y
moons.

"Aha! you're having your journey for your pains, Burrows!" he cried.
"The old place isn't going to leave the Spence family after all. Look!
this is from my boy, and directs me to go to the bank in Beaufort, to
which he has transmitted funds to make the first payment that will save
our home! More will follow as soon as he hears from us. Money is
flowing in on him, money and honors as thick as they can come. And his
heart has gone out to the father and sisters he left years ago. It's
all right, Burrows, thanks to these kind boys who have borne his
message to me."

He went around, shaking the hand of every one with vehemence. And no
one looked happier than the marshal, upon learning that stern duty
after all would not compel him to take from his old friend the home of
his ancestors.

"But it was a close shave, let me say," was his remark later on to
Jack, as they all started to gather under the humble roof of the
fisherman's shack which the devotion of those three brave daughters had
almost beautified, so that the old man might not be too much broken
down; "another day would have been too late."

"Then I'm glad that storms and breakdowns did not keep us from getting
here on time," said the commodore of the Motor Boat Club.

CHAPTER XX.

MEETING TROUBLE HALF WAY.

Jack had been studying his coast survey charts seriously of late.

He knew that there were a few hardships before them ere they could
anchor in front of Florida's metropolis on the St. John's River, fair
Jacksonville.

And as it was only right that every member of the club should share in
the discussion as to their course, he gave them to understand that
there would be held a caucus on the very next night.

At the lower end of Bogue Sound amid the sedge grass they hoped to make
their next camp, when this question would be debated from every side,
and the plan of campaign adopted as majority decided.

When they were getting ready to leave the Spence family, Jack felt some
one pulling at his sleeve, and looking around discovered that it was
old Pete.

"How 'bout that ere dollar, boss?" asked the cracker.

"That's a fact, I came near forgetting you, Pete," laughed Jack. "And
to prove that it wasn't intentional, here's double pay for you. I
guess we've had enough pleasure out of this to count for two dollars."

"That's mighty nice of you-all," declared the fellow, actually showing
something like gratitude in his manner, as he