he
east. Later on, of course, their line of travel would be south, as the
coast turned and they drew nearer to their destination, Cedar Keys.

Everything seemed to be working nicely, and they had soon put half a
dozen miles behind them. Frank was attending to the motor, while the
others lay about on the deck, watching the heavens or the surrounding
water.

Not a breath of wind seemed to be blowing, and the sun came down with
summer heat, causing coats to be discarded by all hands.

"Hey! What's that? Where's the blooming shore gone?" suddenly exclaimed
Bluff.

Frank raised his head at the cry.

"It's a fog coming up!" he said uneasily, for that was the one thing he
had dreaded most of all while out upon the open waters of the big gulf,
and no haven near at hand.

With incredible swiftness the blanket seemed to sweep over the surface of
the sea. In ten minutes they were completely surrounded, and could not
discern any object fifty feet away.

"This is awkward, fellows; but perhaps it may not last long. Meanwhile,
we will have to steer by the compass. All of you listen to hear the wash
of the rollers on the beach, if we happen to get in too close," said
Frank, trying to keep calm.

They continued along for half an hour, under reduced speed. Still the fog
remained as dense as ever. Frank was wondering if they might not pass the
first haven without knowing it. He thought it was very unfortunate that
such a thing as this should occur on their very first day out.

"Hello! What are you stopping for?" demanded Jerry suddenly, as the sound
of the bustling little motor ceased and the boat slowed down.

Frank was bending low over the machinery.

"I don't know, fellows, but something has happened to the motor. That
stop was none of my doing; but I hope it won't amount to much," he
said cheerfully.

The other three looked at each other uneasily. With the motor broken
down, and surrounded by a treacherous fog, out there on the big gulf,
their situation was one well calculated to cause alarm.

CHAPTER XIII

LOST IN THE FOG

"What's to be done?" asked Will presently.

"I'm looking the motor over, first of all. Perhaps it's a small matter,
and I can fix it up. Sometimes these new machines act a bit cranky. Want
of oil will even bring about trouble. Jerry, you take a look with me. Two
heads are often better than one," said Frank.

"Can we do anything?" questioned Bluff.

"Just try and see if you can hear a