are always in the right," commented Frank.

He showed little signs of any excitement; yet, did his chums but know it,
there was much of thanksgiving in his heart over the narrow escape.

Once again he and Jerry set to work at the stubborn motor, while the
others endeavored to keep a sharp lookout. Will, in particular, was
holding his head cocked on one side, as though eager to catch the first
faint sound of any advancing vessel from windward.

From time to time Bluff amused himself in making dreadful noises with the
conch-shell horn, for one has to learn how to sound this before being
able to send a ringing blast that can be heard an almost incredible
distance.

"Anyhow, the fog's getting thinner all the while," remarked Will
joyfully.

"That's a fact," said Frank, glancing up from his work.

A minute later there was a whirr.

"Hurrah! She works!" shouted Jerry.

"Thank goodness! Then we're saved!" echoed Will.

"Get up your anchor, Bluff," remarked Frank quietly.

This Bluff did with cheerful alacrity, and immediately the little
motor-boat began to churn the water with her accustomed zeal.

"How long had we been sitting there?" asked Jerry.

"Just two hours," was Frank's reply as he consulted his little nickel
watch.

"And now what?" demanded Will.

"We'll move in toward the shore somewhat, and wait for the fog to sweep
away. When that happens perhaps we can get our bearings, and find out
whether we've passed our first intended refuge or not," returned Frank.

"But you think we have?" queried Bluff.

"Yes; and consequently, as we don't want to turn around and go back, we
might as well head for the second harbor."

"What sort of a place is that?" asked Bluff, always seeking information.

"As near as I can make out from the chart, it is a lagoon formed by a
long island that stands as a shelter between the open gulf and the shore.
There are many such along the gulf coast, and small vessels are in the
habit of running behind them when the weather outside gets stormy."

"Hear! hear! Frank's already showing signs of becoming a real old salt.
Look there, fellows! Oh! it's gone, now!" cried Jerry, pointing.

"I had just a glimpse of it. That was land, all right, Jerry; and perhaps
we'd better alter our course a bit now, heading due east so as to skirt
along about this distance out."

So saying, Frank gave the wheel a little whirl, and the motor-boat, in
response, curved gracefully a few points to the