d, in order to reach
some channel beyond, it was absolutely necessary that the tide be taken
at its flood, otherwise they were very apt to find themselves stuck in
the mud.

Three full days did they keep this up, and then, having managed to
surmount every difficulty, they reached the point where that outside
run became a necessity, ere they could enter the Peedee River at Winyah
Bay, and once more take up the inside route.

Another day was spent waiting for the conditions to become more
favorable. Time was not any great factor in their cruise, but safety
did enter very much into their calculations. They had passed through
another stormy period and were quite satisfied to snuggle down to camp,
to rest up after their arduous work of the last few days, wriggling
their way through those tortuous creeks, and working the setting pole
at times for hours, when the saving of the precious gasolene became an
object.

"How's this for the right morning?" asked George, who was anxious to
have the long and hazardous outside run over with.

"Looks good to me, so far," said Jack, "and I guess we'll get off right
after we've had breakfast. We might wait longer and fare worse, you
know, George."

"Oh! I'm ready for the run. It can't come any too soon to suit me,"
declared the skipper of the _Wireless_, "and I honestly believe I've
got my engine in better shape than ever before."

"Thank goodness for that!" said Nick, who did not look any too happy.

And at seven o'clock, while the sun was hanging low in the east, they
started off, with the longest outside run of the cruise confronting
them; and all sorts of possibilities for trouble looming up on the
horizon.

CHAPTER XXI.

FOG BOUND WHILE AT SEA.

"How much further do we have to go, Jack?"

It was Herb calling out after this style. The three boats were close
together, and steadily making progress over the heaving surface of the
ocean. Off to the right lay the shore, plainly seen, though they did
not dare approach too close, lest they get into that sickening ground
swell, that rolled the narrow _Wireless_ in a way to make those aboard
dizzy.

"As near as I can judge we ought to see the mouth of Winyah Bay inside
of the next half hour. It's different from an inlet, you understand,
and wide enough to fool us, unless we take great care," replied the
commodore, who had his marine glasses leveled at the shore about half
the time, trying to pick up landmarks calcu