the brothers looked to see if their
boat would answer her rudder. For a moment or two she hung in the
balance, the howling wind driving her nearer the rocks, to strike upon
which meant sure destruction in the now boiling sea.

Then, with a feeling of relief, Andy saw that they were sheering off,
but very slowly. Could they make it? They were near to death, for no
one--not even the strongest swimmer--could live long unaided in that
boiling sea that would pound him upon the sharp rocks.

Suddenly Frank uttered a cry, and pointed to a spot at the left of the
rocks, in a space of water comparatively calm.

"There! Look! Look!" he shouted.

"What is it? The whale?" demanded Andy.

"No, a boat--a motor boat! It's disabled--drifting! It must have been
on the rocks. It's a large one, too. Look out you don't hit it."

"It's on fire!" cried Andy. "See the smoke--the flame! It's burning
up!"

The _Gull_ was now far enough from the Shark's Teeth to warrant her
safety, and the boys could look at the motor craft, that was bobbing
helplessly about in the spume and spray, being tossed hither and
thither by the heaving waves.

"See anybody on her?" yelled Andy.

"No--not a soul," answered Frank, who had made his way forward, and was
standing up, clinging to the mast.

Suddenly, amid the howling of the storm, there came a sharp explosion.
There was a puff of flame, and a cloud of smoke hovered over the
hapless motor boat, which, strange to say, still remained intact and
afloat.

"She's blown up! Exploded!" yelled Andy.

"Yes, and there's a boy in the water! Look!" fairly screamed Frank.
"He was on the boat! The explosion must have blown him out! He's
floating! We must save him, Andy!"

"Sure! Jupiter's lobsters! but things are happening to us to-day!
Look out! I'm going to put about!"

Frank scrambled back to join his brother. The big boom with its
shortened sail swung over, and, heeling under the force of the
shrieking wind, the _Gull_ darted toward the dangerous rocks once more.
Toward the wrecked motorboat, toward the figure of the boy floating in
the smother of foaming and storm-torn waves she swept.

Could they reach the helpless lad in time? It was the question
uppermost in the hearts of Frank and Andy Racer.

CHAPTER III

THE BOY'S RESCUE

"Can we make it, Frank?" questioned Andy desperately.

"We've got to," came the quick answer. "Ease her off a little until I
get the lay of