ugely a
shower bath of sea-water. After splashing about to their hearts' content
someone mentioned breakfast.

"Let's run out a ways and see what we can catch," cried Arnold. "I'd
like a broiled fish for breakfast."

Accordingly the lines were made ready and in a short time Tom announced
a bite. His catch proved to be a Spanish mackerel of good size. No time
was lost in cleaning the prize.

"Now, while the cook prepares breakfast," Jack said, "I think we'd
better get back into harbor. I'm dubious about that plug in the
Fortune's side and think we'd better have her out on the ways for a new
plank if necessary. Let's get back."

"Right you are, Captain," declared Harry. "I'm cook this morning, while
Jack must wash dishes! He said lots of slang yesterday."

"Now you mention it, I'll plead guilty," laughed Jack.

With laughter and gay spirits the boys could scarcely wait for
breakfast. Harry was an adept at the kitchen as his friends all were
willing to testify. He threw his whole soul into the task as he did with
everything he undertook. Today was no exception.

"My only regret," stated Frank as they were seated about the breakfast
table at last, "is that I didn't find you fellows sooner."

"The pleasure is mutual, I assure you--we assure you," stated Tom.
"We've enjoyed your society immensely and hope we'll find your chum
shortly. He can't be far away."

"Wyckoff wouldn't be so desperate as to do him harm, would he?" queried
Harry. "I can't believe he would make way with him."

"I don't know," replied Frank in a dubious tone. "Wyckoff has given
evidence that he's a mighty mean sort of a chap."

"Speaking of Wyckoff," put in Jack, "I believe that's the schooner that
chased us away from Petit Bois yesterday. Look there."

All hands looked in the direction indicated by Jack and saw a schooner
just putting out of the harbor. On her decks stood several roughly
dressed men lounging about in attitudes that bespoke anything but the
smart sailor. They were unkempt and untidy in appearance and were
generally a pretty undesirable looking group.

"If that's the same vessel," Frank declared, "I'm glad she didn't catch
us! They're a hard looking collection of desperadoes."

"She's tacking so as to come close aboard of us," declared Tom. "Shall I
shift the course, Jack?" he inquired.

"I don't think so," answered Jack. "Of course under the pilot rules of
the United States, a power boat under way must keep clear of a sa