ump for it, lads!" cried Captain Jerry, "unless you
want to go down with her!"

And jump they did, into the mighty waves, and none too soon, for a
minute later the yacht went down, out of their sight forever.

The small boat was not far away, and soon Sam and Tom were picked
up. To get Dick and Captain Jerry was not so easy, but the task was
finally accomplished, and soon all of our friends stood on the deck
of the tramp steamer, safe and sound once more.

CHAPTER VII

DISMAYING NEWS

"Thank fortune we got away from the yacht just in time!" exclaimed
Tom, as he shook the water from his clothes.

"I'm sorry to see the Old Glory go," said Captain Jerry sadly. "I
thought a heap o' that craft, I did. It will be sorry news to take
back to Master Bob."

"Never mind, we'll help pay for the loss," put in Dick.

"Where are you folks from?" questioned the captain of the steamer,
as he came up to, the crowd.

"We came from Santa Barbara. The storm took our mast, and blew us
out to sea," answered Dick. "We owe you something for, picking us up."

"You're welcome for what I've done," answered Captain, Fairleigh.
"Come with me, and I'll try to get you some dry clothing. I can trick
out the men folks, and the young ladies will have to see my wife,
who happens to be with me on this trip."

"What steamer is this?" asked Tom.

"The Tacoma, lad."

"Are you bound for San Francisco?" questioned Sam.

"No, we are bound for Honolulu, on the Hawaiian Islands."

"Honolulu!" burst out the others.

"Do you mean to say that the first port you will make will be Honolulu?"
demanded Dick.

"That's my orders, lad. I must get there just as quick as I can, too,
for a cargo of sugar."

"But we don't want to go to the Hawaiian Islands!" put in Dora.
"Mercy! It's two thousand miles away!"

At this Captain Fairleigh shrugged his broad shoulders.

"I am sorry for you, but I can't put back, miss. Perhaps we'll meet
some vessel bound for some port in the United States. If so, I can
ask the captain to take you back."

"And if you don't meet any vessel?" came from Grace.

"Oh, I think we'll pass some vessel," returned the captain.

He took the girls and introduced them to, his wife, and then turned
the boys and old Jerry over to the first mate, who obtained for them
some dry clothing. After this all were provided with a hot supper,
which did much toward making them comfortable, at least physically
speaking.

But not one of