gh the preliminary skirmish
unharmed, for it had been that which gave him the greatest concern.

And now the work began in earnest. They had to fight for every foot
they won against the combined forces of wind and wave. Had they been a
mile or so further out in the sound, so that the seas had a better
chance to become monstrous, nothing could have saved any of them. And
Jack's chums once again had reason to be thankful for the far-seeing
qualities which their commodore developed when he changed their course,
and headed into the teeth of the coming gale.

At least several things favored them now. George's boat seemed to be
behaving wonderfully well, for one thing. Then again, after that first
swoop the gale had slackened somewhat in intensity, as is frequently
the case; though presently they could expect it to become more violent
than ever, when it caught its second wind, as Jerry expressed it.

Then, another hopeful thing was the fact that with every yard passed
over they were really getting the benefit of drawing closer to the
shore that was serving as a sort of shield from the wind.

The seas too gradually declined, since there was lacking the water
necessary to build them up.

Jack had one thing to worry over. He knew that on such occasions
considerable water would be swept from the western side of the sound,
and this was apt to send the boats aground unless luck favored them.
Such a condition would keep them from going further in any great
distance, since the risk of striking became too pronounced.

"It's all right, Jimmy!" he called to his helper, knowing how anxious
the latter must necessarily be; "we've got to a point now where we're
safe. We could even drop our mudhooks over right here, and ride it
out, if we wanted. But it's better to go on a little further."

"Whoo! wasn't the same a scorcher, though?" Jimmy shouted, a sickly
grin coming over his good-natured, freckled face.

"It was some wind, I'm thinking," Jack admitted. "I wasn't a bit
afraid about the _Tramp_ or the _Comfort_, but there's no telling what
that trick boat, _Wireless_, will do, when you don't expect it. But
everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high."

"Sure it will, if ever ye get a sight on one with that bully little
gun; and it was poor hungry Nick I heard sayin', by the same token,
that he liked roast goose better than anything in the woide worrld
except oysters!"

Ten minutes later and Jack blew a blast upon his