the front part of the boat would tear away from
the stern and go on without it. Of course, the people who owned the
boats found this rather expensive, so after a while this man couldn't
get a steady job in the fishing trade at all. He did get another
position, though, and as far as I know is working at it yet."

"It must be a job requiring some strength," remarked Teddy. "What was
it?"

"Carrying barrels of holes from a swiss cheese factory to be made into
crullers," chuckled Lester. "I guess that will hold you for a while. If
you like that one, I'll tell you some more."

"That's quite enough from you," said Teddy, with great dignity. "You're
apt to bring a judgment on us with such stuff as that. One of these big
waves may come slap into the boat and send us all to Davy Jones' locker,
if you're not careful."

CHAPTER XXIV

RIDING THE SURF

The words were spoken in jest, but they bade fair before long to turn to
earnest.

Although the wind had died down, the waves were still running high from
the effects of the storm. Lester, however, handled the oars like the
skilled waterman he was, and Fred was not far behind him, so that the
occupants of the boat felt that they could not be in safer hands. As
they got farther out from under the lee of the lighthouse rocks,
however, they felt the force of the waves more and more, and Lester had
to draw on all his knowledge to keep the boat headed before the big
rollers. As one wave followed another, it would shoot the boat ahead as
though propelled by some invisible motor, and while this was very
exhilarating, it also had a strong element of danger. As long as they
went before the waves they were safe enough, but Lester knew that if
they broached to, broadside to the waves, they would be swamped in the
twinkling of an eye. The water was pretty shoal where they were, and
while not actually surf was still near enough like it to keep them all
tense and expectant.

As the boys approached the shore, they could see that there was a big
surf breaking on the sands. Lester scanned it closely.

"I think we can get through all right, fellows," he said, "but if we
should be swamped going in, it won't mean anything more than a good
wetting. When I say the word, Fred, we want to act fast and together. If
we can get a wave just right, we'll shoot in like an arrow."

"All right, say when, and I'll pull my arms out," promised Fred, taking
a firm grip on the oars. "Let her go."