continued; ao for many

A TEAR /.V A- TAWl,

days the captain aad crew of the yacht had noth-
ing to do but go aight-Beeing, to write letters, and
play games. Whenever the weather permitted,
" Hi3 Nibs " was brought alongside, and one or
two of the boya went ashore.

On one aide of the narrow harbor was Norfolk,
one of the big and growing cities of the South.
Her docks were filled with ocean-going and
coaatwiae craft, steamers, and sailing vessels of
every rig- Situated on a fine harbor, a point
from which railroads radiated, within easy reach
of the coal fields and iron mines, and but a short
distance from the great ship-building yards at
Newport News, it prospered exceedingly. There
was little about it that suggested the Southern
city, except the multitude of colored people that
roamed the streets. Across the atream-like har-
bor lay Portsmouth, a much smaller place, on a
lower scale of development. In its Navy Yard
many of the ships that did such good service
duringthe war with Spain were fitted out. Then
its shops were kept going day and night; the
workmen swarmed like bees in and out of the
buildings; and the place resounded with the loud
gong-like ring of blows on cavernous boilers, and
the sharp tap-tap of the riveters. It was quite
different when the boy^ visited it; many of the
shops were closed, and the marines, clad from

CAPTURED BY " LIBBRTT'

head to foot in rubber, who paced to and fro in
front of the old stone buildings had little to do,
for there were few frolicsome jackiea to make
trouble for them.

Kenneth, Arthur, and Frank visited the ship-
ping, the oyster markets, where hundreds of the
trim oyster sloops and schooners were unladen
weekly, the Navy Yard; St. Paul's, the old stone
churdh, built in 1739, Which still bore high in
its tower the round shot fired into it during the
"War of 1812, and last, but far from least, the
watermelon fleet.

" How's business? " they inquired interestedly.

" Kotten," was the reply, and the truth of it
was evident in the piles of discarded fruit about.

Great, luscious melons were selling at $3.30
per hundred, and buyers were hard to find at
that. Whether the boys went singly or by twos,
they always returned laden to their utmost capac-
ity with the great green fruit.

The tenth day after their arrival at Norfolk,
Kenneth got up early and in a voice fit to wake
the dead, roared: "Up all hands, break your-
selves out of your tunks there. This is the day
"we ' move de boat '; up all hands."

The other two got up yawning and stretching,
to find the sun streaming warmly through the
lights. Breakfast was cooked and eaten, dishes

i. YEAR IN A YAWL

washed and put away^ decks scrubbed^ brass
rubbed; and rigging examined. The bugler
aboard the U.S.S. " Texas/' anchored but a s;hort
distance off, was just blowing reveille When the
boys began to heave on the anchor cable. But it
was long after the shrill boatswain's call to mess
had sounded aboard the "Texas" before the
" Gazelle's " crew gave up the task of hauling
aboard the anchor. The boys hauled and tugged,
till it seemed as if the bow of the " Gazelle "
would be pulled down to keep company with the
anchor, but not an inch would it budge. It was
provoking that when wind and tide favored,
and pleasant weather promised, they should be
held to land. Kenneth stood with frowning
brows looking along the straight cable, while the
perspiration stood in beads on his face — gazing as
if he would pierce the green-brown flood with his
glance, and see what held the mud-hook fast.
Arthur and Frank stood by silent and hot — ^f or
the sun beat down fiercely; all three were dry of
fiiiggestions, for everything had been tried.

"Oh, let's try once more; then if the pesky
thing won't come up we'll cut adrift and leave
it." Kenneth was at the end of his patience.

Once more the windlass was set going, and
with the aid of three pairs of strong young arms
the heiavy manila line was tautened imtil the

268

CAPTURED BY "LIBERTY"

yacht's bow was pulled a foot or more below the
normal water line; but not an inch would the old
anchor budge. But just as the boja were on the
point of giving up in desperation, the rollers from
a passing tug tossed the yacht and gave an extra
heavy pull on the line; then suddenly the yawl
regained her level and inch hyinch the refractory
anchor was yanked up. A great water-soaked
log clinging to one of the flukes revealed the
cause of the trouble when it reached the surface.
Free at last from the grasp of the land, the
"Gazelle" threaded her way past trim, converted
yacht-gunhoats (which looked little like the
venomous terriers of war they were), the grim
"Texas," whose peaceful white coating of paint
belied her destructive, deafh -dealing power, and
past the 'hattered " Reina Mercedes," which, in
spite of every effort of her former owner, was
destined to become a useful member of Uncle
Sam's Navy. Indeed, yachts, steamers, steam-
boats, and sailing craft of every description, were
passed by the " Gazelle " on her way to the open
bay, the famous Hampton Roads. Many hands
■were waved in salute to the little craft and her
sturdy crew, and not less numerous were the
toots of the whistles which greeted them, for the
fame of their trip had spread until the little
white yawl was almost as well known to the

A ysi-R IN A TAWL

shipping population as the members of the white
squadron.

When the aun of August 22d sent its last rays
over the beautiful Hampton Eoads, the " Ga-
zelle " had rounded Old Point Comfort and left
the picturesque old Fortress Monroe astern.

Long after sundown, the " Gazelle " wended
her way up the broad Chesapeake Bay, one of a
thousand craft that sped over its smooth waters.-
Soon, the moon rose in perfect splendor, and as
the boys sat in the cockpit, spellbound by the
beauty of the scene, they saw a great Baltimore
clipper, square rigged, every sail spread, come
sailing down the broad path of moonlight; lean-
ing a trifle to the strength of the breeze, every
sail rounded out and bathed in sUvery light, her
keen prow turning the phosphorescent waves
like a ploughshare; she made one of the finest
pictures mortal man ever beheld — a sight that
made the boys' sailor-blood stir within them, and
they stood spellbonnd until the great ship swept
majestically by, silent, except for the splash of
the waves as she spurned them aside, or for the
creak of a block under the strain of swelling
canvas.

Till long after midnight, the yacht beld her

course — sailing by the light of tbe moon; then

she dropped anchor in one of the innumerable

870

CAPTURED B7 "LIBERTY"

indentations tkat mark the coast line of the
bay.

It was late the next morning when the three
young mariners rubbed their eyea open, but they
might as well have turned in again, for hardly a
breath of wind was stirring, and the swift tide
was ru nnin g out^-^lown stream.

For three days the wind failed them, then a
breeze sprang up that made the resisting tide of
no avaiL

The " GazeBe " sailed along past sandy
beaches and rocky points, past fascinating
marshy nooka, and blufE headlands, at what
seemed a good round gait until a slim, rakiah-
looking craft went by so quickly that the yacht
might just as well have been anchored, ao great
was the contrast in speed.

" Well, I'll be switched," was Kenneth's sur-
prised ejaculation. Never had he seen his boat
left behind so quickly before. " Bet she's got a
gasoline engine stowed aft there somewhere."

" No, the ' Gazelle ' is foul with weeds and
things."

" We'll have to lay her up and scrape her
then," was Kenneth's determined reply. He
could not have his craft beaten like that, with-
out a protest.

The cause of aU this dissatisfaction flew by like

A. TEAR IN A YAWL

the shadow of a swiftly moving cloud. Her
masts were raked sharply aft, and her two enor-
mous leg-o'-mutton sails were out of all propor-
tion to her beam, the boys thought. The hull was
built of several — five or six — large logs hollowed
out and cleverly joined with peculiarly shaped
wooden pegs that held the connecting logs closely
together. It was a new sort of craft to Ransom,
and his respect for the Chesapeake Bay fisher-
man increased as he realized the careful sea-
manship required to keep a " Bugeye " right-aide
up. Past the mouth of the Potomac River, which
led directly to the national capital, sailed the
three boys, though they longed with all their
might for a sight of Washington, and it took
all their resolution to keep headed up the bay.
Old Annapolis, the seat of the Naval Academy,
and the place where so many naval heroes have
been educated, was left without a visit; but each
boy promised himself that he would return and
see everything some time. The names Dewey,
Sampson, Schley, Evans, PhUip, Hobaon, and a
host of others were on everybody's tongue at
that time, and yet the three young mariners (so
pressed for time were they) could not visit the
place where these great men were educated.

Just before reaching Chesapeake City, the
yacht was beached, and when the tide receded,

CAPTURED By •'LIBERTY"

the boys found barnacles and aca moss to the
thickness of three-fourths of an inch or more on
its bottom. The planking beneath, however,
was as sound as could be, and showed not a sign
of the many terrific strains to which it had been
Bitbjected,

At Chesapeake City the yacht entered the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Haul Over
Canal, as it is generally called.

Kenneth was told that he would have to pay
eleven dollars for the privilege of passing
through the lock and for the hire of five mules
to tow the yawl through,

" But I don't want a tow through," he pro-
tested.

" But yer got ter." The driver was very em-
phatic. " The law aays yer got ter take a tow
troo."

" The ' Gazelle ' is light; one mule would be
enough, and you have five."

"Ter gotter have five. But we'll snake yer
troo quick." This last was said with the air of
one who is conferring a great favor,

" The first time I ever drove five-in-hand,"
Baid Arthur, laughing, as the driver whipped up
and the yacht began tearing through the water.
It was a pleasant ride througli that short eanal.
The mules kept on at a steady trot, and the trees,

273

A TEAR IN A TAWL

with an occasional house, went flying past. At
sis o'clock, the lock opening iato the Delaware
River at Delaware City was reached; but as the
tide was wrong the " Gazelle " did not float into
t3ie historic stream till several hours kter.

The river was full of moving craft when the
" Gazelle " swung into the stream. Great ocean-
going steamers, disreputable looking tramp
steamships, trim schooners of every size, and
here and there a yacht. A scene full of anima-
tion and color — of busy boats and busy people —
very different from the easy-going life which the
boys had just left on the Southern water courses.

Towns with factories whose smoking chimneys
told of active work, dotted the river bank every
mile or two, and between were fields of flourish-
ing crops — not a foot of ground was wasted.

Head winds delayed the little craft much, and
the smoky haze that hung over the great city of
Philadelphia was not sighted until the fourth day
after leaving Delaware City.

" We're just in time. Look I " Frank pointed
through the rainlike fog that greeted the young
voyagers on their first visit to the City of
Brotherly Love.

"What — Say, that's fine I"

It was an ejaculation that the sight before

them exti^ted involuntarily. Anchored in two

974

CAPTURED BY "LIBERTY"

long lines, lay a great fleet of Uncle Sam's dogs
of war. Painted white, they looked like great
ghosts of ships through the fog; all was gray
except where the beautiful red, white and blue
showed dimly through, or where the red, yellow
and blue signal flags on the flagship made spots
of color in the general dulneaa. In and about
darted the man-o'-war launches like the restless,
ever-moving insecta which one sees on pUcid
pools in eummer.

It was Philadelphia's tribute to the victorioua
hosts in the war with Spain, and the boys came in
just the nick of time to take in all the goings on
— the parades of soldiers and sailors and the atill
more interesting, ever restless procession of the
multitude of people from every direction.

Everything was open, from the United States
Mint, Independence Hall, wliere Congress first
met, to Cramp's shipyard and the University
of Pennsylvaniu buildings. During the three
days our mariners lay off the city, they saw it all.
Kenneth would have been at Cramp's shipyard
to this day if Arthur bad not pulled him off by
main force. The great enclosure from which so
many of America's famous ships have been
launched had a strong fascination for him, and it
was with the greatest diiflculty that he could tear
'himself away.

2TS

A YEAR IX A YAWL

Under way once more, tiie " Gazelle "
reached Borden town, where she entered the
Delaware and Raritan Canal, Surprised and de-
lighted at the small canal fee, Kenneth paid the
$2.80 and, with a long line, he and Arthur began
to tow to Trenton (six miles). Aa luek would
have it, Kenneth and bis friends met the owner
of the etoam yadit " Cora " at Trenton, who was
also going through the canal.

The story of the trip thus far, and the plans for
the remainder of the journey so interested the
" Cora's " master, that he wanted to hear more
of it and offered to tow the " Gazelle " through
for the sake of the society of her captain and
crew. The hoys thought thiR more than a fair
exchange and '' accepted with pleasure." The
" Gazelle " seemed to feel the importance of her
position, and Strutted behind the graceful
" Cora " as (though she were merely following
the larger and more fashionable vessel, and was
not submitting to anything so undignified as
towing.

" The old boat will get bo stuck up with her
five-mule team and now her steam-yacht tow,
that she'll outgrow her headsails."

" Wait till she strikes the Erie Canal, when her
fall cometh. It's lucky if we get even one horse
to tow her then."

876

CAPTURED BY "LIBERTY"

Along the broad canal the two yachts went at
a pace that the boya thought too fast, for little
opportunity waa given to them to see the many
interesting things that they passed so quickly.

At New EruDSftick, the end of the canal, the
" Gazelle's " crew bid their kind friends good-
by, and, hoisting sail, went on alone. As they
drew nearer and nearer the Metropolia — the city
which they had heard about all their lives, but
had never seen, and which, next to their own
homes, was the place of all others that they de-
sired to reach — their nerves tingled with excite-
ment, and the good round pace which the " Ga-
zelle " was making, seemed all too alow.

When darkness fell they were but seven
miles below New Brunswick, on the Raritan
River, anchored in a spot that seemed alisolutely
remote from civilization, above all far from a
great city, so quiet waa it. Undisturbed by sight
of any one, tlie three youngsters made the night
hideoua with their jubilant songa, bawled at the
top of their voices. Well might they be joyful,
for surely the thing accomplished more than jus-
tified their exultation.

In a thirty-foot boat they had braved the
treacherous Gulf and the savage Atlantic, trav-
elled dangerous waters without a pilot ; mere boys
who had never seen salt water before this cruise,

A TEAR IN A TAWL

with barely enough money to pay the narrowest
expenses and buy the cheapest poasible food; and
now they were within a day's sail of New York,
sound and well, with a boat under them that was
as fit as when ahe had slipped into the fresh
waters of far-off LaJce Michigan.

"Hip! Hip I Hurrah 1 " they shouted over the
placid waters of the Karitan Kiver; and well they
might.

Next day Kenneth steered his craft past Perth
Amtoy into the Arthur Kills back of Staten Isl-
and, and that evening aaw them anchored o£E
Elizabethport. Pretty much the same sort of
feeling that rouses a child on Christmas morning
at daybreak, brought Kenneth, Arthur, and
Frank on deck before the sun bad fairly started
his day's work. It was September 7th, and the
red and black sweaters ivith the word " Gazelle "
embroidered on the breast were found very com-
fortable in the chill morning air. A haze hung
over everything, and the boats that were moving
slipped about as if on tiptoe, fearful lest the
sleeping millions be wakened too aoon.

As the " Gazelle " rounded Bergen Point,
Jersey City, and sailed into the Upper New
York Bay, boats seemed to spring out of the
very water, ferryboats, sailboats, tugs; never had
the boya seen so mauy craft in motion before.

CAPTURED 87 " LIBERTY"

A haze still hung over the water, and objects
only two hundred yards off could be seen but
dimly.

" There's the Statue of Liberty," Arthur cried
excitedly.

Sure enough, the great statue stood before
them — her torch held on high, the heavy vapor
wreathed about her like beautiful, filmy drapery.

Putting helm to starboard, the " Gazelle "
turned to go inside Bedloe's Island.

" Look, can't you see a tall building over
there? "

All the boys looked for the jagged sky line
which they had seen pictured so often, and soon
became so intent that they forgot to watch where
they were going.

With a sudden bump and a sickening jar, the
" Gazelle *' stopped abort. She was hard and fast
on the cruel rocks.

CHAPTER XVI

FBOK NEW YOEK TO ALBANY

With the very shadow of the great Liberty
statue stretching over them, their good ship was
fast on the rocks and threatening to spring aleak
any moment. Shipwreck at the gates of Amer-
ica's greatest city stared the boys in the face.
Sand bars, ice, great waves, and fierce winds, had
been encountered, but not till New York Harbor
received them so inhospitably, had the "Ga-
zelle's " keel struck rock.

Quick work was necessary if the yacht was to
be saved, for even now the rollers from passing
steamboats were causing her to pound.

Without a word, Kenneth jumped forward
and lowered jib and mainsail, and then, without
stopping to take off any clothes, sprang over-
board. "Come on, boys," he cried. In an-
other instant all three were lifting and pushing
the heavy hull to get her off the rocks into the
deep water of the channel — straining with all
iJheir might. Hot work it was, in spite of the cool

280

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY

water that wet tliem above their waists. Ee-
luctantly the yacht began to slide backward.
Lifted by the roUerB, and pushed by three sturdy
backa, she ahpped towards the channel till the
boys found themaelvea without a footing and
hanging on the boat for support. She was afloat
onee more.

" Thank God! " said Ransom fervently, as he
cKmbed on deck, dripping and shivering in the
chill morning air. Once more the good ship
had stood the test,

A few minutes were spent in putting on dry
clothes, then on up New York Bay they went.

All was plain sailing until the yacht's straight
bowsprit had poked itself round old Fort William
Henry on Governor's Island. Then the fnn
began.

The two great currents from the North and
East Rivers met off the fort, each carried an im-
mense number of craft of all sorts going in every
direction. Whistles tooted and bells clanged,
paddlewheels and churning propellers turned the
green waters into frothing chaos.

Kenneth and his friends were bewildered, and
they wondered how they were ever going to pilot
the diminutive " Gazelle " through that intricate
labyrinth of shifting vessels.

The monster "Kaiser Wilhelm der Orosae,"

A. YEAR IS A YAWL

her huge hull dragged byscveral tugp (reminding
one of a big piece o£ bread being moved off by
ante) blocked the way to starboard; while one of
the swift Sandy Hook boata daahed by to port,
leaving a great wave aatem. The Long Island
Sound boats, veritable floating hotels, wore juat
rounding the Battery on the way to their piers
ahead, and to and fro the tug-boats puffed on
erratic courses; buttles they were that seemed
to be weaving a net from which the yacht could

"Phew! " whistled Kenneth, who was steer-
ing. " How the deuce are we going to get
through this, I would like to know! "

" I don't see, unless we sink and we go under-
neath." Arthur's brows were puckered with per-
plexity, curious to see, but perfectly simple to
understand.

" I don't know how, but we always do get out
of our scrapes somehow; still- — ■ Well, will you
look at that, in the name of common sense! "
Frank stopped from sheer astonishment.

The yacht was speeding down a narrow lane
between two great outgoing shlpa, a great
schooner and an Englisli tramp, her way clear for
once, when a tug appeared across the opening,
and at the end of a long towline, a half-dozen
canal boats strung out — a barrier six hundred
283

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY

yards long at least, Kennetli trimmed in his
sheets quickly, put Jiis helm to starhoard, and
started to go aronnd the end of the tow, but no
sooner had the yacht gathered headway in the
new direction, than a big ferryboat ran from be-
hind the tramp, and she had to luff quickly to
avoid a collision.

" This 13 getting tiresome, to eay the least," re-
marked Kenneth in a vexed tone. " I gueaa we'll
liave to follow Arthur's suggestion and make a
submarine trip of it."

" Look at that sloop there; she goes right along
and the steam craft get out of her way." Arthur
pointed out a well-loaded oyster toat. " If we
only had our nerve with us we'd "be all right."

" It takes nerve, though; but here goes, we
have the right of way."

Sure enough. "Whenever there seemed to be
no escape from an accident, and the yacht
pluekily pushed on, the steam vessels shifted to
one aide ever so slightly and allowed her to pass.

At first the excitement was too great for com-
fort, hut as they proceeded up the river un-
harmed, it began to be exhilarating. Great ferry-
boats crossed their bowa so near that they could
almost jump aboard; tugs steamed by so close
that tbe crews of tbe two boats easily " passed the
time o' day " in an ordinary tone of voice. Huge

A 7EA.R IN A. TAWL

steamers passed that nught have stowed the
" Gazelle " on one of their decks without in-
conveniencing their promenading paasengera in
the slightest.

" And yet," said Frank, iDending his head far
back in order to see a steamer's rail, " this little
boat weathered some storms that would make
even that vast hull tremble," He voiced the
thought that all of them had in mind.

With eyes "bright with intereat, the boys saw
the graceful sweep of the Brooklyn Bridge, the
tall, red, square tower of the Produce Esehange,
the brownstone spire of historic Trinity Church
set in the midst of, and almost dwarfed by, the
higher buildings about it. Towering ten, twenty,
thirty stories high, the great office buildings
made a skyline strangely jagged and bold. As
the yaeht sailed northward, the city flattened
out somewhat, and the moving network made
by the wakes of the shifting boats became more
open.

Off Seventy-second Street, at the beginning of
Kiverside Drive, the anchor was dropped, and
now out of the stream of passing craft, the crew
stopped to take a quiet breath and recover from
the excitement of navigating a great waterway
full of swiftly moving vessels of every nationality
going to and from every part of the world.

FROM NEW TOBK TO ALBANY

A week of sightseeing followed. Now, per-
haps, for the first time, the boys longed for
money with a longing not bom of need, but at
the sightof the many attractive things that can be
bought for small sums, and the interesting shows
which their empty pockets did not permit them
to enjoy. Of the free shows, hardly one escaped
them, the museuma, both of Art and Natural His-
tory, the New York Zoo in Bronx Park ; then tho
great buildings and the public parks all received
their share of attentiou. Though comparisona
may be odious, the boys put the Natural History
and Metropolitan Art museums beside the Field
Columbian Museum in Chicago, and discussed
hotly among themselves the relative merits of
each.

" His Nibs " waa a hard-worked boat those
days, because from four to sis times a day it
ferried the boys to and from the yacht. Perhaps
it was owing to the fact that it was tired of so
much work, that it floated itself into the atten-
tion of a couple of young wharf rats one even-
ing. Kenneth had come ashore alone, and made
the small boat fast to the landing close to the
ehore end of a long, closely built Wharf. For
perhaps three hours he was away, and when he
returned it was after eleven o'clock and black
night. Reaching the landing, he saw that the

A TEAR IS A TA'WL

boat was miasing, and bis beart sank, for be bad
an affection for tbe little craft tbat bad done ita
work BO bravely; besides wbicb, he could ill
afford tbe money to replace it. Suddenly be
awoke to tbe fact tbat just beyond his aigbt, a
boat was being rowed hurriedly away. Running
down tbe Btringpiece to tbe end of tbe pier, he
saw two young reprobates paddling off with all
tiieir might in " His Nibs." "What should he
do? Not a policeman in sight, not a boat in
which be could follow, near at hand; he feared
be would have to let bis boat be taken before bis
very eyes. But all at once a thought struck him
and tbe humor of it made him smile as ho started
to put it into operation. With a big clasp knife
be carried in bis pocket he thoug'bt that he might
bluff tbe thieves into thinking that it was a re-
volver, and so scare them into returning the
stolen property.

Running out to the end of the pier, where bis
figure would be silhouetted against the distant
light, be pulled out his knife, and holding it as if
it were a revolver, pointed it at the " wharf rata."

"Where are you going witih that "boat?" he
shouted in stern tones.

No answer, though the thieves stopped rowing.

" Tou return tbat boat or I'll—" Kenneth

left his sentence unfinished, but be flourished hia

S86

FROM NEW TORE TO ALBANY

impromptu revolver so fiercely that the boat
stealers were evidently cowed.

" Get that boat back, and be quick about it,
"Ko fooling, or I'll shoot you full of holes."
Kenneth could hardly keep his face straight
when he saw them back water and turn to go
back to the landing. " I was juat in time," he
said to himself, as he followed along on the
stringpiece. " If they ever got under a dock
it would be all day with ' His Nibs.' " Arriving
at the float the boys (they were hardly out of
lieir 'teens, Kenneth thougjht) started for the
street on a run. Ransom stayed not for pursuit,
but jumped into the boat and pushed off. Once
the two stopped to look back, but a threatening
move with the knife sent them on with renewed
speed.

" Well, that's the best joke," Kenneth said to
himself, and he stopped rowing to pat the pocket
where he had dropped the knife-
September 14th broke bright and clear, with
a t«uch of the keen autiunnal vigor in the air. A
good strong 'breeze was blowing, and the boys
weighed anchor with light hearts, for they were
beginning the last fifteen hundred miles of their
seven-thousand mile journey. On, up the Hud-
son River, the good yacht sped, the smooth green
lawns of Riverside Park on one side, and the

A YEAR ly A YAWL

frowning cliffs of Jersey Heights upon the other.
Soon the dome of Grant's Tomb was paaaed,
dazzling white and gleaming in the morning
Eun.

Hour after hour the little boat sailed up the
majestic stream, a mere moving mote on the
hroad watery ribbon. To the east, the land
sloped gently to the stream, an undulating green
country dotted here and there with towns and
clumps of factory buildings. On the western
shore, the giant Palisades stood bluff and impres-
sive, a solid stone wall from two hundred to five
hundred feet high and fifteen miles long.

The boyB speedily became mere animated ex-
clamation points, for hardly a minute passed that
did not disclose some new beauty, some unex-
pected vista.

The breeze held fair all day, and the night
being clear, the young navigators sailed on till
long after sundown. The close attention and
long day's sail made captain and crew very tired,
so that when they turned in rather late they
slept like logs.

At seven o'clock next morning all aboard were
as thoroughly at home in the land of Nod as if
they intended to spend the rest of their days
there. Old Sol was shining brightly over the
eastern hills, the summer breeze had not gained

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBAJfF

its full strength and made but a ripple on the
smooth surface of the river. It was a quiet, peace-
ful scene that had not a suggeBtion of noise or
turmoil of any kind.

Of a sudden there was a tremendoua report,
an explosion that rent the air, then in quick aue-
cession, like a veritable bombardment, numerous
detonations followed. The first fairly shook the
boys out of their snug bunka, and they tumbled
out on deck wide-eyed, fearing they knew not
what. The air was filled with a tremendous roar
that echoed and reechoed across from one height
to the other.

' Frank exclaimed when he
" We're done, sure."
f the cliff seemed to be com-
Blast after blast went off,
each seeming louder than tJie preceding one, and
with each report the earth shook, and fountains
of dust, smoke, and hits of rock flew up.

All three boys stood dazed, amazed, almost
unnerved, indeed, until they realized that the
rock waa being blasted out of the cliff for paring
purposes.

" That's a nice way to wake a fellow up," said
Arthur in a tone of supreme disgust, when the
last charge had been fired and Che smoke had in
part cleared away.

19 289

" Good Heavens! "
turned to the west,

The whole side o
ing down on them.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

" I guesa that's about the only thing that would
have waked us, though," said Kenneth, yawning,
" Will you look at that acar in the face of the
cliff; that's what I call a blooming shame." A
great, broad, red-brown scar on the abrupt rise,
abowed bare beeide the green and gray rocks on
either side.

Suddenly Frank burst out into a laugh and ran
quickly below. " Look at that big boat com-
ing down the river full of [wople, and then get
helow, you're unfit for publication."

Kenneth and Arthur looked as they were hid-
den, then suddenly realized that they were atiU
clad in their abbreviated night clothes. In-
stantly, all that could be seen of the three lads
was their entirely respectable heads, and when
the steamboat went by, these three nodded a
greeting, and three arma, browned by the sun,
waved in salute.

The next morning found the yawl at Pongh-
keepsie. Behind them were the mountains that
Jiave guarded the stream for centuries, Storm
King, old Dunderberg, and the lesser heights.
West Point, with the fine buildings of the
United States Military Academy crowning
its high plateau, lay below them. Anchored
almost in the shadow of the great Poughkeepsie
Bridge, one of the most wonderful structures

FROM SEW TORS TO JtBiST

in the world, &e boys thought they were oer-
tainlj getting their money's worth in the mght-
seeingline.

Their tongaes kept op a continual clatter until
long after dark.

" Did you ever see anything like that view at
West Point!"

" Wasn't that a dandy, big flte&mboat that
passed us near Xewburgh? "

" I tell you that big mountain near PeekskiH
was great Made a fellow feel like two for a
nickel."

And so the talk went on, until finally tirsd
nature overcame even the excitement of novel
experiences, and they fell asleep.

The seventy-sis miles to Albany was covered
the nest day, in spile of the adverse current; and
at nightfall the " Gazelle " was anchored almost
within sight of the Empire State's Capitol build-
ing.

The £rst thing Kenneth did at Albany the
next morning was to apply to State Superin-
tendent of Public Works Partridge for a permit
to go through the Erie Canal — the long link in
the chain that was to carry the cruisers to their
native lakes again. Colonel Partridge was so
cordially interested in the cnijae, that he intro-
duced Kenneth and his friends to some new«-

2«I

A YBAR IN A YAWL

said in a tone that auggeated more clearly than
words, " or it will be the worse for you."

Kenneth thought of the roll of bills in his
pocket, and glanced at the dark water below him,
then like a flash it occurred to bim that the bum
had taken him for a sailor — a man-o'-waraman — ■
and a plan auggented itself to him which he im-
mediately proceeded to put into execution.

It was rather difficult for him to assume the
gruff, husky voice of a hard drinker, but he man-
aged it pretty well. " Sorry I can't 'commodate
you, mate," he aaid, gruffly, " but I'm busted —
clean, and looking for a berth. Got shore leave,
and blew in all my dough. Got jagged and don't
know how to get back to the ship."

The boy almost gagged at the language, but
he played the game well, and the bluff worked,
for the drunk was satisfied. He said something
about " hard luck when a bloke hasn't got the
price of a drink in his clothes," and slouched off.
Ransom breathed a sigh of relief, but not till he
was safe aboard the yacht did he feel entirely
comfortable.

The Erie Canal begins at Albany, but the boya
had been told that they had better enter the big
ditch at Troy, about seven miles up the river.

No sooner had the " Gazelle " come to a stop
inside the canal basin than captain and crew were

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY

by people wanting to get the jot of tow-
ing tliem to Buffalo.

" Take you through for a hundred and ten dol-
lars, air," said one.

" Oh, g'wan," aaid another, " he's robtiing yer.
I'll take yer through for aeventy-five,"

" And I've got twenty," Banaom said to him-
self.

The lowest offer was aixty-fiye dollars, and at
that they would have to tag on to the end of a
fleet of grain boats that could not possibly get
through inside of two weeks. Every minute was
precious now, for before very long ice would
form and navigation would be closed on the lakes.

It was a discouraging outlook, but the boys,
nevertheless, made ready for the long trip across
the State. With the aid of a derrick, the yawl's
masts were taken out, her rigging dismantled and
running gear unrove and neatly coiled. By
nightfall, the " Gazelle " was completely im-
rigged and reminded one, as Frank suggested, of
** a man whose head bad been shaved."

" If you won't pay the price to be towed
through, what are you going to do?" Arthur
asked when al! were sitting in the cabin.

" Tow her by hand," Kenneth asserted.

" What, four hundred miles by hand? "

« Tup! "

A. 7EAB IN A YAWL

^ Well, I pass I " said Frank.

^^ I'll be hanged if I want to be a mule all the
way to Buffalo/' said Arthur in a manner sug-
gestive of antagonism. " I wouldn't mind it for
forty or fifty miles; but four hundred! Well, I
guess nof."

There was gloom in the little cabin that night,
in spite of the brightly burning lamp.

With the morx^ng, came a friend who was a
friend indeed. An old canal man had read the
story of the cruise in an Albany paper, and ad-
miring the pluck of the boys had proceeded to
look them up.

" I'll tell you what to do," said he, when he
learned of their predicament. "You buy a
horse at this end and sell him at the other."

"Buy a horse; what do you take us for,
millionaires? " Arthur voiced the sentiments of
the crowd.

"Naw," responded the newly-found friend,
T^ith a twinkle in his eye, as he surveyed the far
from fashionable clothes they wore; "you don't
have to be a Vanderbilt; you can buy a horse for
twenty dollars, perhaps less."

It ended by Ransom going off with the man
to search for a good, cheap nag. At the end of
an hour or so the skipper returned, leading a
horse by a rather dilapidated bridle. The beast

296

FROM NEW YORK TO ALBANY

walked without a limp^ and seemed healthy; but
by h»r looks one would think that she had more
that the stipulated number of ribs — they were
so very much in evidence.

" Good gracious, look at the boneyard Ken is
leading! '' Frank laughed derisively.

" What is it? " Arthur asked impolitely.

" Ifs our one-horse-power engine. It's name
is ' Step Lively ^; if is going to tow us to Buffalo;
and it cost twelve dollars, harness included.
* Dirt cheap, sir.' "

Frank and Arthur laughed him to scorn; but
next morning they hitched up "Step Lively '^
and started on their way.

297

CHAPTER XVn

ALONG THE "BAGESTa CANAL "

" It's fourteen miles from Schenectadj to Troj,
And that's a blame long walk, mj boy/'

Kenneth sang as he walked along behind ^^ St^
Lively," who, true to her name, set off at a good
pace.

Arthur and Frank lay back in the cockpit and
shouted remarks to the captain on the tow path.

^^ You just wait," he yelled back; " I'll bet our
one-horse-power engine will be fatter when we
get to Buffalo than she is now."

Forward on the deck house of the mastless
yacht was stowed a generous bale of hay and bags
of ground feed; fuel for the one-horse engine.

Twenty-five miles were covered the first day,
and at dusk the faithful beast was stalled in a
shed close to the big ditch with a plentiful supply
of feed. She was apparently very content with
her lot, and the scoffers had to admit that, per-
haps, after all, the old nag was a good investment.

298

ALOHa THE "BAdlUa CANAL"

The canal wound its sinnoua way through the
Ifeautiful Mohawk Valley, the land of Goshen of
the Empire State; great undulating fields of cul-
tivated land lay on either side of the narrow strip
of water. " Step Lively's " slow but steady pace
gave the boys a full opportunity to see the coun-
try through which they were passing and they
agreed that it was well worth coming ao far to
view.

I Each took a turn driving the horse one hour on
and two hours off — ^watch and watch all day. At
night the old mare was comfortably bedded
down in some old barn on the canal bank and all
hands slept undisturbed.

" Step Lively " knew the canal much better
than did the boys, for she had been over the tow-
path many times, and driving meant little more
than keeping her at a steady even pace, which,
though slow, ate up the miles at a aatiafactory
rate.

" Let's see, who runs the engine first to-day ? "
Bansom looked around at the other two one
morning.

" Not I," said Arthur. " I held the throttle
the last hour, and put her up for the night."

" Jfor I," protested Frank. " I 'tended sheet
and was at the helm the hour before,"

" Well, then, I suppose it's up to me to handle

A YEAR IN A YAWL

the ritbons/' and Kenneth stepped ashore to
start the old mare on her day's work. " You've
got your metaphors well mixed up; a fellow over-
hearing us talk couldn't tell whether we had a
locomotive, a boat, or a horse to tow us."

In spite of the parleying, the " Gazelle " was
soon moving along once more. Ransom walked
behind the mare, reins in hand, or walked just
ahead, setting the pace. The long line stretched
behind, sagging in the water, making long rip-
ples on the placid water ahead of the yacht's keen
prow. Frank, with his hand on the tiller, kept
the boat in the middle, while Arthur, having
nothing else to do, lay prone, basking in the sun.

" Say, Art," Frank inquired drowsily, " did
Ken read to you that part of his father's letter
where he warned us not to get wrecked on the
canal? "

" Yes," the other answered, " and I thought it
the most fooUsh piece of advice I ever heard.
Wrecked in this old ditch! I would as soon
think of being wrecked in a bath tub."

But later they both had cause to remember
the warning.

When the hour was up, Kenneth came aboard,
Frank took the reins, and Arthur his place at
the stick. Frank had not been driving long
wlien he met a four-horse team pulling a train

aoo

ALOXQ TBB - RAGiyO CANAL"

of three heavy canal boats. The driver stopped
accommodatingly, and allowed his tow line to
Bag so " Step Lively " and the yacht could pass
over it. Frank thanked him and went over, but
hardly had the mare's heels got over tho
stranger's line than be whipped up and tautened
it. Kenneth, who was watching, said, " Look at
that chap, Art; he thinks he is going to soap ' His
Nibs ' off with his line, but you watch,"

The small boat was towing behind the larger
boat, and the driver of the four-horse team fig-
ured that when his tow-rope had passed under
the " Gazelle " it would snap up and yank " His
Nibs " from ber fastenings. Soon the tow-line
could be felt rubbing along on the yacht's keel,
then, for an instant, there was a pause, while
hoth teams pulled with all their might in oppo-
site directions; the tow-linea tautened like harp
strings, and the water was sent flying in al! direc-
tions by the vibration. Suddenly the stranger's
line parted, cut in two by the " Gazelle's " sharp
plate rudder; the four horses almost £el! on their
heads, and the driver, who was riding one of
them, barely escaped a ducking in the canal. Re-
lieved of their accustomed burden, the team
started off on a run, and the driver, picking him-
self up, ran after them, swearing loudly, and
ever and anon turning to shake his flst at the

i. YEAR JN A 7AWL

"boys. These threatening gestures were received
with roars of laughter, which continued long
after the runaway team and the angry driver had
disappeared round a bend.

All along the canal small stores were kept for
the convenience of the canal men and their fami-
lies. Food was cheap, and therefore abundant,
and the boys thrived imder the easy life, the
nourishing fare, and the open-air exercise. In
spite of the eight or ten miles of walking each of
them put in every day, they began to get fat.
^' Step Lively *^ also showod signs of her good
care; her ribs became less evident, and her coat
showed signs of glossiness.

Considerable affection had sprung up in the
boys' hearts for their " one-horse-power engine,*'
as they called their steed. She was such a faith-
ful old beast, and did her work so uncomplain-
ingly. It was with real grief and alarm, there-
fore, that Kenneth saw early one morning that
the stall the mare had occupied was empty and
the ring bolt to which her halter had been made
fast was pulled clear out of the decayed wood.

Delayed by a visit to friends chance had
thrown in their way, the skipper had risen at
3 A. M. in order to make up for lost time. But,
lo and heboid! the steed had fled. Without a
horse they could not proceed, and there was not

3Q2

ALONQ TBE "BAGIsa CAML"

enough money in the crowd to buy another —
even at twelve dollars.

" We are certainly up against it," Kenneth
eaid to himself, ae he examined the damp ground
for hoof prints. He found a few marks, but
these were lost in the lush grass surrounding the
stable, and all hope of tracing the nag by that
means had to be given up.

A howl of dismay went up from the other two
when the skipper told of their loss.

" I het she's five miles off by this time."

" We'll never see her again," was Arthur's
comforting prophecy.

It was a very serious situation. Over two hun-
dred miles of canal remained to be covered, the
cold season was coming on fast, and there was
not a minute to be lost if the homestretch of the
journey was to be traversed this year. The com-
bined funds could payfor neither tow nor another
horse, and " Step lively," -their sole dependence,
was gone.

" After breakfast, when it gets light," aaid the
skipper, putting his plan into words, " we'll di-
vide up, each will go in a different direction, and
perhaps we will round her up."

It was a gloomy breakfast the boys hurried
through that morning. The gray light of early
morning turned the cabin lamplight a sickly yel-

JL YEAR IN A YAWL

low and showed the faces of the boys frowning
and dejected. ^

While Kenneth was downing the last mouth-
ful of coffee, they heard the hollow thump, thump
of a horse's hoofs on the bridge just above them.
Bansom rushed on deck to ask the driver of the
supposed team if a stray horse had been seen,
and, to his utter surprise and delight, foimd
" Step Lively " on the canal bank gazing at the
yacht, as if to say, " Well, boys, I've had a bully
time; but let's be going."

The skipper nearly fell overboard in his eager-
ness to reach the land and see if it was indeed
the faithful old beast. Sure enough, there was
no mistaking that drooping imder lip and re-
signed pose.

^^ Well, old nag, you deserve a ten-acre lot to
rest your old bones upon and a lump of sugar
f re^h every hour, but you've got to get a gait on,"
and Kenneth Ransom, chief hostler, chief coach-
man, and skipper, harnessed her up.

As the boys proceeded on their journey, the
horse developed a bad tendency to interfere, and
to prevent a raw sore from forming, a boot was
put over the place where the hoof came in con-
tact with the other leg.

It became the duty of the boy who drove the
last hour, when stabling " Step Lively," to take

804

ALONG THE " RAQING CANAL"

off the boot, if left on all night the leg would
swell, and the horse would) in consequence, go
lame next day. As a penalty for the breaking
of this rule, it was decreed that tbe offender must
■wash diahes every day for a week.

Before the boys had this understanding with
each other, the poor old mare started her day's
■work with a lame leg several times, but after the
rule -was made their memories improved, and
" Step Lively " was soon well again.

One evening it was Arthur's turn to put the
horse up for the nigbt. He did it with considei^
able grumbling, for he was in a hurry to get be-
low in the snug little cabin. The wind blew
round the big deserted barn where the horse was
to be stabled for the night; it whistled round the
eaves and rattled the loose boards of the walls.
At a little distance was an old inn or hotel, that
was also deserted and stood black and desolate
in the gloom; one of the few remaining window
panes caught the last gleam of the setting sun
and glowed with the redness of an evil eye.
Arthur made haste to get aboard, and once
helow, allowed himself the luxury of a good
ehivep.

" Phew! that's an uncanny place," he said, aa
he sat down to the meal Frank had already pre-
pared.

A TEAR IN A lAWL

Hansom kickecl Ohauvet under the table, to
put liiia on to the game. " Tea, I hear the house
is haunted," The wind howled, as if to confirm
the fact, and a puff came down -the companion-
way hatch and made the lamp flicker.

Frank and Kenneth kept up a fire of ghost ator-
ies, so that their own hair showed a tendency to
rise, while Arthur was visibly imnerved,

As the wind gave a particularly weird shriek,
Kenneth made a scratching noise on the centre-
board trunk.

"What's that?" said Arthur, startled.

" What's what? " Frank inquired, innocently.

" That noise— hear it? " — Arthur paused to
listen — " sounds like a person or dog scratching
to get in,"

" Oh, it's your imagination, I guess."

" By the way. Art, did you take the boot oS
'Step Lively'?"

" Sure! " he answered.

" I'll bet you didn't; too much of a hurry to get
out of the wind and aboard."

" I know I did — at least I think I did."

" Gee, that's a queer noise," Kenneth inte^
rupted the inquiry to say. The wind made a
noise like one in torment, and the light flickered
again.

" m give you two dollBis if you go out and
306

ALOSa THE "SAGINa OAHAL"

make sure. It's up to you, and don't forget the
week's dishwaahing if we find the boot on in the
morning,"

The thought of a week of dishwaahing braced
the mate, and, lightiag a lantern, he puahed open
the companionway door and went out.

Almost immediately he waa back again, white
and shaking. " Say, boya, saw something queer
in there — something white moving round —
sure 'b you're born I "

" Did you find out about the boot? " inquired
Eanaom, inexorably.

"No; didn't wait,"

" You bad better go and find out."

" I wouldn't be hired to go in there."

" Well, we'll find out." Frank wore a superior
air, but be kept close to Kenneth for all that.

The whispers of the wind grew into shrieks as
they approached the bam, and, as Prank reached
out bis hand to grasp the door-catch, a damp leaf
slapped hia face. Opening the door cautiously,
they poked in their heads and looked. Startled,
they saw a dim gray shape in the middle of the
big open space, and as they were about to turn
and run, the ghost stamped hard and whinnied
gently. " Step Lively " was glad to see some-
thing alive and human.

"Hullo, old beast, broke loose, did you?"

A YEAR i.V A YAWL

Kenneth was very bold; went up to the hoiM,
felt her leg.

" Boot's o£f, all right, but we've got the laugh
on Art."

" He pretty nearly got the laugh on us," Frank
remarked, honestly.

" Saw your ghost, old man," Kenneth re-
marked airily when they entered the cabin, " and
tied her up good and strong this time."

" Tou don't mean to say it was the mare? "
Arthur had visions of the guying he was bound
to get.

■' Yep, Let's call her ' Ghost ' after this.
Wliat do you say, Frank! "

" Oh, quit! rii wash dishes if you let up."

It was only necessary to say ghost to Arthur
after this episode to reduce the swelling of hia
head to the humblest proportions.

" Step Lively " settled down to good, hard,
steady work after her various adventures, and the
" Gazelle " made her way over the " raging
canal " at a good round pace.

The boys met many people on the way; soms
were pleasant and courteous, and a few were in-
clined to make disagreeable remarks. To these
the boys paid no attention, and the remarks fell
flat, having nothing to feed upon.

The locks, by means of which the boats passed

ALONG TEE ■• BAOINQ CANAL"

from one level to another, were encountered at
frequent intervals. Occasionally, a lock tender
would be disinclined to take the trouble to let the
yacht pass, and made it as hard for the boja as
possible. And at one time it seemed certain that
both the yacht and a member of the crew would

One afternoon the boys approached the great
■wooden portals of a lock and blew a horn to notify
the keeper that they wished to enter; he was a.
surly chap, and grumbiingly act to work to ad-
mit the yacht. The " Gazelle " once inside, the
heavy wooden barriers were closed, two lines
were run from the bitts forward to snubbing
posts, in order to keep her straight in the lock;
and Arthur, with a long, heavy pole in hand,
stood ready to fend her ofF from the rocky sides.
Frank looked after the horse, while Kenneth
helped the keeper. Usually the water from
the higher level was let in gradually, but this
keeper was in an ugly temper, and allowed the
water to come in with a rush. The " Gazelle,"
bouyant, rose light as a cork, and Arthur pushed
with all his might on the stout pole to keep her
from being dented by the cruel roeka. The
water came boiling into the baain, and the yacht
rocked and strained at her mooring lines. Sud-
denly one of them parted, and, the strain being

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

■Unequal, she swung aharply to one side. Ar-
thur pushed with might and main, but the side-
long swing of the three-ton boat was too mucb
for him; his pole was eaught against the side of
the lock and he was jerked orerboard into the
seething pool.

" Art's overboard I " cried Frank. " He will
he crushed, sure."

" Shut off the water, for heaven's aakel "

They looked into the narrow baain, but not a
sign could they see of him. The water swirled
and eddied, formed little whirlpools, dashed
miniature breakers against the rocky walls, and
receded. All the time the yacht swung nearer
and nearer the masonry, and the boys knew that
unless he escaped by a miracle Arthur would be
crushed between.

For a minute the two boys gazed helpless, then
a plan occurred to the skipper, which he pro-
ceeded to execute instantly. Taking the broken
end of the parted line, all the slack possible hav-
ing been let out, he stood on the capstone of tbe
lock and measured the distance between it and
the unsteady yacht. It was a long leap under
the most favorable circumstances, and the handi-
cap of the heavy rope and the heaving deck of
the vessel, such a long way out and so far below,
made the chances of f ailiu^ infinitely greater —
810

ALOUe THE "RAQISO CANAL"

and failure in this case meant almost certain
death. Per an instant he hesitated, theo, fearful
lest his resolution should fail him if he waited
longer, he sprang over the tossing, swirling water
straight for the yacht's deck. With scarcely six
inches to spare, he landed with a jar that dazed
him for a second. AVith the line atill in his hand,
lie ran forward and made it fast to the bitta, so
that the " Q-azelle " once more swung straight in
the pool.

"Do you see him?" Frant cried anxiously
from the shore.

Kenneth looked into the bubbling water for
signs of the mate. It was hardly more than a
minute or two since the skipper had cried, " Shut
off the water! " but Arthur might have met his
doom in even that short time.

" I am afraid he's a goner," Ransom answered.
" I can't see him."

" You can't lose me! "

It was Arthur's familiar voioe, and came from
below aft somewhere.

" Where are you? "

" Astern here, having a swim."

Kenneth rushed aft and caught sight of tha
mate's legs thrashing around under the overhang.

With rare presence of mind he had done the

one thing that could save him. Finding himself

811

A 7EAB JN A 7AWL

overboard, he swam with awift strokes aft and
cluBgj in spite of the twisting and rocking of the
yacht, to the rudder. The overhang protected
him from all harm, and beyond a chill produced
by the cold water he was unhurt.

The lock-keeper, thoroughly scared by the con-
sequences of his ill-temper, tried to make amends
by letting in the water so gently that the " Ga-*
zelle " reached the upper level with scarcely a
tremor.

" These very narrow escapes are trying, to say
the least," Frank remarked, as " Step Lively "
once more got going.

" Yea, if we really had any skin on our teeth
it would have been worn off long ago," said
Arthur, as he appeared on deck in diy clothM,
smiling cheerfully.

While the " one-horse motor " could not be
classed as a high-speed engine, the old maio
plugged along with a steady gait that covered the
miles at a speed sufficient for the purpose. It
was a great trip, and the boys agreed that it would
be hard to find a better way to see the country.
Many of the important cities of the Empire State
were cut in two parts by the canal, and as the
boys passed through at the two-mil es-an-honr
pace, they had plenty of time to go ashore and
see things — the great electric works of The
313

ALOSa TBB "RAGING CAN Ah"

General Electric Co. at Schenectady, the optical
and camera works at Rochester, Troy, Schenec-
tady, Utica, Home, Syracuse, Rochester, and a
score of other towns whose names are familiar all
over the United States were visited.

They passed many sorta of vessels carrying car-
goes of freight over the great water highway of
the State. Canal boats, laden with lumber and
grain, in fleets, single file, drawn by teams of
from two to six mules, eastward bound, the water
within eighteen inches of the decks. Forward
on many of the boats was a box-like compartment
for the steedfi when off duty, and it was a com-
mon thing to see the head of a mule sticking out
above the deck, "viewing the landscape o'er."
Whole families lived aboard these queer vessels;
clothes were washed and spread to dry on the
little backyard-like piece of deck over the cabin-
house. Sometimes boxes of brilliant geraniums
were placed to protect the family from the public
gaze, and occasionally, under an awning spread
over the cabin roof, a woman sat and sewed,
rocking a cradle with her foot.

There was a constant procession of boats of
many kinds, floating high as a rule when going
westward, but laden down within a foot or two
of the scupper holes when eastward bound.

One morning the " Gazelle " passed three im-

A YEAR IN A YAWL

mense iron grain boats tied up to the stone-lined
bank. They were empty, and loomed up be-
side the yacht like small mountains.

Later that same day they had occasion to re-
member those boats.

They made a good day's run, and night found
them tied up to snubbing posts placed for the
purpose; their lanterns displayed, they went to
bed, each with a hght conscience and heavy eye-
lids. The open-air exercise and active appetites
made the boys sleep solid as logs. The grain
boats they saw in the morning came along, towed
by a steam barge; tooted for the lock to be
opened, and two of the boats passed through. But
the boys never stirred. The third boat was left
to her own control, and, being without sails or
steam, ahe drifted with the wind unhampered.
Unladen, her high sides offered a splendid sur-
face to the breeze, and she drifted sidewise to-
wards the " Gazelie." Black and remorseless,
she awimg towards the little yacht nestling close
to the rock-lined bank of the canal. The grain
boat's one human passenger sat sleepily on a
great cleat aft and dozed. The boys slept on, all
unconscious of their impending doom. Slowly,
slowly, she drifted nearer, until she touched the
" Gazelle's " sides. The ironclad's bulk was
great, and, drive?} by the wind against her tall

ALOSG THE " BAQINQ CASAL"

Bides, she pushed the yacht steadily until the
smaller boat was hard against the shelving rocky
bank. Still the preaetire continued, and she be-
gan to be pushed up out of the water by the tre-
mendous squeeze. All three boya were stirred
into wakefulness by the firat upward lift.

The first sound that reached their ears was the
groaning of the timbers under the tremendous
grip of stone and iron.

Instantly the words of the elder Kanaom
flashed into Kenneth's mind.

" Look out and don't get wrecked on the
canal," he had written.

Something, the boy knew not what, held hia
beloved vessel in its grip. Some tremendoua
power waa crushing his vessel as a strong hand
grinds an almond shell to fragments. The
tongued and grooved cherry woodwork of the
cabin creaked, snapped, and, as they looked,
was forced out at the joints by the fearful
pressure.

With a cry that was half a groan, Kenneth
rushed on deck, followed lay Arthur and Frank.
The great iron sides loomed above them black
and implacable.

For an instant he stood dazed, uncomprehend-
ing, then he realized the situation — realized that
the mighty floating fabric of iron, forced by the

A YEAR IN A YAWL

wind beyond the power of homan liands and
human brains to check it, was slowly grinding
the doomed yacht to kindlings. He could not
bear to think of his vessel a wreck, and, for a
moment, covered his eyes with his hand.

816

OHAPTEK SVin

IN THE QEIP OF IRON AND STONE

The great veasel squeezed the yacht even
tighter, and the boys could feel the deck under
their feet bent upward by the pressure-
It was intolerable. Kenneth's vessel was actu-
ally being destroyed under him and no move of
■his could prevent it.

Beside himself with despair and rage, he
shouted at the blank wall of the grain boat, and
in blind fury put hia hands against it and pushed
— ^hia puny atrengt.h against a thousand tons.

" It's a wonder you boya don't go to sleep after
a day on the path." The apeaker'a head showed
over the rail of the barge.

The fearful mockery of his words drove poor
Kenneth almost crazy, and he shouted at the man
words that had no meaning — inarticulate sounds
tbat voiced bia agony.

Still the eruah continued, until the yacht was
forced almost out of water and her deck was

A YEAR IN A YAWL

squeezed into a sharp, convex curve. The poor
boat groaned, as if in pain.

The man on the barge looked down on the ter-
rified boys calmly, stupidly; perfectly aware that
by no act of his could he avert the catastrophe.

But still the pressure continued. The boys
gathered their scattered wits together, and, with
energy that seemed futile even as they called,
shouted for help.

Then came an answering shout, a sound of
moving feet on the grain bargees deck, a sharp,
urging call to a team, the snap of a whiplash.
The barge began to slide off, and the " Gazelle,"
released from the powerful grip, settled down.
Kenneth and his friends stood poised, ready to
spring ashore when the vessel — ^her seams opened
to the flood — should sink.

With a slowness that was nerve-racking, lihe
iron monster moved away until the yadht was
wholly released; with a groan that was like a sigh
of relief she settled to her normal water line,
bobbed up and down a little, as if to adjust herself
to her more comfortable position, and floated
quietly and safe.

Kenneth could not believe his eyes, but rushed
below, and, pulling up the square trap in the
cabin floor, thrust his hand far into the bilge,
expecting to see the water come bubbling out of

318

IN TBE QRIP OF IRON AND STONB

the well. He waa beside hiniseli with joy to find
no oozing seams, no leaking crannies — she was
dry.

He shouted aloud to his friends on deck the
joyful news, and they came tumbling down, in-
credulous, to feel and see for themselves.

Again the wonderful little craft had stood the
test, the most severe in her varied experience.
The sturdy timbers, so carefully steamed, bent,
and joined together, squeezed all out of their
rightful shape, sprang back to their designed
lines as aoon as released from the awful pres-
sure.

When the commander of the fleet came back
and offered to make good any damage his boat
had caused, the boys were too full of joy and
gratitude to exact any damages.

Beyond the started joints in the hardwood fin-
ish of the cabin, the yacht was unhurt, and they
could not conscientiously ask for money even if
they wished.

The fleet captain went off, and, as the bai^e
slipped off into the night, the voice of the man
on deck came back to the boys: "Ye blamed
fools, why didn't ye punch a hole in her and go
home like gentlemen on the money you'd get? "

Ruin his boat! Kenneth would almost as will-
ingly cut off bis right hand. His fingers itched
810

A YEAR IN A YAWL

to clutch and shake the man who made suoK ft
degrading proposition.

Once more the crew and their faithful boat
liad escaped destruction as if bj a miracle. Once
more the hand of Providence had appeared
strong in their behalf, and they were grateful —
too much affected to apeak of it, except in a sub-
dued undertone.

Soon after this " Step Lively " made her ban-
ner run of thirty-one miles in one day. Arrived
at the busy Httle city of Lockport, the " Gazelle "
began the steep ascent of the series of atep-
like locks to the top of a large hill and the upper
level, rive double locks opened one into fhe
other; one aeries for descent the other for aaeent
of the hill. Each lock raised or lowered the ves-
sel in it fifteen or twenty feet. It was a splendid
piece of engineering that the boys, after their
many miles of canal journeying, could fully ap-
preciate.

" Say, this is easy," said Arthur. " Just like
going upstairs."

" Yea; only it's no work," suggested Frank.

" It's like some of the sudden trips I have
made upstairs when my father had a grip on the
seat of my trousers; that was easy, till after-
wards," and Kenneth rubbed himself reflectively.

Beyond the " lock step " — as Frank face-

m TBE GRIP OF IRON AND STOSB

tioualy called the series of water lifts— the canal
■waa cut out of the solid rock; tlie walla of stone
rising sharply on either side of the water, the
tow-path was a mere ledge cut between the ditch-
and the embankment. It was a gloomy sort of
place, especially since the rain had fallen re-
cently, the rocks were black with dripping water,
and the tow-path slippery with mud. The road
■where " Step Lively " toiled along was narrow
and several feet above the surface of the water,
& strong wind was blowing down the gorge-like
cut, and made it hard for the old mare to pull the
yacht. Frank was driving, and urged the beast
along with voice and slap of rein. All went well
imtil the horse atumtled over a atone, slipped,
and, in her struggle to recover her feet, slipped
atill more, and finally she slid over the edge and
plunged into the canal with a mighty splash.

Frank stood on the bank and hopped about
like a hen whose chicks have proved to be ducks
and have just discovered their native element;
he stiU held on to the reins, and when the old
Ihorse splashed towards the bank pulled with all
ids might. The sides of the canal were as steep
as a wall, and the poor beaat could not get the
Blightest foothold. She gazed at Frank with an
appealing eye and struggled valiantly to reach
dry ground, only to fall back till aU but her

A YEAR IV A TAWL

snorting nose was submerged. " Don't push,
ju3t Bhovel " cried an unsympathetic looker on.

" Why don't you put boats on his feet? " sug-
gested another.

Trank was at bis wit's end. He tried in every
way to extricate the poor beast from its predica-
ment, but since she could not fly it could not be
done.

The " Gazelle," carried on by the impetus she
still retained, came alongside of the struggling
amphibious steed, and Frank threw the reins
aboard.

"Well, this heats the Dutch! " Kenneth ex-
claimed, as the three hoys looked helplessly down
on the poor beast swimming gamely in her un-
natural element — a pathetic but ludicrous sight.

" What the deuce shall we do? " Frank did
not know whether to laugh or cry, and his face
was curiously twisted in consequence.

" Well," said the skipper at last, " I guess the
tower will have to be towed till we find a sheli-ing
bank and the order can be reversed again."

All hands seemed to appreciate the humor of
the situation except " Step Lively," and she back-
pedalled with all her might. Kenneth and Ar^
thur took the place of the tow-horse on the path,
and fouud it hard work to pull the heavy boat
through the water and a refractory horse that in-

IN TBE GRIF OF IRON AND STONE

aisted on swimming backward as hard as she
could. As they strained and tugged, puffed and
sweated they lost the funny aide, and agreed that
it was " blamed serious." At this juncture " Step
Lively " woke up to the situation, and swam with
instead o£ against her masters, and then all was
lovely.

The people the strange proceasion met were
very much amused, and they did not hesitate to
make comments.

" Turn about'a fair play, ain't it? " said one.

" About time the boat towed a while; put her
on the path," said another.

At length a sloping place was reached, and the
old horse scrambled out. It was hard to teU
which was more relieved— at any rate, " Step
Lively " took up her regular occupation with
alacrity, and the boys went back on board with
a sigh of relief. For fear the faithful old beast
would catch cold, she was kept going, and so
escaped harm.

At Tonawanda, on the Niagara Kiver, Kea-
neth sold the horse to a man who contracted to
tow them to Buffalo and Lake Erie. And so
they parted with " Step Lively " for three dol-
lars. She had entirely lost her hat-rack appear-
ance, and seemed almost as sorry to leave he^
young friends as they were to dismiss her.

A TEAR /A- A TAWL

From Tonawanda the canal followed along the
Niagara Eiver. The beautiful, broad stream,
smootli and placid, looked little like the torrent
a little farther below that rushed madly down tlie
ateep incline, and then made that stupendous
leap.

" Is this the Niagara River? " one boj a^d
another. Its calmueBS was disappointing.

At Buffalo the " Gazelle " entered her native
waters once more — on lake water, but still a
thousand miles from home.

Twelve daja from Troy to Buffalo, three hun-
dred and fifty-two miles — not a bad record con-
sidering tlie one-horse motor.

The boys cast anchor within the shelter o£
Buffalo's breakwater October 10, 1899, and
looked over the strange, green waters of Lake
Erie. They immediately went to work, stepped
the masta and set up tbe rigging for the last stage
of their long journey. A tliousand miles of
lakes stretched between them and old St. Joseph,
yet the young voyagers felt that they were almost
'home. They forgot for a time that the great
inland seas were sure to be swept by gales tbat
would increase in force and frequency as tlie sea-
son advanced, until the freezing blast closed up
navigation altogether, and the waters, now
tracked in all directions by vessels of every de-

IN THE GRIP OF IRON AND STOKE

ecription, would be deserted — left to the howl-
ing winds, the grinding cakes of ice, and the
screaming gulls.

It was a serious situation that stared them in
the face, did they but realize it. The sharp
gales on the lakes were to be dreaded even more
than the tempest on the ocean, for laud, never
Tery far off, surrounded on every hand, and a lee
shore was an im mine at peril,

A mere zephyr toyed with the flag at the " Ga-
zelle's " masthead as she lay at anchor — too soft
to waft the yacht a mile an hour — so it was not
strange that Kenneth aud his crew forgot for a
time that the lake, now so calmly sleeping, would
soon rise in its anger and lash itself into white
foam.

The lack of wind gave the crew an opportunity
to visit Niagara Falls, and they took time to drink
in a full measure of this moat magnificent of Na-
ture's wonders, a sight that they will remember
all their daya — the crowning spectacle of their
trip.

After a three days' stay at Buffalo, the breeza
sprang up, the boys raised the anchor, and the
"Gazelle," her sails spread to the freshening
wind, sped out of harbor and away on the last lap
of her race round the Eastern haK of the United
States.

A YEAR IN A YAWL

"Hurrali!" the boya shouted, and, clasping
hands, congratulated each other.

The " Gazelle " acted as if she felt that her
native waters bore her once more, and skimmed
along as lightly as the gulls that circled in the
clear, cool air. Straight across the lake she flew,
aped by an ever-increasing wind, until the point
off the Welland Canal, on the Canadian side, was
reached. With a snap characteristic of her, she
came about and started off on another tack, then
stopped suddenly with a jar that knocked the
boys to their knees. Hard on the roekat There
was not a minute to spare if the good yacht was to
be saved. "With a spring, Kenneth let go the
mainsail halliards, and the slatting sail came
down on tJhe nm, while Arthur lowered the jib.
It was quick work, but these young men had had
the training that made them decide rapidly and
act effectively.

The sails down, the yacht rested more easily,
but still she pounded, the waves dashing her
heavily on the cruel ledges.

Kenneth jumped overboard, clothes and all,
followed by Frank and Arthur. Putting their
shoulders to the yawl's stem, they pushed with
might and main. At length the heavy boat
moved, and, as in New York Harbor, they
'pushed, walking after till the yacht floated claar

IS THE QBIP OF IRON AND STONB

and ihey had to hold on to keep from sink-
ing. Through the clear water the rocka lurked
just under the surface in every direction, and
only by the most careful manceuvring could the
yacht be sailed to safety. The sails were hoisted
once more, Kenueth took the helm, and, after
a time, Frank and Arthur went below to put on
some dry clothes. The October wind blew keen
and sharp, the skipper, crouching in the atern to
present as little surface to it aa possible, thought
lie would freeze to death — hia wet clothes stuck
to him and the cold wind seemed to go directly
to his vitals.

" H-h-h-hurry up I " he shouted to the boya be-
.low through his chattering teeth. "I-i-i-i'U
sh-sh-shake the boat to p-p-p-pieeea if you don't
g-g-g-get a m-m-m-move on."

By this time the " Gazelle " waa clear of all
danger, and was coasting over the rollers at splen-
did speed.

Aa the day wore on the wind increased in force,
and tlie lake, true to its reputation, waa lashed
into waves both high and short. It was the kind
of sea that makes a small boat like the yawl pitch
and toss most uncomfortably; "but, in spite of it
all, she made good speed. With a clear course
ahead, though the weatter waa threatening,
£enneth kept on for Port Stanley, on the

A TEAR IN A YAWL

Canadian shore. About two-thirty in the
morning the skipper calculated that the light
marking the harbor they sought should be
visible, but not a sign of it could Arthur, on
look-out duty, see. The skipper, in spite of
the tossing sea, shinned the mast, and from
its elevation caught a glimpse of the gleaming
light.

Coming down on deck, he shouted to Frank at
the wheel: " We're over-canvassed; we'll have to
reef down."

The* wind made it hard for him to be heard.

"Keef in this sea? You're crazy, you can't
doit!"

" We've got to do it," the captain answered.
'* Art, give us a hand on the mainsail."

The mate obeyed, and together they crawled
forward. Dark as pitch, they had to work by
sense of touch alone. Each knew the position of
every line, every rope, as he knew the location of
his eyes and his mouth, but the choppy sea made
it impossible to stand an instant unaided. Ar-
thur gripped the standing rigging with his legs
as he lowered the mainsail, and Kenneth clung
desperately to the boom as he began to tie the
reef points.

The " Gazelle " jumped and thrashed about
like a bucking horse, and the darkness enveloped

828

IN THE GRIP OK IRON AyD STONE

everything. Of a sudden, the boat gave an aw-
ful luroh, and Kenneth heard a sudden thump
against the yacht's side and all was still. In-
stantly he missed Arthur — nowhere could he be
seen.

"For heaven's sake, luff — ^luff! " he cried to
Frank. " Art's overboard."

The boat shot up into the wind and lay
there quivering, while Kenneth, dread lying
like a weight on hia heart, sought for his
friend.

" What's the trouble? " a voice called from the
other side of the boat. " Anybody hurt? "

" For heaven's sake, where are you, Art? "

''Over here. "What's the trouble?"

"My, but I'm glad you're O. K.! Thought
you were overboard, sure."

" Oh, I guess it was that wooden fender you
heard; it went over in that last jump."

The " Gazelle " went better under her reduced
canvas, and reeled off the miles like the steady
aea-boat she was.

" Well, wc did not see much worse sea on ths
ocean, did we, boys? " Kenneth had a sort of
pride in his native waters, and took satisfaction,
even in its rough moods.

They were certainly formidable. Short, highj
and following one another in quick succession.

A TEAR IN A YAWL

the waves tossed the yacht about as a man ia
thrown in a blanket.

Daylight soon came to cheer the young mari-
nersy and revealed the Canadian shore but a few
miles to starboard. At two o'clock in the after-
noon the " Gazelle '^ sailed into Port Stanley.
Once safely inside, the wind rose shrieking, as if
enraged because the yacht had escaped. For
three days they lay at anchor, stormbound — ^three
days that would have been much enjoyed if Ken-
neth had not been so anxious to go on. Food
was plenty and the people kind, but the thought
of the terrible winter, whose breath, even now,
could be occasionally felt, urged them on and
took the edge off their enjoyment in the hospi-
table place.

To Kondeau Harbor was a sixty-mile run, and
when the " Gazelle " pushed her bowsprit past
the protecting point of Port Stanley, it looked
as if there would not be wind enough to carry
her the distance by nightfall. But a fair breeze
soon sprang up, and they sped along at a good
pace. The lake seemed to be on its good be-
havior — ashamed of the temper it had shown for
the last three days, perhaps. It took little at
that time of year to rouse Old Erie to a howling
rage. At five-ten in the afternoon the boys saw
that the pleasant mood that had lasted all day

830

m m

UHIKINU FOIL POUT SVAS,.EM.~-{Fi.gf 330.)

IN THE GRIP OF IRON AND STONE

was giving way to a very ugly temper, and tliere
were six miles more to cover before shelter could
be reached.

" Look ai those clouds over there," said Frank.
" We're going to have a head wind and all aorta
of troublea."

" Sure thing! " echoed Arthur.

" Oh, come off! I'll bet you four to one we'll
be inside by six o'clock."

Kenneth saw, too, that there was to be a high
wind in the wrong direction.

"Done! " cried Frank and Arthur together.
" You're a chump, Ken. AU those miles with a
head wind? I guess nit."

"Tou Just watch your Uncle Dudley." The
skipper meant to do his level best to win bis reck-
lesa wager.

The goal was in plain sight, and Kenneth took
his place at the helm, determined to be on a line
at least with those piers by six o'clock. The
wind was rising steadily and swinging more and
more ahead. The yaeht, seeming to realize what
waa expected of her, settled down to her work
and slipped off into the eye of the breeze like a
witch. Each minute the wind hauled more and
more ahead, until the boat, her sheets already
closely trimmed, seemed to sail right square into
the teeth of it. The gray bulkhead was yet a

A YEAR nf A YAWL

long way off, and the minutes were slipping by
at an alarming rate. Arthur grinned as he called
out, " Five-thirty."

It was a race against time with a vengeance.
More than the settling of a friendly wager was
involved. The clouds to the southwest had an
ugly look, and the line of dull gray showed
against the bright blue straight as if drawn by a
ruler.

Nearer and nearer they came to " the haven
where they would be," but faster and faster flew
the minutes.

"Five-forty-five!" Arthur called, clock in
hand.

" Can she do it? " Kenneth asked himself.
Only fifteen minutes more, and the black edge
of the squall so close.

Then the wind died down.

" I told you sol " said Frank, exultingly.

Kenneth knew that it was but the calm before
the storm. "You just wait," he said; "you
haven't got this cinched yet."

"Five-fifty!" droned Arthur. "Ten min-
utes more."

Kenneth said nothing, but kept a siharp
weather eye open for squalls.

" Five-fifty-seven! " called the timekeeper.

Off to port the skipper saw the water scuffed

833

IS THE GRIP OF IRON AND STOXE

up, as if a thousand ailvery fifihea suddenly sprang
up.

" Here she comes," Kenneth said to himBelf,
" and she's a hummer! "

All at once the blast struck them.

Whoo!

The " Gazelle " laid over before it till her lee
freeboard, high as it was, was buried under, and
the water lapped alongside the deckhouse. The
boat fairly flew alajig, great sheets of spray shoot-
ing out from her bow, the sails standing stiff as
if moulded out of metal. " His Nibs," towed
behind, was almost lost in the smother of spray,
and her painter stretched out to the larger boat
straight and stiff as a steel rod, without a sag in it.

My, she was going !

The " Gazelle " was over-canvassed for such a
blow, but she could not atop then.

Kenneth sat at the tiller like a jockey on a
racing horse — his gaze fixed, his face pale, his
muscles tense. Eeady to luff and save his boat,
if need be, but determined to drive her to the
finish if steady canvas and honest manila could
stand the strain.

" You can't do it. Ken! " Frank cried.

" But I will," he answered grimly. " Arthur,
keep your eye on that clock."

CHAPTER XIX

A STORMY NIGHT ON A SINKING PILE-DBIVEB

Plunging, then darting like a frightened deer,
the " Gazelle '^ raced for her goal; the long piei*
of Bondeau Harbor was just off her starboard
bow.

Could she make it by six o'clock?

Frank and Arthur thought no, Kenneth would
not admit, even to himself, that he was beaten.

Laying way over before the blast, she rushed
along. The water churned up by her bows
rushed white above her lee rail, the weather rig-
ging, taut with the strain put upon it, vibrated
Uke the bass strings of a harp, the lee rigging
sagging in proportion.

Kenneth leaned forward, his face eager, his
hand grasping the tiller so hard that the knuckles
showed white through his tanned skin. Frank
and Arthur lay far out to windward — as far out
as they could get.

" Six o'clock! " cried Arthur, looking up from

384

A 8T0RM1 NIOBT ON A. SINKING PILE-DRIVBB

the clock he held in his hand, " And, by Jove,
you've won! "

Rounding the Ughthoiise pier, the yacht
slipped in behind the crib and rested in emooth
water.

" "Well, old man, I take my hat off to you,"
and Frank suited the action to the word. " That
was the finest bit of sailing I ever saw. Ken,
you're a dandy."

Kenneth was still breathing quickly with the
excitement and exhilaration of the race with
time. His satisfaction in the performance of his
boat wag only secondary to the pleasure he felt
in his friends' praise.

Again luck had serv'ed them well. For the
next three days a storm raged over the lake that
made the boya very thankful that they were shel-
tered in a safe harbor. This tempest was a fore-
runner of what was to come — a foretaste of what
the young mariners were likely to experience.
The sudden storms for which the lake region was
famous at this time of year had begun, and would
continue until navigation was closed altogether
by the formation of ice.

A railroad had been doing some construction
wo-k near Rondeau Harbor, and had been mak-
ing use of a few large scows, a steam barge, and
a pile-driver from Detroit. With the closing

A TEAR IN A YAWL

down of the work, several of the working crew
had deserted and left the captain of the boats
short handed. That was his reason, therefore,
for his request to Ransom for help.

" Lend me one of your men," said he.

" Wo," answered Kenneth. " But if my ship-
mates agree, I'll help you out, if you give us a
tow to Detroit."

"Sure; that's easy," the other responded
heartily. All hands agreed, and the bargain was
closed there and then.

The wind had calmed down when the strange
fleet started out next afternoon. It was headed
by the steam barge, then came the top-heavy pile-
driver, then a scow, and, finally, the " Gazelle "
herself, reluctantly following along, as if averse
to being in such direputable company.

The three boys drew lots to see who should
stay on the scow; the mate was the unlucky one,
but, in spite of the protests of the other two, Ken-
neth insisted on filling the post himself. To his
surprise, he found that he had been assigned
to the pile-driver instead of the scow, and,
though he realized that it was hardly fair deal-
ing on the part of the captain, it was not a time
to go back on his agreement. So he boarded
the pile-driver.

" If she leaks," the captain diouted through a

886

A STORMY NtQBT ON A BlUKUfa PILE-DRIVER

megaphone to Kenneth, "you had better get up
steam in the boiler and start the siphon going."

The boy nodded, to indicate that he under-
stood, and made his way aft to the little house,
where he found a amall boiler, hoisting engine
and the necessary siphon.

" Jove ! " he said to himself, '' I am getting
more than I bargained for."

The run to Detroit was about a hundred miles.
A hundred miles in an old tub of a pile-driver on
Lake Erie in the stormy season I Kenneth's
thoughts were not very eheerful, but he set to
work to find out all about the strange craft of
which he was captain, crew, engineer, and fire-
man.

Comparatively smooth when the queer proces-
sion started, after sundown the wind began to
rise, and the sea with it.

Kenneth, from his post, could see the lights on
his own boat swinging as she rolled on the waves.
The towering structure that carried the weight of
the pile-driver made 'the craft top-heavy, and
Tery unwieldy iu the sea. It Jumped and jarred,
swung from side to side, and spanked the rollers
with its blunt bow. Prom time to time Kenneth
sounded to see if his craft was leaking, and was
comforted to find that all was dry.

The wind increased in force, and the water rose

J. lEAR in A YAWL

Hgher each minute with the speed characteriatic

o£ the Great Lakea. The sky was overcast, and
the darkness shut down on the rolling waters like
a black blanket. The steam barge ahead snorted
away, heading into the wind, and the old scow
of a pile-driver kept its distance hehind. Ken-
neth felt very lonely, and longed to be aboard
the " Gazelle," the light from whose cabin he
caught fleeting glimpses of as she swung a little
to one side.

For perhaps the twentieth time, he sounded
the pump, and found this time, to his alarm, two
inches of water in the shallow hold. He waited
a few minutes and tried again — three inches.

" Phew, this won't do! " he said, half aloud.
" I'U have to start that old siphon going."

By the time the fire was fairly going there was
four inches in the hold, and when steam was up
and the pump had begun to throw its four-ineh
stream, the water had gained two inches more.

With an energy born of desperation, Kenneth
piled the wood into the furnace and kept the
head of steam up. The old pump worked well,
and, for a time, held the water even. Kenneth
stood in the little house watching the steam-
gauge, while the pump sucked, wheezed, sput-
tered, and the thick stream gushed overboard.

Again he tested the depth of water in the hold.

A. STORMY NIOBT OS A SINKING PILBDRIVER

and found, to bis horror, that it was gaining, in
Bpite of the steady working of the pump. More
wood went into the roaring, cavemoua furnace,
and the needle of the steam-gauge pointed higher
and higher; the pump worked furiously, but stiU
the water gained.

Kenneth went out to see if he could get help
if the worat came to the worst. The old steam-
barge ahead was making heavy weather of it,
and every man on board was intent on keeping
her going. Just astern, the scow spatted the
waves doggedly, her flat bows presenting to the
boy on the pile-driver a front black, forbidding,
and hopeless. Far behind, the " Gazelle" bobbed
serenely over the choppy waves.

The wind was blowing hard, and the waves
raised their heads in anger on every side, deter-
mined, it seemed to the toy alone on the leaking
boat, to have his life. He looked about for a
small boat he could resort to in case of dire need;
there was none, not even a raft; but he caught
sight of a broad new board. With the deftness
of long experience, he knotted a rope about it to
which he could cling, and hauled it aft close to
the cabin door, where he could jump for it in case
of need.

There was work to do inside; moreover, it waa
warm and light, if lonely. Sounding again, Ran-

A. YEAR IN A YAWL

6om found eight inches of water in the hold. It
was gaining slowly, and he knew that it was only;
a question of time before the scow's buoyancy
would be overcome and it must sink. Above the
howling of the wind, the crackling and snapping
of the fire, the wheeze and deep-breathing sound
of the pump, Kenneth could hear the swash and
gurgle of the water in the hold — a, sickening
sound that weighed on his heart like lead. When
the boat rose on a wave, the water below rushed
peU-mell aft and came with a thud that jarred
the whole structure against the stem; then, tilted
the other way, it rushed against the bow, until
the boy thought that the ends would be knocked
out of her.

" Well, I guess my name is Dennis this time! "
he said aloud. " This old tub won't stay on top
long." The sound of his own voice made him
more lonely than ever, as there was no response,
no answering voice to cheer and comfort him.
Many trying experiences and frequent dangers
had been encountered, but seldom had he faced
peril alone. He longed for the companionship
of his friends.

Kenneth sat on an old soap box and listened
to the dreary sound of the water splashing in
the hold, and to the wind-devils shrieking out-
side. He was utterly depressed and hopeless,

349

A STORMY NIGHT O.V i SllfKlXO PILE-DSIVEB

As he sat with his head in his hands, his elbows
on his knees, he thought that he heard the sound
of human speech among the voices of the atorm.
He sat erect, and listened with all his might

"Ahoy, aboard the pile-driver!" the voice
died away in the wind; but again it made itself
heard above the din: " Ahoy, there, Cap I "

Kenneth rushed out and forward.

A man was standiug on the after-part of the
barge, megaphone to hia mouth, bawling that
they were going to get under the lee of Peelee
Island and lay up for the night.

With renewed courage, Kenneth went back to
hia stoking, and kept the old pump going until
the water-logged rolling of the crazy craft be-
came less violent and, finally, ceased altogether.

" Thank heaven, we are in some kind of a har-
bor! " said Kansom fo the man who eame to re-
lieve him. He was thankful to his heart's core.
Coming on deck, he found that they were along-
side a long pier. He scrambled ashore and hur-
ried aboard the " Gazelle," weary, but supremely
happy to be alive and on his own craft again.

The skipper could hardly keep awake long
enough to tell the boys his adventures, and he
bad travelled far into the " Land of !N"od " before
the other two turned in.

"When the three arose the day was far ad-
341

A YEAR IN A YAWL

vanced. The leak in the pile-driver had been
found and plugged, the wind had died down, and
the sea flattened out to the long, slow swell that
bore no resemblance to the tempestuous waves of
the previous night. Under smiling skies, on
smooth water, the voyage to Detroit was a delight.
Many stately steamers passed them, bound to and
from Lake ports.

In the early evening, the electric lights of De-
troit appeared, perched on tall, slender poles;
they looked in the darkness like clusters of stars
hung in the sky.

" Michigan, My Michigan! '^ The boys sang
in their hearts, if their lips did not form the
words. Once more they were in their native
State, and straight across to the West lay old St.
Joe — so near by land, so far by water.

The anchor down, all three boys got into " His
Nibs," eager to set foot on dear old Michigan
soil again. The little boat staggered bravely
to shore with her precious freight. Kenneth
stayed, and went back to the yacht after he had
put his foot down good and hard on Michigan
land. The other two boys went on for mail and
supplies.

Eager to reach home, they stayed but a day
and a half at Detroit.

Under her own canvas, the " Gazelle " sailed

842

A arORUT NtGBT ON A BINKINO PILE-DBIVBa

Up the Detroit River to Lake St. Clair, then
across that fine sheet of water to the St. Clair
Biver, the eonnectiiig link between Lakes Huron
and Erie.

Frequent rain squalls had made sailing diffi-
cult and disagreeable, but the yacht made good
way, and, in apite of the uncomfortable weather,
the bojs were in a very cheerful frame of mind.
In Michigan waters, off the Michigan coast, they
felt that they were indeed on the home-stretch.

As the yacht was almost entering the river, the
mate pointed off excitedly towards the flats.
" What's that? " he cried. " Look, Ken, quick! "

A very black pillar, like thick smoke, writhed
between sea and sky; the surface of the lake rose
in a cone, roee to meet it, and the sky narrowed
down like a funnel. All the time it was twisting
fimoualy, and the water about it was much agi-
tated. It moved steadily across the lake in a
direction that seemed to lead to the " Gazelle."

" Great king ! " exclaimed the skipper.
" That's a waterspout, sure. "We are done for
if it strikes us, just as sure as shooting! "

The comrades watched the watery column
anxiously. They were greatly relieved, at length,
to see it swerve to one side, sweep across the laka
and apparently go to pieces on the further shore.

" Well, we can say, if any one asks us if we

± tiSAJt I2f A YAWL

saw a waterspout, ^ Yes, we did. Would any one
else like to ask any questions? ' " The mate put
on an air that imitated the cheap lyceum lec-
turer to the life.

Just before making Port Huron, where the
St. Clair River enters Lake Huron, the boys
encountered the ugly rapids that make the
navigation of this strait so difficult. It was a
mile long, and a very trying run for a sailing
vessel, even under the most favorable circum-
stances. A large steamer had sunk in the
channel a few weeks before, and nearly blocked
it. The wind, strong, as usual, was blowing
dead ahead. It was a beat to windward with
scarcely room to come about; one tack was
hardly taken before another one had to be
made. By the time that the end of the obstruct-
ing vessel was reached, " the crew's " hands, so
he declared, were worn through to tlie bone, from
the frequent and rapid handKng of the jib sheet.

" Great Scott! " cried the mate from his look-
out forward. "We are running down a
steamer! "

Sure enough, a great grain boat was coming in
the opposite direction, and would soon be upon
them.

"It's all right," called out Ransom, reassur-
ingly; " we're clear of the wreck now."

344

A STORMY XIGBT OX A BIXKINO PILE-DRIVER

The words had hardly been spoken before the
wind died out, as if by magic, and the sails
flapped about limp and helpless. The great boat
had blanketed the " Gazelle " as completely as if
a wall had been built in front of her. The cur-
rent was setting back toward the abandoned steel
steamship, and the yacht drifted with alarming
speed toward the obstruction.

" I'll gybe her," Kenneth said to himself,
" and retrace our steps till we get to the open.
Then we'll wait till there are no other boats mov-
ing." Aloud, he shouted: " Look out, boys! I
am going to gybe."

Just as he spoke, a blast of wind slipped by
the grain boat, caught the yacht, and slammed
the boom over with terrific force. Kenneth ex-
pected to see the masts go out of her; but every-
thing held, and she raced along the aide of the
sunken ironclad, luffed up under her stem, and
lay quivering, but safe.

The " Gazelle " sailed up the narrow passage
on the starboard side of the wreck, while the
steamer passed to port. The yacht ran the
rapids successfully, and was soon speeding along
over Lake Huron with an offshore beam wind.
The sixty miles to the Government harbor of
refuge at Harbor Beach, was covered at night-
fall.

A TEAR IN A YAWL

The next night brought them to the entrance
of Saginaw Bay. So far the winds had been
favorable and the water smooth, and the boys
made daily steps sixty miles long in their journey
towards home.

They longed for home with a desire that
amoimted to an ache. Neither would admit to
the other how much he felt; but it was hard
sometimes to keep the tears back as something
occurred to bring up visions of the little city on
the bluff.

Saginaw Bay had a bad reputation. Storms
were apt to bluster about its wide mouth, and
strong winds were continually blowing across it.

Though the low barometer indicated that bad
weather was coming, Kenneth decided that he
could not wait, and he pushed on across the
treacherous bay. At night, and in a place noted
for its stormy weather, with bad weather threat-
ening, it may have been foolhardy to attempt the
run; but the spirit that lay behind the " Ga-
zelle's" motto — " Keeping everlastingly at it
brings success '' — made the retracing of their
steps to a safe harbor a thing dead against the
boys' principles.

For once, the reputation of the locality seemed
to be false; even the glass appeared to be at
fault, for the wind scarcely amounted to a sum-

A STORMT NIGHT OH A SINKING FILE-DRIVER

mer zephyr, and the waves were long and
emooth.

The other boys were yawning, and at ten-
thirty Kenneth sent them below, promising to
call them if need be. The skipper sat with the
tiller over his kneea, thinking. There was but
little to do — a glance at the sails to see if all was
drawing well, and an occasional look out for
other craft was all the attention the business in
hand required. Por almost twelve long months
he and his friends had lived aboard the little
craft they had learned to think of as a second
home — through strange waters, along unfamil-
iar shores, experiencing all conditions of cli-
mate, and seeing all sorts of people. Dangers
innumerable had been encountered and passed
safely, and now Kenneth said to himself: " We
are almost home." The trip was well worth
while, he thought; he had gleaned information
that he believed be could not have secured any
other way, and his sketch book was full of plans
of all sorts of craft he had inspected.

In almost perfect silence, surrounded by dark-
ness, he sat thinking and dreaming. A vision
bright as a picture appeared in his mind's eye,
and in it he saw his future career. A builder of
swift steamers and sturdy cargo boats, of sailing
craft of every rig, and all was good.

A TEAR JN A YAWL

He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that for
a time he did not notice the ominous silence, the
fitful, light puffs* of wind that lapsed between the
calms, the sticky feeling in the air, the many
signs which bespeak a brewing storm. Not till
the mainsail flapped in answer to a change in
direction of the fitful wind did the skipper realize
that trouble was coming. In an instant, the long
vistas of his pleasant dreams disappeared, and he
became the sailor of a small boat off a dangerous
coast, with a storm threatening.

A puff of wind, that made the " Gazelle "
quiver, came out of the north, and Kenneth,
one hand on the mainsheet, the other on the til-
ler, prepared for the tussle.

In a few minutes the squall broke in earnest,
and the yacht staggered under it like a man bear-
ing a heavy weight. She was carrying too much
canvas, so the captain called the boys. The
weather was calm and serene when they went
below, and they were mightily surprised to find
the boat pitching and rolling, and the wind tear-
ing at the rigging as if bent on destruction.

Waking from a sound sleep and coming from
a warm, bright cabin into the outer air, where
the cold wind devils held their revels, was con-
siderable of a shock, and both thought that it was
a great deal worse than it really was. The work

348

A BT0RU7 NIOBT 07f A. SmKlNO PILB-DBIVSB

of furling the mainsail was very difficult, and did
not tend to allay their fears.

" By George, Ken, we can't last long in this! "
said the mate, after looking Into the blackness
and listening to the howling wind.

" Yes, I see our finish! " said the other.

"Pshaw! The 'Gazelle' haa been througb
worse than this," answered the skipper. " See
the pace she's setting? She's going like a cup
defender."

But in spite of hia reassuring words, Kenneth
was troubled. Their course led them through
the trough of the seas, and every minute it
seemed as if the little vessel would be engulfed
by the huge waves. To turn back was impos-
sible, to steer to one side would bring them on a
lee shore, a turn to starboard would carry them
out of their course, and far upon the open lake.

There was nothing to do but to face the situa-
tion, to be vigilant and trust to good fortune.

Home, that seemed so near to them a short
time ago, now appeared utterly unattainable.
The " Gazelle " rolled along, now sinking deep in
the watery vaJley, now rising high on the top of
a foam-crested hill. The motion was sickening,
and continued so long that it seemed as if they
had forever been rising and falling in the heav-
ing billows.

»9

A YEAR IN A YAWL

Chilled to the bone, wet through from the
wind-blown spray, weary from the battle with
the elements, it was like a strong hand stretched
out to a drowning man when Arthur shouted out,
"Light, ho!"

" Where away? " cried KennetL

" A little off the port bow. No, it's gone ! "

All three boys strained their eyes to catch a
glimpse of the will-o'-the wisp.

"There it is!"

"Where?"

"No, it's gone!"

The wind beat the spray into their faces and
snatched at their clothing.

" There it is, sure 1 " Kenneth spoke exult-
ingly. " It's Tawas Light — at least, it oug'ht to
be there."

On a point of land like a crooked finger, the
boys saw plainly, when the yacht rose to the top
of a wave, the steady, clear gleam of the yellow
flame.

Like a tired bird, the " Gazelle " crept inside
the shelter and anchored; her crew lowered the
sails and dropped into their bunks. Utterly ex-
hausted, they fell asleep instantly, forgetting all
troubles.

When morning came, there was not a sign of
the storm; the sky blue and clear, a few fleecy

850

A STORIIY SIGHT OS A BINKIA'l} I'lLE-DRlVER

tlouda floating serenely about in it, the Lake be-
low gently undulating and reflecting in a deeper
tone the azure of the heavens.

With the sunshine came new confidence, and
the boja laughed at their fears of the night be-
fore.

" Let's get under way and hurry home, for
■we're only a little way off now." The mate was
in a very jubilant frame of mind.

For several days the yacht sailed along the
coast of the Lake Huron side of the great Penin-
sula of Michigan — close enough to see its
beautiful shores, its rugged rocks, and dark, al-
most black, evergreens.

At Presque Isle they put in for provisions.
They found a beautiful harbor, but not a sign of
a settlement, and no place to huy food. The
need of provender drove them forth in spite of
a storm, which an unusually low barometer in-
dicated was soon due. It wai planned to make
harbor at Cheboygan, some sixty-five miles away,
but while passing Eogers City the yawl ran into
a calm and floated idly. Great clouds were
banked up to the northeast, which spread rap-
idly till the whole heavens were overcast. The
water had the oily, smoky, treacherous look that
precedes a storm. Kenneth ordered in the jib
and jigger, and tied three reefs in the main-

A YEAR IN A YAWL

sail. !N'o sooner had the last knot been tied^
when^ with a howl that was deafenings the squall
struck them. It was a terrible blast. The " Ga-
zelle," being without headway, careened before
it; farther and farther she went; she sank till
her rail was on a level with the water, and it
came bubbling through the scuppers; still the
pressure continued. She dipped to leeward till
her deck was covered and the waves lapped the
deck house.

" Look out, boys! Be ready to jump. She's
going over, sure! " For the first time, Kenneth
lost confidence in his boat; no craft, he thought,
could stand such a test. All hands climbed to
windward, ready to jump away from entangling

rigging-
Farther and farther she listed under the fear-
ful blast; the water was on a line with the cabin
roof now, and began to ooze through the oval
port lights into the cabin.

"With muscles tense, ready to spring away,
Kenneth still stood at his post, the tiller in one
hand the other clasping the cockpit rail, to keep
from sliding off into the waves.

With a thrill of hope, he felt the tug
of the tiller — the indefinable touch when a
boat is in motion. The " Gazelle " was
making way at last! But still her decks

353

-A STORMY NWHT ON A SINKING PILE-DRIVER

sloped at the fearful angle and the squall blew
undiminished.

The mate stood close to " His Nibs," lashed on
deck, bared knife in hand — ^ready to cut the
ropes that bound her.

Her deck half submerged, her cockpit partly
filled, the water creeping through the ports into
the cabin, the " Gazelle " surged slowly along.
The crew clung on the sloping decks, waiting for
the last sickening lurch that precedes a capsize.
28

853

CHAPTER XX

HOMEWABD BOUND

The boys did not need the captain's cry: "Look
out for yourselves, boys; she's going over! " to
tell them that they were in fearful peril. It had
come to the time when it was every man for him-
self, and each looked for a chance to escape.

But Hansom clung to the helm, and noted,
with an awakening of hope, that his boat was
increasing her speed. Little by little she gained,
and inch by inch she straightened up, in spite of
the knock-down blows she got from the blast.
Faster and faster she slipped along, the energy
of the wind driving her ahead, rather than over.
The water was on a line with the rail once more,
and the self -bailing valves in the cockpit began
to empty it.

Arthur put his knife in his pocket and
crouched down by the windward rail, while
Frank assumed a natural attitude, and began to
take a more cheerful view of things.

"Thank God!" exclaimed Kenneth, fer-
vently. "We're safe once more.''

854

HOMEWARD BOUND

" That was the cIoBest call we ever had," said
the mate.

It was some time before the white squall let
up, and, when the wind died down, the boys found
themselves off Hammond's Bay life-saving sta-
tion, and, thankful for the respite, they headed
in for the refuge provided by the Government.

A channel cut through the solid rock led to a
little lagoon, and through thia the "Gazelle" was
dragged by the good fellows of the station.

It was well that the yacht sought this refuge,
for a storm that would have sent the staunch
little craft to the bottom lasted three days and
held sway over the Lake.

The enforced stay was not irksome in the leaat,
for there were a great many tales to tell and to
hear, and the life savers were good fellows.

But with each day's delay the longing for
home grew stronger, though it seemed as if the
elements deliberately conspired to hold them
back.

After leaving Hammond's Bay, they went on
up the Lake Huron coast. Storm after storm
broke over them, adverse winds beset them, and
squalls dogged their wake; but at last they
reached the very tip of the Peninsula, and
passed through the Straits of Mackinac,

The feeling of exultation the sea-worn cruisers

A YEAR IN A 7AWL

felt when tlie keel of tlieir boat once more
ploughed the waters of Lake Michigan is beyond
all description. Words could not express the joy
and satisfaction they felt.

Before a high gale and a nasty sea, the " Ga-
zelle " ran into Little Traverse Bay — ^the first
harbor on the western shore of Michigan. Sail-
ing along the coast, it seemed as if they were al-
most home; that the bluffs of old St. Joe were
but a little way off, and that they had but to fire
their cannon to get an answering salute from
their friends, the life-saving station men.

Putting in at Old Mission, the boys visited
Kenneth's friends several days, whUe the storm
king reigned outside in his royal rage and bluster.

At every stopping place, all along the line,
they received letters, urging them to hurry, for
the winter season was so close at hand, when no
man may sail on the Lakes. Their people were
anxious to have them home. The long, danger-
ous trip, the frequent lapses in the correspond-
ence (enforced, of course, but none the less hard
for the watchers at home to bear), the stories of
storm and disaster at sea, all combined to wear
down the patience and courage of the relatives
at home. The long stress of violent weather at
the end of a fearfully prolonged journey, had
worn on the nerves of the captain and crew also,

856

and they all had a bad attack of homeaiekness.
The longing for homti when it is near at hand,
tut just beyond the reach, is the hardest of all
to bear.

A abort spell of good weather succeeded the

days of storm, and the " Gazelle " sailed out of

Old Mission for home. The boys' friends lined

the shore and waved them " God speed," and the

, three youngsters afloat answered with a cbeer,

' their faces bright, their hearts aglow with antici-

I pation. They were going Home.

The people ashore watched the little vessel,
Iher white sides and sails gleaming in the morning
I as she slipped off like a live thing, dancing
over the short wavelets daintily. They watched
till she disappeared behind the point.

"Word was sent to St. Joseph that the " Ga-
j zelle " was on her way again, and the people of
the next port of call were on the look-out for her.
All the newspapers of the Western coast
towns had printed stories about the three Michi-
gan boys who had circumnavigated the Eastern
United States in their Michigan boat, and most
of the inhabitants of these towns were familiar
■with the story, and took pride in the achieve-
\ ment.

The " Gazelle " had hardly been out of Old
Mission sLx hours when a storm rose that speed-

i. YBAR IN A YAWL

ily developed into a hurricane. Vessels of every
kind sought harbor — steamships, schooners,
whalebacks, every sort of craft — hurried for
shelter; but no word was brought of the little
yawl. She was not reported; no one had seen
her since she had sailed so jauntily out of Old
Mission harbor. The papers were full of the
havoc wrought, of the shipping damaged, and
lists and estimates of the value of the property
destroyed by the tempest were published; but no
mention was made of the " Gazelle " — ^neither in
the list of vessels lost or vessels saved did her
name appear.

Frantic with anxiety, the parents of the crew
sent telegrams along the Michigan and Wiscon-
sin coasts on both sides of the Lake, asking for
news. Then the papers began to take it up, and
in large type they printed:

"WHERE IS THE ^GAZELLE'?"

"STILL NO NEWS OF THE MISSING

YAWL."

One stormy morning, after the newspapers
had been printing headlines like :

"^GAZELLE' UNDOUBTEDLY LOST,^^

the look-out at Manistee life-saving station saw

358

HOMEWARD BOUND

a small vessel, closely reefed, Bcudding across the
angry seas like a gull.

The look-out called to his mate: "What do
you make her out to be? " The other shielded
his eyes from the sharp blasts of the spray.

" Yawl rigged, twenty-five or thirty feet,
carrying jib and jigger. Looks like she had only
three men aboard — never saw her before."

" Yawl rigged, you say? " The first life-saver
stopped to look. " Thirty feet— sure, that's her.
Do you know what that 13? " He turned excit-
edly to the other. " Why, that's the ' Gazelle,'
Been round the United States pretty near.
Papers are full of it."

Soon the news was flashed from town to town
thtft the " Gazelle " was safe. The houses of
gloom in St. Joseph brightened, and eyes
dimmed with tears sparkled with joy. Soon the
" Gazelle " herself fiew into port and dropped
anchor safe and sound.

The people of Manistee turned out to do the
young sailors honor.

Again, as if by miracle, the staunch boat had
triumphed over the elements. With two anchors
down, and several improvised ones out, she had
ridden the terrific gale safely.

Nest day the little ship started out again,

feverishly impatient to get home. Kenneth

3:9

A. TEAR JN A YAWL

waited only long enough for the wind to die down
a little and to get some very badly needed sleep.

With gales before them, behind them, battling
with them from every side, the dogged crew kept
on, ever heading southward.

Late one day, each of the three families re-
ceived a telegram that thrilled them. " At South
Haven. All well! " it read. Only twenty miles
away now!

It was over a year since the " Gazelle," her
colors flying, her unstained sails showing white,
had sailed out of St. Joseph harbor, and yet, in
spite of their eagerness to get home, in spite of
the yearning of their parents to have them home,
they must needs spend a day in fixing up. Ken-
neth was determined to have his vessel look well
when he entered the home port.

But, alas! with only twenty miles of the seven
thousand to go, it seemed as if they were doomed
to wait yet another day. A gale was blow-
ing, and the rollers dashed themselves to
spume against the bulkheads protecting the
harbor.

" You can't do it," the life-savers told the cap-
tain. " Youll never get between those break-
waters aUve in this wind."

" Yes, we will." Kenneth's mind was made
up. A spirit of reckless daring took possession

360

HOMEWARD BOUND

of him, and he could and would get to St. JoeepH
tliat day.

"We'll do it, won't wo, boys?" KennetK
turned to the crew that had never failed him.

" Sure I " was the laconic, hut all-sufficient
answer.

" Shake! " said the captain, and they gripped
firm hands all around.

" Put in a single reef in the main," the captain
ordered, " and hoist away."

The boya looked at him a bit doubtfully, but
obeyed without a word. The jigger set, the
anchor was hauled aboard and the jib haHiarda
made taut.

Slowly she began to make headway, her sails
filled, and, heeling gracefully to the wind, she
headed for the narrow way between the break-
waters.

People ashore shouted and cheered, and the
boys acknowledged the salute by waving their
caps on high.

"Hurrah, for the last twenty miles!" Ken-
neth shouted suddenly, then settled himself for
the struggle to come.

It was a dead beat out to the open lake through
the three-hundrod-foot-wide channel between
the long piers. The wind blew so hard that the
spray obscured the piers from sight at times, and

A YEAR tK A YAWL

it seemed impossible that any vessel propelled b
sails could make way against it.

Kenneth planned to clear the south pier with
the first long tack. As the yacht sped down to-
wards the opening to the lake— choked as it was
with the smothering seas — he realized that he
had undertaken a very hazardous thing — realized
that failure to clear the breakwater on that tack
would mean instant destruction against the bulk-
head.

Ab they came nearer and nearer the rock-
ballasted spiles, Kenneth noticed that his boat
was not pointing as high up into the wind as
usual, and that no matter how hard he jammed
the helm over, she would not head right. In-
stead of making the long angle that would bring
her clear of the end, the " Gazelle " was heading,
in apite of ail her skipper could do, twenty feet
in. The yacht acted queerly, but was making
tremendous speed. Nearer and nearer she came
to the spiles partly obscured by the spray; nearer
and nearer, till the very slap and hiss o£ the
waves against them was heard.

The " Gazelle " was pointed straight at a
group of logs some twenty feet from the end.
Kenneth was puzzled and worried, almost fran-
tic, indeed — never had hia boat acted in this way
before.

HOMEWARD BOUND

Deapaia'ingly he looked acrosa at the rapidly
narrowing strip of foam-fleeked water, when bis
quick eye caught a glimpse of the jib sheet
caught on the hitts.

"The jib sheet is fouled. Quick, clear it!
lively now, boyal "

In an instant it was done. The sail flew out
to its rightful position, and the " Gazelle," like a
racehorse that has been pulled in too much,
bounded forward, straight for the end of the
pier. In a smother of foam, amid a swirl of
angry waters, the good yacht dashed into the
open lake, missing the end of the pier by a bare
yard.

Kenneth could not hear the cheer that rose
from the hundred throats ashore, but be could
feel it, and he was grateful.

A little over two hours later, the straining eyes
of three boys aboard a little yacht caught sight,
through the mist and spray, of a white tower on
a high bluff, and the words " There it is! " passed
from mouth to mouth. A little later, and a
fringe of people could be made out on the top
of the bluff, and aome yellow-clad figures on the
end of the long breakwater, where the life-savera
took their stand.

There waa moisture in the bo^' eyes that
could not come from the spray, for it wafl salt,

1 YEAk lif A tAWL

and a lump in their throats thai; would not
down.

Suddenly there was a movement among the
figures on the beach^ a ripple in the long line
bordering the bluff. A flash of white showed
here and there. In three places along the line
bits of color waved — red, and blue and yellow — ^
and the eyes that watched so eagerly for those
colors, dimmed so that only a blur was left.

The yacht was sailing gallantly — speeding
over the whitecaps in a way that rejoiced her
builder's heart. The Stars and Stripes, made by
loving hands, once bright and lustrous, now dim
but glorious, spread out flat by the gale.

Nearer she came to the harbor entrance —
nearer to her home port. The faint sound of
people cheering came over the seething sea to the
home-coming trio. The steadfast colors waved,
and the steadfast hearts answered each other
across the water.

Kenneth headed as if to cross the harbor's
mouth. Past the long pier the " Gazelle "
flashed, and it seemed as if the boys could hear
the people groan. A little beyond, Kenneth put
her helm down, and she spun round on her heel,
heading straight for the inner basin. With
sheets eased, the water boiling at her bow, the
waves flowing swiftly alongside, every stitch

864

HOMEWARD BOUND

drawing, every fibre in the rigging straining, the
'* Gazelle '^ raced with the flying spray into port.
Her crew, exhilarated, thankful, jubilant, could
hear nothing but the cheers of their friends,
while the brave bits of color waved them a wel-
come that had been waiting a long year — the best
welcome of all.

THE END

865

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Full text of "A Year in a Yawl: A True Tale of the Adventures of Four Boys in a Thirty-foot Yawl"

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