that
drove into his face---but the little ironclad hed proved two things.
Fust, that she could hold her own; and next that the day of wooden
vessels in naval warfare was over.

"As you boys know, warships now-a-days are all ironclad. Folks hey
called 'em 'indestructible,' but I guess thar ain't no sech word
allowable any more. Between the new explosives and the airships---wal',
they say we ain't heard the last word yet, by a long shot!"

The old captain rose as he spoke, shaking his head thoughtfully and
gazing out over the sea and into the sky.

"Wal', boys, off to yer bunks now! We'll hev a fairly calm night, but
thar'll be wet decks to-morrow!"

CHAPTER XII

A SURPRISING ADVENTURE

The captain's prophecy was literally fulfilled, and the boys had no
opportunity for fairweather games the next day. Instead, clad in
oilskins, they lounged about the wet decks, watching the captain's
skillful handling of the boat, ringing the big fog bell when the
atmosphere grew thick, and clinging to the railing when the sloop
pitched and tossed restlessly on the heaving sea.

Dave retired as usual in rough weather into sullen silence, coming
on deck most reluctantly only when his services were demanded by
the captain.

Late in the day, the storm increased to a gale of some little
violence, and the captain decided to make for the nearest harbor.
He had hoped to reach the home haven that night, but his policy
was to meet disappointment rather than to run risks.

"Mebbe I hev a surprise up my sleeve fer you boys," Captain Lem said,
his eyes twinkling as he saw their long faces on hearing the news
of delay. "Wouldn't mind addin' a little excitement ter the end of
the trip, would ye?"

"We're aching for it," returned Billy promptly. "This has been an
awfully long day, you know, captain."

"Wal', ef I've got my bearin's all right, we'll spend the evenin' in
a right cheerful place. That's all I kin say now, but you boys go
collect your belongin's, so's we kin land fer the night ef my
calc'lations hold good."

Just as the early darkness of the rainy night shut down over the
rolling sea, the boys discovered a gleaming light, high and steady,
not far off toward the Florida coast.

"Jimmy!" cried Billy excitedly. "Bet the captain is going to take us
to a lighthouse for the night!"

"Can't be your uncle's light, Mark, where we saw the spongers on the
way down," commented Chester thoughtfully. "We're too near ho