them was comfortable mentally. To be carried to the
Hawaiian Islands, two thousand miles away, was no pleasant thought.
Besides, what would their folks think of their prolonged absence?

"Mother will think that we have all been drowned," said Dora.

"And that is what our folks will think, too," said Nellie. "Oh, it
is terrible, simply terrible!" And she wrung her little hands.

By making inquiries Dick learned that the steamer was expected to
reach Honolulu inside of two weeks, if the weather was not too, bad.
From Honolulu they could get passage to San Francisco on the mail
steamer, the trip lasting exactly seven days.

"We'll have to get some money first," said Tom. "And we can't cable
for it, either," he went on, for the cable to the Hawaiian Islands
from the United States had not yet been laid.

"Let us hope that we will see some ship that will take us back," said
Sam.

Day after day they watched eagerly for a passing sail. But though
they sighted four vessels and hailed them, not one was bound for the
United States, outside of a whaler, and that craft intended to stay
out at least three months longer before making for port.

"We are booked for this trip, and no mistake," sighed Tom. "Well,
since that is so, let us make the best of it."

The Tacoma was heavily laden, and though the storm cleared away and
the Pacific Ocean became moderately calm, she made but slow progress.

"Our boilers are not in the best of condition," said Captain Fairleigh.

"I trust there is no danger of their blowing up," returned Dick.

"Not if we don't force them too much."

It had been arranged that the boys and girls should pay a fair price
for the trip to Honolulu, the money to, be sent to the captain of
the Tacoma later on. As for old Jerry, he signed articles to work
his passage to the Hawaiian Islands and back again. As Captain
Fairleigh was rather short of hands he was glad to have the old sailor
join his crew.

The days slipped by, and, having recovered from the effects of the
storm, the Rover boys became as light hearted as ever. Tom was
particularly full of pranks.

"No use of crying over spilt milk," he declared. "Let us be thankful
the pitcher wasn't broken, or, in other words, that we are not at
this moment at the bottom of the Pacific."

"Right you are," replied Sam.

There was an old piano on board, and the boys and girls often amused
themselves at this, singing and playing. As there were no other
passenge